Monarch was converted back to diesel in 2004 and the boiler was removed. Here it is being prepared for retubing.
Launch successfully completed July 20th, 2011
There are a few steam narrowboats on the English canals at the moment, some of the more well known ones are President, Emily Anne, Whistle Down The Wind, Laplander and the one that I am lucky enough to play on called Adamant.
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Steam Tunnel Tugs worked through the Blisworth tunnel for 75 years between 1871 and 1936. There weren't many of them though and none have survived. This project, to build a replica of Hasty will at least re-create a taste of what these important vehicles were like even if it isn't a carbon copy. The web site will catalogue the project as it progresses and hopefully provide information which is of use or interest. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or criticisms as I will be the first to admit this isn't the most professional web site in the world, however in my defense I hope to be more successful at building a steam powered tunnel tug than a website.
Hits since 7th December 2010
The hull has been built at Brinklow Boat Services at Stretton Under foss in Warwickshire where they have years of experience in the building of replica canal boats of all types.
The work began in August 2010 based on photographs and drawings I provided however the detail and overall construction is the creation of the team at Brinklow Boats, this being Steve Priest, Dave Ross and Simon Wain with help and input from others.
Over the past eleven months it has become clear that the team have pulled out all the stops to provide me with the closest thing to a steam tunnel tug that the canals have seen since the 1930s when they all seemed to vanish.
Updated
September 20th 2011
The Hull Page 2 and recently added Hull Page 3 shows the work continuing, the level of detail achieved and progress so far. The work being done is of a standard worth waiting for, to ensure we get it right rather than quick, some of the defining features of this boat have been difficult to but the finished result has justified this perseverance.
Follow the stages of the building of the hull on The Hull Pages
Well, since the launch a lot of work has been done, so much so that there hasn't been any time to update this site.
At the moment I am awaiting some new parts so I thought I'd take the opportunity to add a little to the site. To be honest, now "Hasty" is in steam I'm not sure what form this website should take but will try to sort it out over the coming weeks and months.
As I mentioned after the launch there was a mad panic to get the boiler ready for inspection and the engine running so we could take her to the Shackerstone Festival. After a bit of smoke inhalation John Glaze passed the boiler and we took her for her first little spin. She went well under the careful Captainship of Simon Wain and so on the 28th of August we steamed her to her new home at Swan Lane Wharf in Coventry.
On Friday September 2nd we lit the boiler at 5:00am and set off for Shakerstone at 6:10am. With Me, Andy Roberts and Phil Martino aboard we arrived at Shackerstone at 3:00pm without any problems.
HASTY (c) at Shackerstone September 2nd 2011