I really enjoy watching and listening to your videos, Ron. You do good work without getting all crazy with wild modifications and stuff. You keep things fairly simple and relaxed, which is how I like my hobby. Life is difficult enough without complicated hobbies. Nice job restoring the loco and adding the handrails. Again, simple is good. Athearn locos are fine for this hobby. No ultra detailed, ultra prototypical, noisy dcc models are necessary for a calm hobby. Keep it up, buddy, you are “on the right track!”
Nice work! I know people that solder the stanchions to hand rails once they're aligned. I did that, then found a dot of super glue does the trick. Makes it a really solid assembly.
Another great video Ron! Fun fact: A selection of Milwaukee Road GP9 locomotives did NOT have chains, the hand rail was solid and there was no fold down walkway. I read they did that to stop crews walking between units. Super nice set of handrails. Handgrab part (vertical part of handrails) were painted white.
Air tanks?..... Just looked at it and never noticed them gone. There is a couple mounting holes. All my salvage stuff, Never has all the "right" parts ;-)
You did it again! You’re definitely the “Handrail Man”: I’ve seen a (superb) job like this just once: on your UP GP7. Congratulations, once again, for your enviable skills - patience included! And give my compliments to your skinny assistant…🤣 Take care my friend!
I used brass wire to replace the plastic stanchions on my Stewart Hobbies Pennsy U-25b and it was worth the effort.Ut has an Atheran drive similar to your Milwaukee Road Geep.
The Black and Orange paint is great for Halloween! YIKES…I may try doing some handrails. But, more than likely I will take your advice, and remain frustrated free. lol Beautiful job!!
Ron what about making a wooden jig with all the holes for the staunchions to fit into with lines to show them vertically and with layered sections to help bend the wire where needed.. it would be much easier surely.... ?? one for left and one for right etc... then you could solder them in place without doig any damage to the plastic of the model etc... or even use just a dab of glue and they are set.. etc... several ideas... I guess it comes down to how many of these you do and how often you do them.... a great dual eppisode.
I attempted a wooden jig. If I was making a large amount of the same thing it would be a great deal. Just for one-off's eye balling it and custom work fits the bill.
Love how you describe doing the bends ... It's funny. Great handrails. I did same wasn't sure on size ended up with 3 sizes. Lucky the biggest size was right 1. Used other to make the pieces that for mounting top of rail. Have small jewelry vice. Use that to make top ends little flat. Then folded them around with little solder to keep them in place. I like silver solder. Works fantastic! Love vids keep it up being funny.
Great video. I learned a lot about correct micro-soldering/welding techniques. Also enjoy your other scale model reclamation projects. This is a cool channel.
Awesome results Ron! You are becoming quite the talented builder and modeler! I can’t say enough on how clean your work is coming out! I haven’t been as active lately, just too much going on but when I get some downtime I like to watch the videos as always. Weather I’m working on someone’s engine or touching up a paint job, you videos remind me that we all start somewhere and to not take certain things for granted! I have some stuff I’d like to donate to the channel. I just need to get into the post office whenever I can to send them out to you. I believe you can fix them and perhaps try a hand at repainting or decal work! Surely your up for it! Of corse they will be appreciated by someone like you! There is a lot of original documentation with them, no original boxes sadly! I hope you can use them, And I look forward to sending them soon so they can belong to a person who can bring them back to life! I see you are running a bit low on space, so I was a little weary as to weather or not to give them to you.. weather you keep them or not, it’s always the gesture that matters! Excellent video as always Ron! Take good care!
Good Morning Marc! Thank you for your very kind words. Finding this comment at the beginning of the day is certainly a nice way to start the day. I would love some donations to work on! My space for displaying is limited but there's always room for more. I enjoy the challenge of fixing up items.
@@classicmodeltrains awesome! I sent them out yesterday and they should be at your PO Box within a few days. Keep an eye out for them. Hopefully it gets there safely!
YOU ARE SO RIGHT ABOUT THE FRUSTRATION LEVEL , i just did a BN SDP-40 and had to scratch build some handrails as i lost one and being in the UK they are unobtainium unless you get them from the states as postage and taxes kill it .. i'm even trying to figure out how to make my own stantions consistently , if you have a way to do them a video would be good
Everything looks good so far. There are three detail parts that goes with the model. They are brake cylinders, swing hangers for the trucks, and the air tanks for down near the fuel tank if you choose to add them. These parts were included in the standard Ble box kits.
