I am new to adding details to vintage HO locomotives. I'm interested in adding details to a Varney dockside but I have no experience doing this. A couple of basic questions:
I wanted to add some handrails and stanchions along the side. I have found Cal Scale 190-604 handlrail stanchions on ebay. Would these be suitable for this model? It looks like I'd have to drill holes in the metal frame to anchor the stanchions.What type and size of wire/rod would be suitable to thread through the stanchions? Would K&S brass rod .020 work for these stanchions? I don't know what size/material to use.
What other Cal-Scale parts would be suitable for this locomotive?
Painting: It looks like many people leave the brass parts unpainted after being added to a model. What is the "convention" here, if there is one? Should one paint or not paint bright brass detail parts or is it modeler's discretion? (What paint is suitable for the brass parts if painting is recommended?)
Thanks!
Those stanchions would be fine for a steam locomotive. Twenty thou wire will be fine also. While I have used brass wire in the past. Lately I have been using phosphor bronze for rails and grabs. Brass can work harden and become fragile if you have a lot of bending to do.
For more details, it's up to you. Look at as many pictures of the prototype to get a better idea of what you want to achieve. I can tell you that you can super detail something that would be more comfortable on a shelf than running on a layout. I had spent months and countless hobby dollars super detailing a brass PRR K5s Pacific to represent the year before a stoker was added. After paint and decals it looks, runs, and sounds fantastic. But I cringe every time it runs.
The only things left brass colored on my locomotives is the bell and whistles.
Pete.
I think the unpainted shots are to show the details added and that they are then painted to complete the job