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Post by slowfreight on Dec 27, 2018 10:14:40 GMT -8
I have about half a dozen box car projects on the bench. Some need high-mount brake wheel and retainer valve. Some need low-mount. Most need under-car brake rigging.
What do you like to use for kitbashing parts sources when you don't want to scrap out an entire car for brake parts?
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Post by fr8kar on Dec 27, 2018 19:03:24 GMT -8
Moloco has some good brake mechanisms covering several styles along with some nice bellcrank parts. I prefer Kadee for brakewheels, but Moloco's aren't too bad. The Tichy AB set is good for cast reservoirs and brake cylinders, and there are some levers you might find useful in there. I end up making my own levers most of the time using styrene strip. The linkage and slack adjusters I make from styrene rod once I have all the other components in place.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Dec 27, 2018 19:25:07 GMT -8
I like to use plastic Cal Scale 190-494 brake levers which come 12 to a set. For the brake lines, I just cut my own from wire.  For air hoses, Cal Scale 190-276 pack of 20:  Or Kadee 438:  For the retainer valve and other AB brake parts, it is hard to go wrong with the Tichy 3013 brake set.  |
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Post by edgecrusher on Dec 28, 2018 6:56:20 GMT -8
I've been eyeing this set for a while, it looks really well thought out. And you get enough parts for two cars.
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Post by roadkill on Dec 28, 2018 6:57:56 GMT -8
If you can find them HiTech Details makes some nice unbreakable rubber train line hoses.
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Post by slowfreight on Dec 28, 2018 7:00:58 GMT -8
Thanks for the suggestions. I have some of the Tichy. I'm definitely interested in the Moloco parts, but they're out of stock everywhere. That's why I was curious what other options people found. I emailed Moloco to see if he has plans to rerun them.
The high-mount parts still seem to be toughest to find without cannibalizing, and bell cranks are that missing detail most manufacturers skip but becomes really noticeable when you're adding cut levers.
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Post by craigz on Dec 28, 2018 7:26:35 GMT -8
Kadee parts give you the high mount wheel. The rod/chain/bellcrank are one piece so some ingenuity is needed to mount them but hey, that's modeling  |
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Post by lajrmdlr on Dec 28, 2018 9:47:21 GMT -8
Slowfreight some of the brake components you want to add are era specific, or are you doing multiple eras?
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Post by slowfreight on Dec 28, 2018 13:45:26 GMT -8
Kadee parts give you the high mount wheel. The rod/chain/bellcrank are one piece so some ingenuity is needed to mount them but hey, that's modeling But I think I can only get it by cannibalizing a kit. They don't catalog it separately, as nice as it is. Sadly, I hear back from Nick Molo today that he won't be rerunning the brake systems in the near future. Those bell cranks are just tough to source right now. As far as my eras, I model the late 70s, so I have a mix of post-war and modern cars in the fleet. For the cars that I've modeled, I haven't needed anything older than an AB system. |
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Post by markfj on Dec 28, 2018 16:21:59 GMT -8
For brake parts, I use mostly Branchline. When this company was making freight car kits, these parts sprues were offered for sale separately. But now that Atlas owns the tooling I don’t believe these parts are available. You could always call Atlas and ask.  I got a pretty sizable collection of Branchline parts from an eBay seller who was offering incomplete kits for something like $12 for four kits. I’m glad I jumped on that deal! Another option, depending on what era you’re modeling is to try Tangent or ExactRail. Tangent has brake parts listed for their X58 boxcar, but for some reason they didn’t put all the brake parts on one sprue. So, you have to buy parts you may not need to get all the brake components. However, Tangent parts are nice! Below is a comparison shot of a Tangent X58 and a Rail Yard Models X58 kit that is in process. The RYM kit uses the Tichy brake parts shown in the post above and custom etched parts.  Finally, I’ve included a shot of a Furnaro & Camerlengo kit I build not too long ago. This is a resin kit of a Pennsy X29B boxcar. For the brake details I used Branchline and Tichy parts. The brake details supplied with the kit were pretty much worthless. F&C use to include Tichy parts in their kits, but I believe they stopped doing that a while ago. None of the F&C kits I bought recently had Tichy parts in them.    That’s too bad that Moloco isn’t going to run more brake parts soon; they’re really nice. I would like to see someone pick up the slack and offer brake wheel housings (other than Ajax). I need a bunch of Equipco 4000 housings and Moloco only includes one on each sprue. Thanks, Mark J. |
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Post by slowfreight on Dec 28, 2018 17:21:57 GMT -8
For brake parts, I use mostly Branchline. When this company was making freight car kits, these parts sprues were offered for sale separately. <SNIP> Finally, I’ve included a shot of a Furnaro & Camerlengo kit I build not too long ago. This is a resin kit of a Pennsy X29B boxcar. For the brake details I used Branchline and Tichy parts. The brake details supplied with the kit were pretty much worthless. Thanks, Mark J. Mark J, I'm actually snagging some Branchline parts to finish the current kitbash on my bench, and I did exactly what you did with my 3 X29 kits. I threw out everything from F&C, and used Tichy, DW, Kadee, and Plano parts to get them done. But I hadn't thought of looking more closely at the Tangent parts. I will have to check them out. Your stuff is looking very nice, especially the X29...you should post your in-progress shots more often. |
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Post by talltim on Dec 29, 2018 3:53:07 GMT -8
I’ve been looking at similar parts recently, it seems a pity that nearly all the parts that I need from Tangent, Moloco and Exactrail are now out of stock. It’s a pity Nick won’t be re-running his. This thread has been useful, thanks everyone. While I’m here can anyone recommend an alternative for the Exactrail 4 rung ladder? exactrail.com/products/details-ladder-4-rung Most of the other options I’ve seen look a bit chunky. |
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Post by slowfreight on Dec 29, 2018 6:57:42 GMT -8
talltim, the best I have found is to cut down Kadee parts. They are at least of fine cross-section and easy to find.
