Bullhead rail chairs were used as PS Waverley ballast – but steamer faces far weightier issue
ENGINEERS and volunteers working on PS Waverley’s winter maintenance schedule removed hull ballast for inspection and discovered that thrifty sailors had used British Rail standard bullhead rail chairs as weights in the 1950s, when the steamer was under BR control.
Waverley Excursions general manager Paul Semple said: “Waverley is, of course, a railway steamer, having been built by the LNER in 1946 and passed to BR in 1949. We were interested to see that best use was being made of common railway and maritime resources by recycling the chairs, some of which were broken, for use as ballast weights.
“The idea of recycling and using scarce resources for economy was clearly in vogue in railway and railway steamer circles some 60 years ago, long before it became fashionable today.”
However, Paul is facing what is perhaps the weightiest challenge to the ship in its history, as it prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of its maiden voyage on June 16 by sailing from Glasgow to Arrochar.
“We have been advertising for a new chief engineer since November last year and we’ve not found one with an absolutely essential seagoing steam ticket,” said Paul.
“If we don’t have a qualified chief engineer, and it seems what we’re looking for is increasingly hard to find, then Waverley won’t be able to sail in 2022.
“That would be devastating, especially as we’re planning to return again this year to Liverpool, North Wales, the Bristol Channel, Thames, and south coast piers, so any help or leads that Heritage Railway readers can give us would be greatly appreciated.”
Paul said that Waverley is facing the sort of problem that is already present, or will become increasingly common in the heritage sector, as people with traditional skills die out.
“We have been looking closely at the steam and railway engineering apprenticeship schemes that many heritage railways are already operating very successfully as we recognise that, in the longer term, if Waverley is to keep steaming, we’ll need to train and retain our own staff, such as the specialised post of chief engineer,” he said.
“That, of course, does not solve our problem for this season, and the clock is ticking. Contact us by emailing info@waverleyexcursions. co.uk if you know someone who might be suitable – or if think you can help yourself.”