AtlasO hairpin fencing

Have not seen that, but since you are a fellow PRR fan, have you seen this standard PRR fence? 

http://www.protocraft.com/cate...208&Categoryid=6

It matches a section I bought recently.

Tom 

Ed, I have used the Atlas fence on my layout. When John Sethian saw it he asked who made it as he wanted to get some. 

That should say everything.

Ed,

We are developing a guard rail and handrail system for different use.

One of them is using 0.035" wire in scale is about 1.5" diameter. (not showed in the picture) but the same configuration.

Let me know if you need more information.

here is the picture:

Andre.

     Tom I was taking some pictures under the Westinghouse bridge in E. Pittsburgh for comparison for when I make the concrete bridge for my layout. I took a few pictures of the flood gates for the Turtle Creek creek flood control and I ended up getting a shot of that type of railing in the picture but it had 3 rows of the round pipe on it. I had shown the pictures to another fellow model railroader and he said PRR had used 2 rows on most of the RR but in the Pittsburgh area they used 3 rows. Any thoughts?  Choo Choo Kenny

Kenny,

  Turtle Creek, huh? I spent lots of time in the Wilmerding area in the 1960's and 1970's as my aunt lived there. My grandfather also lived in White Oak and worked for US Steel. Would like to see your pictures if you can share any.

  Anyway, regarding the fencing, I think I read somewhere that the Pennsy had 2 or 3 designs they used for their fencing. My particular piece came from a bridge area in Maryland, rescued by an Amtrak engineer. Each support section has a PRR embossed identification on it. That little section of about 3 ft long is pretty heavy, about 100 lbs. 

Tom 

I think this is what Ed has in mind.  AtlasO has a classic and modern style.

This is the modern style.

Jan

Folks, we are talking about two different types of fences here.  The fence that Ed asked about in his original post is the hairpin fence the PRR used almost exclusively as a safety fence between tracks at a station.   This is not the same as the "pipe railing" fence that was used to prevent falls off bridges, the backside of station platforms, etc.  That pipe railing is what Tom has a section of. (That's pretty cool by the way!).  A very nice rendition of that pipe railing fence is made made by Steve Grabowski.  You can get it through Protocraft:

http://www.protocraft.com/cate...209&Categoryid=6

Now back to the hairpin fence Ed is talking about  Here is what it looks like in real life:

And here is a the actual PRR Drawing:

The Atlas fence Ed is asking about is etched from a sheet of brass stock, I think its only .008" thick.  (I am currently at the airport, so do not have access to my fence).  As such the fence is flat.  It does not capture the look of iron bars welded into a rectangular tube. In fact, because it is etched, the hairpin sections are flat, not round.  

This would look good from several feet away, and if it could only be viewed from the side. That is the application I was considering when I made my comment to Bob.

However, for up close viewing, it would not meet my needs.  Therefore I made my own from square brass tube and .032 brass wire. (I did this before the Atlas etchings were released).

This was a bit labor intensive, but it looks good.  If I had to make some more, I would look at 3D printing

John,

You are right.

here is the 3 rails fence. 

Thanks for the replays guys.  The type of fence between the tracks that John Sethian fabricated is the look I want to create.  As my scene is only 12 inches back from the main aisle at the entrance to the layout a .oo8 photo etched flat brass representation would just not look right.  As being both the CEO and safety officer for my slice of the PRR for now I'll omit the fence and go with warning signs to not walk across the track. 

John - I owe you a drink at next year's PRRT&HS convention.  You saved me over $75 as I was about to buy sight unseen 3 lengths of the AtlasO fence at $22.95/ 28" length.

Ed,

Any chance to show us the station. I really want to see how the platform look.

Andre.

Off on a tangent again. To answer the original question...

Atlas O products in many times is disappointing to me. I expected better when I received this overpriced fence. First of all after years of waiting due to no stock, a common problem with them, I received the fencing.

I found the fiber fence hard to install because it was too flimsy. I found fancy tooth pics to hold it up as there was nothing else to use. An abundant amount of glue was also required to keep it in place. The final result as you may notice was not a straight fence as I wanted it to be. It bends too easily.

Since there was nothing else in the O market at that time, I had no choice but to leave it as shown.

Not sure it was ever improved, but the set I received was not up to my standards.

I’m sure someone can make a stronger HAIRPIN fence, perhaps out of metal?

