A couple years ago, I "kit-bashed" a UP GP-7 diesel into a 1950s/'60s era Canadian National loco. I was very pleased with my results and (if I don't say so myself) I think it was my best kitbashing conversions I've done! The paint job looks good and the CNR decals went on easily.

However, there is one area of the loco that I haven't been able to finish and it's been annoying me. This is an old IHC loco and the plastic handrails have been damaged and broken over time. There are only a few of the original handrails left and even these are bent or broken.

Just wondering if anyone knows of any ready-made handrails that I could purchase to add to this loco, even if it meant modifying them slightly.

Two guys have suggested making my own handrails out of copper wire but this looks like a daunting task. I could try this, using my soldering iron, etc., but I'm worried that my handrail efforts would look sloppy and be tedious.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Rob

Might I suggest ...

Take some measurements from the model. Make a side and an end elevation drawing, to scale, of the side and the end handrails.

Starting with lengths of brass (not copper) rod, and using the scale drawings as guides, fabricate new handrails by bending the brass rod as per the drawing, on top of the drawing, checking constantly against the drawings to avoid over bending.

Patience and making bends in very small increments are keys to success using this simple process, which is actually easier than you might initially think.

Review doctorwayne's tutorial on using fixtures to solder ladders together and use the same principles to solder the handrails together.

You'll be proud of your accompishments in the end!

How about an athearn handrail set? Try athearn's website and see if they still sell a handrail set for a GP-7.

O.K. ...

P5se Camelback Wrote:Might I suggest ...

Take some measurements from the model. Make a side and an end elevation drawing, to scale, of the side and the end handrails.

Starting with lengths of brass (not copper) rod, and using the scale drawings as guides, fabricate new handrails by bending the brass rod as per the drawing, on top of the drawing, checking constantly against the drawings to avoid over bending.

Patience and making bends in very small increments are keys to success using this simple process, which is actually easier than you might initially think.

Review doctorwayne's tutorial on using fixtures to solder ladders together and use the same principles to solder the handrails together.

You'll be proud of your accompishments in the end!

Thanks, I'll consider this then ... this is what they were suggesting at my two favourite LHS's. Cheers, Rob

nachoman Wrote:How about an athearn handrail set? Try athearn's website and see if they still sell a handrail set for a GP-7.

Thanks, I'll search their website as well! Maybe they'd at least have something I could modify. Rob

Robert,

Smokey Valley offers a GP9 handrail kit that fits the IHC/AHM model you have. It is available through Walthers, and better hobby shops near you.

"... another country heard from!"

Squidbait ... you were here when I first arrived ... and then you vanished ... good to see you back!

P5se Camelback Wrote:"... another country heard from!"

Squidbait ... you were here when I first arrived ... and then you vanished ... good to see you back!

What is it they say? Life is that thing that gets in the way when you're trying to get stuff done?

Over the course of my hiatus I have:
- completed and defended my doctoral dissertation (y'all can call me Dr. Squid, now!);
- moved to a new city and merged households with
- my wife-to-be and her 8-year-old son.
All the while working a ridiculously busy full-time job and a part-time job on weekends.

Now that things have settled down, and I'm starting to unpack the hobby stuff (and eye up certain areas of the basement), I have more time for things like trolling the groups.

It's good to be back!

Kool! Which narrowly focused topic did you Pile higher and Deeper?

Kudos, to ya, Doctor Bait! I have several friends who dragged thier exhausted bottome up that staircase ... not an overly easy accomplishment -- you are to be commended!


And again on your pending social merger! Instant fatherhood ... another not-gonna-be-easy task, but not impossible. (My brother did it, but with a daughter who as 13 at the start ... it took a few years ... good luck ....)

and ...

Squidbait Wrote:Robert,

Smokey Valley offers a GP9 handrail kit that fits the IHC/AHM model you have. It is available through Walthers, and better hobby shops near you.

Hmm, that sounds really good! I was browsing the Walthers site a couple days ago and saw some options there, IIRC. Rob

Squidbait Wrote:Robert,

Smokey Valley offers a GP9 handrail kit that fits the IHC/AHM model you have. It is available through Walthers, and better hobby shops near you.

OK, I've now gone to that link, and this looks exactly what I need, although the price is higher than I expected. At $17 to start with, it could easily end up being close to $25-$28 or more with shipping and the exchange.

Congratulations regarding your PhD and all the best with your future plans!

Rob

Rob,

If you order it from your LHS, the price should be about the same as the Walthers catalogue price.

Bil, my thesis dealt with the arcana of how skeletal muscle works, and what goes on in muscle cells during different types of contraction. I got to play with lasers, high-speed digital cameras, computers and frogs. It won't get me a job on Wall St., but I had fun.

And thanks all for the kudos.

Squidbait Wrote:Robert,

Smokey Valley offers a GP9 handrail kit that fits the IHC/AHM model you have. It is available through Walthers, and better hobby shops near you.

Well, I have now ordered & received the above kit from Paris Junction Hobbies (they did offer fast and reliable service!). However, it looks like it will be a little difficult and tedious assembling these handrails. I will obviously have to saw off the older/broken stantions and possibly drill holes for the new ones, and then glue those in place with Crazy Glue, Gorilla Glue or something similar.

I was studying the instructions last night and was basically too tired to deal with it!

I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who has added similar handrail details to their models and if they have any suggestions for how to best attach these. My other concern is that these rails will still be fairly fragile and could be easily damaged.

Thanks,
Rob