Fabricating Locomotive Handrails

[SAH]

Considering all the tools available today this is a pretty low tech method.  It works for me.

Measure the model and transfer the dimensions to a CAD program for use as templates.  Print the template sheet.


Create a spacer the thickness of the walkway using a material that will not melt.  I use chipboard.  Stick glue the template to the spacer and begin placing the stanchions.   After you get the stanchion vertical put a dab of CA into the hole at the base of the stanchion to hold it in place.

Use one of the extra templates to bend the handrails.  I stick glue the template to a flat surface to keep it from moving around as I work with the wire.  Use a drill bit of the bend diameter for the first bend, usually the larger of the two bend diameters.  I usually lay the wire flat on the surface, place the drill bit perpendicular to it and use a #17 utility blade to lift the wire to a 90 deg position around the drill bit.  Now tape the wire onto the template and bend the other end per the template location.  If the bends are really complicated I'll make more than one section of handrail and connect the two pieces at a stanchion.  Place the handrail, tape everything into place, put a touch of flux on the joint and touch a hot iron with a tiny bit of solder to the joint.  No more than 1 second.


If you're not cross eyed yet and haven't pulled your hair out, leave the spacer in place and do the other side.  The end handrails are done in a similar manner.






I've probably raised as many questions as I've answered.  Fire away.

Steve

[wvgca]

you can also spot weld the joints. they will be cleaner and stronger than solder. a home made spot welder can be assembled from large capacitors and a triac or scr to fire this contraption. it can be be charged from a variable power supply at 15 to 24 volts

[basementcalling]

You lost me at CAD program. Would just a copy of the handrails done on a copier work just as well for someone with no CAD skills at all or CAD program?

[ednadolski]

You lost me at CAD program. Would just a copy of the handrails done on a copier work just as well for someone with no CAD skills at all or CAD program?

It should work just fine.  The main value of a template is to help make sure that things come out straight and square, at least visibly so.  I’ve seen hand crafted railings done without any kind of template,  just aligning the parts by eyeballing and sighting against the lines of the body shell.

That said, a CAD or other such template can help make things go faster and more accurately, but ultimately it comes down to however you prefer to do the work.

[wazzou]

Who in the hell has a cad program, let alone can navigate it?   
Many, many kudos to you Steve. 
I really like the appearance of the finished results that you’ve achieved and wish I could commit myself to achieve the same.

[ncbqguy]

CAD program may be overkill....you really only need a basic drawing program.   I think Inkscape is still out there as are other freeware programs that are CorelDraw- like and for this level of work fairly easy to master
Charlie Vlk

[peteski]

CAD program may be overkill....you really only need a basic drawing program.   I think Inkscape is still out there as are other freeware programs that are CorelDraw- like and for this level of work fairly easy to master
Charlie Vlk

That's true - I use old version of Corel.  Just like CAD program, it has capabilities to draw accurately sized objects.  Inkscape is also still around (and free).

Years ago (before I fully understood the concept of "to-scale"), I have also done wire handrails freehand.  It was a Bachmann U36B with those  terribly chunky handrails.  I cut them off, used them as template, then fabricated new ones using 0.020" brass rod. Still not-to-scale (see above), but much, much better looking than the foot-thick square-cross-section Bachmann handrails.

[Jesse6669]

Who in the hell has a cad program, let alone can navigate it?   

TinkerCad is free and frankly very, very easy to learn.  And you don't have to download anything or worry about losing your work since it's all web-based and auto-saves everything.

I'll second InkScape as an excellent freeware vector/2D graphics editor.  I use it for decals and for my etch artwork, including the N scale Pennsy signal bridges and T-scale handrails and details.

[SAH]

By "CAD program" I meant any drawing program that allows you to draw parts to full scale.  I used Visio for years.  Once I acquired some basic AutoCAD skills I've been using AutoCAD LT.  And yes you can photocopy the parts for a template as well.  Just make sure your photocopy is the same size as the original parts. 

The handrail stock is 0.018" 0.008" PB.  The stanchions are 0.01 x 0.018" brass bar stock.

[ednadolski]

The handrail stock is 0.018" PB.  The stanchions are 0.01 x 0.018" brass bar stock.

Did you mean 0.008” PB wire?  (I’ve used 0.015” for HO scale).

The GMM etched diesel stanchions are another option if you can’t get the bar stock.

Ed

[SAH]

Fixed it.  You are correct. 
The bar stock is Details Associates #2522.  No idea if they are still in business.
The GMM stanchions I have are for EMDs.  Maybe they make some for ALCOs, I don't know.  Bar stock works just fine for ALCOs IMO.
BTW, in the spirit of TRW sharing I posted my technique at the request of @craigolio1  in the recent WE Update post.
I realize it's not something everyone aspires to, or even finds necessary to do.  I like the result.
Steve

Edit:  Put the wrong member as the requester.  I think I'll stop posting for awhile.

[JMaurer1]

Gold Metal Models only makes one set of diesel stanchions - 160-32



I never even thought about different builders using different types of stanchions before...

[ednadolski]

I never even thought about different builders using different types of stanchions before...

I once put the wrong kind of stanchions on an HO diesel — half EMD on one side, half GE on the other… <facepalms>

[peteski]

Also, didn't GP7 (and GP9?) have stanchions that were simply the same pipe that the handrail was made from?  They were joined by pipe Tees.

[wazzou]

Most GP7’s but not 9’s.