My grandfather would have been in heaven on that boat! His father was a steam locomotive engineer, and he was a locomotive fireman for a time in his youth. He used to take me on steam train excursions when I was a kid. I think of him every time I see a steam engine.
Absolutey magical and thoroughly enjoyable to watch! Back in my own days cruising the cut with our trusty Lister clanking away I often dreamt of having a modern interpretation of a steam powered narrowboat pretty much like this wonderful example. Nice to see someone else shared the same passion for keeping steam alive and on a liveaboard boat!
That was a lovely episode, thank goodness that steam lovers are still around. A lot of work, but i see why it's worth it. A fine line between nature and mechanics, it's the elemental forces at work.
I know what he means about rubbish coal, as an ex miner I get a coal allowance and have a solid fuel boiler at home, when we used to get UK coal there was very little ash and the flues wouldn't need cleaning out all winter, with the rubbish we get now from various countries the flues need cleaning about every three weeks, there is probably three times as much ash and it uses about 50% more coal to keep the house warm, and that's with the mild winters we're having.
Matthew has rocked up to Tom's Tap and Brewhouse in Crewe in his traction engine (or steam powered car) on more than occasion. I had the pleasure of speaking to him and he is a very interesting bloke.
Too many moving parts here not for the faint hearted. Hats off to the guy to get it working and keeping the boat in running mode. As always amazing to watch.
This episode tixall the boxes, another masterpiece, David. I wish Matthew a long and adventure packed life with that wonderful steam dream machine. You know we want a follow up, of course:)
It video was fantastic. I love how quiet this steam narrow boat is compared to a diesel. It is wonderful that people are willing to restore, maintain, and keep history alive when it comes to steam power
I dream of being able to live on these beautiful wonders of simplistic society and surroundings of narrowboating but it wasn’t until today that this video got me to become hooked like a fish to a line to steam travel what an amazing invention love it!👍
I'm glad to see there are still some narrowboats like this around! With just nine of them around, I think we can manage to burn a little bit of coal for these nine boats!
Awesome! Bugger anyone who has an issue with this amazing narrowboat. Good on you, Matthew, for keeping this amazing piece of history alive in the 21st century. You have a vision that should be applauded by everyone upon the cut. You are a true inspiration for anyone who has an appreciation for the history of the waterways.
100% agree. I bet all the moaners ride steam trains when on holiday near to Heritage railways. He owns steam traction engines also it said. I’ve been to loads of festivals and they are packed with likeminded people who enjoy the sight,sound & smell of steam. I’m off to the Severn Valley Railway later this month and that’ll be packed too. Not sure what the time frame of this vlog is, but he’s very near myself on local canal and would be nice to see this steamer.
Wonderful boat, but I had to laugh when he said "it's no problem to operate. Just fiddle with this, turn on that, flip this around, etc, etc, etc,". Clearly it IS a problem, but when you love the mechanics of it and are obviously passionate about it, then the 'problems' just melt away! Beautiful. Brought a smile to my heart!
@@jimshoe402 Sure it could. You'd need to rig up a generator of some sort, like a car alternator, add a pulley or two....and only be able to charge while in gear, but, yes, it could be done. In this day an age though, a simpler thing would be to use a solar panel, which he has on the roof.
I canal boat with “mood swings”, now that’s a boat to enjoy. Such a delightful video of a most wonderful steam canal boat and engaging owner. Thank you David. 👏👏👍😀
I am from Germany and have just, through this channel, discovered narrowboating and the canal system (which of both i had never head before) looks very relaxed.
It is addictive. I was lucky to enjoy the canals and waterways of England as a child and it never leaves you. Especially narrowboats. I will find my way back one day, somehow.
Terrific film. You're such a great storyteller! Despite my reservations of smokey narrow boating per se, I don't mind seeing this one belching its beautiful cokey smoke!
