Ex Working boats on Thames

[c c]

Do boats with vintage engines have to stop them when in a lock on the Thames?

I heard a story yesterday of a Bolinder owner being told to stop the engine when in the lock by the keeper who then got irritable because it took ten minutes to start again. As we are planning a venture onto the Thames with Badsey I was wondering how we would get on with restarting our National by hand. That's fine when it is still hot and not bad when cold but for some reason when it is in between, it can be difficult.

[mykaskin]

Do boats with vintage engines have to stop them when in a lock on the Thames?

I heard a story yesterday of a Bolinder owner being told to stop the engine when in the lock by the keeper who then got irritable because it took ten minutes to start again. As we are planning a venture onto the Thames with Badsey I was wondering how we would get on with restarting our National by hand. That's fine when it is still hot and not bad when cold but for some reason when it is in between, it can be difficult.

 

It depends on the locky, and the number of other boats in the lock, and sometimes how quiet the engine is (if they don't notice!). Explain it's a hand start and there might be a delay in starting it and some will let you run it.

 

If you really don't want to stop it, when you arrive at the lock, let the lock keeper know and he will run you through the lock on your own if he's "one of them".

 

I'd love to do the Thames with a Bollinder - 'Can you turn that engine off', 'sure, but it will take 15 minutes to get started again!'

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

[WJM]

Yip, depends on the lock-keeper. Some of them had their brains deleted to make space for the rule book. Others understand boats and the river very, very well. I think you will find it a journey of hit and miss - at some you will have to stop others will be fine.

[mykaskin]

Really bitchy around the Marlow area for some reason? All others where fine.

 

Mike

[Speedwheel]

I heard a story yesterday of a Bolinder owner being told to stop the engine when in the lock by the keeper who then got irritable because it took ten minutes to start again.

 

When we were last on the Thames they didn't make us stop it, but they did ask all other boats in the lock if they were happy for us to leave it running.

 

Same with the Anderton lift - though I usually do put it out. If you leave the lamp on low its not (usually) a problem to restart.

[Daftmare]

When are you taking this trip Ian?

 

We will look out for you.

 

Also, my son may be an "Assistant" Lock Keeper in a few weeks' time and I can give him advance notice!

 

Jo.

[Proper Job]

The rules are that, if you're on your own, there's no requirement to stop the engine. If you're with other boats, all boats must stop their engines.

 

The lockies aren't stupid (as a general rule). They do know that semi diesels may need a pre heat if stopped. They also know that full diesels don't.

 

They also talk to each other. If you have trouble starting and 'hold traffic up', you can bet your bottom dollar that the next lock down will know before you arrive

[Dekazer]

Out of interest, what's the reason for stopping engines in Thames Locks and not in canal locks? Not that we minded doing it, I'm just interested.

[WJM]

I think it is to do with sound - keeping things quiet so that people calling out can be heard.

 

My uncle was once told off very strongly by a Thames Lockie for playing the bagpipes while in a lock!

[Daftmare]

Out of interest, what's the reason for stopping engines in Thames Locks and not in canal locks? Not that we minded doing it, I'm just interested.

 

 

I thought it was to do with noise level, if all boats kept their engines running in a Thames Lock, nobody would hear the lockie in an emergency?

 

Jo.

 

 

River Wey rule is turn off engines too, but that must be for a different reason?

 

I think it is to do with sound - keeping things quiet so that people calling out can be heard.

 

My uncle was once told off very strongly by a Thames Lockie for playing the bagpipes while in a lock!

 

 

You must type faster than me!

[twbm]

During three runs from Reading to Brentford I remember being asked once.

[Daftmare]

During three runs from Reading to Brentford I remember being asked once.

 

 

Were you alone in the locks then maybe?

[mykaskin]

Possibly also the fumes, fairly deep some of the locks, and it could get a little fusty.

 

Mike

[twbm]

Were you alone in the locks then maybe?

 

Never. We run with a butty ...

 

OK, sensible answer. Not all the time but mostly, and the one time we were asked there were no other boats.

[WJM]

"River Wey rule is turn off engines too, but that must be for a different reason?"

 

The Wey Navigation is made out of treacle and shredded wheat - or so the National Trust 'rangers' seem to think. Its all cotton wool and kids gloves! lol

[carlt]

I think you will find it a journey of hit and miss

Always the case, with most Bollinders.

[Daftmare]

"River Wey rule is turn off engines too, but that must be for a different reason?"

 

The Wey Navigation is made out of treacle and shredded wheat - or so the National Trust 'rangers' seem to think. Its all cotton wool and kids gloves! lol

 

 

I always turn my engine off when I get to Weybridge

[The Lockie]

As a rule the lockies will ask you to turn your engine off if there are other boats in the lock, imagine 4 boats in a lock with their engines running it,s not healthy for the lockies to deal with the fumes all day long and for the small open canoes that may be in the lock with them. There are occasions when you will be asked to turn off even if you are in the lock on your own if the lockkeeper requests this then you atr obliged by the bylaws to follow that instruction.

