The boiler with all its tubes removed was inspected by John Glaze for the first time since it was removed from Monarch in 2005. John was cautiously optimistic about the boilers potential, he was impressed by the build quality however he had three significant concerns. Firstly; the 41 stay tubes had to be replaced, secondly; the welds had to be electromagnetically tested paying particular attention to the longitudinal drum welds and thirdly; the tube holes were to be properly reamed to a higher standard than I had been able to achieve with my adjustable reamer. These points along with a thorough descale inside and out all had to be addressed before rebuilding could begin.
02/12/07
All the tubes have been removed from the boiler and the holes have been reamed ready for examination by the boiler inspector John Glaze
13/02/08
The boiler was delivered to Terry Statham's workshop in Derbyshire for Non Destructive Testing (NDT)
05/03/08
After the ND tests it was found that apart from some minor cracking around the access port sockets, which could be repaired, there were no significant problems and the rebuild could commence.
END
07/12/07
For the generator, I purchased three wartime RAF charging sets on eBay. They were in various conditions and the intention was to salvage enough parts to rebuild two sets to the original spec and have a dynamo remaining to be used with the Stuart S type to build a steam battery charging set. The engine in the photo is a jap 2A, I managed to repair two of the engines to a running condition using the third for parts. I'm told that they were used during WWII to charge aircraft batteries.
09/11/07
Bought this little Stuart "S" Type enclosed steam engine on eBay with the intention of using it to build a small generator to charge some batteries. It's about 2 1/2" x 2 1/4" and has a governor to regulate the speed at around 800 - 1000rpm. The condition is very good and it will take little work to get it ready for use.
06/11/08
This summer I had a visit from Coventrys finest, which means I had a break in at my lock-up (Only a matter of time I guess) anyway they took a load of gear needed fro the boat including boiler feed pump, condenser, ash pan, boiler inspection ports, tools etc etc a total of about £5000 worth of kit knicked, who knows they probably got enough to buy a couple of pints with the proceeds. There was however a small positive side in that the boiler was still in Derbyshire being repaired so they didn't get that.
The Boiler has been repaired and returned to a safe location. The 275 new tubes will hopefully be fitted before Christmas.
20/01/09
All of the new boiler tubes have been installed and the boiler test has been set for 23/02/09 pictures and text to follow.
The hull is being built, work started last week and is estimated to take six months at Brinklow Boats Ltd. The steel is on order and picture will be posted as they are taken.
Also this week I was offered a mooring at Coventry's Swan Lane Wharf and after visiting the site and meeting the people involved I gratefully accepted. This wharf was taken over last year by a group of canal and boating enthusiasts who plan to run it as a trust. They have transformed it from when it was the Clubline Cruisers base a few years ago and plan to make further improvements. It is a cracking little wharf full of character and history and being almost exactly half way between my home and my place of work it couldn't be better situated.
