Uploaded September 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A look at the main engine of the paddle steamer Waverley, a three cylinder reciprocating steam engine that produces 2,100 hp (1,566kW) at 56rpm.
A triple-expansion engine works by injecting high pressure steam into a cylinder and then venting the exhaust into a medium pressure cylinder. The exhaust from this is then piped into a low pressure cylinder in order to extract as much as energy from the steam as possible . As you can see from the gauges the pressure in the low pressure cylinder is almost atmospheric. In order to get the same power from each cylinder, they get progressively larger as the pressure drops.
PS Waverley is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1946, she sailed from Craigendoran on the Firth of Clyde to Arrochar on Loch Long until 1973. Bought by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS), she has been restored to her 1947 appearance and now operates passenger excursions around the British coast.
Tonnage: 693 grt
Length: 239 ft 11 in (73.13 m)
Beam: 57 ft 3 in (17.45 m)
Draught: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Speed: 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) in service
Trials speed in 1947 18.37 knots (34.02 km/h; 21.14 mph)
Capacity: Up to 925 passengers in Class V waters
Sorry about the video quality, was using silly ISO again due to the light levels! :)
A look at the main engine of the paddle steamer Waverley, a three cylinder reciprocating steam engine that produces 2,100 hp (1,566kW) at 56rpm.
A triple-expansion engine works by injecting high pressure steam into a cylinder and then venting the exhaust into a medium pressure cylinder. The exhaust from this is then piped into a low pressure cylinder in order to extract as much as energy from the steam as possible . As you can see from the gauges the pressure in the low pressure cylinder is almost atmospheric. In order to get the same power from each cylinder, they get progressively larger as the pressure drops.
PS Waverley is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1946, she sailed from Craigendoran on the Firth of Clyde to Arrochar on Loch Long until 1973. Bought by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS), she has been restored to her 1947 appearance and now operates passenger excursions around the British coast.
Tonnage: 693 grt
Length: 239 ft 11 in (73.13 m)
Beam: 57 ft 3 in (17.45 m)
Draught: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Speed: 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) in service
Trials speed in 1947 18.37 knots (34.02 km/h; 21.14 mph)
Capacity: Up to 925 passengers in Class V waters
Sorry about the video quality, was using silly ISO again due to the light levels! :)