The lockkeepers are not being awkward they are just trying to ensure everyone stays safe'and can hear what's going on around them.

[sebrof]

As a rule the lockies will ask you to turn your engine off if there are other boats in the lock, imagine 4 boats in a lock with their engines running it,s not healthy for the lockies to deal with the fumes all day long and for the small open canoes that may be in the lock with them. There are occasions when you will be asked to turn off even if you are in the lock on your own if the lockkeeper requests this then you atr obliged by the bylaws to follow that instruction.

The lockkeepers are not being awkward they are just trying to ensure everyone stays safe'and can hear what's going on around them.

 

I find that if you explain the situation politely, you will almost always get a positive response.

[David Mack]

Do boats with vintage engines have to stop them when in a lock on the Thames?

I heard a story yesterday of a Bolinder owner being told to stop the engine when in the lock by the keeper who then got irritable because it took ten minutes to start again. As we are planning a venture onto the Thames with Badsey I was wondering how we would get on with restarting our National by hand. That's fine when it is still hot and not bad when cold but for some reason when it is in between, it can be difficult.

 

This may be apocryphal, but was told to me 20-odd years ago as having happened to a certain well-known Bolinder powered ex working boat:

 

It was the height of the season, and the river was busy. The boat joined the Thames at Oxford, and Osney was the first lock. After entering the lock with a number of gleaming white fibreglass cruisers, they politely asked the lockie if they could leave the engine running.

 

"Engines must be turned off in locks."

 

"OK."

 

After the lock emptied and all the other boats had left the lockie was puzzled that this boat hadn't moved.

 

"Why are you waiting here?"

 

"Its OK, I'm just lighting the blowlamp. We have to wait for the cylinder head to heat up so we can start the engine. It will take about 15 minutes."

 

"But I've got a lot of boats waiting to come up, and some more arriving behind you to come down. Can't you move out onto the pilings outside the lock?"

 

"We're not going out onto the river without the engine running."

 

15 minutes later,the crew 'somehow' failed to start the engine at the first few attempts, with the result that a quantity of unburnt diesel passed into the expansion box. When the engine eventually started, all this fuel burnt off at once, with a loud bang and a jet of flame out of the exhaust!

 

They didn't get asked to turn the engine off at any more locks.

David

[benfordboy]

We did the Thames last yr (Oxford to Brentford n back from Limehouse to Brentford) on Dads Tube while our Cruiser was out of the water.

 

it doesn't have a 'Classic' Engine only an old BMC , but we got into the habit of turning off in locks all the way back down the GU , it was certainly a lot more peaceful & after 6hrs running a lot less smokey !

 

I guess we saved the odd few pints of fuel too

[sociable_hermit]

There is a school of thought that says its better for the engine to stay running, as it's the initial shock of start up (coupled with minimal oil flow for the first few seconds) that does all the damage.

[Tam & Di]

Out of interest, what's the reason for stopping engines in Thames Locks and not in canal locks? Not that we minded doing it, I'm just interested.

 

I think it is historic. The Thames has been a pleasure waterway from Victorian times. The well known painting of Boulters lock full of skiffs, Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in A Boat and many other references point to how extensively used for pleasure it has been. Put early motor cruisers with petrol engines in with them and there is a recipe for disaster. When diesel came to be the fuel of preference it was already well established that craft turned engines off. I must say though that on our occasional forays with various working craft up and down between Oxford and Teddington, and particularly when we carried grain from Tilbury to Coxes Mill on the Wey, we were never expected to stop our motors on either waterway. The lock keepers fill the locks painfully slowly, but it is still potentially dangerous for a heavy boat if its engine is turned off. Although there are a few "jobsworths" the majority of lock keepers are very good.

 

30 MEN AND SOME WOMEN IN A BOAT.

 

 

(edited to add picky)

Edited June 8, 2011 by Tam & Di

[ditchcrawler]

Last time I went on the Thames a boat travelling with us had a hand start and didn't want to stop the engine. I arrived at the lock first and had a word with the lock keeper explaining I didn't mind his engine running. He looked at his watch and replied"By the time he has his ropes on I will be off for lunch, you will be OK wont you"

[Jim Batty]

Out of interest, what's the reason for stopping engines in Thames Locks and not in canal locks? Not that we minded doing it, I'm just interested.

 

I thought it was as a safety precaution in case someone falls into the lock (or a kayaker tumbles out of their boat behind a pair of 200 HP engines). That in combination with someone inadvertently slipping into gear while running could make a real mess. Thames locks can get crowded with all sorts of craft and you can't keep an eye on everyone in there.