Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Steep Staircases

1217 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Findlay, Ohio
  • 447 posts
Steep Staircases
Posted by danmerkel on Sunday, January 26, 2020 7:26 AM

Good morning!

On the workbench right now is a modified/kitbashed interlocking tower that will need some steep external staircases.  Does anyone know of any on the market?  I have some of the Central Valley stairs 7 railings but they aren't steep enough for the project.  And, no, sorry; I'm not skilled enough to scratchbuild my own. :(

If you could steer me towards some "steep stairs" I'd be very grateful.

Thank you!

dlm

nw2
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 80 posts
Posted by nw2 on Sunday, January 26, 2020 9:55 AM

Walthers fire escape kits could work, there are two available, vintage and modern,  933-3729 and 933-3736

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, January 26, 2020 11:44 AM

A good suggestion from nw2.  Maybe you can enlarge the landing/porch/deck at the top of the stairs to accomodate the stairs, like the prototype would have done.

If not, maybe check out ships ladders.  They are steep, just a little less steep than a ladder would be.

You could also wrap the steps around the building, using a landing to make the corner.

Mike.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Monday, January 27, 2020 5:01 PM

In the new product announcements in the sticky at the top of this page, there are several fire escapes that might fit your bill.

Good luck,

Richard

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Monday, January 27, 2020 5:12 PM

Your right Richard,

https://itlascalemodels.com/

Those look great!.

Mike.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, January 27, 2020 5:19 PM

DLM

Plastruct, also makes many stairs, ladders, hand rails in many styles sizes, to choose from. I have used many off their structual shapes in My scratch building projects.

Here is a Free PDF of their catalog. Scroll down to page 12, in Structual Shapes, starting with hand rails. Hopefully You may find what You may need:

https://www.plastruct.com/catalog/Vol_10_CatalogSMFL.pdf

This bridge control tower was entirely scratch built with Plastruct and Central Valley products:

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

 

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Findlay, Ohio
  • 447 posts
Posted by danmerkel on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 7:41 AM

mbinsewi
If not, maybe check out ships ladders.

Where would I find them?

dlm

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 7:57 AM

Did you check out this link, from my post above?

https://itlascalemodels.com/

They have fire escapes with step stairs.  I think they are in the industrial wall section.

As for ships ladders, I just did a quick search, and found these:

http://frenchmanriver.com/Ship%E2%80%99s-Ladder-_p_79.html

I'm sure there are othewrs, search around.

Also my erlier suggestion about wrapping the stairs around the tower, with a landing, or adjusting the deck at the top of the stairs to fit the stairs.

Look at some prototype pictures of yard towers, and see what stair configurations you can fine.  The stair does't have to start at the edge of the building, they can go beyond.

Got some pictures of what your doing?

Mike.

PS.  I just Googled interlocking tower, and looked at images.  All kinds of different configurations you can use, many with landings about 1/2 way up.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!