11-11-2025, 07:43 PM
HANDRAILS !!!!! I have a few locomotives, newer as well as older in need of some handrails. I think I found the answer so I will pass along what I have done so far.
Stanchions can be made from 23ga. pin nails. I found these on Ebay for less than 10 bucks. Yes, 6000 of them. These are only brass coated .They are available up to 2 inches long in soft steel
I flattened one end using a flattened center punch
Next I drilled a hole in the flattened area using my drill press and a small printed circuit board drill bit.
Next step is to thread them on music wire. It is stiffer than brass so I hope it will hold the shape better
The music wire was found on Ebay also. I think it was less than 10 bucks and 25 feet should do at least 10 locomotives. It is easy to bend the bottom like the old blue box locomotives and the new ones are straight so I think some CA will hold them in place
Tomorrow I will finish one for the front of an old BB trainmaster that is missing its handrail. More to come.
Stanchions can be made from 23ga. pin nails. I found these on Ebay for less than 10 bucks. Yes, 6000 of them. These are only brass coated .They are available up to 2 inches long in soft steel
I flattened one end using a flattened center punch
Next I drilled a hole in the flattened area using my drill press and a small printed circuit board drill bit.
Next step is to thread them on music wire. It is stiffer than brass so I hope it will hold the shape better
The music wire was found on Ebay also. I think it was less than 10 bucks and 25 feet should do at least 10 locomotives. It is easy to bend the bottom like the old blue box locomotives and the new ones are straight so I think some CA will hold them in place
Tomorrow I will finish one for the front of an old BB trainmaster that is missing its handrail. More to come.