General Discussion (Model Railroader)

At some point, I'll need to order some handrail stanchions so I can give my quite customized Tyco Chattanooga Choo-Choo a proper set of handrails and coupler lift bars. The problem is, I can't seem to find any that are available. It looks like Bowser has stopped selling all of theirs, and the other major detail companies don't have any listed either. The only possibility I can find is Precision Scale Co., but there aren't any pictures of their products, so I can't tell if their listed stanchions are what I'm looking for.

Does anyone know who still makes any, or if PSC makes the ones I need?

Darth Santa Fe:

At some point, I'll need to order some handrail stanchions so I can give my quite customized Tyco Chattanooga Choo-Choo a proper set of handrails and coupler lift bars. The problem is, I can't seem to find any that are available. It looks like Bowser has stopped selling all of theirs, and the other major detail companies don't have any listed either. The only possibility I can find is Precision Scale Co., but there aren't any pictures of their products, so I can't tell if their listed stanchions are what I'm looking for.

Does anyone know who still makes any, or if PSC makes the ones I need?

Darth,

PSC makes a number of stanchions. The ones you're probably interested in are in the 370 series part numbers (brass) or 370-1 (plastic). From base to centerline of core (where the wire goes through), they come in lengths of  1.5 mm (a shade over 5 scale inches in 1:87)  to 4.0 mm (almost 14" in 1:87) in 0.5mm (roughly 1.7 scale inch) increments.

Part numbers are 370 through 375 inclusive on the brass and 370.1 through 375.1 on the plastic ones. Brass ones are listed at $3.50/doz while the plastic ones list at $2.25/doz. OTOH, I've had this catalog for a number of years, so things might have changed. I don't think so, but you never know.

Sorry I can't post a picture. Catalog has a pic, but it wouldn't scan too well and in order to make it really visible, the image would have to be expanded.

Hope this helps.

Andre

Here is a scan out of my PSC catolog.  I have used the 31311, 3302 ands 3303's and all are nice. They also make the ball headed stanchions and they are closer to scale than the oversized Bowsers of the same style.

 Walthers carries alot, but not all of the parts PSC makes, so you may need to order direct. Keep in mind they make their parts in batches, so not everything is available all the time.

 John.

Thanks for the help guys. It looks like the 372 is the one I want, and Walthers has them in stock for $3.75 a dozen (which means I can order them through my LHS ). Two dozen should be just enough to finish the handrails and liftbars. Thanks again!

Hey, thanks for the tip.  I have recently re-entered the world of HO loco construction, and I was trying to find handrail stanchions.  One of those PSC units  looks like the old Kemtron parts from days gone by.  Current project is a Bowser T1 with the more detailed diecast boiler (as opposed to the lead thing it replaces, that looked like a used toothpaste tube). 

Robt. Livingston:

Current project is a Bowser T1 with the more detailed diecast boiler (as opposed to the lead thing it repaces, that looked like a used toothpaste tube).

That Bowser T1 should turn out to be a very nice engine! I've built one myself, and although it was challenging, it turned out very good. One thing you might want to consider is replacing that rubber tube motor coupling with a Northwest Short Line universal. I did that with mine, and not only does it draw about 0.25 amps less, but it also runs smoother.

Ah, very nice.  As I am sure you know, the Bowser boiler casting looks better then the  BLI version.

On the running gear, I long ago discarded the coupling between front and rear engines, and milled out a new one-piece cover plate for the underside, to rigidize the whole frame like the real ones.  I am fortunate to have a 36" minimum radius railroad, and the engine has been extensively road tested.  Works great.  But that old lead boiler had to go when I visited the main Bowser outlet (English's) in PA, and saw the "new" die cast boiler for sale.  It seems they have discontinued the Bowser locos (and parts), sad to say. A new day dawns, and Chinese plastic rules.

In any case, some of us still have fun building up metal locomotives, and the never ending quest for microscoipc parts contunues.  Get 'em while you can!

Thanks.  

 I had thought of doing what you did but with a little twist, instead of leaving the tender hookd to the original engine hook it to a powered unit to give it the power of double heading but the look of a single unit. That thought went by the wayside, you'll see I sent you a PM. Why not make your won handrails using one of those wire bending jigs from Micromark?

Yardbird sells stanchons and tender detail sets for the Mantua tender which is almost identical to the Chat version.
http://yardbirdtrains.com/TndrDtlKit.htm

I don't know if you can buy it seperate from the engine detail kit, but the whole kit is only about $15. I know he sells the hand rail posts seperate.
http://yardbirdtrains.com/YBDetailParts.htm

topcopdoc:

Nice job on the T1, did you add a decoder and make it DCC?

I built a T1 also but have not picked out a decoder yet. If you have any info on making it DCC ready I would appreciate it.

Thanks. No, I haven't put DCC in yet (my layout's too small for it). I may if I get a bigger layout in the future, but for now, all my stuff is DC.

Do you have a newer T-1 with the isolated DC-71 motors (both brushes wired)? If you don't, you'll have to replace the motor brush plates with fully insulated ones. Isolating the motors from the frame would be a lot of work, especially with the T-1. Once that's done, you'll want to put in an O-sized decoder (maybe 4-amps incase both motors were to stall). The tender's got a lot of room in it, so the decoder can fit in there. I hope this helps!

Robt. Livingston:

Hey, thanks for the tip.  I have recently re-entered the world of HO loco construction, and I was trying to find handrail stanchions.  One of those PSC units  looks like the old Kemtron parts from days gone by.  Current project is a Bowser T1 with the more detailed diecast boiler (as opposed to the lead thing it replaces, that looked like a used toothpaste tube). 

Robert: 

PSC has acquired practically the entire (if not the ENTIRE) Kemtron line, in addition to their own extremely well-detailed castings.  With Cal-Scale/Bowser unfortunately kinda/sorta bowing out of the detail line, I think that PSC might turn out to be the best bet for we brass detail customers. 

I've dealt with PSC a lot, and their product, customer service and shipping is top-notch, and their detail castings are of a very good and reasonably priced quality.  They're not just an importer of top-quality brass steam locos, they have an extremely extensive catalogue of detail parts.   I like them.  A lot! 

Tom  

Check the Bowser web page under price list for items in stock as I just got some. The part number is 6000 for HO.  They also have six kite for the PRR 060 swithcher and some H-9 kits available.