Brass bits for boxcars.

The sponsors sadly are not any that really cater to O scale model building nor are suitable vendors for brass detail parts....

Suggest you try:

P&D Hobby

Precision Scale

Protocraft

Wiseman Model Services

and I'm sure that others here will chime in with additional sources.

Thanks.

Just wanted to double check in case I missed a sponsor.

Keith Wiseman has got back to me.  He can't help.

MaxSouthOz posted:

Thanks.

Just wanted to double check in case I missed a sponsor.

Keith Wiseman has got back to me.  He can't help.

Max what era do you model? For Steam era Protocraft is releasing a great selection of running boards and also a lot of different ladders since Norm's cars had different rung count ladders.

Martin's list is great but you might want to check with Ted Schnepf of Rails Unlimited.  He has a good retail stock of car parts.

Hey Martin, who's the fellow that comes to Strasburg with all the PSC parts?  Can't remember his name off the top of my head.  He has pretty much everything...

Hi Rob

I'm around 1960 (but not fanatical about it). 

I buy what I like the look of.  I have to build 8 wagons for my NMRA AP, so I'm doing 4 boxcars, 1 open wagon, 1 hopper, one flat car and one obligatory passenger car.

I'm starting with the box cars, so I need the mesh walkways on top, and the ladders.  I have already got the brake wheels.

Cheers

I've emailed Ted.

I had a look around the Protocraft site, but all of their ladders are out of stock.

No mention of walkways - but I'm from Oz, so I'm probably calling them something else. 

I'll send them an email.

Thanks for your help.

 

Hey Martin, who's the fellow that comes to Strasburg with all the PSC parts?  Can't remember his name off the top of my head.  He has pretty much everything...

George Peckman is that gentleman's name.

MaxSouthOz posted:

I've emailed Ted.

I had a look around the Protocraft site, but all of their ladders are out of stock.

No mention of walkways - but I'm from Oz, so I'm probably calling them something else. 

I'll send them an email.

Thanks for your help.

A bit shocked the ladders are out of stock... that must mean we have more scratch builders than it seems! 

The so-called "proper" name for walkways are running boards, though they are often referred to as "roofwalks" and people sometimes get critical and make a stink at people who call them that... though I've heard folks on the RR here refer to them as such.   Norm has various styles on his web site Max, they are under "finescale parts":

http://www.protocraft.com/index.cfm

 Apex Tri-Lok would be the most common running board by the early 1960's, at least from what I've seen in pictures over the years.  (have to add that caveat since I wasn't on the top of a box car in the early  1960's my "Mum" was holding me. 

sleepmac posted:

 

Hey Martin, who's the fellow that comes to Strasburg with all the PSC parts?  Can't remember his name off the top of my head.  He has pretty much everything...

George Peckman is that gentleman's name.

Thanks, it is George!  I was having another senior moment.  I know I've seen all those PSC and Overland etc., parts at Chicago also.

Rule292 posted:

sleepmac posted:

 

Hey Martin, who's the fellow that comes to Strasburg with all the PSC parts?  Can't remember his name off the top of my head.  He has pretty much everything...

George Peckman is that gentleman's name.

Thanks, it is George!  I was having another senior moment.  I know I've seen all those PSC and Overland etc., parts at Chicago also.

Yes, George stocks a lot of stuff and even has parts I want, occasionally,   However, I do hear that he's looking to retire........

I would have suggested the Chicago meet (even Indy, whenever it might ever be again....), but for the OP being in OZ making that probably a costly trip,

If you know the specifics of parts and numbers, etc. that you need, you could post that up at a WTB over on the O Scale Yardsale site.

I seem to recall somebody using the roofwalk from atlas covered hoppers, cutting them apart to get the pieces.  Can't remember who or when that was, although I think it was on this site.

These are all productive sources for brass detail parts, but the ultimate resource (opinion) is PSC (Precision Scale Components). Best to access their catalog and either call or mail order your wants. I've bought many varied parts from them without a problem.

