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Interesting news about plans for the classic boat collection of Adam Toop and the late Bill Rose using part of the Hobbs sheds on the Wargrave Road. Further details here The RoseToop Collection
The planning application was sadly refused by Wokingham planning dept on 22nd December 2021.
However a revised application has now been approved by the Council in March of 2023. The work seen from the river is progressing well and I understand is due to be completed by the end of 2024.

Consuta returns to the Thames 2024

Returning to the Thames

The Kennet to Thames journey took 2 days, the distance is only 30 miles but there are 30 locks which are all operated by the crew, also there are several swing bridges, fortunately most of which are press button hydraulic powered. We fired with our Ecoal oval fuel for the Kennet section but then transferred to Ffos Y Fran Welsh steamcoal once on the Thames. The Saturday overnight stopover was at Padworth, supervised by Zac. Consuta eventually reaching the Charvil Thames mooring mid afternoon on Sunday, the second day of the trip.

Consuta on the K&A until 2024

Consuta was over wintering on the K&A canal at Kintbury

The Trust have managed to resolve some serious problems we had after those early steam tests.
There have been several supporter trips, first to move Consuta from Beale Park onto the Kennet and Avon canal and then a further two supporter outings on the canal. There are full details and photos of these in our Autumn and Winter newsletter numbers 94 and 95 which can be accessed here Past News

We have also been helped to resolve the problem of obtaining a Thames licence boat licence for Consuta, many thanks for this.

Consuta relaunched 2023

Consuta early steam tests in June

We've had three steam up sessions to check out all systems. Here are a few photos taken during this interesting testing period

So what were the problems? First the big injector had a major steam leak which turned out to be frost damage to a pipe conection see crack on brass nipple - now replaced. The second was a very strange whistle or howl in the exhaust pipework which was thought to be due to a too small a hole used in the gasket at the silencer exhaust pipe out connection - to be checked at the next steam test.

Consuta at Beale Park

Consuta relaunched 31st May

Here are a few photos taken during the launching. Paddle power used to reach mooring.

Work Parties during Spring

There have been several work parties during spring to get everything ready for relaunching Consuta. Here are a couple of photos, more on our facebook pages

Following a very successful Consuta Social at the Rowbarge Inn at Woolhampton there have been several Consuta working parties since then. See more photos on Consuta facebook

If you would like to get involved in our operations please contact us by email.

Report of work during 2022

May 2022 - The Boiler inspection

This photo shows the layout of the boiler backhead




This was the first formal inspection of our new boiler while in steam. The inspector required an hydraulic pressure test before the steam examination which would check the boiler complete with all the fittings.

At 240 psi water test pressure there were several leaks, most were cured by a bit of adjustment. The three remaining minor water drips were noted in the log for future attention.

Report of activities during 2021

October 2021 - Steam test evaluation

The pressure gauge was removed for testing, also the blow down skin fitting needed replacement because of a leak in the valve casting.

This 3/4" gate valve on investigation was found to have a long split in the body, probably cause by old frost damage.








Some time ago we had acquired a useful dead weight pressure gauge test set, so used this to check the accuracy of Consuta's gauge.

The photo shows the gauge reading using 180 lbs weight (9 of 20 lb each), plus 2lbs added due to the weight of the deadweight mounting pad, so the gauge should really be reading 182 psi.

The weight pad on the right is being used, the gauge pointer is masking the red line. So 2lbs low but still pretty good accuracy.

September 2021 - The Steam test

We decided it would not be practical or sensible to relaunch Consuta this year but instead would carry out steam tests of the new boiler installation while Consuta was still on it's trailer.
The date for this test was chosen for Saturday 25th Sept.

Consuta had to be pulled out of the shed - just enough to have the boiler outside. The purpose of the test was to check that all the new boiler auxiliaries would work properly, especially the workings of the two injectors which keep the boiler filled when steaming.

