The Motor Ship Mount Washington

Bizer · 02-17-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker

Will the new ones have reverse gears?

Yes. Like the old engines, the new engines only go in one direction. However the new gearboxes, which connect each engine to a drive shaft, can be put in reverse while the engines are running. With the old gearboxes it took as long as 30 seconds to stop one/both engines, switch gears, and restart the engines.

As a side note, the new engines are much lighter than the old engines. Ballast will be added to the bilge to assist in stability.

Updated 03-MAR-10. After posting the above I was corrected. I had no idea that diesel engines could run backward. In doing some online research, reversing a bi-directional diesel engine is accomplished by shifting the gears on the cam shaft so that the valves open/close at a different time than when running forward. This requires bringing the engine to a complete stop before shifting the cam shaft. The diesel in my VW does not have this option, but then again, I can shift to reverse without stopping the engine.

Pineedles · 02-17-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizer

Yes. Like the old engines, the new engines only go in one direction. However the new gearboxes, which connect each engine to a drive shaft, can be put in reverse while the engines are running. With the old gearboxes it took as long as 30 seconds to stop one/both engines, switch gears, and restart the engines.

As a side note, the new engines are much lighter than the old engines. Ballast will be added to the bilge to assist in stability.

Yes, that 30 second delay is probably responsible for a couple of near and actual groundings of the Mount. On a windy day, watching the Mount make its turn in Centre Harbor I watched it almost go ashore several times, and once into a boat house a couple of cottages down from us. Looks like that won't be happening anymore.

dmjr · 02-21-2010, 03:20 PM

I noticed a large I-Beam sticking out the side of the Mount. Have they started lifting out the old engines or are the installing the new ones? What will be the fate of the old engines?

Grant · 02-22-2010, 07:45 AM

I noticed that also. Will post a photo.

skprbob · 02-22-2010, 08:41 AM

Bizer & Pineneedles - The two outgoing Enterprise engines were direct drive; no gearboxes. To reverse direction, the engines were stopped, then restarted with the opposite rotation. The two new Cats do have gearboxes, so may be kept running and shifted much like an ordinary boat would. There will still be a delay in shifting to allow the propellors to stop rotating first. This will be shorter, since the new equipment will also include shaft brakes.

Grant · 02-22-2010, 11:01 AM

The I-beam protruding from the Mount's starboard side.

Bizer · 03-03-2010, 09:47 PM

Here are some photos that I took today...

angela4design · 03-03-2010, 10:03 PM

I heard a bit on news 9 tonight about the Mount 'going green'... how does that factor in? Is that an initiative for all operations, or just the engine room?

I applaud the effort, wither way. I think every bit helps.

Just today, for a laugh to share, my 4 year old insisted that I get a cup with triangle on the bottom for him to drink from - so he knows that it was recycled. Now, I didn't teach him to be quite THAT insistent, but I support it! (They were both recyclable, but I got the one 'with the triangle' anyway.)

Slickcraft · 03-04-2010, 06:16 AM

Here is a link to the video:
http://www.wmur.com/video/22733147/index.html

text story:
http://www.wmur.com/news/22732651/detail.html

fatlazyless · 03-04-2010, 06:57 AM

Reading today's LaDaSun article informs that the two old engines were two-stroke diesel w/ the crankshafts connected directly to the propeller driveshafts, so's going from forward to reverse required engines to be shut down and stopped turning before restarting, engaged in reverse direction.....in the old method.

The new setup now has either one or two transmissions as there are two, new Caterpillar 4-stroke diesels, so the ship can go from forward to reverse very quickly and without having to turn off the engine.

Are the new transmissions automatic or manual with a clutch pedal & stick shift, and how many forward gears? This is a serious question......thanks in advance.

Ya knows....those two old engines were extremely, extremely QUIET.....jeesh....they were so QUIET.....it will be very difficult for the new engines to be more quiet than the old engines......and could be that the new engines will be louder......time will tell?

Slickcraft · 03-04-2010, 07:36 AM

I have watched the Mount dock in Alton. After the final alignment a ways out the engines were cut off for a several seconds. Kind of eerie watching that silent glide waiting for the start-up in reverse. Must have made the crew nervous now and then knowing that a failure to restart would mean a crash but I never heard of that happening.
Now all they have to do is shift into reverse. What is the fun in that?

piper_chuck · 03-04-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

I have watched the Mount dock in Alton. After the final alignment a ways out the engines were cut off for a several seconds. Kind of eerie watching that silent glide waiting for the start-up in reverse. Must have made the crew nervous now and then knowing that a failure to restart would mean a crash but I never heard of that happening.

I think there was more than one occasion where failure to start did result in a mishap.

trfour · 03-05-2010, 02:59 AM

Seeing the M/S Mount Washington coming into berth at Weirs Beach many times that if there was ever a hick-Up in the drive-train that she'd have shoved us over into VERMONT!!

