Questions About Detail Parts

Joe

there are a number of small companies that offer O scale car and locomotive details.  Precision Scale Co. has the largest selection of parts and I think they finally put a catalog out on their web site.  Most of their parts (like brake gear) are cast in brass by the lost wax process.  Details like coupler cut levers are typically formed using brass wire of an appropriate diameter.  If the model you are detailing is made of brass the best way to attach details is generally by soldering - most times I use a resistance soldering probe, or in some cases a soldering gun or torch.  The good thing about a resistance probe is that it rapidly delivers heat where it is needed and you can get in and out before adjacent details become undone.   With plastic or wood models I typically attach the detail with an adhesive (like super glue) or at times brass pins.

As Ed stated - Precision Scale - that's where I get the majority of my brass details.  However, their on-line catalog is not complete....

Airhoses are pretty straightforward....and PSC offers a few types and options, 1 piece brass.  I solder the sprue cut short into a small bit of 3/64" tubing and that creates a union that can be attached to a 0.033" brass train line - what I usually use when I'm building a car.  Next issue of O Scale Train just might have that described a bit better...

Other sources of airhoses are Glacier Park and Wiseman Model Services.  The former are 1 piece flexible rubber like material and very nice and mounting brackets are available; the latter are 3 piece with 2 parts being white metal and the 3rd being plastic/rubber hose.  I've use the GP ones and they are nice being totally flexible and not prone to getting hung up on stuff, etc.

Cut levers can be made from brass wire or you can buy the nice Carmer levers from Protocraft if they fit your prototype.

Here's an in progress shot from a car I finished recently; all PSC parts and some brass wire: 

Precision Scale, as both Ed and Marty have mentioned.

other sources:

P&D Hobby Shop has an oustanding selection

Scale City Designs has resurrected the Keil-Line product line

Protocraft has many detail parts as well

Agree with all sources above.  Des Plaines Hobbies in Chicago also has a lot of detail parts.  They're online catalog is awful to find anything in, lacking any pictures.  But if you can figure out what you want they can be a source for additional parts.

Partly your source may depend on which era you are modeling.  Protocraft for instance has nice parts but they seem firmly rooted in the steam to transition eras for prototype inspiration.  

Here is a link to the Diesel Detailer forum thread on a P48 gp9 build where brake lines are discussed.  The mention comes comes in the second half of the second page.

Jim

Thank you Ed, Martin, Chris & Jim for taking the time to reply to my questions. This is all a learning experience for me.  

I've quickly realized that seeing pictures of the actual products being offered by these recommended dealers/manufacturers/importers--whether on their websites, or in their catalogs--can be quite challenging.  That is a bit frustrating for a "new guy" like me not knowing what to buy!

Most of my rolling stock is a 1950's-'60's era with plastic bodies and either die-cast or plastic frames.  I haven't ventured into the world of brass...not yet anyway!  Also, I'm mostly interested in identifying and finding the above-mentioned details for freight cars (moreso than locomotives) as of right now, so maybe that will help me to narrow down my search.  

As for how you guys actually mount these items to your freight cars...Martin, I will pick up the next issue of O-Scale Trains.  In the meantime, if any of you guys would post a few "how-to" photos (I'm a visual learner!) the next time you're building or detailing a freight car--specifically the brake hose and cut levers--I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again!

Joe cut levers I bend by hand. Each car is usually different so having a prototype photo is helpful. I use an eye bolt to hold it on the end of the car and bend the other end so I can glue it under the Kadee draft gear box.

Air hoses from Atlas, MTH, PSC... just depends on shape and length. I usually glue a chunk of styrene to the floor and then glue the air hose to that. When using the atlas hose, I just cut the brackets down that hold it on the 3 rail knuckle, and glue it to the side of the draft gear box, or the floor of the car. Make sure the air hose is far enough away from the coupler so it will move all the way to the side.

None of the stuff is really plug and play, so you have to make it up as you go along. 

Joe, Will try to answer some of your questions.  You mention you have plastic cars.....NOT a thing wrong with that, but small details in plastic tend to be fragile. An example is the former Intermountain line of kits and built ups. Beautiful cars, but fragile detailing which could be improved by adding brass details. Kadee does not to date make an exact to prototype coupler. Protocraft sells a version of the old Clouser coupler that is a correct type "E". As for brass cars, PSC, Overland, and Pecos River Brass (among others) made some highly detailed versions. Going the brass route can get expensive very quickly! That's not to say you can't find a bargain now and then. If you can get to a 2 rail show like Strasburg (which is next Saturday 10/15), definitely do so. You will get an education for the entrance fee, and there will be plenty of people there to talk to! Whatever you decide to do, take your time and enjoy the trip!

Good luck,

Simon

CNJ #1601 posted:

Thank you Ed, Martin, Chris & Jim for taking the time to reply to my questions. This is all a learning experience for me.  

I've quickly realized that seeing pictures of the actual products being offered by these recommended dealers/manufacturers/importers--whether on their websites, or in their catalogs--can be quite challenging.  That is a bit frustrating for a "new guy" like me not knowing what to buy!

It takes a bit of time to absorb the learning curve and the accompanying information; not an instant gratification exercise by any means and there is no one stop shopping, one stop information booth along this highway which in many ways makes it more fun as you have a more varied learning and modeling experience.

Most of my rolling stock is a 1950's-'60's era with plastic bodies and either die-cast or plastic frames.  I haven't ventured into the world of brass...not yet anyway!  Also, I'm mostly interested in identifying and finding the above-mentioned details for freight cars (moreso than locomotives) as of right now, so maybe that will help me to narrow down my search.

Materials don't really matter as much as some like to cling to - I build in just about any to suit me and the desired result(s). 

As for how you guys actually mount these items to your freight cars...Martin, I will pick up the next issue of O-Scale Trains.  In the meantime, if any of you guys would post a few "how-to" photos (I'm a visual learner!) the next time you're building or detailing a freight car--specifically the brake hose and cut levers--I would greatly appreciate it.

I and few others used to post "how-to" photos relating building or detailing a freight cars here but interest seemed to wane into the negative response range.  My builds are on other forums or they end up in OST. 

If you can get to Strasburg on the 15th, stop by and we can talk about this stuff.....