Tichy makes nice formed Phos-Bronze wire grab irons for O scale. But they're not at all visually direct replacements for the IM molded plastic grabs. Admittedly, the IM grabs...the thin plastic bar between the two end brackets...is the weakest part. But removing that bar completely, leaving the brackets remaining (as on the 1:1), would not be a project for the faint-of-heart.
Re the corner steps... Scale City Designs has some die cast white metal ones. Precision Scale has corner steps. Tichy and Grandt Line are typically molded plastic, as are the IM ones. OTOH, there are purveyors of small x-section flat brass stock (e.g., Detail Associates) which can be formed appropriately and inserted into drilled holes w/drop of CA into the car floor...then painted to match.
I feel your pain...common to the hobby...'Where do you grab to handle? How do you safely store?'
Maintenance. Gotta love it.
KD
