Sources for other plans, photos. publications, historical societies, and research

• Alan L. Bates, 2040 Sherwood Ave., Louisville, Ky. 40205. Alan sells plans of the Robt. E. Lee, the Sprague and other Western Rivers steamboats, and several river related books, including "The Engine Room Cyclopoedium". A brochure of his offerings is available.
• Hartman Fiberglass R/C, box 86, 233 Melrose St. Argenta, Il. Hartman sells 1 /50th scale plans for the Delta Queen and also molded fiberglass hulls for the D. Q. in both the new and original versions. A fiberglass hull for the Generic Diesel River Towboat listed on P. 2. is also available. Write for prices and information.
• Joe E. Brown, 1010 Turley Ave. Flatwoods, Ky. 41139. For plans, videos, photos and how-to information for building models of Western Rivers diesel towboats, contact Joe. His e-mail is jbrown@dragg.net. His website is: www.dragg.net/jbrown and contains many links to other river related sites.
• Dan Owen, Boat Photo Museum, P. O. Box 0, Maryville, IL 62062. Dan has a huge collection of black & white photos covering just about every diesel towboat that has ever operated on the Mississippi River System. Write to inquire if photos are available of the boat you're looking for. Be sure to tell Dan the name and dimensions of the boat. Prints are very reasonably priced. E-mail: boatphotos@stlnet.com
• The Steamboat Store, P.O. Box 3046, Louisville, KY 40201-3046 offers a wide variety of plans, books, art prints, recordings and other gift items related to steamboats and steamboating history. Their catalog is $4.00. E-mail address is sbmaster@bellsouth.net
• Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen (S&D) America's riverboat historical society. publishes an excellent quarterly magazine, the S & D Reflector, which features Western Rivers steamboat history and folklore, past and present. The Society's annual meeting is held in mid-September in Marietta Ohio. Three local chapters, The Ohio-Kanawha Chapter, the Middle Ohio River Chapter and the Upper Mississippi River Chapter also hold regular meetings. For membership information contact Mrs. J. W. Rutter, Secy., 126 Seneca Dr., Marietta, Ohio 45750. Website: sd.steamboats.org
• Steamship Historical Society of America. The Society publishes a quarterly magazine, Steamboat Bill, which records, preserves and disseminates the history of engine-powered vessels. The Society holds four national meetings per year and has several regional chapters. A research library and photo bank is located in Baltimore, MD. For membership information and further details, write Steamship Historical Society, 300 Ray Dr. Suite 4, Providence, RI 02906. Website: www.sshsa.net
• Midwest Riverboat Buffs Based in Keokuk, IA this group holds several meetings per year, usually in a different midwestern city. They also publish a newsletter, "River Ripples" For information contact Chuck F. Anshutz, 14 Rainbow Dr., Keokuk, IA 52632
• The Waterways Journal A trade journal covering the inland rivers towing and passenger boat industries. Published weekly since 1887, the journal features an" Old Boat" column in each issue, usually with an old steamboat photo and its accompanying history. Also a column of highlights from 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100 years ago. Excellent source for photos and information on modern towboats and barges, and up-to date news of river related events and industries. Mailing address: 319 N. Fourth St. Suite 650, St. Louis, MO 63102. Website: www.waterwaysjournal.net General E-mail: info@waterwaysjournal.net
• Tug Enthusiasts Society of America, or TES publishes a quarterly magazine "Tug Bitts". For information contact Brent Dibner, Chestnut Hill, MA. E-mail: Brent.Dibner@mercermc.com
• Lekko ITES (International Tug Enthusiasts Society) Website: www.Lekko.org Interesting site with subscription information for their magazine.
• Nautical Research Guild, Inc. Website: www.Naut-Res-Guild.org The NRG has been linking researchers, collectors and builders of the highest quality ship models for fifty years. Dedicated to learning about ships and maritime history through academic research, as applied and expressed in the process of ship model building and other artistic and academic endeavors. For membership see website or contact NRG, Inc. Dept H, 31 Water St. Suite 7, Cuba, NY 14727. Phone/Fax 585 968 8111
• Scale Ship Modeler's Association of North America. Website: www.ssmana.org Non-profit organization founded in 1988 to further the enjoyment of scale ship modeling and to bring together ship modelers for regattas, seminars and conventions. For membership information contact Mark Gustin, 16306 Sunset Place, Harlin, IL 46743

Materials sources for model builders.

Model railroad hobby shops usually stock many of the following lines.