I see you've got a few more to put hand railings on. I tried putting some on an old Tyco red, white & blue presidential model that didn't turn out too well. I soldered the railings instead of gluing. I need to practice my skills to do this task properly. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee
Watching you build those handrails reminds me of why I love F units! LOL. I noticed some scuffing on the cab of your Geep. I'm pretty sure those Athearn Geep shells have removable cabs. You could take it off and give it a fresh coat of flat black.
I am not up to speed on painting yet. I want to purchase an air brush and compressor and try it out on some broken cars before I get crazy and go after a loco. I just need some more time to get my learning on :-)
Thank you so much for this great video I been to do handrails for my ho rio grande sd70ace 1989 by mth and they are hard to fine for a sd70ace I might just be able to make them I really appreciate this video
Hey Ron! Two great videos. This is the second time I have seen your “ Handrail “ work. Amazing!! Watching your videos all the way through is the way to go. You or we get all the important facts and details to inspire us to do these projects. BTW I would be interested in a purchase of one of your “ Movie Star “ locomotives. 33%er here.
Thanks for supporting my channel Steven!! This fall I will have another e-bay auction of around 10 to 15 sets that have been re-worked over the summer. It will be announced in a video. Also thanks for the 33%!!!!!
Great pair of videos!! Thanks for the tutorial on grab irons!! The grab irons looked company manufactured when you were done? Good to know A-Line makes the stanchions. My one Athearn loco as a kid was a GP9 Milwaukee Road just like that one. I think it’s a good idea to try the re-sell market on eBay.give it a whirl. Take care and all the best. Happy Halloween! 👻
Ron, You say you are not motivated to make chains for the passthru Wow You are so diligent and motivated on that tedious work Don’t sell yourself short I am very impressed I struggled all the way along with you😢
I did do one loco with chains. I'm not into super detailing because I usually end up accidentally breaking them off with my big hands. None of my stuff actually "lives" on my layout. It gets moved around a lot.
hey ron. yeah pretty sure you could sell them on ebay you do a really great job...now whether you make a profit based on the time you spend on the refurbished product that I am not sure about but do enjoy your videos.
You have a nice collection of locomotives I’m looking for a NY and Atlantic locomotive due to the fact it runs not far from my house but so far to no avail
Mike's train house mation o'scale switcher in the New York and Atlantic paint scheme. I went to a trade show and a guy showed me one but it was past the era that I model in. When the New York and Atlantic took over the freight service from the Long Island Railroad they started with 8,000 carloads a year and now they are up to 37,000 Carlo G year because they give their customers good service. The MTA is flabbergasted because they were used to a little freight train once in awhile from the Long Island Railroad and now they have all these freight trains all the time good going for the New York and Atlantic.
BTW, love your old Chevy K20! in my favorite color scheme too!
Right on!
I really enjoy watching and listening to your videos, Ron. You do good work without getting all crazy with wild modifications and stuff. You keep things fairly simple and relaxed, which is how I like my hobby. Life is difficult enough without complicated hobbies. Nice job restoring the loco and adding the handrails. Again, simple is good. Athearn locos are fine for this hobby. No ultra detailed, ultra prototypical, noisy dcc models are necessary for a calm hobby. Keep it up, buddy, you are “on the right track!”
Thanks 13th. I agree with you. Simple and not to much detail to knock off every time I handle them!
You should be an orthodontist because you can bend wire very well.
I'm blown away. Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice work! I know people that solder the stanchions to hand rails once they're aligned. I did that, then found a dot of super glue does the trick. Makes it a really solid assembly.
I soldered my first set, then a Feller said he uses the CA on them and I found that lots easier.
You the man great job on the handrail
Thanks Joe
Another great video Ron! Fun fact: A selection of Milwaukee Road GP9 locomotives did NOT have chains, the hand rail was solid and there was no fold down walkway. I read they did that to stop crews walking between units. Super nice set of handrails. Handgrab part (vertical part of handrails) were painted white.
Thanks Kelly!!
Fantastic hand rails! A good eye, steady hands, and patience..you got 'em Ron! 👍👍
Thanks Jim :-)
Great work!
