Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Boats, Pond Yachts => Topic started by: RichSteamTx on October 18, 2025, 08:24:48 am
-
I was able to get the other 3 running. One of the Steamboat No 1's piston cap was finger loose, so I got some thread sealer on it. Then the Torpedo Steamboat No. 3 has a leak at the steam line/tank but more seriously, the steam line to the block is completely loose. Though it didn't really care and ran pretty darn good.
Interesting thing I noticed once I steamed up the Torpedo Steamboat No. 3 - its piston, block, and nut is the same as the Standard Porter's. The nut is a early leaded design, I have one on my early No. 17 too. This Torpedo could be a early run from before 1900.
-
I thought I'd give the Standard Porter a go after redoing the joints on the steam line, which went okay. But it went down hill from there....
The first issue, is the spring for the piston is missing. I tried to use a spring I had and it kind of worked but then it jammed up because the spring was way too small but it did run for a bit! Then I had a bit of a calamity, the rudder fell off! Best that I could tell it was just glued on from the factory. I cleaned it up and soldered it on. I am thinking what I should do about the solder joint, the shinny solder sticks out like a sore thumb - grrr.
So I bought a Compression Springs Assortment Kit that has 4mm~6mm OD springs in the kit. Hopefully one of them will get it going properly!
-
The boats arrived!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwtbiPlihWc
-
It can easily take up to two weeks for an invoice on shipping… :-/
-
You must have the most extensive Weeden collection!!!
Looking forward to seeing these Richard.
I am pretty sure that @txlabman / Charlie has the most extensive Weeden collection (not to mention all the other brands - he has the Steam Engine market cornered). Though I have to say my Atlanta, Ga Weeden collection isn't to shabby ;-)
Still no shipping email ... I hate waiting ugh LOL!!
-
You must have the most extensive Weeden collection!!!
Looking forward to seeing these Richard.
-
I heard back from Bertoia, they are waiting for Liveauctioneers to send them my payment, which is just lovely. They expect to ship all the boats in one box, which will be interesting packing. I have to believe Bertoia knows how to box up these items. So for now, I just have to keep a eye out for the email to me.
-
I always figure with these auctions if the hammer price is under $500, plan to nearly double the final price :-\
Shipping through Bertoia isn’t usually outrageous, but sometimes with these sales you have to contact an outside shipper and they easily charge $80-100 for a small engine since they have to pick it up and pack it.
Sorry, not what you want to hear!!
-
JC - I just got the invoice and there is a "Online Payments Fee" too. The "fees" are more than 1/3 of all the items I won and I haven't even gotten to what the shipping will cost. Time to look which CC I have has the highest cash back LOL
-
Awesome!!
Yes, the extra fees do hurt in these auctions, but if you plan to bid with Bertoia again, download their app and bid directly through them to save a little bit ;)
Well, that is a good tip - I didn't realize that at all and generally I am pretty savy on saving a penny here and there.
-
Awesome!!
Yes, the extra fees do hurt in these auctions, but if you plan to bid with Bertoia again, download their app and bid directly through them to save a little bit ;)
-
I am certainly happy, a very nice set of steam boats that are mostly complete and look nice as they are! I didn't really need 4 boats but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity on the variety of models! I just knew I would regret it if I let them pass me by.
-
It's a good deal if you are happy with it!
Nice fleet ya got there matey .... Aargh!!!
-
So I been amassing a nice little Weeden collection here in my ATL apartment but I have been missing the Weeden boats. They don't come up offend and when they do, they aren't cheap. Or they are cheap and they are in horrid shape. Yesterday on the Live Auctioneers site they had a great auction (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/390007_the-train-sale-october-2025/), while it was mostly trains they had some really great boats (one went for $5,500 (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/216042146_radiguet-live-steam-gunship)!)
In this auction I got 4 Weeden boats, I think they are all different models and one I think is kind of rare because it is the 1st Weeden boat. It went under the radar because it wasn't listed as a Weeden at all but I recognized it from the Weeden Steam site (https://weedensteam.com/mobile.html#porter).
I am still waiting for the butcher's bill & shipping invoice but with the 25% Buyer's Premium (Ouch!), ALT sales tax, & shipping the average cost will be around $550~$600 a boat. Not sure if that is a good deal but I don't think it is a horrible deal.
I think it's a Standard Porter: Missing its burner for sure and I think it suppose to have a little flag on its bow. This boat was made between 1888 and 1889, so a old boat for sure!
[attach=1]
I think it's a No. 1 Steamboat Porter: These two boats are different and one of them I can't really match to the Weeden site.
[attach=2]
Torpedo Style Steamboat No. 3 (Hudson): This is clearly a No.3 but it isn't a Gloucester but named the "Hudson".
[attach=3]