Scale handrail

[Enzoamps]

Looking through my newest issue, I see a test drive of an Atlas N scale GP7.  To MY eyes, the hand railing looks enormous.  It looks like it would be about as big around as a cantelope... to me.  Is this the case?  Are plastic hand rails usually to scale or are they usually fat as a concession to the materials.  Brass wire can be very thin and still hold its shape, plastic might warp if too thin.

And if this is the case, is it more a problem in N scale due to the smaller size?

We have over the years made concessions to the reality of scale versus functionality.  So couplers are oversized, or wheel flanges are oversized for example.

[G Paine]

Smokey Valley makes HO scale handrails that are brass and true to scale. Thinking of reducing those dimensions by about half to get to N scale seems to me to be something rather fragile. One of the problems in HO and smaller scales is the strength of true to life materials when trying for fine scale modeling

[Enzoamps]

So then you are saying I am not imagining this, they really are oversized?  Even if for a good reason?

[bogp40]

They always have been, more so in N scale. HO rails are closer to .012". I use brass or bronze .015 wire. This would be down about .006 for N scale. there no way even any engineering plastic would keep a shape that small. If you do use Smokey Valley stancions I would recommend phospher bronze or music wire. Even brass that small will bend and distort easily. BTW have used Smokey Valley stanchions, they are incredible. Only would buy the stanchions the kit wire is brass and in many sections for long rails. bending your own will come out better to actual prototype as the kit bends are only fair to fit.

[MARTIN STATION]

   The handrails on the new Atlas locomotives are painted which also adds to the thickness a little because the handrails are molded in a translucent plastic. While thicker than the older Atlas locomotive handrails that were molded in color, I think they hold up to handling better. But yes, they I agree they really look huge on the geeps. I guess it's just a trade off of durability vs looks, especially in N scale.

Ralph

[mlehman]

Enzoamps

Looking through my newest issue, I see a test drive of an Atlas N scale GP7. To MY eyes, the hand railing looks enormous. It looks like it would be about as big around as a cantelope... to me. Is this the case? Are plastic hand rails usually to scale or are they usually fat as a concession to the materials.

"Ya got handrails the size of cantelopes!" 

Now that's an insult that should start some brawls in N scale saloons

Widespread adoption of Delrin and similar industrial plastics brought near scale handrails to much of the HO market. I think that's going to be tougher in N, as scale dimensions there were already noted as inherently flimsy. I suspect they coud be made in N, but they woudn't last long if handled much