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Athearn Plastic Handrails Locos and rolling stock
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Regular poster 419 posts Jamnest Regular poster 419 posts
Jamnest

I am having a lot of trouble keeping Athearn plastic hand rails on my locomotives.  I have an operating layout so they do get some handling.  I would like to glue them on with some type of adhesive.  Any ideas?

Jim

Modeling the Kansas City Southern (fall 1981 - spring 1982) HO scale

 
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duckdogger Super User 808 posts
duckdogger

Athearn Handrails

Presuming you are referring to the later production Athearn Genesis and RTR Celcon molded handrails. My experience has been most fit well and are easily reinserted into the locating hole if dislodged. But there are occasions when they will not seat for whatever reason.

I looked for recommended adhesives at several sites but did not find one. I have had success with solvent cements such as Tenax and The Same a Stuff. The critical step is applying the adhesive sparingly. If all else fails there are medium viscosity CA cements. I have resorted to these on Kato locos where the horizontal handrail section has to join the vertical rail (typically at the steps).

I find painting them more of a challenge unless using a plastic prep such as sold by Microscale.
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,956 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

caution: Locktite 770 primer

Dear ??? I'd advise extreme caution as the following had worked really well, and is a permanent solution, but try Locktite 770 poly olefin primer in conjunction with ACC. This had allowed me to glue Grandt Line delrin components to metal and use them for active driveshaft systems (actually driving an On30 logging loco).. Alternatively, if you are very very very comfy doing precise manual work, you could heat weld them in place from below/underneath the frame with a tiny tipped soldering iron... Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr
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duckdogger Super User 808 posts
duckdogger

Heat welding

I like this suggestion but where would you apply the heat? The handrails fit into the plastic body and can sufficient heat be applied without damage to the visible surfaces of the walkway area?
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,956 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Access from the back, underneath the walkway...

Dear Duck,

A quick inspection of my HH-era Ath SW1500s suggests the handrail staunchion mounting pins are just accessible from under the walkway, behind the "sidesill".
(IE always apply the heat from away-from the visible surfaces,
jus like you'd apply ACC to glue diesel-hood handrails/grabs from inside the shell...)

As noted, it would take a metric boxcar load of courage and steady-hand to confidently take-on,
but then again I reliably and reproducibly
- heat-weld Kadee #5 draftgear boxes/coupler-assemblies together,
- assembled celecon Steam-Era-Models "Auto-CouplerII"s into one-piece On30 disconnect couplers,
​- have heat-welded Caboose Industries ground throws to PECO and Shinohara turnout throwbars,
- and have used the same techniques to assemble GrandtLine delrin and MDC driveline components,
(Climax and Shay Uni-sleeve-Uni sets respectively),
- repaired split B'mann geared-loco bevel gears,
("welding" the material back to whole makes for quite a solid repaired assembly)
- and mount kitbashed celecon handrails in thru-body holes in diesel shells, 

all using my trusty 25w pencil iron....

Guess it's just a skill I picked up, and feel comfy with.
If I can get the soldering-iron tip in where it needs to be, 
I can apply just enough heat to do the job...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
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