Tugboat Bethlehem part 1

I have been working on this Walthers tugboat kit a little at a time for a few weeks' so here is where I am so far.

 This is how the parts will fit when finished. No painting has been done. I still have a bunch pf parts to assemble first. I'm thinking of painting and detailing the bridge. With all those windows, I'd feel bad about seeing an empty space in there. This is my first marine kit so I'm taking my time and following an article in the publication "Transfer" on building on of these.

 I have added more freeboard to the bow per the article mentioned above. I haven't been worried about the fit of the rubbing strakes to the stem at the bow because the plate that holds on the bumper will cover the bow.

Photos forgotten

I completely forgot I took these about a month ago.

 When I was small and visiting my Grandparents, I remember going into their basement to hangout with my uncle Dennis while he was repairing TV's and radios he found tossed away. He had an oscilloscope, packs of resistors, vacuum tubes, transistors, probably everything Radio Shack would have in stock, hanging on pegs. So here's a place for him, at the end of Ice Ave across from the contractors yard.

I put a TV antenna on the roof ( he's gotta be able to tests those TV's), you can see it if you look close.
The cars are significant too, my Dad had a 1975 AMC Pacer, and my uncle had a 1965 ( I think) Galaxy 500. Only the colors aren't right, O well...

Lots of little things

I haven't posted in a while and Randy called me asking what I was doing, so here is a little of what I've been working on.

Above is the hull of a Walthers Tugboat. Per an article in the publication "Transfer" by George Barrett, I have elected to increase the freeboard  the front of the hull. I did this by gluing a block of balsa wood to the bottom and shaving off what I didn't want. Then I coated it with automotive bondo, sanded it and here is the result. Next for this model are new rubbing strakes and the large plate used to mount the bow fender. This will be a model of the Lehigh Valley tug Bethlehem and she had what looks to be a series of rubber tubes for the bow fender. After that is the 'H' bits and deckhouse.
More photos to follow.

 Next is some of the piping that I'm working on for the fuel oil unloading track at the Powerhouse. There will be three valve assemblies for the three tank car spots. The Tichy walkway will have a railing opposite the pipes. All this has to fit between the Powerhouse siding and the main factory lead which is also 1/2" lower.

Lastly is a Lone Star Models truck trailer kit with its first coating of weathering. I'll take another photo with each additional coat to show the progression.