From what I understand she has a slightly more powerful more modern engine than originally fitted (a search online suggests it could be a Stirling), however I believe a Thornycroft A-4 engine has been sourced with the intention of restoring her to an as original as possible arrangement.
A wonderful piece of sheer nostalgia. I wondered about the year because the cars look ancient. I agree it must have been late forties. Thanks for sharing
Gorgeous film, I loved it! I did, when at school in Oxford, go with a friend on the 'Abingdon Rail River Trip'. It cost 5/10 pence, you went to Abingdon by train, walked a short distance to the river, and back on Salters. Possibly it wasn't too popular, as the ticket was marked 'Great Western Railway', and this was something like 1962. It caused a sensation when we got on the Abingdon train; the collector took our tickets, shouted 'Here Bill, look at this' and ran off!
Abingdon,Sandford,Iffley and Oxford-lovely nostalgic images. Salter's are still in business at Folly Bridge and still running some of those old vessels along the river.
French's at Runnymead have a couple of former Salters steamers, one is coal fired and the other is oil fired, but they are steam driven. Her Maj made a private trip on one of them in about 1999 when there was a Foot and Mouth epidemic and the Windsor Horse show was cancelled.
I am an Australian living on the Great Lakes region in NSW. I am looking to design an electric launch to be built in stitch and glue plywood. Like others here I am transfixed by the beauty and performance of both of these boats. Would it be possible to get the hull lines for Oberon as I am very interested to see what is going on under the waterline Your assistance would be greatly appreciated..
