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New Steam Tug

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:07 pm
by Tunneltug
After 7 years talking about it, my steam tunnel tug made it to her first show earlier this month

Re: New Steam Tug

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:26 pm
by Johnlanark
What a wonderful and unusual boat - you need to tell us more about her.
So let me guess- did tunnel tugs pull boats through the canal tunnels?
John

Re: New Steam Tug

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:35 pm
by DetroiTug
Definitely a nice job! Yes, details, engine and boiler?? Is that a steel hull? it looks to be. How long and wide?

-Ron

Re: New Steam Tug

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:47 pm
by mtnman
Beautiful!!! We need more pictures!!!

Re: New Steam Tug

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:34 am
by artemis
:idea: I'll bet she's called a tunnel tug because her after area has a half tunnel to fit the prop, thus allowing her to work in shallow waters (The Atkins' - father and son - did a lot of "tunnel stern" design for boats ranging up to 250')

Re: New Steam Tug

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:55 am
by Mike Rometer
Superb!

I have always thought that British canal boats largely missed the steam era, but of course these took over from the horses though the tunnels, while the horse walked over the top, and it also saved the boaties from 'legging'. Love it!!!

Re: New Steam Tug

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 10:17 pm
by Dhutch
Mike Rometer wrote:I have always thought that British canal boats largely missed the steam era, but of course these took over from the horses though the tunnels, while the horse walked over the top, and it also saved the boaties from 'legging'. Love it!!!
Exactly, there where steam narrowboats, but the plant too up so much cargo space and a horse on the towpath was so effective they where never really displaced untill early IC engines came in. But for tunnel work where there was no tow path a steam tug was the solution. Or electric, in the car of the harecastle.

Having been on hasty earlier last month, i can vouch for her being a great success and a very nice boat.

I am no sure the exact length, but I expect it is 58-62ft, 6ft10 beam, and around 3ft draft, welded steel as you say.
Boiler is a vertical firetube and coal fired, previously fitted to narrowboat Monarch. Steam plant is compound, around the 5+8*6 size from memory.


Daniel