I started out trying to buy a pair from Lionel,NWSL,and on the wtb forum with no luck. After seeing pictures that Norton(Pete) posted of 3rd rails brass ones I decided to try and make my own. I have the basic shape made but I would like to get some measurements from the Lionel 6-18064 ones or 3rd rails.
Thanks in advance,Doug
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Doug, here are the dimensions of 3rd Rail's.
Pete
Doug, it looks like you’re off to a good start....to add the rolled edge detail, solder thin solid strand copper wire onto the edge, like I did the smoke lifters on this L&HR R1d which started life as a 18009 Mohawk........
Pat
Now that looks great.
Wow!
Pete, Thanks for posting those measurements. I had to trim mine a scale 1' in scale height and 2' in scale length,not a big deal. I had to redo the curve in the front top and I bent the tops.
Pat, Thanks for the nice comment and posting your pics,I do like the way that came out with adding the wire. It really gives them a finished look. I've been looking at pictures and video of #3001 that sits at NYCHS. It appears the central just used sheet steel rivited to a angle iron frame or bracing.
My next step is to make the angle iron for the framework and then on to the soldering which I've never done brass. Any tips would be appreciated.
I do have a 100 watt Weller gun,a propane torch,I was thinking using maybe one of those butane pinpoint torches?
Doug
Doug, soldering brass is as easy as copper. Just use some flux. I like Stay Clean zinc chloride liquid. A 40-50 watt pencil iron is enough. 25 watt likely too small.
Pete
Doug, look closer at the pics of the real deal 3001, ...it does have a “edge” ....I’ve never had to make a pair for any of my NYC stuff, but I can clearly see a edge..looks more to be broke edge rather than a rolled edge,...however, you can achieve the same result starting with soldered copper wire, then file it square edged...more like the prototype.....that’ll give your nicely made homemade parts some real definition.......I thought about omitting the rolled edge on the L&HR, but once I just laid the copper against my new smoke lifter, it popped with detail.....
Pat
Not sure if you needed any more reference pics of the real thing I had a couple that showed some of the bracing. And if anybody wanted to really get into the weeds with such a project, the New York Central System Historical Society has digitized drawings that should probably have the details for the smoke lifters.
The new (and final) Mohawk book contains the official NYC drawing of the smoke lifters.
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