Resulting from the return of boiler test slips to the Federation's Boiler Registrar it is apparent that a number of full size steam cars and boats have had their boilers tested by club boiler inspectors. While the size of these boilers may fall within the limits set out by the Boiler Test Code, the testing of such boilers is not covered by the Federation's Insurance Policy because of limitations set out therein.

The Federation has sought guidance from our brokers, Footman James, who have contacted the insurance company. It is confirmed that the limitations set by the policy remain, i.e. that the testing of boilers by club inspectors, whose clubs/societies are insured under the Federation's policy, are limited to: Locomotives up to 15" gauge Road vehicles up to 6" scale Boats up to 6" scale.

There is evidence that some steam boats capable of carrying passengers are considered by some to be models, but it is deemed that unless they can be proven to be a 6" scale, or less, miniature copy of a full size vessel they are in fact a full size boat in their own right. Notwithstanding, boats used as safety boats allied to the activity of the sailing of model boats are covered by the policy.

This is not something new! The policy has always been written with the above limitations in force - it is only the need return the boiler test slips that has shown up the fact that some clubs have been testing these larger boilers under a misconception.

TME members should note the contents of the above which the Southern Federation published after experience with the first year of the new testing regime and the limitations that apply to tests conducted by Club Boiler Testers.

It’s worth noting that some ‘full size’ i.e. passenger carrying, boats have boilers well within the sizes we can cover according to the test code, but these are not covered by insurance unless the boat can be shown to be a scale model of half full size or less.

One of our members came up against this difficulty when trying to take part in a recent boat rally only to find his Club test certificate was not valid and he had to arrange for a further test through the Steamboat Association of GB, which can be a relatively expensive exercise.