Hello All
Is there a good source for replacement railings for an Athearn SD60i, other than the Athearn ones?
I’ve had one for a couple of years and never use it because the railings look like junk.
Thanks
Doesn’t that engne come with the “new” style railings already?
If so why do you say they look like “junk”?
Not being a “smartalec” (?spelling) but seriously confused by your comment…
Mark
Took it out of the box and the railings are bent inward(warped). The plastic looks like it’s too thin and flat on the stanchions.
That is getting to be a bigger problem and one reason sometimes I like the old metal ones. Particularly if the loco is to be handled a lot. Anyway, I know of only the old fashioned way of fixing this, by bending wire and using the smokey valley stanchions or kits. There may be other stanchion/handrail mfgs.
Richard
Thanks.
I see they have the stanchions. They also show a handrail set for the railpower SD60. Any chance they’re the same?
The kit is the easier way to go. They are metal and so are not the same, but could match up to the holes you already have or close to them.
I’ll give them a call, thanks
f
I have used Smokey Valley railings on a number of Athearn blue box locos, and they are a big improvment. The instructions say to use CA glue to attach the railing to the stansion, but I had problems with the glue joint breaking when I handled the loco. I finally soldered the rail to the stansion and have had no further problems. Lay the model on its side, place a damp paper towel between the railing and shell and solder carefully. I did this on a couple of locomotives that had been completed woth no problems.
I’m not saying this is what you should do if you don’t like the handrails to begin with, but were it me I would place them on a cookie sheet in the oven at the lowest possible setting for a few hours and let them settle back to where they should be, but then I have always gone for the “easy” solution to things.
Mark
when i do my athearn models i cut the handrail section from the staunchions and use only the athearn staunchion. i then will drill through the top of the staunchion where the handrail is so i can insert brass wire to form the handrail. it is a little tedious but the results are fantastic. plus its a cheap fix you just need a steady hand.
Dan
I like Athern locomotives but would agree that the plastic hand rails are too fragile for me. I have picked up some spare plastic hand rails sets on Ebay.
This not only a prblem with Atheearn, but I have the same problem with some Proto2K units nad Atlas units too.
I have alos picked up a couple of sets of Smokey Valley hand raild, but have yeat to install them.
The SV SD60m set will work as the only major difference is the isolated cab of the 60i, which doesn’t affect the layout of the handrails or stantions. You should be able to use all the Athearn mounting holes.
BTW, it’s best to contact SV via email, Larry has a day/night job and is hard to reach by phone.