Louisville & Nashville "Big Woody"

Looking real good, Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,

I love all these builds that you do.  They inspired to stop being an armchair modeler and try a build myself.  It's almost a shame in my opinion to paint the models when they are done, covering up the story of how things get built.

 

I have a question about the grab irons you use.  Are they commercially available, or do you bend them yourself.  More specifically, how do you get the flange on them where a rivet or bolt casting would attach them to the car side.  I'm struggling with this for a car I'm trying to build where the correct length and style of grab (actually a ladder rung) will need to be made.

 

I have phosphor bronze wire for the ladder rungs.  I'm looking into annealing the end of the wire, and then flattening it in a vise.  File to shape and bend to complete.  All of which would be a new skill to learn.  I'm open to suggestions on methods, if you have any.

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

Very nice, Malcolm!!

Looking good.

 

Malcolm,  Are these L&N Big Woodies for sale?  If so, I would like them.  I have some newly made L&N caboose decals.  Please email me off list if possible

Thank you
Steve DeLoach

Steve,

Email me, my email in profile. Malcolm

Malcolm,

Thank you for the tip on the grabirons.  I'll give it a shot when I get to the point of forming up the end ladders on my car.

 

Jim

I just recently found that the Southern Railway had a side door caboose, and now

wonder if the L&N had any?  My grandfather built interiors in L&N cabooses in the

Louisville yards.

Malcolm, those cabeese really look good. 

Beautiful work Malcolm!... question though, why the use of PB wire? I've got some handrails to do but was thinking brass.

Do you have a pin jig for bending those or just use rounded pliers?

I use PB wire because it holds it shape better. Also, a couple of years ago I ordered bulk brass wire from a model mail order company and it  was not annealed properly and would break when bent. I switched to PB and never looked back. I use needle nose miniature pliers to bend the grabs. I form the curved ones on a wooden dowel and clip them with toenail clippers from Dollar General. When they get dull I invest another dollar.

Malcolm

...Hmm, sounds like hard brass, there is such a thing for cold heading{rivets}. One could torch a suspect piece to temper it down, but then you risk the piece being too soft for holding a shape....I'll have to try this PB stuff...Thanks!

As always Malcolm, absolutely excellent work. We are still running the Soo Line stock cars you built for us, they stay at the head of the train. Someday we may get space for a feed lot stock yard but for now we are enjoying them running.

 

It is great you are still working on these magnificent models.

RG