Coltrane traces the development of the steam engine and gives the history of its involvement in imperial conquest. From Loch Lomond to Zimbabwe Robbie Coltrane looks at coal powered steam engines in trains and boats
Started my apprenticeship in the beginning of the 80s, fortunate enough to witness the last dying days of steamships! The state government had 2 steam dredges still in service and the maritime museum had a steam tug they kept in an operational condition. I worked on all of them when they were in dock for service and repair. Both dredges retired before my apprenticeship finished, there was no fanfare, they just went to strip anything of value and the hulls became parts of artificial reefs, the steam tug however was still chugging away 10 years ago, not sure now!
Unless it's converted to compressed air or something like that the steamers won't have any coal to burn in the near future Some of the heritage railways are trying to find other options like biomass made from the waste of oil seed production hopefully they can find one an the steamers keep going rather than sitting stationary
@@liamofthornhill most coal boilers can be easily converted to diesel or kerosene by way of a gun in the furnace door much like a domestic oil burner .and AFAIK alot are.
I honestly wish todays docs were like this I was spell bpound from the begining right to the end even Top gear struggled to do that for me R.I.P. Mr Coltrane !!! Or should that be Col train ??????????????
