I hold the knobs in a pin vice whilst threading them onto the handrail wire, if needed putting a right angled bend in one end so they dont fall off.

Then substantially the same as Bob and thebrighton.

Martyn

Pretty much the same as Bob. I form the handrail then thread all the knobs on. I can then hold the handrail in position and rotate the knobs with a pair of tweezers to drop them in the holes. I do this one at a time but add a spot of superglue into the hole first with a needle.
I've used this method probably over a hundred times!

I guess it doesn't matter if it's brass or 3D printed, this is how I tried and failed, and this is what I now do.

I tried to install all handrail knobs first. Totally unsuccessful as their alignment was never perfect.

Lets assume we are doing a "simple" line of six handrail knobs. I now fit the end one nearest the cab to the loco boiler, getting the alignment right with the handrail wire used as a lever to check the alignment. Fixed with superglue from the front (others I know prefer to do it widdershins from behind, but this assumes the loco is not yet painted).

Then I thread the remaining five knobs onto the handrail wire, and working back from the cab to the front of the engine, mount each knob into the boiler with superglue. This keeps the handrail knobs on the wire, and if they hang down vertically you can guide them into the awaiting holes.

Finally I cut the handrail wire to the correct length and superglue that.

Then I use a fibreglass pencil to take away the fuzz of stray superglue around the knobs.

Hopefully that's one side done and I get a glass of something as a reward. And then the other side is done the following day... or week...

Bob

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I'm after advice on this very subject, so...

I'm finally getting to the finishing touches on an N-brass loco and I'm trying to work out the best way of fitting the handrails and knobs. Mainly, how do people actually pick up the tiny knobs and fit them into the hole? I've tried fine-nose pliers and tweezers without success and lost two knobs in the process. Is it better to fit them loosely on to a length of wire first? My manual dexterity isn't what it was so I'm looking for a foolproof method. Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers,

Chris

Supermarine or Triumph?

Cheers,

Chris

I just happened to be in the garden and a Spitfire has just gone over and done a slow roll
Instant emotional goosebumps

Pleasant enough, Martin, but I was not moved in any way

This probably won't be a great hit with those that read this thread but here goes :

The Bluetones have been a favourite of Mrs PP and I almost since their inception in 1996.
Indeed we have seen them live on several occasions - probably 11 or 12 times.

For those who don't know their music they sit somewhere between The Stone Roses and Oasis in the Brit indie/ pop rock genre.

Leader and singer Mark Morris has an engaging somewhat nasal style but his enunciation is particularly clear.

Anyway here is Cheap Hotel from their new album :

Incidentally their usual set ending rendition of their much earlier (2001 I think) song "If" is, to my mind, one of the best and most rousing finishes to a concert that I've heard but you have to be there to appreciate it properly.

Others will, of course, disagree.

Quote from: njee20 on May 02, 2026, 10:59:09 PMAnyway, wasn't my intention to derail the thread as that's a small part of the report!

I don't mind mate, I think it's actually a really important conversation to have because it helps people who are interested in that kind of thing to know how and where to position it and who to put it in front of to get interest.

It's fairly evident that "hey, long time traditional exhibition layout enthusiasts, look at this!" probably isn't viable xD!

When I was at the NEC last weekend, I had a single module with a loop of compact Unitrack just to display my alumina wagons, but the most interest came from parents on the Sunday who could immediately see the value of it as a family activity that can be put away once played with. They said it had all the appeal it a traditional train set, but with the added value of having some scope for bite sized modelling and storytelling. Which was unexpected!

I think perhaps the time may soon come for a national T-TRAK club or something, where members can organise displays, socials and pop ups to put that particular niche of the hobby in front of the right people, because it could be one of a few avenues for people to enter the wider hobby and add more fuel to that engine of growth that we're already seeing. Which is good for all of us, especially N gaugers !

Quote from: kusojiji on May 02, 2026, 11:20:32 PM

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on May 02, 2026, 04:33:55 PMThe latest outrage:

I have one n gauge loco in my cart. They are charging 44.50 for DHL Worldwide Express. I'm not being given the 17.99 Royal Mail option.

The person said the reason is, "The cost of the model."

That's such a low effort answer and is obviously not true. When I put the same model or a more expensive one in my cart at TMC it's... 17.99! Also, a few months ago I ordered a sound fitted loco and the shipping? 17.99.
 

I also had issue with shipping with them. They gave me a rate that was twice the normal amount at Royal Mail. When I inquired, they told me that they had made a mistake when the put the model into their system (a Hornby Peckett), so it automatically gave a higher rate for the weight. They fixed it, but I cancelled the order anyway.

I had such an issue for two items of the same weight and size which were ordered separately - where they priced the second at more than the first. I objected and got a refund of the difference. As I remember it the reason given was that the second was put into a unecessarily larger shipping box...

Colin.