In early years I was the last steamboat engineer in the harbour of Amsterdam on the last working steamcleaning vessel named ELFIN. In the time from 1983 till 1985 it was a lot and hard work on ELFIN.
I have built the first ORION in 1997 with a Stuart 5A type single cylinder engine and a coal fired boiler (See other ORION page here in the register). I have solt that boat in 2003 to a museum by Nijkerk steam pumping station. It is steaming in the summer now with many people.
The second ORION whe have now is building between 2001 to 2005 and is steaming well. Drawing, design and the whole boat including the engine and boiler is made by my self.
The ORION hull is from the whaler type, designed for the Ijsselmeer whaves by good weather.The steel hull measures 8,0 m x 2,0 m x 0,9 m. She is running 10 km/hour, the displacement is about 2100 kg. Total capacity of the coal bunkers is 200 kg - this is necessary for longer trips.
The steam engine is a Stuart 6A type compound: 2" 1/2 + 4" x 3". The coal fired steel welded watertube boiler is from robberts/thornycroft type. I am operating it with 9 bar working pressure. It is fitted with 28 steel water tubes with 3/4" outer diameter, 4 downcomers, one 8 inch steamdrum and two muddrums 2 inch outer diameter. The grate is made from stainles steel.
The propeller has 3 blades 18" x 24" and a 1" stainles steel shaft.
Additional intallation is: Southwort steam feedpump, handfeed pump, injector, bilge ejector, feed water heater, hotwell, keel condenser.
I mounted two steam whistles direct to the boiler. A brass 4 inch whistle and a 3 1/2 inch three chime lunkenheimer.
Frenk