This is wonderful! Thank you David for posting this. It's an awesome boat, and I love the beautiful steam engine! I'm actually nostalgic for the aroma of burning coal. I was born/raised in and around Pittsburgh, USA. We played in the coal mines and boney dumps as kids. Many homes had coal chutes and coal bins in the basements. (most coal furnaces were later replaced and/or converted to natural gas). I remember always taking a few big lumps of coal on our Boy Scout camping trips. There is no warmer campfire than one with a couple large lumps of coal in the center.... My best to Matthew for his knowledge, and carrying on a great tradition.....
I grew up in the north of England and we had a coal fireplace until I was around 10 years old. Since I was 5 my job in the morning was to fill the coal bucket and get the fire started. We got an immersion heater when I was around 13 for hot water, before then I'm not sure what we did. Does a coal fireplace provide hot water?
Met Matthew and Tixall at Middlewich junction about a month ago (July). He was such a nice guy, who helped my father with the lock, and we returned the favour and helped Matthew. The sound of the boat was beautiful!
A most informative, enjoyable video on a cold wet winter afternoon in Fish Hoek, Cape Town. Worst winter weather in years. Your video took me to a far nice mental place. Thank you gentlemen. Am a steam enthusiast.
I saw a mining video, where the nearby mill had a non-working steam engine. Your video was great - showing what the oiling cups were actually used for... and then showing the engine functioning. You've answered a few questions I've had in my head for a few years now - and showed some interesting old tech - along with someone passionate in keeping it running. Nice!
That was a very lovely story. Glad to see that there’s still some of the older boats that are still plying the canal network. And for once, it’s a steamboat that someone’s actually living on. Wishing him all the best. Ben from Australia 🇦🇺
Brilliant to see a Steamer on the Cut. We have the odd Steam train on our local Staffs/Shrops line and loads of people turn out on all the bridges & stations to see these pass through. It’s heritage and superb to see. We all moan about pollution & the environment but what harm can one little steam canal boat do? Embrace the experience of seeing history. I’ll keep an eye for Tixhall as it very local to me from this video.
I must take my hat off to you and your video clips. Had it not been for the one about the canal trust and their needs I would have not spotted their tea! I gave up on teas in the USA and for the YORKSHIRE TEA to be sitting there in plain sight, I gave it a try. Thank you! That tea is smooth and not bitter at all. Nothing like the teas here. I am now a two cup of hot tea a day now!!
I love the "cold turkey" engine. Emily Ann has a disco beat to her engine 😂 Would love to see an update of Tixall after Matthew has been living aboard for a few months. And hopefully turning it into the home it deserves to be.
That is very cool. I've had an interest in steam for many years now. Always wanted to build the steam powered multifueled generator. For times when the power goes out for extended periods of time.
Great video. What a treat to see something of this vintage still working and chugging along our lovely waterways. You didn’t mention the smell though, which surprised me. All steam engines, whatever they are powering, have that unique aroma which is a large part of their appeal.
Wow, a steam powered narrow boat. This "Tixall" the boxes for a guy that also loves steam engines and model steam locomotive engineering! I can smell the engine from here. That whistle sounded delightful, and I bet many boaters look around for the steam train when it sounds! Another superbly done production David. Cheers from another David down in New Zealand. 😄
I lived close to a Steam Heritage Railway and that whistle brought a smile. At weekends, the village was packed with people from all over taking 20-mile trips up the valley and back. You could tell where it was from the whistle.
Loved this one. A unique find. Congrats to that young man for keeping it going. He must have a good head on his shoulders to know and understand the many differences in steam engines and how to deal with it's operation.
Bravo, David! A friendly young man obviously taking great joy in using his special knowledge and skill to operate this unique boat! Your thoughtful videos are so enlightening and never disappoint!
Wonderful video, and I must say, that your closing shot was beautifully composed. The stern of the boat going by, with the gate closing in time with its passing.... and the wildflower hitching a ride on the gate. Absolutely beautiful. The artist within you, coming out, in these little details. 😊
What a fantastic boat and lovely preservation of history, I think we can forgive a few shovels of coal in historic steam engines 🚂 And what a gem of a guy, steam boat, steam traction engine... you have found the spiritual successor to Fred Dibnah 🙂
Thanks for this outstanding mini-doc, David! Your cinematography, while always very good, was exceptionally fine this time! And thanks, too, for your laugh--out-loud cameo at 20:36!
