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Hi, took this photo at the boat yard just south of Weston on the T&M mid August. Interested if anyone knows the history of this boat?

This is an old Birmingham Canal Navigations Company maintenance boat, and the earliest record I have for it is 21 August 1889 when it was gauged as BCN 12508. It was gauged again on 11 May 1904 as BCN 19240, owned by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Company as No. 12 and based at No. 4 District. An alteration to this gauge table dated 12 August 1936 shows a new fleet number as 123 and a location base of Walsall District, along with the fitting of a cabin (no cabin previously). This boat has recently been renovated, although to my mind the lettering on the cabinside should say 'Walsall District' rather than 'No. 4 District' as it had no cabin when under the control of the latter - but this is a minor detail. Back in the day there were literally thousands of boats like this but the majority were wooden hulled whereas this boat is iron

The first rule of fuel boats is you don't talk about fuel boats ... Rog

.... And thirdly, the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules.

There is a code, but we can't tell you 'cause it's a secret.

Tea-Pot / Kettle on the roof. but ensure the spout is pointing in the right direction or you may get some unwanted attention.

You do realise that the yellow flag indicated 'free of disease and welcome to board and inspect the vessel, I request free practique'

You just want to remind yourself of what a modern working motor feels like after boating on that antique Josher

Remember remember the 5th of November...

Prior to moving on my boat a few weeks ago (its a liverpool boats build) I had the survey done with some recommendations one being getting to top bearing around the tiller being replaced due to excess play/vibrations. So having a casual flick through the owners manual I discovered that a grub screw existed near to the grease nipple,a couple of turns with the Allen key, some grease gun action and it's now all good again so l potentially saving a few pounds. I've put this on as I know liverpool boats have a slightly different top bearing assembly to other boats and there have been previous post on this topic.

The film you have in mind, There Go The Boats, was produced in 1951 although I think much of the filming was done in 1950. The last Grand Union Canal Company gauge table was issued on 14 September 1938, the Oxford Canal Company on 04 September 1946 and the B.C.N. Company on 05 April 1962 (excluding the nonsense gauging of BARNET on 09 September 2011). My understanding is that with the ending of boat gauging and toll offices in the last few years of commercial narrow boats the tonnage was charged / wages calculated by that recorded on the consignment paperwork as had been done in the north west for a number of years. Interestingly there were a few Grand Union and F.M.C. Ltd. narrow boats that were never gauged at all, yet they definitely worked so had tolls drawn against them and paid wages to the boatman

I met Alton travelling in the opposite direction last year, and Brian and I both had time to converse, then arrange ourselves, pump-out and refuel. I'm sure most fuel boats would be happy to slow down/stop if it meant business was transacted. It's not as if the cut is like the M6.

Thanks, Duh... why didn't I think of that! ? Just phoned Auriga, he passed us on the Ashby yesterday but he had passed before the 'penny dropped'! Got his answer phone, and have left a message. The Ashby is good like that, what goes up, has to come down.. unless he passed us before we woke up. The spout in the wrong direction.... ???? - be kind to me I've led a sheltered life ?

I contact them (Halsall) by text. They will fill the tank up if we are not there, tell how much it is then we pay them by BACS. They text us when they will be in the area.

No they do not. Anyone who recommends a pressure wash on a 'blacked' surface followed by 2 pack epoxy is just wrong. For longest life (and hence value for money), apply a 2 pack epoxy to a grit blasted surface. There are surface tolerant 2 pack epoxies but they are a compromise and they cannot be applied over a previously blacked surface unless you are looking for premature failure. See my previous post.

I hope there is a plan for mooring. Could be fun with the trip boats. At least there is bound to be room for a little 'un. Overall though a finish in central Birmingham is a good idea. Hope the BCNS use it for a bit of publicity. JP Have reported my own post to propose the recent posts on this thread are put into a new 'BCNS Challenge 2019' thread.

In addition, the questions seeking more information in order to give better answers are sometimes interpreted as hostility, which most of the time is incorrect. Penetrating questions can however make people who have not thought about their plan in any depth, feel rather 'got at'. This is not intended.

Welcome to the Forum Izzy. The problem you are faced with asking that question on this forum is that the peeps who will answer you, see questions like this all the time from people who know very little about canal or river life in London. It seems like there are a couple of threads a week from peeps who want to give up their houses and live on a boat, near London (ie rarely anywhere else). Once we dig down to try and find out what they want so we can formulate better answers, we find they know very little about their end target and most disappear,never to be heard of again, because living on a canal boat in London is challenging and not cheap. Indeed living on a canal boat is challenging and not cheap outside of London, but London brings significantly more problems. If you persevere here, you will get good answers to most questions, usually within minutes of posting. Just learn to ride the banter that goes with it. There is another active thread at the moment asking a very similar question. Be worth having a look at that as well. edit.....post crossed with Lady G

You will not ever be expected to travel in dangerous conditions and if the ice is solid you can't move. However in near on thirty years as a live aboard I have never had the need to breach the 14 day mooring rule. It's very easy to comply with if the boater is intent on complying. ?