Looking for Athearn handrail wire

[Benjamin Maggi]

I am building a caboose in O scale and need to scratchbuild the handrails. While messing around with an old Athearn blue box kit, I realized that their flat steel wire would be useful. What is that stuff called? "Flat steel wire?"

Where can you order it? 

Thanks.

[Harrison]

Ben- This might be what you are looking for?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NIP-Athearn-Metal-HO-Scale-Train-GP38-2-Handrails-Stanchions-Set-75119TS/312465432653?hash=item48c064204d:g:JaIAAOSw5LZcXGhR:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true

(I like reading your blog a lot. I can't wait to see the caboose!)

[Benjamin Maggi]

Thanks Harrison. Yup, that is sort of what I am looking for. I actually have on my bench an HO scale Athearn GP-35 (or 38) with the wrong handrail set. It came with the set for a '38, but I need the set for a '35.

However, what I am looking for is a source of the wise used for the stanchions. It is flattened or something, and would be useful for other projects as well. 

[mbinsewi]

Maybe check out flattened wire on Google.  Some metal artist hammer their own, or search for ribbon wire, looks like you can get it in rolls.

Mike.

[BRAKIE]

You may want to look at size 20 piano wire. I've used this wire in the past to make BB handrails.

[hon30critter]

Does it have to be steel? Here are some brass strips the are 1/32" x 1/16":

http://www.inlays.com/product-p/mtl-br.htm

Dave

[doctorwayne]

The Athearn handrails are made from piano wire, while the stanchions are fairly soft steel.  Piano wire is available from K&S Metals in a variety of diameters, as is flat brass bar (actually more like brass strips, but they call it bar).  That's likely the proper term for it, though, as Detail Accociates also offer flat brass bar in several widths and thicknesses.

Wayne

[Benjamin Maggi]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

[PC101]

Remember not to cut Piano wire with normal everyday wire cutters.