Handrails

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

Walthers no longer has top handrails in stock for the 65’ tak car. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can make them out of piano wire. One handrail has three bends, and at different heights. I tried using a jig, with a nail. Any pictures would be helpful.

Thanks

Chris

2

There were diffrent types of hand rails on those tank cars.

Can you give us a picture of what you are looking for.

3

I use phosphor bronze wire for hand rails. It is softer than piano wire but still plenty strong enough to withstand handling. It is much easier to bend. Tichy Train Group offers it in several diameters. Walthers carries it. This is just one example.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/293-1101

Dave

P.S. It also solders very well.

4

I wouldn’t use piano wire, it’s too stiff and hard to bend. Brass wire is good, phosphor bronze wire is good if you can find it. Copper wire is too soft. Use bits of very fine tubing to splice the handrail ends together.

5

piano wire is easy to use…I been using it for over 50 years…

Of course we are talking .008-.020th wire…In fact I recently made a side (hood) rail for a Athearn SW7 from .020th wire.

Why .020th? That size matches Athearn BB handrails .[:P]

6

I will once again suggest using Guitar, Banjo or Mandoline strings for railing. They are available in single wire of .010, .011, .012, .015 and .016 gauges from most music stores. Larger gauges are available in wrapped style, with Phospher-Bronze also available. These strings are very good at holding a bend, but I haven’t tried to solder them…JWH