HI, Has anyone replaced the AF Geep handrails with something closer to a scale look?
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Looks as though it has not been done, maybe fabricate using bronze-phosphor wire.
I think most people who have the GPs like the idea of the handrails being near indestructible.
Ray
It may be possible to adapt American Models GP9 handrails. While Delrin, they are fairly robust.
Rusty
Check Des Plaines hobbies. Believe they have a wire replacement kit for AM GP's which should be adaptable.
Rich
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@Rusty Traque posted:It may be possible to adapt American Models GP9 handrails. While Delrin, they are fairly robust.
Rusty
Why go to all the trouble of changing the handrails when it would be easier to get an AM GP with a lot more detail?
if you are going to change the handrails to be scale looking there is so much more that would need to be done to de-toy its appearance, is it really worth it?
@Ukaflyer posted:Why go to all the trouble of changing the handrails when it would be easier to get an AM GP with a lot more detail?
if you are going to change the handrails to be scale looking there is so much more that would need to be done to de-toy its appearance, is it really worth it?
Possibly because the OP wants or has a Flyer Geep that he would like to improve on.
Granted the Flyer Geep has it's flaws, but so does AM's. AM's don't have grab irons fore and aft, molded or wire:
Plus lacks the ratchet brake stand on the end of the long hood:
I've broke many #80 drills adding grab irons to my AM GP's, it is a pain in the patootie. And good luck finding the ratchet brake mechanism nowadays.
There's some folks out there that have added handrails to the Flyer Baldwin switcher that have greatly improved the looks of that locomotive in spite of AM having a similar model.
Plus, Lionel's improvements to the FlyerChief GP7's has improved their looks. Not a perfect scale model to be sure, but a definite improvement. I've occasionally wondered about retro-fitting AM handrails somehow to one of the F/C Geeps myself.
Rusty
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Hi, Thanks for the ideas! I grew up with Flyer, then decades later found S Helper and like the scale, detailed look. But I'm perfectly happy as a hi-railer - I have always found the Geep close enough except for the stamped handrails.
