Bending wire for handrails

[Anonymous]

i want to make some handrails for various athearn locomotives. what would be a good wire size, material, brand, etc?

[Anonymous]

A cheap way out, ACE Hardware, 22 gauge doorbell wire.

[Sperandeo]

Athearn's steel wire handrails are .019" in diameter, and you can match that size with straight brass wire from Detail Associates. It's much easier to to do this work if you start with straight wire. I'd also recommend soldering the handrails to the Athearn stanchions after installation for a sturdy assembly that will stand up to normal handling.

So long,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[dwick]

The question about handrails for Athearn:
The inquirer didn't specify if the wire was to be scale size or replacement wire for the original handrails. Andy mentioned that the replacement wire was .019 diameter. But what if you wanted to have scale or near scale replacement wire? Would Detail Associates have this wire available?
Don Wick - West Bend, WI

[BentnoseWillie]

I use Detail Associates 0.015" brass wire for handrails. It scales out to around 1-5/16", which is closer to correct scale size (around 1") than the Athearn wire, but still robust. True scale size would be 0.012" (also sold by DA), but it's much more flexible, so I compromise with the 0.015". My scale crewmen have fat hands anyway :^)

Even with the stock Athearn stanchions, the thinner wire makes a difference in the model's appearance. This is probably one of the simplest ways to improve the look of an Athearn model. Next to a model with stock handrails, the thinner wire really stands out.

- BentnoseWillie out -

[dknelson]

just to play Devil's advocate the thicker Athearn handrails stand up quite well to handling, even better if you solder as per Andy S's suggestion. So one question is, is the engine going to be untouched by human hands or do you envision your self picking it up to take to a track cleaning track for example? A friend of mine has pretty well trashed the nice handrails on his P2K engines because they need to be carried over to his track cleaning track so often.
Dave Nelson

[DTomajko]

I've had good luck using DA .015" brass wire with Smokey Valley stanchions.Get the stanchion assortments without wire and substitute the DA wire.I also solder my handrails together using "Ye Olde Huff & Puff" flux and silver solder.Work right on the shell using heat sinks to keep the heat from melting the plastic and move quickly with a larger,(35 watt or bigger).My locos are run on a club layout and have withstood handling,derailments,crashes,and even a trip to a concrete floor!,(I don't recommend trying this often,survival was mostly luck!).Most repairs involve chipped paint and I will be trying the R/C car paint technique on my next project.Most of all,try different things until you find something that satisfies and works for you. Stay safe & have fun, DT,Pa.