Wow. Amazing chap and boat. He obviously has a great passion for steam. He reminds me of Fred Dibnah. A lot of work involved but keeping history alive. Unique and rewarding . Thank you for inviting us to see into Mathew’s life for a day.
Im sure this is the bloke who I had a good chat with the other month at Anderton lift steam festival, really nice guy who is passionate and very knowledgeable about these steam engines... I could have spoke a lot more and hung around with him and his crew if I had chance 😁
David you have surpassed yourself this time. " Tixall the boxes". In a way the engine noise reminded me of the Royal Navy ship I was on in 1966. Great video as usual. Keep up the good work.
Without taking anything away from the beauty, character and historical provenance of this gorgeous narrow boat David, I have enjoyed this particular video immensely. Yet again, the standard of filming, narration and editing is absolutely top quality and makes for utterly compulsive watching. Thank you.
Oh fantastic, despite the smoke / pollution it's great to see the olde tech/traditions are kept alive with enthusiasm, these should never be lost, thank you David for sharing. 👏
@@CruisingTheCut I appreciate that - I assume there's some sort of family thing happening that's necessitated your return to land (entirely your business, obviously). As I said once before - you need to monetise your channel to the max, then you could have both a house and a narrowboat. Perhaps one day even that lovely canalside house with it's own mooring you showed us once!
David, my love of the British countryside and my passion for steam engines coupled with your attention to detail made for a wonderful lunchtime viewing experience. Your sound recording skills are excellent too. Each sound clear and distinct as the boat travelled along the canal. Brilliant.
Thanks David I thoroughly enjoyed that I could have watched an hour or even more of it making its way along the canal very enjoyable cheers Barry from Victoria Australia 🇦🇺
That is a remarkable boat. Mathew has a grand knowledge of steam propulsion so he is the right owner for this boat. We have seen canal boats steam powered, a range of diesel powered, a few different EV powered and some just to be towed. I’ll have one of each please! This is a wonderful presentation
I wouldn’t have thought people would make such a big deal about a bit of coal smoke from a historic narrow boat in Great Britain the country that pioneered such great steam advancements. That aside, this was amazing to see thanks for filling it. Cheers from a steam locomotive engineer in the states.
A diesel does as the operator commands relatively quickly and with excellent reliability. A steam engine has to be given constant love and respect. If the boiler ever became unsafe, I would consider adopting a more automated, oil fired unit to minimize labor and emissions. Seeing this piece of history chuffing along the canals made me happy, thanks for sharing.
How amazing! Be proud that you are continuing the tradition of coal fire transportation! Thank you for sharing this amazing boat with us. Love and Greetings from Memphis, TN!~
I’m not sure if it was covered in the video, but one of the really interesting things about this boat is that this isn’t a ‘heritage’ or vintage boat at all. In fact most people watching this are likely older. The boat and engine were actually only built in 1986 and the boiler is from 2006! In car terms that just would just about scrape as ‘modern classic’. Really amazing that somebody took the time to commission and build something so unique 100 years after steam engines were first put into narrowboats.
What a lovely boat and thank god there are still people like this still around!!
What a wonderful boat. Matthew is a bit of a legend too. Good to see a young man maintaining the way of steam. Great vid, well done.
Its part of our national heritage, well done for the young man for keeping it alive. 👍
My grandfather would have been in heaven on that boat! His father was a steam locomotive engineer, and he was a locomotive fireman for a time in his youth. He used to take me on steam train excursions when I was a kid. I think of him every time I see a steam engine.
Only one word to describe this narrowboat - 'magnificent'. Some of the freighters on the Manchester Ship Canal had tilting funnels back in the day.
I do love the sound that engine makes as it chugs along. Thanks David for bringing us along.
Forget the smoke - it's our heritage being preserved. Good show young man.😊😊
For the sake of what steam stuff is left running, there should probably be some kind of prohibition on non-low-smoke coal
We cruised past Mathew in Gnosall and saw him again at Norbury Wharf. It was fantastic to see and Mathew was such a nice guy!
