I have a Indrestral layout and was woundering what is the best way to model the setup espically in briges (preferably w/out powering the locos off the overhead). That and for the risers whats the best way and how would one get them to rise and fall to the track ( I have some grades). Many thanks to all that answer.
My quess is you would have to custom cut each power pole,for your overhead wires. I know nothing about overhead trolley type power sorces.
P.S Great screen name, I do miss salmon fishing in up state NY.
Patrick
Beaufort,SC
Dragon River Steel Corp {DRSC}
The simplest way to run trolley wire is to cut lengths of 1/8" (in HO) brass pole to use as trolley poles and string simple overhead. A pole on each side of the track every 10-12" or so (more often on curves) with a support wire between them to hold up the actual trolley wire. Overhead would of course continue on bridges or other overhead structures–sometimes there would be a basket under the top of bridges or tunnels to catch the trolley pole in case of a dewiring while on the bridge or in the tunnel, this can be modeled with 1/4" brass U-channel. Grades are fairly simple–just angle the wire upwards to follow the grade. While you’ll have to do a little careful planning to get the wire to follow your grades accurately, there is a little “give” on trolley poles and pantographs that will be fairly forgiving–just make sure there isn’t enough slack to cause a trolley pole to hop off the wire (pantographs don’t have this problem) because of too big a gap between the wire and the ground.
http://www.trolleyville.com has some good clinic articles on overhead wire.
Thanks again for tha answers, I changed becouse i could’nt remember how to get back on so thank you. The name isn’t becouse I like fishing (its a blast) Its part of my railroad’s story.
The basket (or sometimes a trough, like an inverted rain gutter) mentioned in Jetrock’s post would be used when the collector was a trolley pole, either shoe or wheel variety. It isn’t used for pantograph pickup because nothing short of a derailment will ever de-wire a pan.
Incidentally, an industrial freight operation would be much more likely to use a pantograph, which is bi-directional, rather than poles, which don’t back worth beans. Also, pantographs have much higher current ratings, so are more appropriate for units with powerful traction motors. Poles were typically used by streetcars and lightweight interurban passenger cars that didn’t pull trailers.
One thing to consider is that overhead wire will make access to the track under it more difficult. It would be a good idea to build your layout with ordinary 2-rail wiring, then operate without wire until you are sure that your trackwork is absolutely bulletproof.
Some of our Japanese friends who model electric rail operations install all of the infrastructure (substation, catenary bridges etc.) but omit the wire, settling for locking their pantographs at a uniform level low enough to clear anything overhead. I am leaning in that direction myself, since I will have a rather complex yard/passenger station throat under wire at the down end of the Tomikawa station.
Chuck (who operates a variety of catenary motors and EMU’s, all with pantographs)
Ah. See I live in snoqualmie and in that small yard (two sidings and the main) there is an ither CP or CN electric loco with a plow attached. It is equiped with the wheel dealie (technical term) on the roof. Come up some time and see what we got. Don’t forget to anoy James in the book store (former mens lounge).[#welcome]
I am still debating whether or not to do overhead on my own layout, since the eventual idea is to run both diesel and electric freight locomotives. It would be nice, and looks good, but it’s a pain to work with, and I kind of dread trying to reach into my yard through four lines of overhead without severing the trolley wire, a support wire, or a finger! Just mounting the poles might help promote the appearance of wire, or I can just tell people “The wire is next!”
Although if I don’t do wire, I won’t be able to use Orr turnouts for the trolley-only sections of the line…hm.
I would run line to evrywhere but that yard and then try one track at a time. if the worst that can happon is you don’t like it or can’t finish and you take it out, leaving the poles. The old Milwalkee line up by North Bend still has a few old poles stabbing into the blackberry belt (I could make a narrow guage line on that {sorry sidetracked})
Where in North Bend is the Milwaukee electric route? I go fly fishing on the Snoqualmie and the Yakima… and always have breakfast at Twiggy’s… (just moved here last year). I actually used the Snoqualmie falls as my model for my falls (see previous post last week with pictures), especially that brown black (?volcanic) rock! Hmmmm. Time to go railfanning on the way to fly fishing…WOOHOO my two favorite things – trains AND fishing (besides playing with my kids!)
Brian
Its not hard to find, exit in North Bend, heading twords Mt.Si. Go into the origional town. and turn right after crossing the tracks, then take the left onto the street just after the chevy dealership. drive down and park ( I reomend the Libary) walk down the street (away from the dealership)and the hump in the street with the gravel path to the ither side is all thats left. It starts just outside Snoqualmie and I think runs up to the old tunnel. there are some pices of track butied in crossings , some ties left, a few poles, concreate bases, bridges and lots of placks.Good luck fishing![tup]
I don’t think its volcanic, I’ve climbed down there and most things near the spray are coated in a slimy moss. In washington you just never know.
Hey S&G,
Thanks for the good wishes… haven’t had as nearly much time fishing this summer as I wanted… work seems to get in the way (LOL… only 20years until retirement!) As for the rock, yes, I am not sure either what it is… so black/dark brown it is really unique. Kind of fun to model 
Anyway, I will have to explore those old tracks…
Brian
Assuming that Orr turnouts are the single point buried in the pavement variety (or possibly two points buried in the pavement) it shold be possible to isolate the points and closure rails from each other by judicious use of gaps (possibly requiring a change to an insulated throw bar as well.) Then you end up with the equivalent of an ‘electrofrog’ turnout, meaning that you have to arrange to power the frog from the throw mechanism (or from some form of route selection circuit if this is a spring or loose points-trailing point moves only’ situation.)
On a club layout I once visited there was a single point turnout built up from raw rail imbedded in the (real!) concrete street. It was wired for 2 rail DC, gapped just like an ordinary turnout on ties and ballast.
Chuck (who has two spring switches in service on once and future hidden track)