I am looking for a source for  .016 inch Brass (not Bronze) Rod/Wire. K&S apparently no longer makes it and Detail Associates supplies for #2504 or #@2505 Brass Wire seem to be no longer available.  Tichy Bronze wire is not as easily worked with to create shape of the 1" diameter caboose handrails I am working on.  I could go oversize and use K&S .020 brass rod but even that is hard to find these days. 1/64 or .0156 would be good too. 

When I search with Google all I get are sales pitches for 1/16 brass rod.  

K&S used to make a .016 inch rod product with a  SKU #815045 but it is no longer listed on their website. Hobbytown lists it but as in-store only and I live in California. 

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Ken Adams
Covid Variants may come and go but I choose to still live mostly in splendid Shelter In Place solitude
Location: About half way up Walnut Creek
Owner PlasticFreightCarBuilders@groups.io

Ken,

Try Precision Scale #4869.

John Bopp
Farmington Hills MI
Modeling the Nineteen Aughts

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I know you're looking for straight wire, but coiled brass wire is readily available and inexpensive. You can straighten coiled wire by cutting a piece, gently running through your fingers to take most of the curve out, clamping one end in a vice , grasping the other end with pliers, and pulling hard enough to stretch the wire.  This straightens and work hardens the wire.
.016 = 26 ga. = 0.4 mm wire and is readily available in craft-type hobby stores or online.

But I'd suggest using the phosphor bronze wire for freestanding handrails. The material is stiffer, stronger, and springier, less likely to be damaged in service. If you're having trouble bending, you can anneal the spot to be bent. 
Jack Mullen