Before and after update…

Hey Folks!
Railings and skylight roughed in. Shame to paint the railings, but the NYCentral went with a grey/black on their railings. We'll see.
😉

Thank God for railroad decals! This is not perfect, but it's pretty close to what I was looking for and a difficult task, but decal wrangling when it works makes all the difference in the world to us modelers! Much to be done especially weathering.
😁

Ahoy Mateys:
Detailing continues, albeit slowly, but happy with the results so far. May stop with the window dressing for now to focus on the mechanicals for a while. It's going to swing a large (3") heavy brass prop, so I may ditch the offset system that Dumas originally called for and go direct drive. I am open to suggestions. But, keep in mind that after some research it seems that this beast will require upwards of 19 pounds of ballast to get her to sit right. And I prefer not to go Lipo with this one. Much to consider. We'll see.

Hello Gang!
When I'm not trying to understand the science of Lipos for my Traxxas Spartan, I run down to the shop and do a little more work on the tug, with some of the crew taking a smoke break.
I picked up a wrecked Pro Boat and ripped out all the electronics and hope to transfer them in this hull...I hope.
Cash! post pix of your horizon tug innards! 😀😉

Hello me Matey’s!
The small stuff abounds with this one. But the really work is yet to come, especially as ballast testing to how I am going to power this beast! Confusion abounds. More on that later. 😉

Hello Gang!
I work on the tug any chance I get nowadays. Pudding and bumper tires in place. And serious weathering is just about ready to commence: I think. Ballast tests coming soon.😉

G'day Mates!
Well, I went and made what may be considered a hasty move. I stumbled across a NIB never used Dumas Products Model #2005 12V motor that was designed for the 2005 and up versions of my tug. I am also using the original off-set gear drive system designed for this motor. Now here's the rub... how should I go about finding and workable esc, best batteries for power, and trans/receiver combo; although with the later, I may just go with a trusty Futaba set-up.

Is my brain over thinking this new situation?
Any and suggestions deeply appreciated!
😬

Hey Gang:
Finally getting back to the shop after vacation...
Call me crazy, but couldn't resist the old stock Dumas 12V motor. So trial fitting has begun in earnest. I know it'll be noisy and somewhat inefficient (?), but going to take the plunge anyway.
Also have to purchase the Hobbywing 1060 ESC and go from there. Still much to do especially with tub and ballast tests. Have spare bricks on hand! 🤣

PS: Stumbled across a New-In-Box Graupner Neptun frieghter kit for $100. Couldn't resist! My wife's going to kill me.😉

So...
I've had the superstructure removed from the hull for a few days starting on the driveline. So I popped it back on with my first run of light rust and panel details, I went very light to start. Just scratching the surface literally and figuratively on this tug. I am not sure how deep I'll go with a dirty wash over everything. Maybe too much grime is a mistake? Pix attached.
Another issue is the fire monitor. What I mean by that is that the NYCentral rail tugs dropped (took out of fire service) the four cabin-side fire hydrants and disabled the main monitor. So I may not install the hydrants, but keep the roof top monitor as old photos of #24 still has its monitor, but not the four hydrants. I may be doing my usual "scale obsession" with this decision. So that falls into the TBD department.
But, despite some slow progress in the detail department, a buddy just let me know that he has a nice, lightly used Futaba Attack transmitter with receiver and a stock esc so will move on that install as soon I get a chance to pick them up. We'll see if that'll work with the old motor. ESC Heat may be a problem with that big motor and prop....Hmmmmmm, I may be haunted by my "old school" approach! 🤣
BTW: Questions to follow about that "new old stock" motor.

More to follow and best to all!