Handrails

[Papyrus]

This may seem a simple question, but I'm a first-time handrail attacher and I don't want to mess up my loco at this stage. Basically, what is the best way to fix the handrails? Once the handrail knobs are in place, is it better to try and cut the wire to the exact length required before fixing, or do folks cut it over-length and cut off the excess after fixing? I can see advantages and difficulties with each. Youtube videos all seem to refer to US diesels which is not what I'm after.

Any assistance/opinions gratefully received.

Cheers,

Chris

[martyn]

Hello Chris;

Each to his own method, but I've used this one successfully for a long time; and assuming knobs are required.

I bend a tiny right angle at the end of the wire (this stops the knobs from falling off), and then thread the number of knobs required on to the wire at the other end, gluing the end knob on the wire at the right angle end.

Then, having pre-drilled the holes in the model, I push fit the end knob into its hole; then working from that end, push each knob in turn into its hole. When all are in place, a tiny drop of glue secures them in place.

This can get a bit fiddly on a long run, but it does literally have 'wiggle room' to allow the placing of all the knobs.

When the glue has set, trim the ends to size.

Martyn.

[Papyrus]

Thanks @martyn , that's just what I was after. This is for my Peckett 0-4-0ST kit, so the holes are pre-drilled, and there aren't many of them, so that sounds like a good plan. I'll give it a go.

Cheers,

Chris