Details on ends of Passenger Cars?

[Katie360]

Hello All.

I have a number of walthers streamlined and heavyweight passenger cars on my layout. I am working to improve their detail with lights etc. Has anyone done the  coupler cut levers and air hoses? If so how?

Thank You

Regards Alex

[doctorwayne]

Katie360

Has anyone done the coupler cut levers and air hoses? If so how?

I have a couple of Branchline/Atlas passenger cars with such details, but for the most part, don't bother with such things.  Plastic (or brass) air hoses, steam and signal lines don't flex like the real ones do, so if you're using diaphragms on close-coupled cars, the hoses will often break or derail the car when negotiating curves, depending, of course, on the radii used.

I'm more interested in adding underbody details, which can be done in a manner which looks reasonably accurate, but doesn't affect operation...

This shortened Model Die Casting "Palace car" will get diaphragms, but otherwise, the ends are as detailed as they're going to get...

There are rubber air hoses available, but with several hundred cars to equip, the price is prohibitive. 
I have put cut levers on some freight cars...

...but there are many more with none.

I did three versions of this car (same number, different eras) with details pretty-well matching its prototype, but neglected to include signal lines ...

Here's one of them after weathering...

Wayne

[Trainman440]

Hi, while I wouldn't recommend doing it since theyre so easy to break, branchline heavyweight kits come full with uncoupling levers, steam lines, airhoses, and chains & hooks to couple cars together.

You could get spare parts from these kits from here: 

http://bethlehemcarworks.com/branchline-passanger-car-parts/

In particular, look at "HO Passenger Car End Details". This sprue comes with everything needed to detail the ends(excluding diaphragms). 

Hope this helps!

[Katie360]

Wow, thanks Trainman440 and doctorwayne for the advice, information and the very quick replies. I will certainlly take the helpful advice on board.

Thank You