Keewatin - Hey Woobs this one is for you

[Offset]

Nice story in the Fall 2013 issue of "Classic Trains" Magazine (page 76) of the return of the Keewatin to Port McNicoll from Douglas, Michigan.

Also a story about CPR ships and trains in the same issue.

Just thought I would let you know.:thumbsup:

[gcarter]

That's fascinating considering the age.

Back in '82 I was fortunate enough to go through the Straits of Mackinac while "The Chief Wawatum" was loading on the south side of the bridge.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/52/SS_Chief_Wawatam.jpg/800px-SS_Chief_Wawatam.jpg

Being from the South, we didn't have any ice breaking railroad ferries!
The most exciting public marine transport in Texas is the Bolivar ferry.....not the same thing!
Anyway, it was a very memorable experience that I'll never forget!
It was one of those times when, thinking back, I wish current technology was available then so I could have whipped out a smart phone and got a video of it loading and getting underway.

[Offset]

George, I assume that is a postcard but it is really a neat piece of history. Interesting story, I have never been through there. Not far for me but a long way for you. :thumbsup:

[gcarter]

What really made it interesting for me was that I'm a big fan of reciprocating steam engines, the Chief had two triple expansion engines. But what really made it unusual was the boilers were hand stoked (the only such ship in the world that was). I'd read about it, but I never thought I'd see it in action. The picture, yes, a piece of artwork from the period. I didn't have a camera w/me when I saw it, but the exact same action was going on, only w/a couple of EMD engines doing the work.

[woobs]

76958The RMS Seguin (1887) has a triple expansion steam engine and still operates on Lake Muskoka (I was aboard her last Saturday) she is hand stoked. I'm pretty sure she's the last in North America.

Hey, that's great news on the Keewatin article... I'll have to find that.

Below is a cut-away of one of the Kees Scotch Boilers. She had 4. They were hand stoked and the exact same spec as those used on the Titanic, as was the Keewatins quadruple expansion engine.

http://sskeewatin.com/

[Ed Donnelly]

I would hate to have to punch the tubes....Ed

[gcarter]

On Face Book

http://drone-on.com/2013/08/22/the-mighty-engine-lives/

I think it could be made to run on compressed air too.

[woobs]

Hey George,

When she came back last summer the transfer crew fixed everything on board. Not happy sitting on their hands they rigged the engine to turn over on the compressor....
As she docked at Port McNicol the guys "let 'er go" and spun the prop over a few revolutions. There was a video of this online but, I can't find it just this second.