Hi Trevor:
Great ideas.
I made your link clickable
http://xdford.digitalzones.com/model%20railway%20lights%2001.htm
Perhaps you could do those of us in North America a favour by posting a photo of the 'Chupa Cup' sticks. I don't recall seeing the brand here. Are they just regular straws or are they thinner?
Thanks,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi Dave,
Thanks Mate, I am flattered!!!
You can see the sticks on https://www.google.com.au/search?q=chupachup+sticks&client=ubuntu&hs=KzG&channel=fs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRzq-8wJTUAhUKj5QKHeKBDWwQ_AUICigB&biw=933&bih=455
and the link for Canada at
https://candyfunhouse.ca/products/chupa-chups-lollipops
To me, they seem to be about the right size for street lights etc Chupa Chups are widely available here but may be not so in North America but there could be a similar product.
I was a school teacher so I usually found plenty around the yard etc, suitably picked up with a plastic glove and bag, washed and disinfected etc but I have seen them on streets etc
I have also used them in whole or offcuts for a few building innards to elevate LED lights to represent incandescant globes in houses, as tubes to support throw wires for turnouts through baseboard, corner bracing for styrene buildings, representing down pipes and as bolster location pins where screws have been stripped etc. They are thick enough to be turned down in a lathe at around 4mm or 5/32" with tube hole of about 2mm or 5/64".
And the best attribute was they were free, or a by product to a diversionary bit of candy (although I cannot remember the last time I have had one!)
Cheers from Oz
Trevor