My name is David from S. Shropshire. Like other recent contributor's this is my first attempt at a forum.
I have had an interest in model engineering since my Father left me the contents of his workshop when I was nine. There are not of lot of his tools left but I do have two Stuart 'Sun' type engines built by him and my half brother in the 1920s. I have cherished a dream of one day fitting one of these into a model boat for my Grand son?
In the last few years I have built up a workshop of my own, the first project was a feed pump run off one of these engines. Then a scratch built boat powered by a bought single acting oscillator, the hull was made from scrap Al roofing sheeting, the material rather dictated the design! It does actually run for about 2 minutes after 1/2hrs fiddling about! "Doesn't go very fast does it Grandpa".
The next effort was the commercial plastic model of Glasgow, a paddler, electric driven and radio controlled much more interesting to a 10 year old. Taught me a lot about boat modelling.
I am presently working on a double acting oscillator, perhaps it will drive the first effort a little faster?!!
My real enthusiasm is paddlers coming from a time when the highlight of my summer was a family trip on the Golden Eagle from Margate pier, and the eagerly awaited moment when my Father took me down to see the reciprocating might of the engines. When the MS Royal Sovereign replaced the old paddler I was clearly warned there would be nothing to see, but still insisted on a trip down to the engine room, the disappointingly small window revealed nothing of interest and the voyage ended in floods of tears.
My vision is a look alike model of 'Trillion' a 'walk walk' side wheeler passenger ferry, seen from my family's apartment on Toronto Water Front. Trillion is used on Bank holidays and other busy times for transporting passengers to and from Toronto Island, about 3/4 mile off shore, it is a public park and recreation area for the city, she also does private evening cruses. This model would be based around commercially available casting and pressings for a paddle engine and wheels. Well one has to have dreams!
Trillion lay derelict off the Island for about twenty years till the parks department decided they need a standby boat for busy days. Some inspired individual realized it would be cheaper to restore Trillion than build a new boat. She now has a fully automated oil fired boiler, and is operated by just one engineer to respond to the telegraph and controll the engine, and of course the navigational and loading crew. Her whistle is a joy to hear!
You can see more of her is you Go ogle tornot Island Ferries (sorry forgot to look up web address before starting this.) At one time there was a web site about her restoration but it seems to have disappeared, if any one finds it please let me know.
Interested in advice on hull construction, engines, radio control.
Best Wishes David
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