She will be greener and also With the new automatic transmission, forward reverse and the drive shaft brakes, I for one will feel much better from now on!

Terry
__________________________

idigtractors · 03-05-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trfour

She will be greener and also With the new automatic transmission, forward reverse and the drive shaft brakes, I for one will feel much better from now on!

Terry

May I ask, did you have a problem before this all began. Now me personally never knew all the conditions that have been mention even existed. I never saw one thread here stating that people had or saw problems/concerns with the "Mount" with the old engines.

BroadHopper · 03-05-2010, 08:47 PM

the familiar drone of the old engine as she crosses the Broads. Usually it is quiet but on dreary days you can hear the Mount. I bet the V12 4 strokes are going to be a lot quieter then the 8 in line 2 strokes.

In days of old, you could hear the engines at night. Now you here the bands playing. Lately it's been pretty loud.

trfour · 03-05-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idigtractors

May I ask, did you have a problem before this all began. Now me personally never knew all the conditions that have been mention even existed. I never saw one thread here stating that people had or saw problems/concerns with the "Mount" with the old engines.

idigtractors TOO... You need to know that all out here is not necessarily covered in the Forum threads. I too can drift away from time to time...

No problem, just use your eyes and check out PhotoPost when you have a chance...

This photo posted by our beloved webmaster should bring you back into the fold; http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo....php?photo=143

Get my drift?

Terry
_________________________

Silver Duck · 03-06-2010, 09:18 PM

Hi TRFOUR

Don posted that picture for me, way back before I'd gotten active on Winni.com.

That particular incident had nothing to do with the Mount's engines. If I recall correctly, she lost hydraulics. At any rate, she was almost down to her dock in Center Harbor when she had to shut everything down, and the wind took her into that boat house about half way up the bay.

My father and I were standing on the dock at Colonial Pines, and watched the whole episode.

Silver Duck

corollaman · 03-07-2010, 01:33 AM

what did they do with the old engines?

trfour · 03-07-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Duck

Hi TRFOUR

Don posted that picture for me, way back before I'd gotten active on Winni.com.

That particular incident had nothing to do with the Mount's engines. If I recall correctly, she lost hydraulics. At any rate, she was almost down to her dock in Center Harbor when she had to shut everything down, and the wind took her into that boat house about half way up the bay.

My father and I were standing on the dock at Colonial Pines, and watched the whole episode.

Silver Duck

" That particular incident had nothing to do with the Mount's engines."

Hi Silver Duck. Yes, that must have been a spooky experience!
I'm with you 100%. The Enterprise engines would run indefinitely with good routine maintenance...

If not for the Grant, and Parts for these old engines being hard to find and purchase, they could have continued to power the M/S Mount Washington well into the future.

My point to "idigtractors" was that with the new Cat engines being much more fuel efficient and less polluting, and replacement parts being readily available, it's a win win situation and a very heads Up progressive move for all!...

Terry
_________________________

Blue Thunder · 03-04-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

The new setup now has either one or two transmissions as there are two, new Caterpillar 4-stroke diesels, so the ship can go from forward to reverse very quickly and without having to turn off the engine.

Are the new transmissions automatic or manual with a clutch pedal & stick shift, and how many forward gears? This is a serious question......thanks in advance.

More than likely, the transmissions will be either be electrically (drive by wire), hydraulically, or cable/throttle actuated. I can't quite tell from the pictures if those housings on the rear of the engines are the transmissions. They don't need to be very big. Our island is repowering one of our ferries this winter and although a much smaller scale, the same project. The attached pics are cell phone pics so sorry for the quaility.

BT

dmjr · 03-03-2010, 11:45 AM

Just came by the Center Harbor docks a while ago and saw the rigging company unloading 2 Cat engines for the Mount.

NoBozo · 03-03-2010, 12:53 PM

The Mount Cam from yesterday still shows the truck unloading the engines. NB

http://www.cruisenh.com/mountcam.html

EDIT: 2:38 PM Wed. I think the DATE on the Mount Cam is 24 hours behind.

dmjr · 03-03-2010, 04:12 PM

It looks like the engines came in for the Mount Washington since there was alot of activity in Center Harbor

dmjr · 03-05-2010, 06:13 PM

I just found this on the internet

http://www.oldtacomamarine.com/enterprise/specs.html

Thought I would pass it on

02-21-2010, 03:20 PM	#3
dmjr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 274 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	I noticed a large I-Beam sticking out the side of the Mount. Have they started lifting out the old engines or are the installing the new ones? What will be the fate of the old engines? __________________ DMJR Moultonborough, NH

02-22-2010, 07:45 AM	#4
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,499 Thanks: 374 Thanked 229 Times in 123 Posts	I noticed that also. Will post a photo. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

02-22-2010, 08:41 AM	#5
skprbob Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 19 Mile Bay Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 29 Posts	old vs new Bizer & Pineneedles - The two outgoing Enterprise engines were direct drive; no gearboxes. To reverse direction, the engines were stopped, then restarted with the opposite rotation. The two new Cats do have gearboxes, so may be kept running and shifted much like an ordinary boat would. There will still be a delay in shifting to allow the propellors to stop rotating first. This will be shorter, since the new equipment will also include shaft brakes.

