Substitute for missing wire railings?

[hielsie]

I have some Trainmaster FM shells that are missing some of the wire railings and supports. What is a good substitute for the originals that can be bent into shape? Prefer a similar silver metal finish to match the other 75% I have. This is about both the wire railings and the metal deck plates.

Hielsie

[dwiemer]

I have stainless steel wire that we use to wire sternums together after heart surgery.  While you may have to search for similar, it is a good size and remains good looking.  Getting these and bending may be tedious, but you might also find that you can order hand rails from places like "Olsens Toy Train Supply" that are pre-bent for placing on your individual pieces.  If you need to do your own bending, you may want to look at Micro-Mark who sells special tools for bending wire.

Dennis

[TRAINCAT]

Have you tried guys like Jeff Kane? There may be a few others like Dr. Tinker who might have the originals.

Roger

[martinden]

Reproduction railings are readily available from many (most?) parts dealers. Try those mentioned above, or google "Lionel Train parts" for a bunch of possibilities. Prices vary from one dealer to another, and most only sell a complete set; others offer partial sets.

-- Martin

[Mr. S.]

Ran into the same problem several years ago.

My only solution was to go on Ebay and look for a Trainmaster shell (in not so great shape) that had handrails I could pull off and use on my engine.

It's a bit of a process to get them off, lots of stuff to unbend with not a lot of maneuvering room.  But it worked, and I sold the old handrails right back on Ebay for parts, no problem.

Another possibility I guess is seeing if Williams will sell you handrails, I think their FM Trainmasters might be identical to the Lionel stuff (not sure).  Good luck getting through and receiving your parts order from their service department though

[Sturgeon-Phish]

For short railings I've used paper clips.  For longer pieces I've used stainless wire of different gages.

Jim

[martinden]

OK, here are some parts dealers that list FM handrails: Stan Orr, complete sets and partial sets covering the entire array; Olsen's, complete sets only; LIONEL ITSELF: Complete sets -- 6308300130 (at $25, which seems to be the best price); Smitty's Toy Train Parts, one item only (2321-24);  Dr. Tinker, various parts, but he doesn't seem to have all the handrail pieces. 

There no doubt are others.

-- Martin

[hielsie]

Thank you for the sources. I'm trying to avoid the $20 + investment. Just missing a cab forward railing on one side and a mid walkway stanchion (also have 3 shells without any - for repaints - I just swap shells to get a different road name look on my one FM). Bought what was supposed to be 2 complete sets on E-bay. When they arrived, got one good set and a lot of mixed parts. Seller said send back for a refund if I didn't like it. Postage was about to exceed what I paid and then, I'd have nothing.

Just trying to see if anyone has replaced railings for a FM or handrails for a 726 type locomotive with parts available from a hobby or hardware store that had other original uses. I'll check Orr for partials.

Thanks for the expertise.

Hielsie