Rerail frogs and switching poles - how to model?

[nickelplate759]

I want to add rerail frogs and poles to some of my NKP power - these were typically hung over the trucks on diesel switchers, or over the trucks on steam tenders.
I know @mmagliaro scratchbuilt these for his incredible 0-6-0, but I'm less ambitious.

I assuming a switching pole is something I can make out of a round toothpick (which is what I think Max did).
Does anyone sell a casting for an n-scale re-rail frog - the kind that was often carried on a (diesel) switch engine or tender? 

And would it be preferable to hang them from the engine/tender frame like the prototype did, or attach them to the trucks for easier operation over model curves?

[svedblen]

Boomer has a video on how he builds ”derails” in HO. Useful?

[nickelplate759]

Not for this project.  I'm looking for rerail frogs, not derails. 

[garethashenden]

Detail Associates offered a casting for rerailing frogs. Its not too bad, but the detail is a little soft. Might be a good 3d printing project.

I would hang it, assuming the truck doesn't actually contact it.

[nickelplate759]

That reminds me - I'm also going to want metal sunshades for the cab.
Detail Associates doesn't seem to still offer the rerail frog

[prr7161]

Here's a shoving pole made out of .030" styrene rod, cut to a 10' scale length and ends tapered with a file:



And on the finished model:



The hanging loops are twisted .005" brass wire; the supports on the locomotive are .008" PB wire drilled into .020" styrene strip glued under the walkway.  I looked at toothpicks but they seemed to be too big to use without turning down - brushed-on tan acrylic paint generated some wood texture on the styrene rod.

[u18b]

I drilled small holes in the plastic walkway, then installed fine wire that was hooked.

I then hung the rerailer on the hooks.

[mmagliaro]

Yes I used a toothpick, and yes, they are too thick as-is.  I scraped mine down to 1/32" (about 5" in N Scale).  The real ones, so I said in my notes, were 4-1/2" in diameter, but I don't know where I found that out.

Here's a place that sells ready-made 1mm wood dowels that would do the trick.
https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/wood-strips-dowels/dowels/ramin/am2525-01-amati-ramin-wood-dowel.html

[eja]

I know that pushing poles were outlawed at some time, but I don't remember when.   What era are you modeling ?

Just curious ....

[nickelplate759]

I know that pushing poles were outlawed at some time, but I don't remember when.   What era are you modeling ?

Just curious ....

Mid 1950s

[learmoia]

https://www.miniaturesbyeric.com/collections/n-scale-parts-l-to-w?page=2

NR1 or NR2 depending on what style you want.

[nickelplate759]

https://www.miniaturesbyeric.com/collections/n-scale-parts-l-to-w?page=2

NR1 or NR2 depending on what style you want.

Ooh, perfect (NR1 is the style I need)!

[peteski]

Why not use brass rod for the pole?  You can select a diameter which will be in proper scale, then paint it whatever color it needs to be.

[craigolio1]

Re railers available in quantities of 8-32 on Shapeways.

https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace

Craig

[nickelplate759]

Re railers available in quantities of 8-32 on Shapeways.

https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace

Craig

Yes James' Train Parts offers some nice rerailers, but not the older prototype style needed for this model.   Small Scale Limited does offer them in 1/2" scale.