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Steam narrow boat President

News from the ‘hole - April 2007

Last August on leaving the museum, one of the 72 fire- tubes split, allowing a small amount steam and water to escape from the boiler. President did an about turn to the museum and the boiler was shut down. A boiler company was contacted and contract arranged to replace all the 72, 2” diameter tubes. We had after all had 15 years service from the tubes, which is a testament to the boiler treatment we have used and the care take with the boiler,

This work plus an examination of all the welds and a hydraulic test was completed last month and the boiler has been returned and is now sitting in the hold awaiting positioning.

Once the boiler is located correctly all the bulk heads can be replaced and the work on connecting up all the pipe work can start.

One very annoying aspect of a steam engine which exhausts to atmosphere is the amount of water and oil mixed with soot that leaves the funnel, which then covers the boat, the crew and any unwatchful bystander. A slightly less problem is the noise, very nice when ticking over, but by the end of a long very hot day can really get on ones wick. So we have, after consultation with other steam experts designed an expansion box which will sit at the side of the engine. It is 42” high and 15” diameter . insulated and clad in wood and brass to match the engine cylinder (I have seen a picture – which we couldn’t locate for this issue of steaming up – and it looks great and will really add something to the engine room – Ed). Steam leaves the engine directly into the box where it spins round dropping all the water and oil to the bottom where it drains out through a valve. The steam then leaves the top and goes up the funnel or to the condenser. The plan is that the engine will run quieter and cleaner – we hope.

A further modification is fit a hand pump to clear the oil and condensate from the engine sump into a container in the hold. All of which means plenty of work for Bob Crompton and myself piping up the new items.

So please come and crew and see for yourself the improvements we have made.

from Steam Up - April 2007

Dave Stott