Yarmouth Model Works

Pierre Oliver's (of TMTV fame) company:

http://www.yarmouthmodelworks.com/index.php/ModelDetailParts/LaddersAndRungs

Yarmouth is an advertiser

thank you gentlemen

an order has been placed and a good word was put in for MRH.

No not the infamous Futurama

No not the infamous Futurama Bender....

Good as the Yarmouth ladders are, you will need an etch bender to fully realize their potential and make them easy to use. 

See  https://www.google.com/search?q=bender+site:model-railroad-hobbyist.com&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=rRuDsjsgmzOPuM%253A%252CG3xpKzuCZS8t-M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSL3Vn3P-ZWEWXbmKb7yO9zAI6WVQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj59PO2teHpAhUEUKwKHVp9BrAQ9QEwAnoECAoQBw#imgrc=rRuDsjsgmzOPuM:

for a selection of benders on MRH

Also after such a good plug....Pierre would you be interested in producing an etch of 2 part SP Caboose ladder stiles. Annealing and bending tiny brass strip is a pain.

Black Cat ladders

Black Cat Decals (also an MRH advertiser) has a number of etched ladders available with 7,8 and 9 rung options.  They are nicely rendered and I recommend them.  Black Cat Etchings 

Marc Simpson

Taurus Products

Given that Rick is a current day modeler, he needs 5-rung ladders too.  Taurus Products sold those.  I have a pack but haven't used them.  Don't know if you need a bender or not.

Scott Chatfield

Thanks....lots of good info

I'm going to look into everything for future reference and it is much appreciated. I did purchase a bender https://thesmallshop.com/collections/frontpage/products/sms001-2-inch-mini-hold-fold and this going to be a new adventure for me. If my trash hauling high side gondolas don't end up in the trash can themselves I'll post some pictures....gonna be a couple more weeks.

benders

I must say I have learned something about working with photo-etched parts in this discussion.  I too have ordered a bender, as my current project involves reworking a 12 pack of 90's era MDC 2 bay covered hoppers with Plano walkways.  I have been hesitant to bend the walkway supports with a pair of needle nosed pliers, because I have doubts that I could do a consistent job on them.  A bender will absolutely help.

Thanks!

A DIY bender in case anyone needs it....

Just one of the many videos out there on them from one of the guys I sub to on YT

Okay, while we're on the subject... McKean coal hopper ladders

Does anyone know where the best replacements for the ridiculously thick end ladders on the old McKean / Concor "Greenville" coal hoppers? I was thinking about the Yarmouth stuff but with almost 50 cars, that is one heck of a lot of soldering, cursing and resoldering. So, the black cat stuff looked promising, but that would be $400. I guess for slightly better look on those cars, it would be worth it?

Brass ladders

Walthers used to sell stamped brass ladder stock for signal masts.  While we are discussing brass ladders, anybody still sell that stuff?

Covered Hopper End Cage Etchings Needed

I would love to see someone develop end cage etchings for common covered hopper kits such as the Bowser and InterMountain 1958 cu foot  ACF hoppers that were introduced in the late 1940's and were in service throughout the rest of the 20th century and beyond. The only one I have seen is for a Canadian high volume covered hopper. 3D printing does not seem to have developed this type of replacement parts yet with the strength that an etch in solid flat brass would have. 

I have tried to design in the CAD medium with at least 6 different apps and have not been able to manipulate shapes in any of the CAD API's.  Eye hand coordination problem.