Lawndale boxcar update & where can we buy grab irons?

Matt Bumgarner · **Posted:** Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:36 pm

Hi All,

I have updated the Alexander Chapter-NRHS's page on our ongoing restoration project of the narrow gauge Lawndale boxcar. As of yesterday, we now have the body of the car painted. One short year ago we were setting the first replacement side sill.

The page is at www.tarheelpress.com/LawndaleBoxcar

Most of the updates are on the second page of the site.

Also, we now need to turn our attention to some of the body parts such as grab irons, etc. Does anyone out there in RYPN-land have a suggestion as to a source?

Thanks!

Matt Bumgarner
Alexander Chapter-NRHS

sbhunterca · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:58 am **Posts:** 728

Unless it's a common size you could obtain from a scrapper, the easiest way to get grab irons would be to have a local blacksmith make them.

Steve Hunter
RMEO
Smiths Falls, Ontario

M Austin · **Joined:** Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:05 am **Posts:** 488

Columbia Forge in Portland, OR makes all the railcar hardware for Gunderson and all the flexible staybolt and diagonal stays for UP844's new firebox.

http://www.columbiaforge.com/

John D · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:28 pm **Posts:** 485

Matt-if you decide to go the blacksmith route, I know of two in your general area. One is in West Jefferson, NC. The other is in Valdese, NC-I met him while attending Boy Scout camp at Camp Grimes with my son last week. He goes by the nickname of "Swede". Let me know if you'd like additional info, and I'll see what I can dig up.

Dave · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:56 am

By all means, work with your local blacksmith - and with luck, he will teach you the craft in the process. It is enjoyable and rewarding work.

dave

Dennis Storzek · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:39 pm

Local blacksmiths may not be able to produce the die forged ends that were typical of railroad hand grabs. These people look like they do a good job, although I have had no experiance dealing with them.

http://www.kdkforging.com/hand_holds.php

SZuiderveen · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:18 pm

American Railcar Industries made me an entire carset of forged hand rails two years ago to retrofit the welded grabs on an European track geometry vehicle.

http://www.americanrailcar.com/SpecialProducts.aspx

I used the ACF catalog from 12-80 to order. I will upload it in two pieces to make the limit. It will also give you a very good idea of their forging die availability, for the ends.

Steve

Dave · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:30 pm

Any blacksmith / machinist worth his salt should be able to make a set of simple forging dies such as would be used for grabiron terminals. Do you know if you even had die-forged end grabs? A sample would provide any necessary dimension and shape estimations.

dave

shaymech · **Posted:** Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:54 am

We purchased some grabirons the other year for one of our freight cars from Pennsylvania Rail Car Company.

1(800)521-2151
http://www.parailcar.com

JohnB
Spencer, NC

Matt Bumgarner · **Posted:** Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:45 pm

Thanks for all the input and sources!

This project is much better off with all the input received from this board, and the input is greatly appreciated.

FYI, grab irons from PA Railcar are less than $15! Now that was a pleasant surprise.

Thanks again.

Matt Bumgarner
Alexander Chapter-NRHS