Weaver PS-1 Boxcars

I am currently detailing some Weaver PS1 boxcars. I found incredibly small Cir-Kit Concepts brads to use to hold new brass stirrups in place. Cut off plastic stirrups, drill holes, dab of ACC glue in each, install brass replacements.

Cir-Kit Brad

What do you do about the cast in grab irons?

Rusty Rails:

I like to cut off the "stock" molded-in plastic stirrup steps and replace them with metal ones from Forum sponsor Scale City Designs.  There are mounting posts cast into these steps on the back side of the bolt heads.

Simply drill a couple holes, add a drop of CA glue to the mounting posts and push them in.  The nice thing about them is that they are cast from pewter (I believe), so that if one gets bent during handling/operating, it can be easily straightened back into position without risk of breaking.  Ask me how I know...LOL!

As for Mario's question regarding replacement of the molded-in grab irons, I use metal ones from Tichy...specifically the O-scale 18" "straight-style".  I carefully "shave" off the plastic grabs with a sharp tool from MicroMark designed just for this purpose, being careful to leave the mounting "brackets" in place.  I then drill a hole dead center in each bracket and insert the Tichy grabs, which are the exact length needed.  I clip off a bit of the tag ends inside the car body and then add a drop of CA glue from the inside.

Here's what the scale-sized stirrups and grab irons look like when finished...

Thanks. I’ve always like the weavers but the lack of details deters me. 

-Mario

in order to replace the molded-in PS style hand grabs, you can get accurate replacements from Cooch Industries (plastic) or Des Plaines Hobbies (brass). I've ordered the Chooch and am awaiting arrival.

you could also raid parts from an Intermountain kit for that style grabs.

I’m always looking for new and better detail parts, so I just checked out the “PS-style Grab Irons” (that Chris referenced above) on the Des Plaines Hobbies website.  

Unfortunately there are no photos, no description and not even a mention of the quantity in each package.   At $11.95 per package it sure would be nice to know what they look like and how many you get!  

They also have several different types of stirrup steps, but same story with those...no pictures, no description and no quantity per package.  That stinks!

Try PSC (diesel parts catalog); they have grab irons; I have the # 5624 (for information, distance between the two rods: 9,5 mm) and some of TICHY TG (distance: 10,5 mm).

Merry Chrismas

jpv in France

We offer 2 types of freight car stirrups as well as replacement ladders. Here is a link:

http://scalecitydesigns.com/sc...ails/steps-stirrups/

And continuing on about detailing freight cars we offer trust plates as well,the lettering is sharper that the picture shown here is a link :

http://scalecitydesigns.com/48...ngine-fka-keil-line/

Joe, Des Plaines told me there are 12 pieces per pack for the brass grabs.

the PS1 boxcar had the angled stirrup below the ladder, and the square one on the opposite end.

PRR Man posted:

Joe, Des Plaines told me there are 12 pieces per pack for the brass grabs.

the PS1 boxcar had the angled stirrup below the ladder, and the square one on the opposite end.

Thank you, Chris.  Yes, the stirrups under the ladders on the prototype PS-1 boxcars are in fact angled, and until recently I haven’t been able to find proper replacements so I’ve just left the Weaver molded-in ones in place.  

As mentioned in the post above by Scale City Designs, they are now offering the angled stirrups (item #48-750).  I’ve ordered (and received) some.  They look nice, but I haven’t actually used any of them yet.  

I’m interested in seeing the brass PS-1stirrups from Des Plaines.  Would you be willing to post a photo or two here when you receive them?  Thanks again!

I ordered the PS style grabs from Chooch (plastic). I already had a supply of both style stirrups.

The Chooch are a tad on the fragile side...the Intermountains are a bit sturdier and you should be able to find them as a detail parts sprue (saving the need to raid a kit).

Allan

At 2015 Chicago show I got 2 intermountain car boxes full of sprues of car parts. Got a bunch IM car parts.

Dick

PRR Man posted:

Cut off plastic stirrups, drill holes, dab of ACC glue in each, install brass replacements.

 

Dab of ACC glue......what kind do you use? I've never had any luck at all getting super glues to work.

I usually use Zap-a-Gap, medium viscosity.

Bill Davis of American O scale has stirrups