lionel U36 hot rod project revival

You might be able to use your dremel to carefully cut the front railing to fit. Then you can take the portion you cut and add it to the back railing using glue and some touch up paint. 

I know I can cut the handrails near the front of the frame off with no problem. 

My concern is reattaching them.  I am almost thinking that I need to either use the original frame or have better handrails made and have them welded to the frame, then repaint it.  The only other attachment method I can think of would be to try to solder them into position which would likely look like crud. 

You have a GP-7 frame and a U-36 shell.

MY method which you can borrow/lease "hoho" is to cut the front rail to fit,

then on the rear rail, I use black wire from which the wire has been removed.

Looks pretty good, not perfect, but passable.

Rod

I cut those WbB stamped hand rails all the time with no issues.

I use a fine tooth razor saw. See the altered end railings.....

I'd use a razor saw to cut and move your GP railings to match the U boat. Some Gorilla Glue instant or expoy would work best to re-attached. Good luck

Thanks for your feedback guys.

Epoxy or even jb weld might work.  For this model I actually really like the beefy stamped wbb handrails.  I expect this engine to get a lot of child handling when its done so I don't want to give up the ruggedness of the wbb design.

If I had a water jet table or milling machine I would draw up some replacement sections and have them welded on for a couple bucks at a local garage or fab shop.

Just brain storming, thanks again for your input.