Keep that lovely engine running for as long as you can! Poetry in motion.🙂
Absolutey magical and thoroughly enjoyable to watch! Back in my own days cruising the cut with our trusty Lister clanking away I often dreamt of having a modern interpretation of a steam powered narrowboat pretty much like this wonderful example. Nice to see someone else shared the same passion for keeping steam alive and on a liveaboard boat!
Glad you enjoyed it!
That was a lovely episode, thank goodness that steam lovers are still around. A lot of work, but i see why it's worth it. A fine line between nature and mechanics, it's the elemental forces at work.
I know what he means about rubbish coal, as an ex miner I get a coal allowance and have a solid fuel boiler at home, when we used to get UK coal there was very little ash and the flues wouldn't need cleaning out all winter, with the rubbish we get now from various countries the flues need cleaning about every three weeks, there is probably three times as much ash and it uses about 50% more coal to keep the house warm, and that's with the mild winters we're having.
I was shocked when he said a thousand pounds a tonne!! Damn expensive nowadays
Matthew has rocked up to Tom's Tap and Brewhouse in Crewe in his traction engine (or steam powered car) on more than occasion. I had the pleasure of speaking to him and he is a very interesting bloke.
Too many moving parts here not for the faint hearted. Hats off to the guy to get it working and keeping the boat in running mode. As always amazing to watch.
Lovely David, wonderful to hear your dulcet tones again
Thank you for showing us this invaluable piece of history!! And as always, done like the pro you are : )
Much appreciated!
This episode tixall the boxes, another masterpiece, David. I wish Matthew a long and adventure packed life with that wonderful steam dream machine. You know we want a follow up, of course:)
I am very glad that traditional steaming is still possible on the canals.
YES YES YES Thank you David for posting this I so enjoy seeing steam engines on narrowboats........
Matthew is fantastic. I could ramble on about steam engines for hours. What a great video!
Thank you for sharing this, lovely boat, engine and owner. The sounds of the engine, drive, and whistle are wonderful.
Fantastic…. I love steam in whatever guise… the guy needs a medal for keeping it alive on the canal…👏🏻👏🏻
Your own lack of a narrowboat has not diminished your content. I still very much enjoy your content! I hope the first part was not insulting.
You just know how to find the best stories on the cut 🙂
It video was fantastic. I love how quiet this steam narrow boat is compared to a diesel. It is wonderful that people are willing to restore, maintain, and keep history alive when it comes to steam power
I dream of being able to live on these beautiful wonders of simplistic society and surroundings of narrowboating but it wasn’t until today that this video got me to become hooked like a fish to a line to steam travel what an amazing invention love it!👍
I'm glad to see there are still some narrowboats like this around! With just nine of them around, I think we can manage to burn a little bit of coal for these nine boats!
Awesome!
Bugger anyone who has an issue with this amazing narrowboat.
Good on you, Matthew, for keeping this amazing piece of history alive in the 21st century. You have a vision that should be applauded by everyone upon the cut.
You are a true inspiration for anyone who has an appreciation for the history of the waterways.
100% agree.
I bet all the moaners ride steam trains when on holiday near to Heritage railways.
He owns steam traction engines also it said.
I’ve been to loads of festivals and they are packed with likeminded people who enjoy the sight,sound & smell of steam.
I’m off to the Severn Valley Railway later this month and that’ll be packed too.
Not sure what the time frame of this vlog is, but he’s very near myself on local canal and would be nice to see this steamer.
I’m very impressed with the cleanliness of the engine & surrounding area.
Any running steam engine being used is so awesome to see. Tixall the boxes indeed!
Wonderful boat, but I had to laugh when he said "it's no problem to operate. Just fiddle with this, turn on that, flip this around, etc, etc, etc,". Clearly it IS a problem, but when you love the mechanics of it and are obviously passionate about it, then the 'problems' just melt away! Beautiful. Brought a smile to my heart!
I haven’t watched yet but just admiring you for making this public immediately after the football finished 😂✔️
😂I sat there poised with my hand over the 'publish' button.
@@CruisingTheCut If u have a Battery for the TV could the engine recharge it ???