Thanks!
Wow, excellent job. Very tedious but well worth the effort
Thanks
Also needs the Air Tanks on the frame. Great revival of a classic Blue Box, whit some nice upgrades to the drivetrain!
Air tanks?..... Just looked at it and never noticed them gone. There is a couple mounting holes. All my salvage stuff, Never has all the "right" parts ;-)
what a sharp looking engine
It came out nicer than I imagined :-)
It looks great!
ThanksTyler!
These handrails are awesome. I will start to build them also. Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like them!
I’d buy it! Nice job👌
Thanks!
I would buy that gp7, nice job.
Thanks!
right on good job
Thanks!
Real nice mint!
Thanks :-)
Great video Ron! Thanks for doing what you do.
I appreciate that!
Nice work.👍
Thanks 👍
NICE JOB
Thanks Jeff!
Glad to see you doing steel hand rails! Eyeballing is great! I used old plastic railings to figure measurements.
There a bit of a chore, but sure make a hood unit look better :-)
Really digging this channel!!
Subscribed
I appreciated your kind words and the Sub! Thank you!!
Great job. The hand rails look great!
Thanks 👍
Well done
Thank you
Great job on those handrails!
Thank you Mark!
Great to see how to do handrails. Now I know what parts to order, getting US parts in the UK is difficult so I have to get it right.
Glad to help :-)
Awesome job man! Looks great. Between restoring and modifying diecast, I would love to do this everyday.
Thank you.
Great video!!
Thanks Mark!
Hello on, thanks a lot from Sweden. Kenneth
Hello Kenneth, Thank you for watching Sir!! Greetings from Montana, USA.
You did it again! You’re definitely the “Handrail Man”: I’ve seen a (superb) job like this just once: on your UP GP7. Congratulations, once again, for your enviable skills - patience included! And give my compliments to your skinny assistant…🤣
Take care my friend!
Thanks Regis. I passed your kind words on to the "little Lady" Take care also Friend! :-)
Just recently found your channel and now I'm binge watching right after I subscribed. Really good content!
Welcome aboard! Glad you like my video's. Thanks for the support :-)
I used brass wire to replace the plastic stanchions on my Stewart Hobbies Pennsy U-25b and it was worth the effort.Ut has an Atheran drive similar to your Milwaukee Road Geep.
Brass is definitely a lot easier to bend than this stuff I used. I should probably start using brass :-)
@@classicmodeltrains up to you ,easier to work with for sure!
Great job figuring out TH-cam! It worked brother
Thanks! I sat thru both episodes (again) to make sure the links worked as they should. I'm not much of a "programmer" kinda feller.
@@classicmodeltrains worked like a champ
Wonderful videography. You and SMT are now favorite TH-camrs this month. Keep up the good work. I did have a smoke inbetween parts 1 & 2.
Wow, thank you! Smoke break for intermission ;-)
The Black and Orange paint is great for Halloween!
YIKES…I may try doing some handrails.
But, more than likely I will take your advice, and remain frustrated free.
lol
Beautiful job!!
Thanks Jeb. Give it a try. Important part is to be relaxed while trying to do it. :-)
you should make a channel for that hot rod motor you are building. good to see another Train lover that is into hotrods
There seems to be a lot of fellers who hot rod and model trains.
Ron what about making a wooden jig with all the holes for the staunchions to fit into with lines to show them vertically and with layered sections to help bend the wire where needed.. it would be much easier surely.... ?? one for left and one for right etc... then you could solder them in place without doig any damage to the plastic of the model etc... or even use just a dab of glue and they are set.. etc... several ideas... I guess it comes down to how many of these you do and how often you do them.... a great dual eppisode.
I attempted a wooden jig. If I was making a large amount of the same thing it would be a great deal. Just for one-off's eye balling it and custom work fits the bill.
Love how you describe doing the bends ... It's funny. Great handrails. I did same wasn't sure on size ended up with 3 sizes. Lucky the biggest size was right 1. Used other to make the pieces that for mounting top of rail. Have small jewelry vice. Use that to make top ends little flat. Then folded them around with little solder to keep them in place. I like silver solder. Works fantastic! Love vids keep it up being funny.
Thanks for your kind words John!
