Ben My Chree Isle Of Man Steam Packet Co. Live steam model boat

First run of the steam plant post boiler test. This steam plant is fitted to a semi scale model of Ben My Chree, one of the many ferries operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. Ben My Chree was in service pre WW1 and before being lost in service as an aircraft carrier in WW1. This model was built in 1936, being launched as a straight runner in 1938. The model is 5ft long and weighs 50lb. The hull is yellow pine carved from the solid. The boiler is the water tube type, fired with a petrol blow lamp and is run at 75psi. A single cylinder 7/8" bore and stroke engine drives a pair of contra rotating props through a gearbox, which also provides drive for a gear driven lubrication pump, for lubrication of cylinder, main and big end bearings. A donkey pump is fitted for maintaining boiler level. This video was taken at the end of the first steaming after boiler test, with blowlamp extinguished and approx 25psi on the boiler and shows the engine running at slow speed, contra rotating props and donkey pump operation. Further videos will be posted once the steamer is back on the water

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• model boat
• steam boat
• Ben My Chree
• steam engine

[CW49HYDRO]

Successful lake run completed today, will upload video within next few days

[CW49HYDRO]

Had it running in the garden pond recently, hopefully have the donkey pump and bypass set correctly!! Hopefully will have this running on the lake (Foxhills Pond, New Forest) in the next week or 2

[hobbysteamjoe]

I watched your videos again today. Really impressive. I read somewhere that taking steam for the donkey pump from a supply at normal boiler water level would maintain level automatically. Have you experimented? My newest boiler contains such a small volume of water I'll need some help maintaining level! I would love to know specifics about the prop used for Ben My Chree.

[hobbysteamjoe]

Really nice steam plant. Neat pump for lubrication. I need a system to lube my rod big end. Would like to hear more about how you get oil to big end.

[mnewlyn]

Have you had this boat out on the water yet? would love to see you progress,

[mnewlyn]

looking forward to seeing this wonderful boat on the water.