Stirrups to climb aboard!

[Eastern Roads]

I don't know about you guys, but the local LHS's that had any sort of detail parts either just aren't getting them, or they're just dropping like flies in the current economy. I've had a couple sixties vintage Athearn BB Boxcars that some rugrat got ahold of back then and tore the stirrups off of! (Dang kids! At least this one is going to try to fix Dad's old trains!)

Here's our project cars for the evening, a DL&W, and a C&NW Forty Foot Box



Oh yeah, you can tell these are oldies by the cast trucks with real springs in them, and the stepless corner...



So, without the LHS, what are we gonna do?!?!?!?!? Bag them, I have a plan!
We go down to the local Florist, and while we're buying the Boss some posies, we ask them for a few pieces of Florist Wire. This way we get to kiss up and get the time to do the project!! (The things we do for trains...)
We bend the wire to shape...



Test fit the step and trim, then use thick CA to stick it on.



Then we paint the step to be somewhat matched to the car.



So, a quick way to bring some out of service cars back to revenue duty!
And the tip is on me! (Flowers=Train Time+ Happy Spouse!)
Just say "Thanks, Mike!"

[ak-milw]

Mike,
It's probably a good thing, all of the Athearn cars had stirrups that were to thick anyway. You just didn't fix it you made it better!!

[domiluk]

I thank ak-milw is right the stirrups look better then the over size one.
keep up the good work you have some great ideas to help us all out.

[TallDude]

Yep, what they said!

[Nazgul]

Perfect solution........love it!!!!!!!

you got to model and you kept the wife happy

[Puppyfang]

you can also use the wire for railings and grab rails...does a nice job for piping also in different sizes...used it for a lot of kitbashing projects..have four sizes that I use...puppyfang

[Eastern Roads]

Puppyfang, would you happen to have any pictures to give us an idea of the sizes, and the uses of those?? I'm sure a lot of folks here would like to SEE that! If not, then explain it, okay?? Thanks!!

[cajon]

You can get 3 styles of ready made stirrups from A Line Product, 116-29000, 116-29001 & 116-29002. There's alot of stirrups to do multiple cars (12+). You can get them from Walthers for $3.98 (29000 is on sale for $2.98 now). Discount Model Trains (aka RRTrains) sells them for $3.56, & $2.96 if you are a member ($50/ year but worth it if you buy alot of MR items). Shipping is $7.50 per order so purchase multiple items to make it worth it. You can use the Walthers part # to find the items too.

[domiluk]

I have some brass wire that I been using every senses ER post the sturp post only differants is I drill a hole for the wire to set in. just dip the sturp in super glue then into the hole and your done.For pipeing there is about 3 or 4 sizes you can use I like to us the size you us for hand railsand the next size bigger I don't remenber the size I bought it about 2years ago.