Something different

With the parents in residence this week, there has not been too much time for modeling. However we have been on tour. yesterdays excursion was across to Whanganui and a trip on the 'Waimarie'.

This is the last paddle steamer left in New Zealand, and like all good restoration efforts in this country, was dug out of a river bank.

It is a completely different feeling of motion compared to a screw propelled. There is a definite 'back and forward' motion with every 4th piston beat. The toilets are located behind the paddle housings, possibly to provide a cheap bidet.

The draught of the boat is 22" with a full load. This means (to those of you without a nautical bent) that its very hard to keep it heading where you want it to go as it suffers from a lack of direction. Its worse in a wind.

The soul of the beast. its a marine yarrow boiler, a replica of a 19th century design. It chews through 1/4 ton of coal an hour for a speed of about 11 km/hr. A single sculling rower managed to keep up with us up and down stream for the entire trip.

Don't show the greenies, They don't understand that its good healthy coal smoke.

The inside of the boat has been similarly restored to its original condition.

Also on show was a smaller boat, powered by one of those new fangled internal combustion engines. these were used on the upper reaches of the river up as far as Taumaranui. The propeller was mounted in a tunnel to protect it from the river bottom. This boat was also rescued from the river and restored over a 20 year period.

Also on the waterfront was the beginnings of a tramway restoration effort.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to have a look inside. Maybe next time.