Hi, dear friends and neighbors,

again no paddler, but a rather interesting model of Loch Katrine steamer "Sir Walter Scott", built in 1900 by Denny, Dumbarton.
The original plans with big windows are rather different from the boat as she looks today. I make the model like the appearance of the late fiftys, when the windows were replaced by portholes and with the higher wheelhouse, because from my sight of view this is more elegant than the former and later appearance.
Lenght of hull is 106 cm, breadth 20 cm - this is a little more than scale for better nautic stability. The model will be driven by a pintail oscillating engine. I hope to finish the boat until May.

Thomas

Made the railing and the 20 benches beside. The upper wooden handrail of railing is made by fine brass U-profile, the benches from mahagoni- and walnut wood. Some refining of the wooden benches was necessary - so the 20 ones are now largely equal.

Thomas

Some advance - details and the upper wheelhouse. Finishing of the boat is in sight. Next job will be the capstan and the sun cover at the quarterdeck, of course some further details. I hope, in may maiden voyage can be made.

Thomas

Made the capstan yesterday. It wasn`t possible to get capstan and anchor by a trader. From my experience, now it`s much more difficult to buy detailed fittings by model traders than some years ago. But I hope, the result is quite ok. Next and last job at the boat will be the canvas awning at the quarterdeck. After this boilermaking and installation of the steam engine will be actual.

Thomas

"Sir Walter Scott" now is nearly finished, I now made the awning at the quarterdeck. The awning is connected with the removable part of the deck, so it`s possible to separate nearly the whole superstructure as one piece. Pintail engine also is installed. Next job will making some further details, the boiler with tubes and of course the R/C.

Thomas

Nicely scalloped awning to keep the rain or sun off the passengers 

The double-shaft universal is not common for your builds, is it a long propeller shaft?

Derek 

Hi Derek,

the propeller shaft isn`t long. I think, the double cardan shaft is a effective connection between engine and shaft. The boat without Boiler and R/C now is finished. The original ship has had a smaller awning between rudder house and mast, probably I will leave out this, because it`s difficcult to install this on the removable forecastle.

Thomas

I made the awning at the forecastle yet. Even it is removable, one don`t need this, the superstructure is separated and can be lift off without the awning. Also boiler with return tube was made and tested with hot water until 6 bar pressure. The boiler will get an outside insulation to avoide too much heat inside the nearly closed hull.
The "Sir Walter Scott" is one of my smaller models with a lenght of 106 cm, Deplacement will be less than 5 kg.

Thomas

Now boiler and R/C were build in. Boiler got an insulation with 3 mm pine fillets. The space for the boiler in front of the engine is rather well used, safety valve is leaded out behind the funnel. Weight of the whole boat with empty boiler and still without gas tank and hotwell now reaches only 3760 g. I expect a deplacement of the boat ready to run of about 4,5 kg.

Thomas

First steam up!

on saturday first steam up was made. Some minor problems has had to be solved: The hotwell`s diameter was too big, so it was close to the gastank. I must made a new hotwell with less diameter, also some screws of the engine were not fixed. Today a steam test in water took place. The inlet with the outlet of steamtubes were changed. From the beginning the boat lays stable in water, but with great stern heavyness. A 500 g iron ingot was placed below the bow, then the boat was in balance.
Now it seems, engine is running well, but better some further tests will follow before maiden trip.

Thomas

Test trip on the lake!

Last tuesday I made a visit 25 km south to the lake near city of Ehingen. The lake is only a few meters beside the young Danube. It was a warm sunny day, after 10 minutes steam pressure was up to 1,6 bar and the trip starts. The 13 mm Rothenberger burner wasn`t very strong, steam pressure goes down to 1,2 bar while engine was running, too less. Nautic stability was very good, also steering. Water capacity of boiler was enough for 45 minutes.

At home again, I changed the very small gas nozzle of the burner to a little larger one. Now it seems, that steam production is satisfactory - we will see on saturday at the steam meeting in Gernsbach, Black Forest.

Thomas

Yesterday in Gernsbach, summer festival of SMC Murgtal. The aft roof was better fixed this time and the gas burner of the boiler got a larger nozzle. Speed now is ok. But perhaps I will install another larger burner for better steam production.

Thomas