Hi I've got to admit my interest is not a paddler but an old 1930's model of SS Ceylon of the 1850's era of boat building. ie one of the first screw driven ships.
I am a model engineer used to the problems of 3.5 & 5inch gauge steam engines but not those with water under the boiler as well as inside it.
Having been searching the internet for information this site seems to have a great deal to offer. I'm not sure I have much to provide in exchange unless you have other people trying to get very old steam models back into working order.
Regards