Always in the Market for Milwaukee Road stuff, so Yeah there is a market for these.
Right on!!
WOW those are great !🎉🎉 thanks for this vid ,. Saved
You are so welcome!
Great video. I learned a lot about correct micro-soldering/welding techniques. Also enjoy your other scale model reclamation projects. This is a cool channel.
Glad I could help ya out. Thanks for your kind words :-)
Awesome results Ron! You are becoming quite the talented builder and modeler! I can’t say enough on how clean your work is coming out! I haven’t been as active lately, just too much going on but when I get some downtime I like to watch the videos as always. Weather I’m working on someone’s engine or touching up a paint job, you videos remind me that we all start somewhere and to not take certain things for granted!
I have some stuff I’d like to donate to the channel. I just need to get into the post office whenever I can to send them out to you. I believe you can fix them and perhaps try a hand at repainting or decal work! Surely your up for it! Of corse they will be appreciated by someone like you! There is a lot of original documentation with them, no original boxes sadly! I hope you can use them, And I look forward to sending them soon so they can belong to a person who can bring them back to life! I see you are running a bit low on space, so I was a little weary as to weather or not to give them to you..
weather you keep them or not, it’s always the gesture that matters!
Excellent video as always Ron! Take good care!
Good Morning Marc! Thank you for your very kind words. Finding this comment at the beginning of the day is certainly a nice way to start the day. I would love some donations to work on! My space for displaying is limited but there's always room for more. I enjoy the challenge of fixing up items.
@@classicmodeltrains awesome! I sent them out yesterday and they should be at your PO Box within a few days. Keep an eye out for them. Hopefully it gets there safely!
@@_mdh_1998 WOW!! Thank you. I shall keep an eye out for them :-)
YOU ARE SO RIGHT ABOUT THE FRUSTRATION LEVEL , i just did a BN SDP-40 and had to scratch build some handrails as i lost one and being in the UK they are unobtainium unless you get them from the states as postage and taxes kill it .. i'm even trying to figure out how to make my own stantions consistently , if you have a way to do them a video would be good
Greetings shakey! I have not found a way to make stantions. They are quite inexpensive here to purchase.
@@classicmodeltrains cheers buddy
Everything looks good so far. There are three detail parts that goes with the model. They are brake cylinders, swing hangers for the trucks, and the air tanks for down near the fuel tank if you choose to add them. These parts were included in the standard Ble box kits.
Someone pointed out I was missing the air tanks, but the other two I was unaware of. Thanks for the good information
I see you've got a few more to put hand railings on. I tried putting some on an old Tyco red, white & blue presidential model that didn't turn out too well. I soldered the railings instead of gluing. I need to practice my skills to do this task properly. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee
Yup! Always something that needs railings installed
Watching you build those handrails reminds me of why I love F units! LOL. I noticed some scuffing on the cab of your Geep. I'm pretty sure those Athearn Geep shells have removable cabs. You could take it off and give it a fresh coat of flat black.
I am not up to speed on painting yet. I want to purchase an air brush and compressor and try it out on some broken cars before I get crazy and go after a loco. I just need some more time to get my learning on :-)
Kudos on the handrail work. I have a SE Athearn SD40-2 GATX pairs. Dummy I put the rails on. Leads not done yet. A year&1/2 later😋🤪
Thanks 4ever dc! Always projects waiting to take place huh? :-)
A Z bender for RC plane Servo horn links would be perfect for that 1st bend
That sounds like a Killer great idea!!!!
Thank you so much for this great video I been to do handrails for my ho rio grande sd70ace 1989 by mth and they are hard to fine for a sd70ace I might just be able to make them I really appreciate this video
Oh and I love ur old school truck as well
Glad it was helpful! Give it a try. All that will happen is you get better at making them. The old pickup is a 1972 K20 Chevy.
Hey Ron! Two great videos. This is the second time I have seen your “ Handrail “ work. Amazing!!
Watching your videos all the way through is the way to go. You or we get all the important facts and details to inspire us to do these projects.
BTW I would be interested in a purchase of one of your “ Movie Star “ locomotives. 33%er here.
Thanks for supporting my channel Steven!! This fall I will have another e-bay auction of around 10 to 15 sets that have been re-worked over the summer. It will be announced in a video. Also thanks for the 33%!!!!!
