PS Lucy Ashton

[kazarka]

I'm new here, a 'lapsed' model builder whose last effort was a Thames Sailing Barge built whilst awaiting the arrival of my first child. Unfortunately I was a little presumptuous, 'Murphy's Law' came into play, I ended up with a daughter! My second and final effort also produced a daughter so sadly the barge didn't get many outings. 

Fast-forward 30 years and both daughters have (so far) delivered me two 'Popsons'  (the 'G-word' is NOT used in my hearing) so I recently dusted-off the barge in anticipation of some outings with the boys.  I also recently inherited a superb scratch-built scale model of the PS Lucy Ashton kitted-out with a MacGregor Digimac 111 (Tx 1300A, Rx 24A). That gives an idea of the model's age!

The PS Lucy Ashton is very special to me as the origional ship was built by my Great Great Grandfather T.B. Seath and launched in 1888, remaining in regular service until 1947! More info here:
http://www.clydesteamers.co.uk/Lucy%20Ashton.html

So far, I've got the Radio gear working, (thanks to some good advice from members of the RCMF Forum) replacing all the old nicads with Li-ion and installed a new traction battery for the twin motors. However, I've now discovered bearings were only installed on the gearbox, the shafts then relied upon simple holes drilled in the wood framing either side of the paddle boxes! As the model was sailed a few times some 20 years ago the wood obviously got a little wet and the holes became oval Now, as a result, the paddle wheels flop about a bit and jam if I open up the throttles. I've partialy removed the paddle boxes and am currently experimenting with bearings made from collets silver-soldered to brass bar.

I'd like to incorporate some form of lubrication in these bearings but am nervous about 'buggering-up' the 'asthetics' so I'm wondering if anybody here has ever built a model of the Lucy Ashton and whether anyone has come across any drawings?
I know my late Father had a set of drawings when he built the model but they seem to have vanished

Any suggestions/help greatly appreciated

[andy]

the history of this steamer seems like she could have been built by Citroen??

:-)

Andreas

[Mercury]

Hi,

Drawings for the Lucy Ashton are available from the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and are contained in the Graham Langmuir collection.

Contact details are:

Website - www.csglasgow.org/archives

Phone - 0141 287 2910

Address -

Archives
Culture & Sport Glasgow
Mitchell Library
North Street
Glasgow
G3 7DN

e-mail - Archives@csglasgow.org

Previously I have found that model helicopter bearings work well. These tend to be sold in model shops and are high quality ball bearings with 5 or 6 mm internal diameters ideal for paddle shafts.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Richard

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's...& welcome kazaka ...if your brass collets are mechanically successful.....a small revision of a short vertical length of small diameter brass tube [K&S metal tube from any Hobby shop] even  soft soldered & drilled through the bushes will allow you to insert some rubber grease or Vaseline as lubrication between the paddle shaft & the bushes....don't use mineral oil as this will or may drop down into the water & leave those  tell tale rainbow rings of oil polution 

The slight amount of heat generated will ensure the grease is viscious enough to perform the lubrication requirement

Natually check at the completion of each sailing for an adaquate level of grease remaining or to determine if a refil is required etc

Post some pictures when you get a chance.........Derek 

[kazarka]

Thank you gentlemen for the helpful responses, I've fired off an email to the archivist in Glasgow and see what they come up with as a search on the site comes up blank.

I know 'Andy' was joking but in defense of 'Tammy' (T.B. Seath), he built many very fine ships evidenced by the surprising number still in one piece. For example, the 'Raven'
http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/ships_register.php?action=ship&id=57

 & 'Esperance'
http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/ships_register.php?action=ship&id=446

both in  in the Lakeland collection and the two oldest vessels on the Historic Ships register!

A further vessel called  'Raven' and 'The Lady of the Lake' are both still carrying passengers on Ullswater. The Lady of the Lake was built in 1877, thus is 134 years old and still going! Last time I took a ride on the Lady of the Lake there was a photograph of 'Tammy' proudly displayed in the saloon. I was slightly surprised today to find in their PR blurb that the build is suddenly credited to 'Joseph Seath' (the son), as Tammy didn't die until 1903 that is clearly wrong!

http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/ships_register.php?action=ship&id=376

Another historic vessel is the Nelcebee which was built at Rutherglen in 1882, launched, and then taken to pieces and shipped to Australia on a sailing ship called the "City of York". She was originally an iron tug/lighter, and worked the upper Gulf Ports in SA. She was retired from service in 1982, at the ripe old age of 100. The Nelcebee is still in existence, and is on dry land at Port Adelaide.

I'll take some pics today and post them!

[kazarka]

A couple of 'hasty' pictures, first the model, detail of existing 'bearing' and then my first effort at something better.

[Talisman]

Hi,
If you have acess to a lathe then life becomes a little easier ... if not then your method should be just fine.

Having said that I know of paddlers with over 40 years of sailing behind them that don't use lubrication other than a squirt of oil after sailing.

I know why you'd like to include lubrication and the supporting brass bar but also consider that every bit of weight added above the water line has an impact on stability. perhaps shorten the bar?

Or... if you do have access to a lathe then there are more possibilities ... perhaps use PTFE / or a self lubricating metal /or plastic ...

Personaly ..  i have aceess to many excitting products and methods .. but ... I'd keep it sipmple and stick with the collet and soldered bar arrangement , similar to the arrangement i'm fitting to a Red Gauntlet I'm restoring at the moment    pics bellow.

Regards,
Kim

[kazarka]

Lathe, I wish, haven't even got a pillar drill ! In the 'good old days' one could enroll for an 'evening class' and get access to a decent workshop but I think "ealf and safety" put paid to that

I do my silver soldering in the kitchen (with the extractor fan going full-tilt) when 'SWMBO' is out. Drilling is done on a 'workmate' with dowells clamped as vertical guides. Heath-Robinson is my middle name LOL.

Nice Paddler in your pic, what size is it?