@@CruisingTheCutback of the net!!! ⚽️ 🥅
@@jimshoe402 Sure it could. You'd need to rig up a generator of some sort, like a car alternator, add a pulley or two....and only be able to charge while in gear, but, yes, it could be done.
In this day an age though, a simpler thing would be to use a solar panel, which he has on the roof.
@@IceColdGeicobut it would be nice during cloudy, rainy and snowy days. And that happens quite often in England.
I canal boat with “mood swings”, now that’s a boat to enjoy. Such a delightful video of a most wonderful steam canal boat and engaging owner. Thank you David. 👏👏👍😀
I love anything steam, but this was exceptional. Dead simple mechanical engines like this are so rare these days. Thanks David.
I am from Germany and have just, through this channel, discovered narrowboating and the canal system (which of both i had never head before) looks very relaxed.
Welcome along!
It is addictive. I was lucky to enjoy the canals and waterways of England as a child and it never leaves you. Especially narrowboats. I will find my way back one day, somehow.
Terrific film. You're such a great storyteller! Despite my reservations of smokey narrow boating per se, I don't mind seeing this one belching its beautiful cokey smoke!
This is wonderful! Thank you David for posting this. It's an awesome boat, and I love the beautiful steam engine! I'm actually nostalgic for the aroma of burning coal. I was born/raised in and around Pittsburgh, USA. We played in the coal mines and boney dumps as kids. Many homes had coal chutes and coal bins in the basements. (most coal furnaces were later replaced and/or converted to natural gas). I remember always taking a few big lumps of coal on our Boy Scout camping trips. There is no warmer campfire than one with a couple large lumps of coal in the center.... My best to Matthew for his knowledge, and carrying on a great tradition.....
I grew up in the north of England and we had a coal fireplace until I was around 10 years old. Since I was 5 my job in the morning was to fill the coal bucket and get the fire started. We got an immersion heater when I was around 13 for hot water, before then I'm not sure what we did. Does a coal fireplace provide hot water?
@@CaptApril123 Yes, if fitted with a 'back boiler', typically made by Baxi who still manufacture gas fired boilers!
Matthew has unusual ambition and I am so pleased that he has followed his dream. Three cheers for this gentleman.
Met Matthew and Tixall at Middlewich junction about a month ago (July). He was such a nice guy, who helped my father with the lock, and we returned the favour and helped Matthew. The sound of the boat was beautiful!
And after a lovely electric boat trip on our local canal (Wey and Arun canal) all I can say is ‘give me the steam!’ 😀 Lovely ❤️
Videos like this are why I love you, David.
A most informative, enjoyable video on a cold wet winter afternoon in Fish Hoek, Cape Town. Worst winter weather in years. Your video took me to a far nice mental place. Thank you gentlemen. Am a steam enthusiast.
What a lot of work to make it go!!! It’s nice of him to keep the antique thing running. It shows people a little bit of the past.
I saw a mining video, where the nearby mill had a non-working steam engine. Your video was great - showing what the oiling cups were actually used for... and then showing the engine functioning. You've answered a few questions I've had in my head for a few years now - and showed some interesting old tech - along with someone passionate in keeping it running. Nice!
That was a very lovely story. Glad to see that there’s still some of the older boats that are still plying the canal network. And for once, it’s a steamboat that someone’s actually living on. Wishing him all the best.
Ben from Australia 🇦🇺
The cold turkey bit is excellent 😂 it’s also saying mixed doubles if you tune into the bass - clear at 14:06 too
Nice to see you back on the 'cut' David. Many thanks for a slice of nostalgia. Cheers.
Brilliant to see a Steamer on the Cut.
We have the odd Steam train on our local Staffs/Shrops line and loads of people turn out on all the bridges & stations to see these pass through.
It’s heritage and superb to see.
We all moan about pollution & the environment but what harm can one little steam canal boat do?
Embrace the experience of seeing history.
I’ll keep an eye for Tixhall as it very local to me from this video.
I must take my hat off to you and your video clips. Had it not been for the one about the canal trust and their needs I would have not spotted their tea! I gave up on teas in the USA and for the YORKSHIRE TEA to be sitting there in plain sight, I gave it a try. Thank you! That tea is smooth and not bitter at all. Nothing like the teas here. I am now a two cup of hot tea a day now!!
