Thanks Man, I hear ya on the expensive hobbies part.
Yes the Locos run on track power. I figured out real fast i needed more traction hense the lead blocks on the locos. Those are the only two locos i have that are currently DCS controlled (remote operated). Hopefully next year i may have a few more converted for some extra muscle.
I balanced the blade by machining a pin to fit the mounting hole and then pressed the smallest, freest spinning bearings i could fine onto the pin and made a bearing block to clamp in the vise. Then kept rotating the blade and watched the heavy side always stopped downward then added tack welds to the lights side till it always stopped in different locations. It really worked out well cause when i originally fired it before balancing...it was scary.
Yes i got a cheap stick radio to control the rotary so it wouldnt be running full bore all the time. Using a 55 turn RC4WD motor, 2:1 gear reducer and ESC.