Lula by Keith Black - 1:120 Scale - 1870s Sternwheeler Supply Boat for Floating Pile Driver

[Glen McGuire]

Nice work on that crane, Keith!

[Keith Black]

On 3/14/2025 at 8:04 AM, Glen McGuire said:

Nice work on that crane, Keith!

 Thank you, Glen.

 

 Thank you to all for the comments and likes. 

 

 

 Lula's bow is finished with the exception of weathering the deck. I plan on doing that tomorrow during daylight hours. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Lula and the pile driver lashed in tow is 14.5 inches in length. Once Lula is finished I'm pretty certain I'll display them together in tow.   

 

 

 Thank you for your support and for being part of the journey. 

 

   Keith

[wefalck]

Would the pile-driver actually pushed from the side of the rig? I would have expected the tug to be tied up to the other side, also so that the driver can be manoeuvred into position.

[Cathead]

Oh wow, those two look so good together.

[JacquesCousteau]

Great job, it's turning out very well.

[FriedClams]

Excellent work, Keith!  The crane turned out very nice and the two models look great together.

 

Gary

 

[Keith Black]

5 hours ago, wefalck said:

Would the pile-driver actually pushed from the side of the rig? I would have expected the tug to be tied up to the other side, also so that the driver can be manoeuvred into position.

 Eberhard, the way the pile driver barges were push towed does seem somewhat counterintuitive but it makes sense to have the most awkward part of the barge lashed firmly to the tender. That way any unseen obstruction is first encountered by the engine room bow. I built the pile driver to the plans below and the pile driver's  bow is clearly indicated in the drawing.  Once the pile driver was delivered to the building site the barge could be easily turned and nudged into position. 

 

2 hours ago, Cathead said:

Oh wow, those two look so good together.

 Thank you, Eric. I enjoy seeing the two of them together. 

 

2 hours ago, JacquesCousteau said:

Great job, it's turning out very well.

 Thank you, Jacques. 

 

1 hour ago, FriedClams said:

Excellent work, Keith!  The crane turned out very nice and the two models look great together.

 Thank you, Gary.

[wefalck]

Makes sense! Thinking about it, it would be also more stable during pushing, as there is less of a cantilever on the rig, than if it was pushed the other way around. I also didn't realise that there was a 'bow' end.

 

[clearway]

😁

[petervisser]

Great job on your project Keith. They look fantastic together.

Peter

[Glen McGuire]

Lula and the pile driver look better together than chips and queso!  Superb work, Keith!

[Knocklouder]

Like Peanut butter and Jelly, and that's all I got to stay about that. 

Amazing work Keith, are we getting ready for the river yet?

Bob  M.    

[mtaylor]

Super nice work, Keith. The tug and pile driver look great together.   

[Jim Lad]

Just catching up after some time away. They're looking great, Keith.

 

John

[Keith Black]

 

17 hours ago, wefalck said:

Makes sense! Thinking about it, it would be also more stable during pushing, as there is less of a cantilever on the rig, than if it was pushed the other way around. I also didn't realise that there was a 'bow' end.

 Eberhard, thank you for taking the time to question and comment.  

 

16 hours ago, clearway said:

😁

 Thank you, Keith. It makes me feel good knowing Lula gives folks a reason to smile.

 

16 hours ago, petervisser said:

Great job on your project Keith. They look fantastic together.

 Thank you, Peter. 

 

9 hours ago, Glen McGuire said:

Lula and the pile driver look better together than chips and queso!  Superb work, Keith!

 Thank you, Glen. 

 

8 hours ago, Knocklouder said:

Like Peanut butter and Jelly, and that's all I got to stay about that. 

Amazing work Keith, are we getting ready for the river yet?

 Thank you, Bob. Lord willing I would think we'll see a launch date by sometime in early June. 

 

6 hours ago, mtaylor said:

Super nice work, Keith. The tug and pile driver look great together.   

 Thank you, Mark.

 

4 hours ago, Jim Lad said:

Just catching up after some time away. They're looking great, Keith.

 Thank you, John. Glad to have you back home with us.