Really impressed with your railings! That loco looks great in my opinion! And yea id maybe buy some CMT power!
Thanks Jason for your kind words! :-)
The loco looks great! I’m sure you could get some good money for it on eBay, but if it were mine I think I would hang on to it.
Thanks for your response and kind words!
I used Christmas ornament wire.
good idea!
Great pair of videos!! Thanks for the tutorial on grab irons!! The grab irons looked company manufactured when you were done? Good to know A-Line makes the stanchions. My one Athearn loco as a kid was a GP9 Milwaukee Road just like that one. I think it’s a good idea to try the re-sell market on eBay.give it a whirl. Take care and all the best. Happy Halloween! 👻
Thanks EC. My childhood Athearn was a Hi-f Santa Fe F-7 A & B. Stay Well!
I would love to buy a locomotive,im just getting into model railroading down here in New Zealand,im learned heaps from you
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad to be helping out :-)
But I model N scale, NO WAY! I’m already half blind 😂
Great Job & Thanks! Ron
Thanks Ron. Yes that would be tough to hand make N scale railings for sure
Ron, You say you are not motivated to make chains for the passthru Wow You are so diligent and motivated on that tedious work Don’t sell yourself short I am very impressed I struggled all the way along with you😢
I did do one loco with chains. I'm not into super detailing because I usually end up accidentally breaking them off with my big hands. None of my stuff actually "lives" on my layout. It gets moved around a lot.
I pick up hand rails packs at train shows in the past. So I did not need to buy the parts and I have bought the wire from Ace and bought piano wire.
Sounds like your all set up to build handrails!
hey ron. yeah pretty sure you could sell them on ebay you do a really great job...now whether you make a profit based on the time you spend on the refurbished product that I am not sure about but do enjoy your videos.
Hello Gary. Thanks for responding and thanks for your kind words :-)
You have a nice collection of locomotives I’m looking for a NY and Atlantic locomotive due to the fact it runs not far from my house but so far to no avail
Thank you! Sounds like you might have to paint up a custom job.
@@classicmodeltrains I don’t know if I can due to the fact I’m on slight limited budget. They are gp38s
Mike's train house mation o'scale switcher in the New York and Atlantic paint scheme. I went to a trade show and a guy showed me one but it was past the era that I model in. When the New York and Atlantic took over the freight service from the Long Island Railroad they started with 8,000 carloads a year and now they are up to 37,000 Carlo G year because they give their customers good service. The MTA is flabbergasted because they were used to a little freight train once in awhile from the Long Island Railroad and now they have all these freight trains all the time good going for the New York and Atlantic.
Where Ron reveals it all. Nice.
Didn't you solder the last railing rebuild???
No. A couple guys told me the stanchions and the railing can be held with some CA glue. works real good.
Looks great 👍🏻 Like all your tips and humor 😅 I really wanted to see you put Chains between the railings 🤯 I😅
Thanks. Whenever I put in a lot of detail I end up breaking it off. I got big hands :-)
Those steel wires are a pain, much easier with brass or bronze wire. Great work on the locomotive overall!
Yes they are! I shall try brass next time. Thanks!
I usually use athearn hand rails as a pattern when i make my own hand rails my the job much easier.
It sure does. I just didnt have any to model after.
@@classicmodeltrains Understood.
And, Thank you for responding to my reply
@@michaelquinones-lx6ks I respond to all the comments. I figure if a guy spends the time to write one I should spend the time and write back :-)
I’d love to see the outtakes of this. I’d be cussing like crazy.
My outtakes sound like a bunch of sailors fighting in a port bar :-)
what is that hand tool called you use that can drill holes with your hand. if that makes sense? lol
Its called a "Pin Vise" I picked that one up from an ACE hardware store. It's kind of a cheapy. Dont clamp well on the small drill bits.
@@classicmodeltrains thanks for the reply man!! i just ordered me a pin vice
@@ufolive1 Very cool! They are nice when they work right ;-)
Send any of them old athearn locomotives you want to disappear. I could use bout 1000 more.😊
Sounds like you like the classic BB's !
What’s your hourly rate? Whatever… great job. Your a master. Thank you. Now… have I got the patients… ? hmmmm 🤔🤔
Thanks for your kind words. You can develop the patients....... I did :-)