GP38 and SD35 Handrail interchangeability

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've been looking for a set of black Atlas GP38 handrails for ages now. I'm in a classic Ed Kapuscinski bind: I bought a cheap used engine that I thought would be a "quick and easy rehab" (see my NW2 thread... https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=41498.0).

I got a $35 DCC equipped PC GP38 at a show a few years back. Hot damn, right?

Well... it was great, until I found out it ran like a coffee grinder and was missing one of the handrails on the side I couldn't see.

Still, easy fixes, right? Well, the mech is an easy one.

Finding the replacement handrail? Not so much. I don't want to completely redo them (I'll admit, I'm chicken), and don't want something that stands out. That means I need to find the replacement part from Atlas, which is, apparently, made of unobtanium.

I tried the next best thing: find something similar and hope it might work. In this case, Atlas had a set of SD35 handrails on their eBay site with cheap S&H so I grabbed them to try.

Close, but no cigar.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

I wanted to share this with you all in case you wanted to try something similar.

Also, if anyone is looking for a set of SD35 handrails, let me know, I've got a set available.

[ns737]

I mite have one for that side. I will have to look as I have many boxs of parts to look thru

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Awesome! That'd be rad. If you find it let me know what you'd want for it.

[ns737]

the cost of a stamp

[jjb62556]

If he doesn't have one I have a set for the Atlas GP38/40 I can send you....

[POVC]

Don't know if they still do, but Atlas used to sell handrail sets for most locomotives.  Only problem I had when I tried to find some replacement ones was they only came in black, which didn't work for me but is fortunately what you're looking for.

I managed to get the orange ones I was looking for to replace a missing one on a Chessie locomotive by contacting the Atlas repair tech, who was able to get me the one I needed.

Tim

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Don't know if they still do, but Atlas used to sell handrail sets for most locomotives.  Only problem I had when I tried to find some replacement ones was they only came in black, which didn't work for me but is fortunately what you're looking for.

I managed to get the orange ones I was looking for to replace a missing one on a Chessie locomotive by contacting the Atlas repair tech, who was able to get me the one I needed.

Tim

Yeah. That's what I had been counting on. But they haven't been available whenever I think to go look.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

the cost of a stamp

I'm in!

I'll shoot you a PM.

[peteski]

Did you check https://www.ebay.com/str/thattrainplace

[C855B]

Did you check https://www.ebay.com/str/thattrainplace

I'm sure he did. I checked, too, and nothing. Plenty of HO GP38 handrails, provided he had his shrinkray handy.   

[ns737]

i sent you a mess.

[ns737]

will be in the mail in the morning.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You're the man!