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Post by thebessemerkid on Dec 29, 2018 10:24:11 GMT -8
Arrowhead appears to be ready to do brake appliance kits, among other items arrowheadmodels.comExcellent timing! |
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Post by talltim on Dec 30, 2018 6:18:00 GMT -8
Been back to look at the Tangent site, I’d completely missed the fact that as well as the parts page there are also parts pages for individual models.
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Post by autocoach on Dec 31, 2018 10:59:43 GMT -8
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Post by drolsen on Jan 1, 2019 9:48:21 GMT -8
I’m a big fan of the Detail Associates 6247 Modern Brake Set (for ‘80s and ‘90s era cars) because of all the small components that it includes. It has parts to cover just about every brake component on the prototype, including some small parts that aren’t replicated on most models. It’s really unfortunate that DA seems to be fading away, and it’s really hard to find their parts now.
Dave
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Post by craigz on Jan 3, 2019 5:32:23 GMT -8
Kadee parts give you the high mount wheel. The rod/chain/bellcrank are one piece so some ingenuity is needed to mount them but hey, that's modeling But I think I can only get it by cannibalizing a kit. They don't catalog it separately, as nice as it is. Sadly, I hear back from Nick Molo today that he won't be rerunning the brake systems in the near future. Those bell cranks are just tough to source right now. As far as my eras, I model the late 70s, so I have a mix of post-war and modern cars in the fleet. For the cars that I've modeled, I haven't needed anything older than an AB system. They don't list it but they DO sell it. Call them. I've bought a number of "non cataloged' parts. Kadee will sell you literally any part that they make if they have it in stock. When I built a New Haven 50' orange car w/ black appliances using the Kadee 50' PS-1, I wanted all the appliances (details) to be molded in black and not painted...paint on delrin and all that. I called them (and they are very kind people to deal with) and told them what I wanted. Had the parts in hand a few days later. Heck, if you see them making a run of a car of which you want multiples, call them...a buddy here had half a dozen hoppers (Kadee's minimum order) made without road numbers but all other printing as normal. So seriously. Grab that old fashioned communications device, dial the number, and speak  |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Jan 3, 2019 5:54:45 GMT -8
craigz,
Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. I've read these types of comments ("Pick up the phone and call them!!!!") in the past and feel they are a little unfair. A lot of us who are in the full time workforce are not able to place personal phone calls during the work day, either due to working out in the field away from a phone, or due to working in open concept offices surrounded by bored and nosey co-workers and managers within earshot. Many employers take a very dim view to making personal phone calls during the work day, especially long distance calls. Everybody who hears makes at least a mental note that personal calls are being placed and it's the sort of thing managers love to put on performance reviews. Those with cell phones could try and find a quiet/private space to make personal calls but it isn't easy when you work in a busy downtown office setting, for example. And by the time we get home from work, most business offices are closed for the day. They are also not open weekends. So placing phone calls for product inquiries such as being discussed here is not as simple as you suggest.
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Post by markfj on Jan 3, 2019 7:25:42 GMT -8
I think Craig’s point was that Kadee does sell non cataloged parts to the public. That’s very useful information to someone like me who has a significant number of Kadee cars.
I need some replacement grab irons for a Maine Central car. Kadee doesn’t list green grab irons on their website, so I might give them a call.
