Steam Locomotive Handrail diameter?

You're going to find that this is an item that varies.  I eyeballed my closed hand and believe that most locomotive handrails were a bit larger than an inch -- 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches.

However, since the model's handrails don't need to be functional, if they look good, then they're the right size.  

I would like to put on something a bit more durable if a larger size is still prototypical. This engine will be a runner and whats on there will bend if you blow on them. One option would be to use music wire I quess.

Pete

Music wire would be the proper choice. Handrails varied, and I suspect a 2" diameter would not be out of range.

 

The ones along the boiler and smokebox.

 

Pete

I just use .032.  Never worried about it.

Good info. Thank you. Right now the stanchions may be the limiting factor or I will have order larger ones.

Pete

Norton posted:

Good info. Thank you. Right now the stanchions may be the limiting factor or I will have order larger ones.

Pete

Pete, if you have a hobby lobby near you, they keep .032 music wire on the shelf...I’ve seen it there, I usually get the .039 for most of the old post war toy trains, but I know my local store keeps .032...KS metals part #5501......Pat

Thanks Pat. Actually I may already have some .025 and some .032 in stock. We do have Hobby Lobby across town but also have a full service hobby and craft store even closer. One blessing anyway. I will probably be putting an order in to Precision Scale in any event. That engine look familiar?

Pete

Norton posted:

Thanks Pat. Actually I may already have some .025 and some .032 in stock. We do have Hobby Lobby across town but also have a full service hobby and craft store even closer. One blessing anyway. I will probably be putting an order in to Precision Scale in any event. That engine look familiar?

Pete

Sunset K5B.....

On the NKP Berkshires, handrails were called out as 1’ rigid electrical conduit which is 1-5/16” outside diameter. They needed to stuff wiring in it to run from the cab and feed the headlight, Mars light, number boards, and class lamps.

Jim Kreider

Thanks Jim. I settled on .020" music wire for now. I tried .025 and it would not fit the stanchions. Drilling them out would require removing them all. 

Good point about using them as electrical conduits.  A number of points along the handrail Sunset included electrical junction boxes. I don't know when this model was made but the detail is fairly impressive.

I may get ambititous and order larger stanchions though.

Pete