      Andre - I suspect you're looking to see pictures of the beautiful herringbone brick platforms you laser cut for me last year.  Sorry but that is the next (unfinished) station down the line in Huntingdon, PA.  Below is a photo of my Tyrone, PA station scene.  Since the platforms were curved I didn't go with brick paving.  What you see are the simulated concrete edges made with basswood for a yet to be poured concrete platform.  Midway down the platform you can see the cutout for the pedestrian subway under the tracks.  A small closed PRR style station shelter will be built over the steps.   The proposed location for the PRR hairpin style fence that triggered this thread was between the second and third tracks.  For now I'll just leave it out . 

 The MTH station will be subjected to a major makeover as I don't like the look of the heavy snap- in MTH windows.  On the  majority of vintage brick buildings I've seen the window were inset in the wall, not forward of it.  With some judicious file and fitting work I'll replace the windows with 4 pane double hung rectangular  ones by Grant Line - mounted from the inside out.   I'll post photos once the scene is done.

On a related PRR fence note I recently  built a 2 pipe PRR style fence on a stone arch bridge using Steve Grabowski (Protocraft) lost wax brass fence posts.   For strength the brass rails are soldered to the posts.  The posts in turn were press fit into a simulated concrete cap made with bass wood.  The forward wall  of the curved two arch bridge is Masonite faced with Chooch flexible cut stone sheets.  My only issue with the material was that the self stick adhesive backing did not hold well.  In some places where the sheet pulled away from the Masonite I had to strip off the adhesive (nasty job) and  reapply the block using white glue.  Next up is weathering the stone and pouring the Juniata river.    

If Scott Mann is watching - that is one of your Sunset 3rd Rail T1's - thanks for importing it.  It looks good and is a fantastic runner! 

Nice photos, SIRT. 

That second photo is a cracker, Ed.  

SIRT, neighbor, your layout, and pictures are simply Amazing...Thanks for posting. A return trip should happen this summer if Ok...Leapin Larry

Ed and SIRT,

 Great looking layouts and your fence work looks top notch.

Tom

Didn't Life-Like make a plastic hairpin fence?  I seem to remember trying to order it from a Trainworld sale only to have it cancelled.  I am now thinking it was Model Power.

Jan

Jan,

Yes, I believe it was Model Power's plastic fence which I used on my last layout.

Tom 

Here are several pictures of the just built stone arch bridge.  As you can see the river is going to take quite a bit of work to complete the scene.

Tom,

You are right. It is Model Power and it is not a hairpin design.

Ed,

I read that the Atlas hairpin is a laser cut composite and not brass.  It is flexible.

Jan

Jan posted:

 

Ed,

I read that the Atlas hairpin is a laser cut composite and not brass.  It is flexible.

Jan

It could very well be, and I stand corrected. (That's what I get for posting from the airport, without having the fence in front of me!)  But it does not change the fact that it is flat...the cross bars are the same thickness as the hairpins, which would be physically impossible in real life.  Sirt's photos show this well

Thank you Ed!!

any assistance about the station windows let me know.

Andre.

John Sethian posted:

That's what I get for posting from the airport, without having the fence in front of me! 

You need to take your fence with you from now on with you travel - it's getting lonely and pining away for your company....

WOW! If it wasn't for that track over the top of the hill,  this is a great scene of Tyrone, PA!

It's great to see a sneak peak at Ed's work in these posts!!!

The postwar Lionel book "Model Railroading" said that I could make a fence out of mom's hairpins. Never could figure out what they were talking about. Now I know. 

These are the hairpins you want:

http://www.sallybeauty.com/met...ault,pd.html#start=8

They just might work!

Mike

Ed:

How about a close up of the windows you replaced on the MTH station? I too can't stand the pop in windows on the MTH buildings.

Bill

The MTH station upgrade is down a month or so.  Once started I'll create a new thread with photos. 

Keystoned Ed posted:

Here are several pictures of the just built stone arch bridge.  As you can see the river is going to take quite a bit of work to complete the scene.

 

Those trees are killing me Ed!  How many years does it take to make enough trees for a Pennsylvania scene? 

Rob -  I collect and dry enough goldenrod for about 400-500 trees /year (picked just after Thanksgiving) .  On the current layout I've been making trees for around 5 years.  At this rate I should have 10 years to go! 

I used Bowser white metal stanchions with brass wire. Protocraft's fencing is very good, but very expensive and I needed almost 4 feet. Bowser was the least expensive way to go.