19th March 2026:
KC Rebuild Phase 2 Update

19th March 2026:
KC Rebuild Phase 2 Update

Members of the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust board, along with PSPS Chairman John Allen, visited KC in the Dartmouth shipyard on Thursday 19th March to see how the work is progressing with Phase 2 of her major rebuild.

On deck left to right: Yard Manager Rich James, KC Captain and Operations Manager Rich Swinglehurst, Paul Semple, John Allen and Keith Adams
Tim Corthorn and Keith Adams inspecting the new deck planks.

The work includes renewing the steelwork underpinning the foredeck and along the margins of the hull just below the deck from the paddle boxes to the bow and renewing the whole of the decking itself in traditional fashion with Douglas Fir.
Rich James in the forward saloon
The forward saloon looking aft
Looking up from the forward saloon
Being briefed

Everyone was really impressed with the very high standard of the work which has been done and is continuing to be done by the team at Dartmouth.

Head of Engineering for the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, which is doing the work, and mastermind for the rebuild Paul Merrington

Kingswear Castle returned to service in 2026 after the second part of a major rebuild which is designed to set her up for the next 25 years. The Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust is now fund raising for future rebuilds. You can read more and how you can possibly help here.

John Megoran

John Megoran