PS Waverley (The World's last ocean-going Paddle Steamer)

[Waverley]

Rob. The Waverley is out of action at the moment due to an unexpected problem with her boilers. Repair bill at £70000. Should be back sailing at the end of May for the Western Isle cruises.

A date for your diary. Monday 19th October. Waverley has two cruises to meet and escort the QM2 on her first visit to Greenock.

[Rob Lightbody]

Rob. The Waverley is out of action at the moment due to an unexpected problem with her boilers. Repair bill at £70000. Should be back sailing at the end of May for the Western Isle cruises.

Ahh OK, thanks!  That explains it - no sign of life at all with her today.  Poor Waverley!  Are you involved with her?  I was wondering whether to volunteer or something... although she doesn't 'get me going' the way QE2 did... but maybe if I got a bit involved in helping with her...

A date for your diary. Monday 19th October. Waverley has two cruises to meet and escort the QM2 on her first visit to Greenock.

I'm fascinated to see how this goes.  So many people I met - in fact everybody - on the Balmoral Cruises were there because QE2 was OURS and was built here - the huge sense of pride.  I'm not sure what the reaction to QM2 will be at all.

[Waverley]

Rob, I am no longer involved with the Waverley but still receive newsletters. Still in contact with the Chief Engineer.

Yes it will be interesting to compare the public's response to the QM2 .

You may be interested in these photos from the Balmoral site.

Scroll down and find QE2 from Balmoral
and Balmoral from QE2

http://www.btinternet.com/~Paddlers/MVBalmoral/index.htm

[Andy F]

Thanks for the link Robert and the shots are great.  I particularly like the angle of shot 5 (of QE2), which gives a great perspective

[Rob Lightbody]

Could they open her at the Quayside?  Say a £3 entry fee, and they could serve lunches etc and do a short tour... I think that would be a very popular attraction, when she wasn't sailing, and might persuade people to come back to see her when she is.

She looks quite sad just now with all the windows boarded over with their storm covers, and a portakabin on top.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/lightbody/3435180104/?editedcomment=1#comment72157616704633252

[Waverley]

Waverley timetables for all UK day cruises now on line.


http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/

[KEV]

Hope she comes back soon stronger than ever

[Rob Lightbody]

If you want to recreate that 5-deck cabin experience, I strongly suggest a trip on the PS Waverley, and then head on down to the fantastic cosy wee bar at the back, down below, behind the paddles, where the portholes spend a substantical amount of time submerged - its fantastic!

[Malcolm]

wee bar at the back

Or the wee room (gents toilets) on the paddle box! (I've only once been on the Waverley - about 15 years ago - it was a trip from Gourock around Arran and back - the sea was quite choppy and the reverse pressure of the "water" going down the drain in the gents caused the entire room to become a shower room!)

[Rob Lightbody]

Where is she? She's not been at her science centre berth for a while now.

[Andrew Collier]

Been in dry dock most likely, Starts this years sailing season this friday....

[Waverley]

REFIT NEWS

The re-tubing of Waverley's boilers was completed and the paddler was towed to the Garvel Dry-Dock at Greenock on Monday 18 May for her hull survey.   Work on re-commissioning the boilers took place in parallel and the steamer is now due to steam back to Glasgow under her own power on Tuesday 26 May.

[Rob Lightbody]

Thanks. Glad to say She's back at the science centre tonight, facing up river for some reason, but looking fine. Looking forward to a trip on her at some point over the next few weeks or months.

[Waverley]

Latest Waverley Photos. Scroll down then click for larger images

http://www.upperclydeshipping.com/

[Rob Lightbody]

She's looking good.

Can't wait to get on board her, if I can get my timetable to match hers!!