SS Talacre - Single Hatch Coaster 1:48 Scale Just recently bought second hand and about to renovate to my own standard!
Caldercraft SS Talacre
The SS Talacre is a typical single hatch coaster used in the coal trade of a type that was found by the hundreds around the coast of the U.K. in the golden era of steam. Designed for Point of Ayr Collieries by Crichton, Thompson & Co Ltd., of London she was built by Crabtree &Co., of Great Yarmouth in 1917. Talacre was named after a small village near the colliery. Talacre was finally scraped in 1959 by the Hammond Lane Foundry in Dublin. Realism leaps out of the completed model, as if a turn of a valve will start the anchor windlass or the cargo winch clattering away and the lagged steam pipes to begin steaming and drying out.
Scale: 1:48
Length: 863mm
Beam 152mm

Different from my usual models this is a static model in a glass case but a model boat never the less. it was made to commemorate the centenary of the foundering of the isle of Man Steam Packet vessel Ellan Vannin in the Queens Channel on the River Mersey Liverpool UK on 3rd December
1909 with the loss of all lives. The model is constructed almost entirely from scrap cardboard. She is presently on display in the Crosby Coastguard station but this is closing soon so the models fate is in the balance.
She was made to be displayed at the commemoration ceremony on board a Mersey Ferry in December 2009.

See forum and my harbour (CapnJim) for more details.
Just some footage of my weathered Model Slipways Puffer - now some years old but still cruisin'. Still appreciating the model and is one of my favourites. One day I'll build a puffer at 1/32nd. but for now this does very well.
Easy build but lots of opportunities to add detail. This has all the bells and whistles (well 'steam' whistle, smoke generator and puffer engine sound at least). Would fit in a briefcase but still able to stay afloat against the wash of bigger boats or blustery winds. Surprisingly, steers well when going astern. Speed with supplied motor about 2mph ' but this is faster than scale by a margin.
Clip prepared for YouTube resolution so best not viewed full screen.

This is a model of the last ship to bring coal across the Bristol channel, from Barry to Bridgwater. Built to 24th scale, hll made of polyurethane foam covered with plates made from cider cans. I intended as a prototype for 12th sale model with a steam plant for power. but thats still on the to do list.

HI fellow model leers.this is my latest model.Built in 1926' for the Ffyfe(bananas) family. Originally it was run on steam,but in 1939 converted to diesel,this was kept until 1957 when all the staterooms were replaced by cargo holds . She was then made into a feeder bringing eleven thousand boxes from Rotterdam to Southampton. She was scrapped in the seventies.my model of her was from 1926 the scale is approx 1/30th her length is 48 inches including bowsprit, and has a beam of 10 inch amidships. She is totally scratch built, plank on frame, all the decks are individually planked with black card in between , wheel house and all other parts are mahogany. She runs on a decaperm geared motor @ 6 volts, and the lighting system consists of 10 accommodation lights, port and starboard , wheelhouse, and both mast headlights,the large saloon skylight is also lit up with a set of disco lights on a separate circuit. The funnel houses a heavy duty smoke unit switched on by switching unit.

This is a fun boat!
With a steam engine that really runs, it is quite a crowd pleaser.
The tank and parts are brass, and silver soldered together. The heat source is sterno, placed in the tray and Ignited. This boils distilled water in the boiler, which is vented to the piston. The hole in the freeboard is the "exaust".
I'll have to post a video of it operating.

This Model of the J. R. More tug which was one of the very last large Steam Tugs built on the Clyde in 1961.

Scratchbuilt from the 1:48 scale plans of a sistership the F.C. Sturrock with various modifications for J. R. More. Powered by twin 12v geared motors.

The J. R. More Tug is a large tug and still exists as a Museum exhibit at the Durban Maritime Museum and well worth a visit in South Africa.

My thanks to Keith Marks who was a Master of J. R. More and the F. C. Sturrock among others for his photographs, help and interest during the construction of this model and is now a good friend.

This video was taken at the Sumner Ponds which is used on alternate Thursday by the Southwater Dabblers MBC.

Video is not very good quality but will remake with a better video.

