Kit: No. 933-3153
Scale: 1/87 (HO)
Manufacturer: Walthers Cornerstone Series, distributed by Wm. K. Walthers Inc., P.O. Box 18676, Milwaukee, WI 53218, phone 414-527-0770
Price: $59.98
Comments: Injection molded, 72 parts (12 vinyl), decals. Modelers experienced with mixed-media
This kit depicts a 1940s-style diesel electric tugboat used to push railroad "carfloats" - barges with rails - over large bodies of water. These tugs had tall pilothouses to enable the pilot to see over the top of the cars. Modernized during the 1950s with radio and firefighting equipment, a few are still in service today.
I built this kit in subassemblies to make masking and painting easier. The hull halves fit tightly onto a waterline base. The shape of the hull makes it awkward to clamp, and it took continuous pressure to hold the halves in place until the glue set. Use super glue here.
Depending on the style of tugboat you want, you can shorten the stack and pilothouse by cutting along the recessed lines inside the parts. I attached the stack and funnels but left off lifeboat davits, mast, and other details until after painting.
The guardrails are fragile. They are molded flat but must follow a relatively sharp curve and gradual sheer around the upper deck. I broke mine several times. I left out the porthole glass and pilothouse windows until after painting.
With all the subassemblies done, I primed everything with a light gray so that yellow would cover. Painting each subassembly was easy, fast, and made for sharp color demarcations. I used Badger Modelflex acrylic to represent the maroon-and-yellow scheme of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railroad.
Final assembly was a matter of stacking subassemblies and decks, then adding windows and small details. I needed to clamp the cabin to the deck to close the seam. The decals provide markings for 13 railroads, and they went on with no problems.
I enjoyed building this 15"-long tug. With the exception of fragile guardrails, it went together well and builds into an attractive model. I spent about 12-15 hours including painting.
- Tom Lund