A couple reasons for that…
First is that one end of the handrail attaches to the pilot, and the other end attaches to the cab. Both of these are separate pieces from the deck. Other reason is that it makes it easier to paint the handrails a different color from the rest of the engine. Also, it would make any potential repairs or replacement easier. So, um, three reasons. 
Ric Golding said:
Ray,What is the reason that you wanted the stanchions and railings to be removable?
Ray Dunakin said:
A couple reasons for that...So, um, three reasons.
…md
Ray you have so much patience you should open a hospital. I think I have determined the primary difference between Rays model building technic and Mine: Rays:
(http://www.mobilewhack.com/images/scalpel.jpg)
Mine:
…grinning…
LOL!
Say, David, what the heck is your avatar anyway? hehe
I can’t make out what that thing is?
Sort of looks like some robotic screwball rooster or something, no? LOL
And Ray, waiting to see some more updates
K, thanx…md
Victor Smith said:
Ray you have so much patience you should open a hospital.I think I have determined the primary difference between Rays model building technic and Mine:
Rays:
Mine:
BTW, I loved that second movie there when I seen it decades back in the drive-in hehe
Everyone would honk their horns and all, specially when it was sooo rude with the guy chasing the poor wheel chair dude around LOL
They don’t make good funny movies like that anymore, now they just go out of their way to completely gross you out with blood and gore.
Not that that was exactly Romper Room or anything LOL
…md
Haven’t had as much time as usual for modeling lately but I am making a little progress… I finished the handrails along the sides of the engine. Here are a few shots with the handrails temporarily installed. (The fuel tank, air tanks and a few other items have been removed.):
(http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion_files/Media/IMG_1883c/IMG_1883c.jpg)
(http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion_files/Media/IMG_1884c/IMG_1884c.jpg)
In this photo you can see the “cabinets” that form the raised part of the deck, behind the cab:
(http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion_files/Media/IMG_1881/IMG_1881.jpg)
I still have to make the handrails and other details for the ends of the pilots:
(http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion_files/Media/IMG_1882/IMG_1882.jpg)
I used brass tubing to make “sockets” for the handrails to plug into where they connect to the pilot:
(http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion_files/Media/IMG_1895c/IMG_1895c.jpg)
Here’s a close up photo of the new, larger smokestack, and the bell with air ringer. The bell has already been painted but is not yet glued in place: http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion_files/Media/IMG_1893/IMG_1893.jpgv Well, that’s all for now. It’s getting close to the finish line!
Nice work!
Very nice!
fantastic detail Ray. I like the tubing mounts for the rail.
WWOOOOWWW!!!
Fantastic detailing!
Ray, great progress. I’m getting so used to looking at your work, I’m loosing the impact of the size compared to what it was. I don’t guess you’ve got another RS3 laying around for a comparison?
Looking real sharp, Ray… Great work…
I got the superstructure (cab and hoods) painted. Still have to add lettering, then weather it. Once that’s done, I can install the “glass” in the windows:
(http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion_files/Media/IMG_1901/IMG_1901.jpg)
The main color is Rustoleum Gloss Enamel burgandy. The handrails and pilots will be “school bus yellow”, using Rustoleum’s “inverted marking paint”. The steps and deck are gloss black:
(http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion_files/Media/IMG_1906/IMG_1906.jpg)
I used 1/24th scale diamond treadplate for the steps and deck. The only current source for this is Don Mills Models, which specializes in custom model trucks. Here’s a link in case anyone’s interested: http://www.donmillsmodels.com/main/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=183&category_id=25&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=73 That’s all for now.
Ray:
Spectacular modeling!
Thanks for the link to Don Mills: Very interesting stuff. When freelancing, even to a specific scale, who is to say exactly what size a handle or diamond plate should be? As an example, his “15 to 25 ton drum winch” could easily be a 10 to 15 ton winch in 1:20 scale.
As I posted before, I can’t wait to see the locomotive at work on your mountain RR!
Part of my interest is because I am a native of SD County (Ramona, then East San Diego), and spent many days & nights in the east county deserts and along or near the SDA&E in the 1950s & early 1960s.
Happy RRing,
Jerry
Superb!!!
Thats looking awsome Ray.