• Evergreen Scale Models, 18620-F 141st Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072. Toll-free: 1-877376-9099. White styrene structural shapes, scribed siding, sheets, rods, tubes, roofing, stairway and ladder kits and other structural components in several scales,
• K & S Engineering, 6917 W. 59th St., Chicago, IL. Website: www.ksmetals.com Small dia. telescopic tubing, sheets, rods and angles. Full line of metals includes brass, copper, aluminum and stainless steel. Special Shapes line of milled brass structural shapes.
• Miniatronics Corp. 561-K Acorn St., Deer Park, NY. Website: www.miniatronics.com Lighting accessories including tiny incandescent lamps, diodes, sub-miniature connecters and switches suitable for use on ship and boat models. Catalog $ 3.00
• Northeastern Scale Models, 99 Cross St., Meuthen, MA 01844. 1 800 343 2094 Website: www.northeasternscalelumber.com Complete line of milled basswood scale lumber and structural shapes. Laser cut "gingerbread" wood railings and house trim for dollhouses. Many items useful for modeling old riverboats with wooden superstructures.
• Northwest Short Line (NWSL) Box 423, Seattle, WA 98111. Website: www.nwsl.com Specialty gear reduction units and drive components for models. Most are intended for scale model locomotives, but could have applications for model boat drive systems.
• Plastruct, 1020 S. Wallace Place, City of Industry, CA 91748. Website: www.plastruct.com. Molded plastic structural shapes in both ABS and Styrene plastic. Also wide variety of sheet plastic, ladders, railings, pipe-fittings, valves and other architectural components.

Buying surplus

There are many dealers who specialize in parts salvaged from electronic and scientific equipment, computers, copiers, etc. This often includes small DC motors and gear reduction units, belt drive components, miniature clutches, pulleys and other items useful to builders of operating models. These items are usually priced at a fraction of their original cost. If you operate on a limited budget, or if you like to experiment with designing drive and control systems, the surplus market is worth investigating. Listed below are five firms that specialize in this type of equipment. All are mail order firms and will be glad to send their catalogs on request.

• American Science & Surplus, 601 Linden Place, Evanston, IL 60202 C & H Sales, Inc., 2176 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
• Edmund Scientific Co., 101 E. Gloucester Pike, Barrington, NJ 08007-1380 H & R. Co., 18 Canal St., Bristol, PA 19007-0122
• Mendleson's Liquidators, 340 E. First St., Dayton, Ohio 45402. Phone: 1 800 344 4465. The Disneyland of surplus stores. If you are ever in Dayton, don't miss it! Large 3rd floor browsing area of used everything, especially small electric motors & gear reduction units. Website: www.meci.comIf its ever been made they have it, or will have it.

Some sources for model tug & workboat kits, fiberglass hulls, electronic speed controls & sound & lighting devices

• Dumas Products, Inc., 909 E. 17th St., Tucson, AZ 85719. Phone: (520) 623-3742. Dumas sells a wide variety of model boat kits, including a 1/4e scale kit of the Mt. Washington and a 1/32nd scale kit of the Brooklyn tug. Both were developed from Paddlewheels and Props plans and are excellent kits featuring molded fiberglass hulls.
• Harbor Models 9153 E. Duarte Rd., Unit G, San Gabriel, CA 91775. Website: www.harbormodels.com E-mail: harbormodels@earthlink.net. Wide variety of tugboat and work boat kits & fittings, R/C sound and smoke modules, motors, R/C outfits, props, batteries, speed controls, & fittings. Catalog available.
• Loyalbanna Dockyard. 7527 Gilbert Rd., Bergen, NY 14416 Phone: 585 494 0027. Website: www.loyalhannadockyard.com One of the most complete lines of imported & domestic ship model kits and accessories incl. tugs & workboats, cargo vessels, warships, period sailing ships, submarines and pleasure craft. Also paints, props, fittings, flags, steam engines & boilers, CA adhesives, electronic speed controls & sound effects, batteries, chargers, R/C outfits, plans, books and much more. Huge 2-volume catalog available.
• M. A. C. K. Products Model Marine, P.O. Box 464, Long Branch, NJ 07740. Phone 732 870 2966. Website: www.mackproductsrc.com Electric motors & propulsion units with gear reduction drives, running hardware, boat kits, fittings, batteries, R/C outfits and speed controls. Excellent line of smoke generators. Catalog available.
• Microglass 2960 Pearce Rd., N. Tonawanda, NY 14120. Fax: (716) 731-9717. E-mail: MicroGee@aol.com This firm sells high quality fiberglass hulls and plans for tugs, workboats and military craft, mostly in 1 /32 scale. Catalog available. Also custom work available.
• Model Control Devices (MCD) P.O. Box 173, Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada KOM lAO Tel: (703) 738 -1335. Several models of electronic speed controls and electronic accessory devices for model boats.
• RAm Electronics, 229 E. Rollins Rd., Round Lake Beach, IL Tel: (847) 740-8726 Wide variety of electronic sound and lighting devices for model boats, cars and trains. Catalog available.