October 2008

Original Cochran boiler Crown.  Boiler No XT 11130 made in 1943

The boiler has been removed to Cochran’s of Annan, the original manufacturers.  After examination, it was condemned – but is being used as a template for a new, more efficient coal-burning boiler.  Its original description was a vent cross tube boiler with a working pressure of 120 psi.

December 2008

VIC 27’s original boiler is removed to lighten the vessel before she was slipped.  It was then sent to the original boiler makers, now Cochran UK, to facilitate making a replacement.
Original Boiler number:  Cochran No XT 11130, year 1943

March 2015

New boiler under construction at Cochran UK in Dumfries and Galloway
Above left: Top and Bottom fire tube ends  Above right: Lower fire tube end and fire box Below left: Shell casing end on  Below right: Shell casing on its side

August 2015

Boiler ready for collection at Cochrans.

Boiler ready to leave Cochrans at Annan	Crane in place at Crinan Boatyard

The new boiler arrives at Crinan Boatyard.

There is now rather less empty space in the Engine Room:

Add a roof:

Pop on a funnel:

And now she looks much more like a puffer!

Artist in Residence, Nick Walker (Captain of Crinan’s other puffer – the VIC32) captures the spirit of the occasion.

And in spite of the boatyard’s efforts to distract onlookers with plenty of good food, all eyes were rigidly focused in one direction:

2018-19

The fire grate templates were generously donated by a gentleman from the East Coast and new grates were cast by Charles Laing & Sons Ltd of Edinburgh.