😀😀😀
I love the "cold turkey" engine. Emily Ann has a disco beat to her engine 😂 Would love to see an update of Tixall after Matthew has been living aboard for a few months. And hopefully turning it into the home it deserves to be.
I was on the Staffs & Worcs recently and wondered where those steam whistle sounds were coming from that woke me up. Now I know.
That is very cool. I've had an interest in steam for many years now. Always wanted to build the steam powered multifueled generator. For times when the power goes out for extended periods of time.
Little is as impressive as a knowledgeable boat owner!
Just lovely, I could smell the smoke, great sounding whistle.
Regardless of the always fascinating topics you present, you deserve some sort of award for the creative and descriptive titles of all the video!
What a beauty 👍
Thanks yet again for such another fascinating post. But then it's what we've come to wxpect from you. Cheers from across the pond
The low-pressure cylinder and condenser notwithstanding, I think Trevithick would be proud of this engine in this canal boat. Really cool video!!
Top Dead Centre, that's a term I haven't heard, or used in many a year. Another gem of a video David, thankyou.
My late father trained as a steam engineer. He always said that each engine had their own phrase. Tixall’s just happened to be Cold Turkey.
Yep. Each are unique and have their own temperament. Of course the steam turbines don’t have a voice they have a starting “whistle” that is unique.
Great video. What a treat to see something of this vintage still working and chugging along our lovely waterways. You didn’t mention the smell though, which surprised me. All steam engines, whatever they are powering, have that unique aroma which is a large part of their appeal.
I didn't notice any smell.
Wow, a steam powered narrow boat. This "Tixall" the boxes for a guy that also loves steam engines and model steam locomotive engineering! I can smell the engine from here. That whistle sounded delightful, and I bet many boaters look around for the steam train when it sounds! Another superbly done production David. Cheers from another David down in New Zealand. 😄
I lived close to a Steam Heritage Railway and that whistle brought a smile. At weekends, the village was packed with people from all over taking 20-mile trips up the valley and back. You could tell where it was from the whistle.
It really Tixall the boxes!
ouch
I'll add my own 'ouch' to the ring, but I have a feeling the pun is the origin of the name. :)
Loved this one. A unique find. Congrats to that young man for keeping it going. He must have a good head on his shoulders to know and understand the many differences in steam engines and how to deal with it's operation.
Bravo, David! A friendly young man obviously taking great joy in using his special knowledge and skill to operate this unique boat! Your thoughtful videos are so enlightening and never disappoint!
Fantastic and cheers to Mathew for maintaining our industrial heritage. He should get a subsidy to get welch coal cheaper
I love it. Nothing beats the sound and smell of the good old steam engine. Marvellous
Wonderful video, and I must say, that your closing shot was beautifully composed. The stern of the boat going by, with the gate closing in time with its passing.... and the wildflower hitching a ride on the gate. Absolutely beautiful. The artist within you, coming out, in these little details. 😊
😊
What a fabulous episode! Beautiful boat and his dedication is inspiring. I wish him well.
What a fantastic boat and lovely preservation of history, I think we can forgive a few shovels of coal in historic steam engines 🚂
And what a gem of a guy, steam boat, steam traction engine... you have found the spiritual successor to Fred Dibnah 🙂
An interesting, delightful & peaceful interlude -- thanks.
Thanks for this outstanding mini-doc, David! Your cinematography, while always very good, was exceptionally fine this time! And thanks, too, for your laugh--out-loud cameo at 20:36!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent, nice to see the boat in use. Matt seems wonderful, and cute! too 🎈
Wow. Amazing chap and boat. He obviously has a great passion for steam. He reminds me of Fred Dibnah. A lot of work involved but keeping history alive. Unique and rewarding . Thank you for inviting us to see into Mathew’s life for a day.
