The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

RocDoc · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:31 am Post subject: Bowman Seahawk Restoration

Hi everyone,

I'm new to all of this ... and to everyone (except Mooseman, more later). To cut a long story short, I acquired a Bowman Seahawk from my late father-in-law just before Christmas. I'm not sure of it's history, probably purchased sometime in the 1930s and last sailed about 30 years ago by my brother-in-law. Since then it was left to grow old and rusty in the back of a tool room.

I'm not a steam buff ... never had a steam engine in my life but as the Seahawk is part of the family, I wanted to try and restore (or preserve) as much as possible, even sailing it again. However, it is in a pretty poor state. I did the usual 'Google' and found Mooseman's website ... got in contact and since then we've been in regular contact. Odilon's hints and tips are fantastic and are certainly helping me to progress (big THANK YOU to Odilon).

I then found this forum and thought ... why not show it off. To begin with, here is the URL of my web site (sorry if this is in the wrong place):

http://pgb.awardspace.com

Click on Hobbies tab and the links for the Seahawk restoration (you'll see my other interests and hobbies as well).

I'm currently working on the firebox which is badly corroded with rust (more photos to follow)

SPOKESMAN · Guest

HI THERE ROCDOC,

welcome to the forum, we like Bowmans here!!

Great to see how you are getting on - the engine unit is very similar to a Bowman 140 stationary engine. Will look terrific when its done - you seem to be progressing well.

You may find this site useful . . . .

http://www.bowmancircle.co.uk/

Mike

RocDoc · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:51 am Post subject:

Hi Mike,

Thanks ... nice to be here. Yes, the work is progressing but that is down to Mooseman's hints, tips ... encouragement ...

Would you recommend posting some images here as well?

Pete

HI THERE ROCDOC,

welcome to the forum, we like Bowmans here!!

Great to see how you are getting on - the engine unit is very similar to a Bowman 140 stationary engine. Will look terrific when its done - you seem to be progressing well.

You may find this site useful . . . .

http://www.bowmancircle.co.uk/

Mike[/quote]

tmuir · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:

Hi RocDoc, everyone likes some good pictures so please post some here.
The firebox looks pretty bad but everything else seems to be restoreable.
I'm in the process of restoring two Bowman 234 locos at the moment.
Restoring the burner at the moment.
When you finish the restoration and fire it up and hear it run thats the biggest reward.

If you find you need any parts this man may be able to help you with repro parts.
http://www.toytrainspares.co.uk/index.html

Good luck with the restoration.
_________________
http://www.freewebs.com/ozsteam/index.htm
http://members.iinet.net.au/~tmuir1/

A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

yosa · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:09 pm Post subject:

Hi Roc Doc, welcome to the forum.
_________________
He who keeps his head while all about him are losing theirs, doesn't know how serious it is.

RocDoc · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys,

Here is my first attempt at posting an image ...

RocDoc · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject:

Sorry, second attempt ... this is the original state of the boat, ca. Christmas 2006. Since then I've cleaned and filled some rust holes in the splash hood and removed the boiler.

RocDoc · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:40 pm Post subject:

Argh, having problems. I used the [Img] .... [/Img] tags to define a URL to an image on a public web site. It was there a minute ago but now I can't get it to display. Any ideas??

Mamodman123 · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject:

tmuir · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject:

I use photo bucket.
http://photobucket.com/

When you upload a picture to it creates the image code for it below so you just click on th img tags and then paste it into your post.
Easiest way to do it.
But I can see you first image.
On another note if you post something on the forum and want to change it there is a edit button you can click on to fix it.
_________________
http://www.freewebs.com/ozsteam/index.htm
http://members.iinet.net.au/~tmuir1/

A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

RocDoc · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:11 pm Post subject:

Many thanks, I've created an account on PhotoBucket and it appears to work ok now

Mamodman123 · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:15 pm Post subject:

thats better!

Looks like a good project to get your teeth into anyway

_________________
Solid Fuel tablets explode

You could get a nice flatbase for that

www.mamodsteam.tk

yosa · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject:

Great project. Keep tight hold of Mooseman's hand, he'll put you right.

_________________
He who keeps his head while all about him are losing theirs, doesn't know how serious it is.

SPOKESMAN · Guest

The more pictures the better!

RocDoc · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

As promised, more pictures

The first is a side view of the boiler and firebox. The firebox (FB) is badly corroded by rust especially at the front end of the boiler. The side you are looking at has split away from the leg ... the other side isn't much better.

This view is of the underside of the boiler and years of burnt on soot, grease and other stuff. You can see that the front of the FB (opening for the burner) and one of the horizontal side stripes are also badly corroded. Note that the boiler is soldered onto the FB ... which is unusual according to Mooseman.

I'm in two minds as to what to do about the FB. I could try to 'shore' up the sides and front end using aluminum sheet riveted into place or I (or brother-in-law) could build a replacement FB. I'd like to keep as much of the original FB as possible.

BTW, what is the resolution of images that are posted? Mine are 640x480