| Archive for Freesteam For collectors and enthusiasts of all steam engines |
| Trojanhorse2 |
Hobbies "Peggy" engineThis is a Hobbies "Peggy" engine, ca. 1925 - note the Bowman elements, it is basically a horizontal Wormar. The boiler is contained in an outer sleeve, with the steam pipe looping around the boiler several times, providing some effective drying out of the steam - it goes like a rocket with very little condensate byblow.It came in an interesting hull - probably not a hobbies original, I'd be interested if anyone knows where it might come from. 
Here it is running (excuse the commentary, I'm rather in love with it) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pKO0njDU5I |
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| Spokesmann |
That is terrific! Love that engine unit! 
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| newts |
Fantastic little engine unit, very jealous of that one
I think the boat is of hobbies origin, maybe homemade from one of there sets of plans. Superstructure could be from a later modification (shape doesn't look right for 1920's). Can i have a couple of close up pics of the burner, as they look similar to a coulple i have (without the raised top)? |
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| Spokesmann |
With the drip feed oiler I bet that engine bay gets mucky, ie no cover on the cylinder! 
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| Trojanhorse2 |
No problem, here we go. It's a typical WorMar burner, with the ventholde next to the filler cap. The tube is badly perished, in the video I'm using a Bowman burner. I agree withthe superstructure (the white deck house) mot being original - compared to the rest of the boat it is very crudely made and painted. The stack is original though, screwed back on, that's a piece of woodwork a guitarmaker would be proud of! Anyone have any suggestions for a better shape for a deck house? 
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| Trojanhorse2 |
Let's put it this way - I needed a shower after running that using the oiler!
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| newts |
Alas the burner is different from mine, so the search for it's origin continues.
I think i'd look to recreate a peggy/pioneer from scratch for this engine unit & leave the existing hull as it's own piece of history. From this pic http://www.bowmancircle.co.uk/page_1155070631750.html it's possibly a pioneer engine unit? Our more learned boat collectors such as Fred Crammond may have definitive info on which plant it is & dimensions for a replica boat. |
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| Spokesmann |
Mike I can give you the M180's burner dimentions if you need them . . . | ||
| MFSteam |
I think we need to clear a few things up about this unit assembly It is defo a Peggy unit and Not a pioneer unit. You can tell the difference as it has a tinplate boiler shroud, the Pioneer has an all brass boiler shroud and funnels. I believe the boat came in an original Peggy box, Moose? The burner is a standard Bowman type as the burner tube enters the top of the reservoir. A Wormar type has a flat top and the burner tube enters the reservoir near the top but on the side wall. This boat is not a Wormar, it certainly has similarities with the Wormar but then that is not surprising as they were both made by GBJ. You can see the resemblance to Wormars in most of the boats made by GBJ for Hobbies and also under the Bowman trademark. I have just found out Newts that the burners that you have with a flat top are indeed GBJ Hobbies boat burners. The different lengths of burner tube relate to the different lengths of boiler used in the boats. There are many different types of engine unit fitted in the Same boat and also the construction of the hulls can be made from very thin wood in the early years right up to wood that is a thick as floorboards in the latter/last boats. Bowman boats are a complete nightmare as they mixed and matched everything, even worse than pre war Mamods! There are a number of versions of the Peggy launch, this being one of the later superheated versions, it was available with a different hull and engine |
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| Trojanhorse2 |
It did come in a Peggy box, but the dimensions of the hull are wrong for a "stock" peggy, as is the shape of the stern. Could've been modified though. | ||
| MFSteam |
yeh i looked at that shape and thought it was wrong. seems strange that it should come in a peggy box with the wrong hull. may have been replaced or modified as you say. CL or GD might be able to shed some light on its origins, they are both very clued up on Hobbies plans of the period. |
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| Trojanhorse2 |
I'll see if I can bring it along to Leicester. Might drop Colin a line as well - good idea. | ||
| newts |
Thanks for the info on the burners , i'd be intruiged to find out more about which engines they originally went with. As has been siad there are many possibilities for the boat, scratch built, modified or it may be a newer boat replacing the original just the box & engine unit being original. All the speculation leads to interesting & informative posting | ||
| Spokesmann |
Fascinating thread this, Moose any chance of some details of the boiler? I find the concept of the 'superheating' coil quite intreguing . . . | ||
| Trojanhorse2 |
Mike, the picture ain't the greatest but you'll get the idea. The boiler is contained in a metal sleeve (brass on the "Pioneer"). The steam pipe loops about five times, allowing the steam to dry out in the flame and convection. As you can see, near the front of the boiler the pipe is lagged in some sort of asbestos. The whole arrangement is pretty effective - the outer sleeve stays cool enough to touch (briefly!), preventing scorching of the hull.
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| Spokesmann |
Ahhh! it all becomes clear! Thanks Moose - a very simple arrangement!
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| John Chapman |
That is a super boat Odilon, I look forward to making its acquaintance. | ||
| Bowman |
I have just bought this very same engine unit, runs lovely, just not sure what correct burner would be for it?
Cheers Sandy |
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| Spokesmann |
Ian (MF) or Mike (Newt) will know, the burner would be similar to the standard Bowman type tube burner, M135/158 size. Have a search on Peggy as Im sure Mike posted some images of his Peggy engine. | ||
| newts |
The burner (i think) looks like a smaller version of the 101/122 burners,
flat top meths reservoir, rounded edges & long wick tube. MF or Fred C will have some pics for sure & certainly be able to confirm or deny the above. The one pictured in the other ''peggy marine'' thread is not a confirmed marine burner, but is for sure early hobbies.
http://freesteammamod.myfreeforum.org/about2111.html A fine puchase, that's the second on ebay recently 
Have you a hull for it 
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| steamyjim |
I have a Pioneer boat. Not exactly the same engine but I geuss the burner will be very similar...
The boat 
The Burner 
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| Bowman |
Yes ebay matey, took a gamble it paid off for once. I dont have a boat for it . well not one small enough
Sandy |
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| MFSteam |
Mikes one is here
http://freesteammamod.myfreeforum.org/about2111.html Some of mine here http://freesteammamod.myfreeforum.org/ftopic1070-0.php And these 
I stand to be corrected by "he who knows" but your one is a very early one because it has the small tin oiler and hex dripper. As such I would imagine that the burner should be like a Wormer one, flat top steel. Newts has a picture somewhere. |
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| newts |
This is the burner i use with the peggy
A close up of the MF wick, no charring after 1/2 a dozen firings
Size comparison to a SE3 burner. (The SE3 burner could be yours as it's on ebay at the moment & finishes tonight )
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