😀
Im sure this is the bloke who I had a good chat with the other month at Anderton lift steam festival, really nice guy who is passionate and very knowledgeable about these steam engines... I could have spoke a lot more and hung around with him and his crew if I had chance 😁
David you have surpassed yourself this time. " Tixall the boxes". In a way the engine noise reminded me of the Royal Navy ship I was on in 1966. Great video as usual. Keep up the good work.
Not 'noise'. 'Music'!
Which ship were you on ?
Without taking anything away from the beauty, character and historical provenance of this gorgeous narrow boat David, I have enjoyed this particular video immensely. Yet again, the standard of filming, narration and editing is absolutely top quality and makes for utterly compulsive watching. Thank you.
Many thanks indeed!
beautiful boat and funny narrationn you both made me smile. I needed some joy
Oh fantastic, despite the smoke / pollution it's great to see the olde tech/traditions are kept alive with enthusiasm, these should never be lost, thank you David for sharing. 👏
Amazing boat and amazing video! As per usual, all my questions were answered shortly after coming to mind! Thanks David and Matthew!
Very interesting - and utterly relaxing. Your old, cruising fans will be very happy! Doesn't it make you want to go back on the water...
Absolutely!
@@CruisingTheCut 'We' need to buy you a boat.
Cheers but I'm not in a position to go back on the water at present.
@@CruisingTheCut I appreciate that - I assume there's some sort of family thing happening that's necessitated your return to land (entirely your business, obviously). As I said once before - you need to monetise your channel to the max, then you could have both a house and a narrowboat. Perhaps one day even that lovely canalside house with it's own mooring you showed us once!
David, my love of the British countryside and my passion for steam engines coupled with your attention to detail made for a wonderful lunchtime viewing experience. Your sound recording skills are excellent too. Each sound clear and distinct as the boat travelled along the canal. Brilliant.
Thank you! 😀
Thanks David I thoroughly enjoyed that I could have watched an hour or even more of it making its way along the canal very enjoyable cheers Barry from Victoria Australia 🇦🇺
Thanks for the video, it's fun to see something classical.
A unique experience - and way of life. No day is the same, it seems, with steam propulsion. Very interesting video. Thank you.
What a beautiful piece of machinery!... Thanks for sharing... Good luck Matthew !
As a retired steam engineer, I am thrilled to see this ❤
love the whistle
Fantastic Video & Story behind how Canal Working & Living used to be. Thank You David. 👍🏻
That is a remarkable boat. Mathew has a grand knowledge of steam propulsion so he is the right owner for this boat. We have seen canal boats steam powered, a range of diesel powered, a few different EV powered and some just to be towed. I’ll have one of each please! This is a wonderful presentation
Hello from romulus Michigan brother thank you for taking us on your adventures through the cut
AWESOME. I'm a steam enthusiast as well and was delighted to see this. I wish he had mentioned issues surrounding boiler inspections etc.
One word........ Heaven............. I once saw a steam boat on the Leeds Liverpool, up past Chorley back some 20 years ago
Great video, David. It's a tour into the past and clearly demonstrates why steam lost the battle with internal combustion engines.
I wouldn’t have thought people would make such a big deal about a bit of coal smoke from a historic narrow boat in Great Britain the country that pioneered such great steam advancements.
That aside, this was amazing to see thanks for filling it. Cheers from a steam locomotive engineer in the states.
Lovely shot to end it with. Very skillful and artistic.
A diesel does as the operator commands relatively quickly and with excellent reliability. A steam engine has to be given constant love and respect. If the boiler ever became unsafe, I would consider adopting a more automated, oil fired unit to minimize labor and emissions. Seeing this piece of history chuffing along the canals made me happy, thanks for sharing.
How amazing! Be proud that you are continuing the tradition of coal fire transportation! Thank you for sharing this amazing boat with us. Love and Greetings from Memphis, TN!~
That video was a real treat, thanks! 👍
I’m not sure if it was covered in the video, but one of the really interesting things about this boat is that this isn’t a ‘heritage’ or vintage boat at all. In fact most people watching this are likely older.
The boat and engine were actually only built in 1986 and the boiler is from 2006! In car terms that just would just about scrape as ‘modern classic’.
Really amazing that somebody took the time to commission and build something so unique 100 years after steam engines were first put into narrowboats.