The Vital Spark

For quality photos of Steamboats
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cyberbadger
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The Vital Spark

Post by cyberbadger » Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:11 pm

A TV-show that takes places on a steamboat, 4 episodes!

The Vital Spark - The Quarrel - 30min - (Arguing about the use of a steam whistle)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIFROv554UQ

The Vital Spark - Bad Luck Cargo - 30min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=denLhgVxlOE

The Vital Spark - The Wedding - 50min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9pddFrY4JY

The Vital Spark - Drop o' the real stuff - 30min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA038V5OhHE

-CB
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Re: The Vital Spark

Post by TahoeSteam » Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:59 pm

I want to say this was based on a number of short stories written by an owner of a 'puffer'
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Re: The Vital Spark

Post by cyberbadger » Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:21 pm

TahoeSteam wrote:
Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:59 pm
I want to say this was based on a number of short stories written by an owner of a 'puffer'
In the episode 'The Argument', the engineer complains of the use of the steam whistle by the captain. As a puffer captain myself, my experience has been the opposite, requests from strangers for more steam whistle. :D My one friend is not a big fan of the whistle, but he understands that it is a PR thing and some people rarely get to hear a steam whistle nowadays.

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Re: The Vital Spark

Post by Mike Rometer » Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:59 pm

As opposed to the practice of blowing the exhaust up the stack, the term 'Puffer' (sometimes Clyde Puffer) in this case refers to the small trading vessels that frequented British Coastal waters many years ago, mainly to the Scottish Western Islands, though not exclusively. They were obviously steam powered, and able to beach at low tide to unload if required. I think there are now only two left in working preservation.

Tales of Para Handy is the TV show, taken from the books by Neil Munro. Considered a classic, and extremely funny at times.
Retirement is about doing what floats your boat!

A BODGE : - A Bit Of Damn Good Engineering.
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Re: The Vital Spark

Post by cyberbadger » Thu Apr 08, 2021 4:51 pm

Mike Rometer wrote:
Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:59 pm
As opposed to the practice of blowing the exhaust up the stack, the term 'Puffer' (sometimes Clyde Puffer) in this case refers to the small trading vessels that frequented British Coastal waters many years ago, mainly to the Scottish Western Islands, though not exclusively.
Would you consider VIC96 in that group? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdsuic00UOw
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Re: The Vital Spark

Post by Mike Rometer » Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:04 am

Of course, I think she and 72 are the only active ones left (ISTBC)

Late edit : -

It seems VIC32 is able to be used and there are a few under restoration, so perhaps not not the picture of doom that was prevalent some years back. There were over 100 built.
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Re: The Vital Spark

Post by cyberbadger » Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:07 pm

I like this video of the VIC96 banjo steam pump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYGgVjW27_w

You could easily mistake the video for part of the set of the Vital Spark.

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