drumhead housing plans?

David Farlow · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:04 pm

Does anyone have a drawing of a round style drumhead housing as well as the associated brackets? My guess is that these were probably made by a supplier like Pyle National or someone like that. Would such drawings exist with Pullman materials or other railroad files? Any ideas would be appreciated. We'd like to build a replica or two. I'm not looking for the any specific glass or graphics.

My guess is that the cost of an original would be prohibitive.

David Farlow
Whitewater Valley Railroad

Ron Muldowney · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:24 pm

Dave, there is or was a company - McDonald? in Iowa that used to make up the metal drumhead cases. I have seen a number of them over the years. They may still be in business. I know that many collectors have their original glass in the reproduction cans. I will look through my records to see if I can find any better information for you.

Ron Muldowney
M&M Enterprises

Bobk · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:26 pm

Fred Hill of the Whistle Stop in Pasadena California has had these made in the past. Perhaps he has plans, drawings or a contact number. Check the internet or the directory for the Whistle Stop listing. Do your Christams shopping there while your at it.

bob K

mincy21 · **Joined:** Thu Nov 09, 2006 10:25 am **Posts:** 125

Ozark Mountain Railcar sells the new cans and signs, their number is 417-336-2401

Doug Debs 2472 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:37 am

Paul McDonald makes drumhead signs (the replaceable, back-illuminated round glass/plastic piece) and the illuminated metal cans. You can get the cans with the bracket to hang on an observation car railing, or without the bracket for wall display. Paul has patterns for many historic train drumhead signs. In spring 2007, Paul made the one-of-a-kind drumhead sign for parlor-observation car Yosemite Valley 330. (Historian Jack Burgess - author of "Trains to Yosemite" - supplied the artwork, based on B&W photos of the original sign, plus a hand-tinted color postcard of "Valley View", the classic photo of Yosemite Valley with Bridelveil Falls and El Capitan.) It looks great both day and night.

From http://www.railroadiana.org/info/pgPartsRestorationCleaning.php
Paul McDonald
895 Prospect Blvd.
Waterloo, IA 50701
319-233-0545

Highly recommended!
- Doug Debs