-The following set of photographs are of the construction of a wonderful model by Stuart Badger of the Tug "Reliant" , but under her original name of "Old Trafford . All of the following information was contributed and prepared by Stuart . Many thanks to him .

The Tug "Old Trafford"

She was built in 1907 by J T Eltringham at Stone Quay , So Shields , for the Manchester Ship Canal Company. Her sister ships were "Eccles" and "Rixton ( built 1905 ) and "Acton Grange" (1907 ) . Her original name was "Old Trafford" and she worked on the Manchester Ship Canal until the 1950,s and then was bought by the Ridley Steamtug Co for work on the Tyne , they renamed her "Reliant" .After a while she was sold to the Seaham Harbour Board and worked there until the late 60,s . In 1970 she was acquired by the National Maritime Museum , Greenwich . The following alterations were made between working on the Humber and Seaham Harbour . Her full length sponsons were shortened to 60 ft. A set of tow hooks and a swivel plate was mounted forward. Aft towing bits were added behind the existing stern hooks . The boat and davit atop the portside sponson house was removed . The Aft fresh water tank was removed .
The Model
Is a plank on frame plywood construction . the hull is plated in copper to represent the original riveted construction . Decks are Oak , with black paper caulking between each plank . The funnel is rolled from copper sheet and the ventilators are made from much cut about and silver soldered plumbing fittings . Most of the fittings are brass . The model is just over 50 ins ( 1.25 m ) in length and is built to a scale of 1 / 24th ( half inch to the foot ). It took about 6 months to build and displaces about 30 lbs ( 13.6 kg ) weight .
The bow and stern framing for the hull , ready for planking with ply strips .
To the left , The Captain and Engineer's cabin space - much more luxurious than the crew's , shown incomplete ,on the right . They have 5 very basic bunks , a coal stove and a table .
The paddle wheel blanks cut from 1/16 the ins brass on the original Builders drawings . Finished Starboard paddle wheel with feathering floats .
The Engine house and Wheel house deck , showing the rolled copper funnel and ventilators . To the right is the stern companion way to the crews quarters ,showing skylight detail .
The planked and primed hull with the first of the rivet embossed 0.010 ins ( 0.25 mm ) copper "plates" in place . On the right , a wet day in the workshop !!! - the completed "plating" with soldering iron etc. .
The sponson,s in place and the bulwark plating and hawseholes in place . To the right , the sponson outer guards in place and starting the diagonal support planking .
The model,s Engine room with the two motors , boiler and drive chains .	The models two double acting reciprocating steam engines , giving independent drive to each paddle wheel .
A general view , prior to final detailing .	The finished "article" - beautiful .