Lady Wooes, by Mobile Marine of Lincoln. SemI kit. I bought the hull all the timber and drawings along with dozens of white metal fittings ages ago, started it and left it for 5 years, moved to North wales and finished it. Drive is 2 Ford Cortina fan heater motors driving a pair of 55mm Prop Shop props by tank steering, reciprocating steam engine sound board, smoke unit and full working lights all from 2 X 12 v 7 Amp batteries........a good and interesting but very frustrating build to get things right.
Sailed at Erias Park, Colwyn Bay Model Boat Club and sometimes at West Shore LLandudno.

this video clip is of the main engine of the tug Cervia running on steam for the first time in nearly 30 years for steam lovers just turn up the sound and enjoy. 👍 if it does not run just click on the you tube Icon at thr bottom of the screen

J. R. MORE - LAST OF THE LARGEST STEAM TUGS BUILT ON THE CLYDE. The best looking tugs ever built!

This model is scratch build at 1:48 scale of the SAR&H Durban tug J. R. More, which was the last large steam tug built on the Clyde in 1962.
It took over 2 years to complete this model, which was my first scratch build from the modified plans of a sister tug called the F.C Sturrock, which was also stationed at Durban as the shift tug for that harbour. Other tugs of the class were also stationed at Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

The J. R. More was the newer day tug in Durban, most often used to service the Union Castle ships and others in, out of Durban and remembered by so many visitors to South Africa of that time.

This model tug on the water has differential motor control, software linked with the rudder, can go about on the spot and a delight to sail as a model, capable of 6 or more hours on the water. Working Rotating Radar, lights and woop-woop sounder as per the original tug. I would also like to install the Telegraph bells, however these would drive fellow modellers to distraction, as they were a very distinctive sound and very regular, Implanted and well remembered by the crews and those in and around the harbour, even today. The engines on the other hand were almost quiet and by all accounts very reliable.

This model is ballasted mainly by two 7 Ah 12 Volt SLA Batteries for the main drive motors and a 2 Ah 12 Volt SLA (Aft ballast) for the Lights, Radar and Sound unit. All up weight is 14Kgs and capable of above scale speed from the two MFA 6:1 ratio Geared Motors driving two 4 bladed 70mm screws.

This model has onboard charge regulator circuit, built-in minature dual volt meter to allow quick on-board voltage inspection and single plug-in charge and regulator socket for charging all 3 Batteries together.

The actual full size J. R. More tug still survives and can be visited at the Durban Maritime Museum in Durban, South Africa. Local supporters are undergoing essential repairs, restoration and preservation with private and company financial support.

J R More is the only surviving large steam tug left of this class and as Important to the skills of the Scottish shipbuilders of the Clyde.

This was scratch built apart from the fibre glass hull which I purchased.
Model is 65" long with a beam of 10". Power is by electric running via a gearbox at 300 rpm. Ihave taken almost 2years to complete the model working most days on it. Attention to detail was the order of the day.
I am using a Planet T5 Tx and Rx, 5 channels. I have a smoke generator pushing steam out of the twin funnels,synchronised to forward speed, faster the revs, faster the steam. Conventional rudder operation.
Have an operating Radar, ships horn, simulated steam noise varies as speed is altered, full navigation lights,all cabin lights can be switched on and to keep the 106 passengers happy I have a Banjo Band playing to complete the scene. Have sailed it recently at Peterborough and performs really really well. Have to say it tends to attract a lot of interest.
I am now constructing the Ayton Cross tug in 1:32 scale, with all the detail I want.Plan is to tow the Jeanie Deans around when completed as well assailing her

This model was originally scratch built in 1964 by my Dad as a 15th birthday present for me,the length over all is 60.5" with a beam of 17.5" and a theoretical draught of 3.5",not sure as to the actual design but it is meant to be 1/12th scale, it was originally powered by a 12 Volt windscreen wiper motor out of an old Mercedes car, and the radio gear was a home made system as well, but both are now well beyond repair and I am fitting an MFA 800 Motor with a Fusion Aquapower ESC rated at 125amp. run by a new 2.4 Ghz radio system.
When I get to sea trials stage I will send Update and possible video footage.This boat along with the rest of my harbour, will be on view at the Abbergavenny Steam Rally this weekend June 3rd and 4th(Sunday Monday) in the model section marquee.