Old Trafford - in steam!

[Stuart Badger]

Hi all

I am typing this with burnt fingers, oily hands and have the scent (NOT smell!) of steam oil in my clothes and hair. I have just steamed Old Trafford (Reliant) for the first time. :-))

I have never played with a marine steam engine before so was unprepared for the KA-WHOOMF!!!!!!!! as the burner ignites, I feel they could have warned me about that, but I didn't break anything too valuable as I fell backwards and covered my head with my hands.

The puffin engines are VERY tactable and speed control (paddle speed\) is variable between about 20 rpm and too fast to see! - this is out of the water so I imagine that with the resistance in the water the speed range will be lower.

The boiler is running at about 35psi which seems to be about right and the gas cuts down to a pilot light when this pressure is reached.

The radio is all installed so she is ready for the water. I just have a few details to add to the superstructure but I may well get her out on the lake before I do that.

So Paul - fancy a boating session when you come over?

Stuart Badger