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A couple of things came up recently which will put slot cars in a back seat for a while - or for the summer, anyway.

First one is a treat for the mower enthusiasts.



It's a British Anzani Lawn Rider from the 1970s (the Villiers 4-stroke engine is already on the bench).

Luckily, everything is there so restoration should be straightforward.

The second is a rather longer-term project



This is Ribble, a 1934 Leeds and Liverpool Canal Short Boat. There aren't many of these left - that haven't been made into floating cottages. The idea is to preserve this one in working trim. A floating slot cave, perhaps.

I've got a nice video on Flickr, but don't seem to be able to make it link.(advice would be appreciated),

I'll still be checking to see what everyone is doing, though.


David.

Good luck with both those project's David,The latter look's a big job though.What sort of state is it in?Has it got to
come out of the water or is it in good shape?
Nige.

Nige, it's mostly good.

There is a little bit of re-plating to do on the bottom, but not too much.
The fore cabin is in a good habitable state, and it's mostly a case of attending to paintwork, and improving the rather baggy-looking covers on the hold.


David.

What's the powerplant in a short boat? Something like the narrow boats?

looks like a WWII Higgins without the ramp on the front, cool projects David

There were a lot of those huge one-lunger low rpm engines made in those days. I've been looking for a small one for years to build a launch around. Slow speed is my speed these days.

Oh my. That narrow boat is already a beauty. Glad to hear she won't be tarted and cottaged out of her charm.

"mower enthusiasts"

they probably have half a dozen magazines at the newsagents :)

That mower is just plain neat. Very futuristic looking. Don't know much about the boat, but I like it. 8-)

Ditto. That is one cool grass cutter. Shipping to Missouri? :)

David:

That boat is a beauty, but I always wondered something. How on earth do you navigate a canal that is not much wider than the boat when you are steering a long boat from the very back? It seems to be going too fast to turn the many corners in the canal. It must take a certain knack that you learn, but I wonder how often you hit the banks, or other things, before you learn it.

Where is your boat located? Is that your dry-dock or is it one you rent while working on the hull? Were those canals first made with paths along the sides so draught animals could pull the barges, or did the early ones have steam engines?

I've always wanted to vacation on one of those canal boats, but it must be very special to actually own one.

I see why slot cars will take a back seat, especially in the summer. Enjoy your canal cruising.

Cheers,

Keith