Ian McQue's Floating World

Tug (black), barge (red), and one engine (white) shown in approximate positions relative to each other as envisioned for the finished model. Figure included to show scale will ultimately be the tug pilot. The tug hull (actually a pusher) is the body of the Austin, the barge hull is the lower half of the Shell tanker, and the engines are from Anikins pod racer. I'll build a pilothouse on the tug, and tethering gear will be added in the area of the wheel wells. I am also thinking about adding a small deck aft of the pilothouse. I want to incorporate a crane on the barge, but I think it will take up too much space, so I'm considering building a small crane "module" that will tether to the front of the "train" of barges (in this case, just the one). 

Fuel station fuel storage tank shown with figure for scale. The tank is made from the upper half of the Shell tanker, as well as styrene shapes, and parts from the spares box. The tank will be vertical in orientation, and I plan to build a platform on top with fueling equipment and an attendant's shack. 

A redesign resulted in my decision to use only one engine instead of the two I had originally planned. 

Engine is detailed and ready for paint. 

Hull with some detailing done, and main deck plate shown in position, with figure for scale. 

 

Hull shown with engine in its mounted position. 

Basic structure of barge is finished. I opted to use wooden planking for the cargo deck. 

Tug and barge shown in relative position. 

Tug hull with engine and seated pilot. Pilot house not yet constructed. 

Tug hull and engine 

Tug hull and engine 

Barge 

Barge 

I made the barge deck from wood, with a diamond-plate access-hatch cover 

Bottom of the barge showing detailing. 

This is the hull of the yet-to-be-constructed crane. The crane will be built on the turntable. 

Hull of crane, with turntable. 

Hull of crane, showing "rudder". 

Bottom of the crane hull, showing detailing. 

Barge and crane hull. 

Crane mocked up, ready for paint. 

Crane mocked up, ready for paint. 

Crane mocked up, ready for paint.