Above:- waiting for the boiler to come into steam - tea break?.

Note that the safety valve is starting to wisp while the reading on the pressure gauge is only showing about 160 psi, the working pressure is supposed to be 180 psi?? A discrepancy which needs sorting out.






When we blew the boiler down, the breeze blew the steam into the shed, and we could hardly see the other end of the long shed.

August 2021 - The Henley Traditional Boat Festival

Sorry that we didn't have Consuta at the festival however we did have a pitch which was shared with the SBA and The Tamesis Trust, so had "Cygnet" on show. Cygnet has never had any significant modfications since it was built by John Thornycroft at Chiswick in 1870. Following much research we now believe that Cygnet is the oldest surviving steam launch in the UK still fitted with her original 1870's steam machinery.

The photo below shows the marquee with a small gazebo at the rear, The gazebo was used as a rest sitting area for our supporters. Doesn't that banner look great though?

April 2021

Minor work starting March this year.

We needed a new funnel cap to keep out rain water when not being steamed.

Some volunters will remember the rough and ready one we had previously used made from scrap stainless steel.

Nobody had offered to make a replacement so we thought better have a suitable new one this time, total cost was about £11.
The protective covering needs to be removed, and a bit of fairing up perhaps?

Restricted Project Work and Activities during 2020

Christmas 2020

This photo is from the front page of The Consuta Trust Christmas Card.

The photo of the tree was taken in the boat shed at Beale Park with a Xmas tree placed on the front deck of Consuta, the vertical slats are those on the shed wall.

Hoping that we will be able to have a good steaming season some time during 2021.

The HLF project has now been signed off as requested by our case officer, and we have been able to reserve some of the remaining grant fund for a variety of interesting activities in 2021 and also maybe into 2022; all very exciting.

Wishing everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year!

April to December 2020

Sadly we decided that it would not be sensible to relaunch Consuta during the summer season because of the infection risks, we also didn't arrange any work parties at the boatshed, note all Thames boating events had been cancelled. However work tasks have been completed on some remaining parts of the refurbishment work where possible, leaving only a few jobs to be completed for the 2021 season.

Jan - March 2020

The Consuta Trust winter Social at the Swan in Streatley was most enjoyable, held in a lovely setting with 26 supporters attending.

At the beginning of the year the project refurbishment work was progressing well. We were just about to prepare for the summer boating season until the pandemic developed into a serious business which has thrown the whole summer boating season into doubt. All projected work parties have been cancelled until further notice.

Several key Thames summer boating events have also been cancelled - see the calendar page click here., note Beale park is closed to the public. We cannot consider launching Consuta until this pandemic is under control and public control restrictions have been removed.

Earlier project work

For more details of work progress during 2018 and 2019 please click here.

November 2019

Left above:- The final section of the 2.5" diameter copper exhaust pipe being check out before brazing.

Right above:- The new engine casing fitted onto it's new support base. This casing is some 4 inches lower and is closer to the original build height, it's also a little shorter than previously installed - the new pipework required some detailed changes.

July 2019

The photo above left shows the wider removable side deck sections which have to be removed when lifting the boiler.
Photo on the right shows the route of the engine steam and exhaust pipes. Currently the steam pipe is being made up in screwed steel pipe sections, but once the layout is OK it will then be made up in 1.5 inch ID copper pipe.

An interesting question is should there be provision for accomodating length changes in this pipe caused by heat expansion, perhaps not needed as it's fairly short?

June 2019

Now that the new boiler has been fitted and funnel erected, members from the Thames Valley Traction Engine club came and had a look at the project progress work.
Also a few of our active supporters came to see the work and start helping with the cleaning prep job of getting Consuta ready for relaunching; more picture shortly.

May 2019

We had a visit from David Gallagher with his wife from the USA. Dave has made a scale model of Consuta.
On the right a photo of a project lecture given by Ian Rutter and John Winn at Marlow - tea break time.