50ft River Steamer

50ft River Steamer. O scale laser-cut kit.

Below is a shot from the first proto build.

A small freight sternwheeler from the 1902 catalog of the Marine Iron Works of Chicago.

This water-line model will make an interesting addition to your waterfront layout without taking up a large space.

Total length = 370mm (14 1/2")

Beam (width) = 80mm (3 1/8")

Check out the proto pictures as the kit goes through its development stages. click through the pics below the main product image.

First kit is released with everything that makes it look good that can come off my laser and lathe, and basic casting of boiler shape - but not fiddly detailing features the modeller can find/make himself. For example,rope, headlight, crew, decktools, fire buckets, cargo etc.  Basically I'm here to manufacture, not be a shop selling other folks castings with an add-on cost we could all do without.

That said I'm quite pleased with the way simple "boaty" details like the bow chocks and cleats have come out. Because mine are laser cut I can afford to be generous with the quantity in the kit. (always nice to have spares)

Below are some photos of US modeller Mike Nataluk's "Songo River Queen". She is loaded with freight and building up steam. Mike has modelled coal firing, but split logs were common fuel too.