Thanks, Mark
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Post by gevohogger on Jan 3, 2019 7:41:19 GMT -8
A lot of us who are in the full time workforce are not able to place personal phone calls during the work day, either due to working out in the field away from a phone, or due to working in open concept offices surrounded by bored and nosey co-workers and managers within earshot. LOL Or prying and unapproving railroad supervisory types! |
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Post by riogrande on Jan 3, 2019 9:03:00 GMT -8
Those with cell phones could try and find a quiet/private space to make personal calls but it isn't easy when you work in a busy downtown office setting, for example. Right - inconvenient but not impossible say during a lunch break. Who doesn't have a cell phone these days? My wife and I worked with some homeless people to help them out last year and by gosh, they all had smart phones. |
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Post by slowfreight on Jan 3, 2019 11:42:20 GMT -8
craigz/SD40dash2, in the interest of keeping the hobby fun, I'm going to place tongue firmly in cheek and "disagree" with both of you.
I used that 90s-era technology and emailed Kadee, and I got a response yesterday that full high-mount brake sets are available for special order. Sam said he would have to get back to me about ordering the modernized ladder set. Now I need to take a best guess at what I would need.
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Post by drolsen on Jan 3, 2019 13:16:28 GMT -8
Two years ago, I wanted to order a Kadee 50’ PS-1 and a second body shell so that I could kitbash a GTW car that was rebuilt with a raised roof. Haven’t gotten around to it yet, but my plan is to cut the roof off one and add the roof plus the additional height from the second shell. I emailed Kadee, and Sam, who I’ve corresponded with a few times, said that I could just put a note in my order requesting the additional shell, and they would add it to my order:
Sam has always responded to my emails pretty quickly.
Dave
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Post by slowfreight on Jan 3, 2019 16:49:32 GMT -8
Two years ago, I wanted to order a Kadee 50’ PS-1 and a second body shell so that I could kitbash a GTW car that was rebuilt with a raised roof. Haven’t gotten around to it yet, but my plan is to cut the roof off one and add the roof plus the additional height from the second shell. I emailed Kadee, and Sam, who I’ve corresponded with a few times, said that I could just put a note in my order requesting the additional shell, and they would add it to my order: Sam has always responded to my emails pretty quickly. Dave It's just so refreshing to deal with someone who actually wants to get my business when I want to buy something. Atlas and Athearn struggle to understand that some of us will pay money for parts. |
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Post by craigz on Jan 4, 2019 5:45:06 GMT -8
craigz/SD40dash2, in the interest of keeping the hobby fun, I'm going to place tongue firmly in cheek and "disagree" with both of you. I used that 90s-era technology and emailed Kadee, and I got a response yesterday that full high-mount brake sets are available for special order. Sam said he would have to get back to me about ordering the modernized ladder set. Now I need to take a best guess at what I would need. Email? Now that's just crazy talk... I called because I wanted to ask them what was available and because I thought my request was, um, weird in asking for very specific colors. Proved to be a good choice as I had to refer to another specific model they'd done (eg, the ACL 50' black boxcar)...was just easier to do on the phone. |
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Post by tangentsm on Jan 9, 2019 9:53:13 GMT -8
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Post by talltim on Jan 11, 2019 4:04:56 GMT -8
Thanks David. I've actually been looking at the ones for the PRR G43 Gons as the end ladders are slightly narrower and fit between the ribs on the side of my car. As soon as I work out what hand brake type I need I'll be putting in an order PS are you likely to re-run the Cushion underframe lift bars?
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Post by tangentsm on Jan 11, 2019 11:02:48 GMT -8
Thanks David. I've actually been looking at the ones for the PRR G43 Gons as the end ladders are slightly narrower and fit between the ribs on the side of my car. As soon as I work out what hand brake type I need I'll be putting in an order PS are you likely to re-run the Cushion underframe lift bars?
TallTim, Thank you for your question. The answer is yes. Stay tuned to our website which is always current! Best wishes, David Lehlbach Tangent Scale Models |
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Post by elfan on Apr 28, 2022 17:20:28 GMT -8
I like to use plastic Cal Scale 190-494 brake levers which come 12 to a set. For the brake lines, I just cut my own from wire. For air hoses, Cal Scale 190-276 pack of 20: Or Kadee 438: For the retainer valve and other AB brake parts, it is hard to go wrong with the Tichy 3013 brake set. Does the Tichy sprue include a bell crank and chain ? I think I see a chain casting but I’ll be darned if I see a bell crank. I’m in need of ten bellcrank/chain assemblies to detail the ends of five cabooses. If not the Tichy set, are there any other suggestions? I seem to remember using an INtermountain brake spruce in the past, not totally sure, but I didn’t see it listed on their site any longer as a separate item. Tom |
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