Japanese Mitsubishis have been installed in narrowboats since the early 1970s. The Dutch mariniser Vetus continues to supply these engines for the narrowboat market. Yanmar, another Japanese company, has its impressive range of Shire engines marketed by E.P. Barrus. Barrus has recently introduced a new range of engines referred to as ‘Shanks’, to operate alongside the Shires. HM Isuzu entered the market in 2000 but ceased producing engines suitable for narrowboats in 2010. Three former HMI employees subsequently set up Engines Plus, based in Gloucestershire, and introduced a new range called Canaline in sizes from 27hp to 70hp, mainly based on Korean Kioti engines. The Russell Newbery has not been built in quantity for some time. However, the company has just been purchased by David and Deborah Bixter of Hillmorton so the situation may change. An increasing demand for wide-beam boats has led to all marinisers extending their ranges upwards. One manufacturer who only builds for this market is Perkins Sabre whose M92B is supplied by Finning.
Vintage engines “Not so much an engine, more a way of life.” That quote from a proud owner of a Bolinder says it all: vintage engines are for many enthusiasts the key attraction of narrowboating. Vintage diesels have become big business in recent years, supported by a growing number of dedicated engineers. Indeed, many refurbished vintage engines are today installed in brand new narrowboats. For some makes, parts and service are only slightly less readily available than for modern engines. The Swedish-made Bolinder heads up the list of the most well-known vintage makes. Bolinders were among the first internal combustion engines to be fitted in working narrowboats. The sound of a Bolinder is instantly recognisable: “Kerdoinkk” as opposed to the “kerdonk, kerdonk” of other vintage diesels. Its other idiosyncrasies include an ability to blow smoke rings from the exhaust stack. Bolinder owners are a close-knit ‘band of brothers’, sharing information, anecdotes and encouragement through the website www. bolinder-engines.info. Russell Newbery is famous as the engine fitted in the narrowboats that launched the large-scale fleet expansion of the 1930s. RN launched its first diesel engine in 1930 and subsequently licensed production to the National Gas & Oil Engine Co to build engines for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co. National’s version differed from the Russell
38
Newbery’s, and over the years they grew further and further apart. The Lister JP2 is a popular vintage engine with narrowboat enthusiasts even though it did not feature in carrying fleets of the 1930s. The initials JP stand for joint production – the project being launched with Ruston & Hornsby, although the companies went their own way within a few years. Lister’s JP series was built in large numbers between 1930 and 1952 and a good number survive today, including the threecylinder JP3. Spares are in good supply too. The other half of the JP partnership, Ruston & Hornsby, played very little part in working boat history. However, its engines were built in large numbers – both as marine and industrial units – with the result that second-hand engines are readily available for narrowboat installation. Gardner engines enjoy a glowing reputation – based on precision of manufacture and care in building. Gardners have been described as the Rolls Royce of diesels, and many enthusiasts regard them as the ultimate narrowboat engine. The Scottish company Kelvin is also right up there in terms of quality and reputation. Its engines, once found as regularly in top of the range pleasure boats as in commercial craft, possess exceptional corrosion resistance qualities. Kelvin’s J, K and P engines, together with their spares, are still widely available, especially in the central belt of Scotland. Other vintage engines sometimes encountered in narrowboats include Armstrong Siddeley, Dorman, Petter, Ailsa Craig, Kromhout and Perkins.
ABOVE LEFT: Bolinder semi-diesel. ABOVE MIDDLE: The Kelvin J series is well suited to narrowboat usage. ABOVE RIGHT: Immaculately restored vintage Gardner.
| IWA waterways - Autumn 2011
Horsepower to Diesel.indd 5
21/7/11 1:45:34 pm