N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: allot-ment-spel on March 10, 2024, 02:31:35 PM

Title: Vertical window rail on for example Fowler 4f and U/Mills drummond 700
Post by: allot-ment-spel on March 10, 2024, 02:31:35 PM
Can anybody recommend where to obtain the wire to form the vertical window rail on, for example, the Farish 4f and Union Mills Drummond 700. N Brass locos has ceased trading. Thank you
Title: Re: Vertical window rail on for example Fowler 4f and U/Mills drummond 700
Post by: Newportnobby on March 10, 2024, 02:53:45 PM
Welcome to the forum. We have several scratchbuilders who can help so I'm sure there will be someone along soon
Title: Re: Vertical window rail on for example Fowler 4f and U/Mills drummond 700
Post by: Grassyfield on March 10, 2024, 03:34:30 PM
Only thing i can think of is getting some thing like "green stuff" which is like a putty that hardens after a while, you dont need to bake it or any thing, you just use ur fingers mix the putty with the two types it comes with and then you could roll it on a table untill you are happy with the diameters with it, it takes a while to harden so you have plenty of time to make sure its straight etc before it hardens.  Then paint it.
Title: Re: Vertical window rail on for example Fowler 4f and U/Mills drummond 700
Post by: chrism on March 10, 2024, 04:06:06 PM
Quote from: allot-ment-spel on March 10, 2024, 02:31:35 PMCan anybody recommend where to obtain the wire to form the vertical window rail on, for example, the Farish 4f and Union Mills Drummond 700. N Brass locos has ceased trading. Thank you

Do you mean the handrail extending up the back of the cab side cutout to the roof?

If so, I'd go for stainless steel piano wire which is available in a multitude of thicknesses down as far as at least 0.2mm. Something like this;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166583540980
Although maybe not this actual listing, the postage may be a bit on the high side, even allowing for it being a foot long package, hopefully either a tube or at least with a stiffener inside.

Title: Re: Vertical window rail on for example Fowler 4f and U/Mills drummond 700
Post by: allot-ment-spel on March 10, 2024, 04:29:37 PM
Thanks Chrism, that's the one. Which diameter would be appropriate for N Scale do you think?
Title: Re: Vertical window rail on for example Fowler 4f and U/Mills drummond 700
Post by: chrism on March 10, 2024, 04:45:33 PM
Quote from: allot-ment-spel on March 10, 2024, 04:29:37 PMThanks Chrism, that's the one. Which diameter would be appropriate for N Scale do you think?

0.25mm would be pretty close to scale, I'd probably go for 0.3mm myself.

It's pretty strong/springy and takes a fair bit of force to permanently bend so should hold it's shape quite happily - I use it for controlling semaphore signals and it retains any deliberate bend nicely.
Title: Re: Vertical window rail on for example Fowler 4f and U/Mills drummond 700
Post by: allot-ment-spel on March 10, 2024, 05:06:44 PM
My thanks to you all for your suggestions. Piano wire ordered.