Bob

flanger posted:

These are all productive sources for brass detail parts, but the ultimate resource (opinion) is PSC (Precision Scale Components). Best to access their catalog and either call or mail order your wants. I've bought many varied parts from them without a problem.

 

Bob

Bob the only problem some folks have with going directly to PSC is that for some things they do not always stock their parts... AND to know what they have to offer you need to have a copy of the two brass parts catalogs for locomotives and cars.   Those catalogs are invaluable resources for the hobbyist and they show the depth of the PSC brass (and plastic) parts offerings.   

Of course PSC may have digitized the catalogs and put them online but I haven't looked in a long while so I cannot confirm.

IMHO for running boards, at the current time I believe the Protocraft ones are the best choice since they are easily available and are accurate.

Max if you become a member of the P:48 list someone on there would likely also be able to speak to the best place to get freight car parts.   I'm sure if the list owner Gene Deimling sees this thread he'll chime in since he is a prolific scratchbuilder and an all around helpful guy. 

Contact Pat @ P&D Hobby Shop (586) 296-6116. Ask only for him as he has some new people who may not be as familiar with his stock. Pat is very knowledgeable.

Thanks everyone. 

Rule292 posted:

Bob the only problem some folks have with going directly to PSC is that for some things they do not always stock their parts... AND to know what they have to offer you need to have a copy of the two brass parts catalogs for locomotives and cars.   Those catalogs are invaluable resources for the hobbyist and they show the depth of the PSC brass (and plastic) parts offerings.   

Of course PSC may have digitized the catalogs and put them online but I haven't looked in a long while so I cannot confirm.

I have yet to wait for than a few weeks for parts from PSC and then only rarely.  Maybe I've just been lucky....

Yes, the catalogs are good resource materials - the Steam and Diesel catalogs can be downloaded as pdf files, 77 megs for the former.  I was not able to locate a pdf copy of the Freight car catalog.....

mwb posted:

Rule292 posted:

Bob the only problem some folks have with going directly to PSC is that for some things they do not always stock their parts... AND to know what they have to offer you need to have a copy of the two brass parts catalogs for locomotives and cars.   Those catalogs are invaluable resources for the hobbyist and they show the depth of the PSC brass (and plastic) parts offerings.   

Of course PSC may have digitized the catalogs and put them online but I haven't looked in a long while so I cannot confirm.

I have yet to wait for than a few weeks for parts from PSC and then only rarely.  Maybe I've just been lucky....

Yes, the catalogs are good resource materials - the Steam and Diesel catalogs can be downloaded as pdf files, 77 megs for the former.  I was not able to locate a pdf copy of the Freight car catalog.....

PSC has always been attentive to me also, but I figured it might be worth throwing out alternatives since shipping costs could get astronomical if they have to break the order into multiple shipments.

One problem I see though is that as the molds age the parts are less and less sharp.    PSC parts are and were top notch and having them in brass makes it great for keeping the weight up for plastic and wood cars.   I try to pick up a few more every time I am in Chicago or at a show where I see things I might need for future car projects.

Scanning in the freight car catalog  would be an option but sharing it not so since it's copyrighted...   With the ease of scanning wonder why PSC does not put it on the site.   Perhaps the next time I order something I will mention it to them.

Des Plaines Hobbies might also be able to help. They do list over 750 O scale detail parts on their site. Some are called "ladder", "walkway", "roofwalk" etc. but the search function finds all scales and I'm not expert enough to know what's what. Ron Sebastian at DPH is the "Pat Mucci equivalent" when it comes to O Scale 2 rail parts gurus, so he'll be your best bet to call there. 

Pete  

I must say the people at PSC are just excellent. Always ask if the part you want is in stock. If not, they'll tell you and you may wait 2 weeks to a month for them to cast a new piece, but they always come through.

I've bought a ton of parts from them and never disappointed. You may have to do some filing and finishing on some of the parts, but that is to be expected.

