Have you read the Keystone Modeler articles on building catenary? They are designed for HO, but might give you some ideas.
For P-5’s you could build a master body and cast them out of resin. For a real treat try the streamlined version.
Here is another idea. Build the towers out of brass and have decals made that look like the wires of catenary. Then use thin clear styrene for the “catenary” with the wire decal applied. You get the lacy look without the soldering. you just wouldn’t be able to use it for power or signaling. Position the “wire” at a standard height, the adjust the pantographs so they are about 1/8 to 1/16 in shorter, so they skim just below the “wire”. You could try a section by drawing catenary on clear plastic with a Sharpie or a drafting pen.
With the advent of the Kato GG-1, I’d be on the lookout for smaller manufacturers like TrainCat or BLMA to offer PRR-style cat poles. This model is obviously enormously popular, and I think that as they are now hitting the streets, there will be a clamoring for a supporting cast of characters.
Once the cat poles are available, the whole range of NEC equipment becomes fair game for N scale manufacturers. Bachmann has already given us the ancient and venerable Metroliner, and might be inspired to re-work and re-issue a new one, They also make an E-60 which could stand some updating as well, and Acela trains in N scale.
Atlas has done the AEM-7 in HO and O scales, so they have the information to do one in N. That would leave the earlier PRR boxcabs to do, and the big E-44’s and E-33’s for freight service.
I think the key to opening the floodgates on these items will be a reasonably priced, easy to install catenary system.
Some other kitbashing options you could consider for the FF2 are the MicroAce or Kato models of the JNR EF11 ELs.
This is the MicroAce EF11 which is currently available - note the overhanging roof eaves at the cabs, similar to the style of the FF2. Also the pony truck wheels are a little further inboard than those of the EF16. Incidentally, Tomix also make an N scale EF16, which might be easier to find than the Kato model. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could always try your hand on the World Kougei etched brass kit.
Just for interest, here are some pages showing a variety of JNR electrics in N scale:
I think you would hard-pressed to find a commercial mechanism to kitbash a P5a from, I cannot think of any Japanese or European loco with a similar arrangement of the running gear. The only e-lok I can suggest that has large-diameter driving wheels is the German E18, and that is a 1-D-1.
As for catenary, there is a Japanese manufacturer that makes etched parts to go with the Kato or Tomix masts and portals:
I had to chuckle… I posted this thread over a year ago. Glad to see good threads never die!
I have a second-run Kato GG1 on pre-order, so once I get her running, I may revisit the catenary idea.
I’ve been keeping my eyes open for those Micro Ace electrics. However, my recent branch into early Conrail has put electrification (other than the Kato G) on the backburner for the immediate future.
I’ve been reading this thread with a lot of interest primarily because of the Kato GG1 which I have on order. I intedn to model the Northeast Corridor in the 1985-present era but with Conrail still in existence. I just don’t know which part of it I will model yet. I will have both Amtrak and Conrail trains running but I will use the GG1 in railfan service to make things interesting. [:-,]
I hadn’t planned on doing any catenary but obviously that will be necessary at some point.