02-22-2010, 11:01 AM	#6
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,499 Thanks: 374 Thanked 229 Times in 123 Posts	The I-beam protruding from the Mount's starboard side. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

03-03-2010, 10:03 PM	#8
angela4design Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 353 Thanks: 45 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	Green? I heard a bit on news 9 tonight about the Mount 'going green'... how does that factor in? Is that an initiative for all operations, or just the engine room? I applaud the effort, wither way. I think every bit helps. Just today, for a laugh to share, my 4 year old insisted that I get a cup with triangle on the bottom for him to drink from - so he knows that it was recycled. Now, I didn't teach him to be quite THAT insistent, but I support it! (They were both recyclable, but I got the one 'with the triangle' anyway.)

03-03-2010, 09:47 PM	#7
Bizer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 336 Thanks: 0 Thanked 243 Times in 82 Posts	Here are some photos that I took today...

03-04-2010, 06:16 AM	#9
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	WMUR story Here is a link to the video: http://www.wmur.com/video/22733147/index.html text story: http://www.wmur.com/news/22732651/detail.html

03-04-2010, 06:57 AM	#10
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,738 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	Reading today's LaDaSun article informs that the two old engines were two-stroke diesel w/ the crankshafts connected directly to the propeller driveshafts, so's going from forward to reverse required engines to be shut down and stopped turning before restarting, engaged in reverse direction.....in the old method. The new setup now has either one or two transmissions as there are two, new Caterpillar 4-stroke diesels, so the ship can go from forward to reverse very quickly and without having to turn off the engine. Are the new transmissions automatic or manual with a clutch pedal & stick shift, and how many forward gears? This is a serious question......thanks in advance. Ya knows....those two old engines were extremely, extremely QUIET.....jeesh....they were so QUIET.....it will be very difficult for the new engines to be more quiet than the old engines......and could be that the new engines will be louder......time will tell? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

03-04-2010, 07:36 AM	#11
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	I have watched the Mount dock in Alton. After the final alignment a ways out the engines were cut off for a several seconds. Kind of eerie watching that silent glide waiting for the start-up in reverse. Must have made the crew nervous now and then knowing that a failure to restart would mean a crash but I never heard of that happening. Now all they have to do is shift into reverse. What is the fun in that?

03-05-2010, 02:59 AM	#13
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	I Have To Admit... Seeing the M/S Mount Washington coming into berth at Weirs Beach many times that if there was ever a hick-Up in the drive-train that she'd have shoved us over into VERMONT!! She will be greener and also With the new automatic transmission, forward reverse and the drive shaft brakes, I for one will feel much better from now on! Terry __________________________ __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

03-05-2010, 08:47 PM	#15
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,570 Thanks: 3,206 Thanked 1,101 Times in 793 Posts	Going to miss................ the familiar drone of the old engine as she crosses the Broads. Usually it is quiet but on dreary days you can hear the Mount. I bet the V12 4 strokes are going to be a lot quieter then the 8 in line 2 strokes. In days of old, you could hear the engines at night. Now you here the bands playing. Lately it's been pretty loud. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

03-06-2010, 09:18 PM	#17
Silver Duck Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 364 Thanks: 40 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Hi TRFOUR Don posted that picture for me, way back before I'd gotten active on Winni.com. That particular incident had nothing to do with the Mount's engines. If I recall correctly, she lost hydraulics. At any rate, she was almost down to her dock in Center Harbor when she had to shut everything down, and the wind took her into that boat house about half way up the bay. My father and I were standing on the dock at Colonial Pines, and watched the whole episode. Silver Duck

03-07-2010, 01:33 AM	#18
corollaman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 181 Thanks: 8 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	what did they do with the old engines?

03-03-2010, 11:45 AM	#21
dmjr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 274 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	New Engines Arrived Just came by the Center Harbor docks a while ago and saw the rigging company unloading 2 Cat engines for the Mount. __________________ DMJR Moultonborough, NH

03-03-2010, 12:53 PM	#22
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	The Mount Cam from yesterday still shows the truck unloading the engines. NB http://www.cruisenh.com/mountcam.html EDIT: 2:38 PM Wed. I think the DATE on the Mount Cam is 24 hours behind. Last edited by NoBozo; 03-03-2010 at 02:44 PM.

03-03-2010, 04:12 PM	#23
dmjr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 274 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Engines It looks like the engines came in for the Mount Washington since there was alot of activity in Center Harbor __________________ DMJR Moultonborough, NH

03-05-2010, 06:13 PM	#24
dmjr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 274 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Interesting Link I just found this on the internet http://www.oldtacomamarine.com/enterprise/specs.html Thought I would pass it on __________________ DMJR Moultonborough, NH