Just my 2 cents.

Ron H

Thank you.

I've found the roof walks on Protocraft; still not sure about the ladders though.

So much help.  I'm working my way through.

Cheers

OK  I'm giving them a go one by one . . .

Protocraft is first cab off the rank . . .

Looks like it's going to be a non-starter. 

I've emailed Norm to see if he has arrangements for overseas customers.

Norm got back to me.

He's making special arrangements - even going to the post office to find out the mailing cost.

How good is that service?  

MaxSouthOz posted:

Norm got back to me.

He's making special arrangements - even going to the post office to find out the mailing cost.

How good is that service?  

Norm has done a whole lot for the hobby in recent years, bringing back things like those "roofwalks.  They were available from Des Plaines Hobbies but their owner is now an S Gauger.   And Norm's interest in accurate decals is second to none in O scale these day.s

If you run into money be sure to come to the states for the Chicago March Meet.  You'll certainly find out how O scale is the king of the empty wallet scales! 

Just reading the posts on here and O Scale Yard Sale make me feel a bit faint, Rob. 

Mind you O scalers seem to be just as helpful as those I found in HO. 

Cheers

Thanks, Richard.

He's now on my list.

I'm currently talking to Ted Schnepf.  It's a bit hard as he has no photos, but we're getting there.

Cheers

Also Max if you like doing freight cars you should try to get a hold of the PSC freight car parts catalog.   Lots of neat stuff in there. 

You might post up things you want snaps of... many of us might have the parts in some dusty box somewhere.

Thanks, Rob.

I think that's Ted's problem.  He has no photos, but I might be able to help if I get the PSC catalog.

In the meantime, I've placed an order with Norm, so I can see first hand what the Protocraft stuff is like.

Cheers

I might need help with a link.

When I Google Precision Scale, it sends me to the Australian site.

This is our link:

http://www.precisionscaleco.com/page1.htm

Here's the link to the catalog page Max:

http://www.precisionscaleco.com/detail.htm

Thanks, Rob.

Maybe I'm being a bit thick, but I can't see the bits I want in there.

The items in the Protocraft order form above are the exact ones.

MaxSouthOz posted:

Thanks, Rob.

Maybe I'm being a bit thick, but I can't see the bits I want in there.

The items in the Protocraft order form above are the exact ones.

Nope it's not you Max!  PSC does not have their freight and passenger car parts catalogs online.  The second link says they do still have some of the print/paper catalogs in stock.   You might consider ordering the catalog,  I'm sure if you wanted to sell it you certainly could given the fact that you have more scratchbuilders on your side of the pond than we have.

Thanks, Rob.

MaxSouthOz posted:

Thanks, Rob.

Quite welcome!  The catalog is a great resource... now if I could just find the stack of paper and boxes that mine is buried underneath!

If you are looking for a top-notch non-brass AB brake set for your freight car underframes the San Juan Car Company one cannot be beat.  It is so well detailed that you can read  W.A.B. Co. Wilmerding PA cast into it. 

Max here is the catalog on eBay...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRECIS...ND-On3-/381539858251

The PSC catalog shows a 40 foot roof walk stainless 3 pieces as A-452.  They also show the same for 50 foot.  It's $5.25 for the set.

For ladders they have, among others, PSH-40835 40 foot AAR box car ladder set; 2 ends and 2 side ladders for $6.50 and A-488 50 foot box car end ladders for $8.

Another option is to find sets of Intermountain roofwalks and end ladders or, better yet, Ultra Scale II fine scale versions of the IM sets.

Allan

Thanks, Allan.

Looks like I'll have to source a catalog.

I bid on that one above on ebay and it's on auto jack up.

Thanks, Dave.

I've got some coming from Norm as per the order form in the earlier post.

I would like to order some from Ted to be fair - and to compare them.

I'm happy to wait until I can get my own copy.  Then I can have a good look at what they have.

Cheers