I’d like to take advantage of the fine Kato GG-1s available. Any source yet for authentic N Scale Pennsy catenary? (Scratchbuilding is beyond my ability.)
Many thanks and happy new year.
Bob
You may have to try one of the many PRR forums. Kitbashing and or scratch building is more than likely your only options. Even in HO cantenary is not very accurate.
Pete
Bob.
I found this PDF. It may be of some help. It is HO scale but can be scaled to N.
http://kc.pennsyrr.com/model/downloads/catenary.pdf
Here is a Keystone Crossing PDF on building catenary.
http://lists.keystone-pubs.org/TKM%20No.%2050%2009-07%20PDF.pdf
http://lists.keystone-pubs.org/TKM%20No.%2052%2011-07%20PDF.pdf
Pete
Over the years I have visited a number of very nice layouts in a variety of scales that modeled the Pennsy’s electric lines. But frankly speaking, not one of them even attempted to truly model the bewildering variety of mast towers and wires involved in the electrified main line. (Yards and secondary tracks around facilities were much simpler). It would be like running your trains under a loom used to make a rug. Even the less complex “North Shore” and “South Shore” cat systems are rarely modeled with each and every wire and detail on the towers.
Even in HO the wires tend to be oversized and since that would be even more the case in N, it seems to me a 100% accurate PRR cat system would look almost opaque with skeins of wire obscuring the track and trains.
I am sure there are guys who have indeed modeled PRR cat down to the last detail and more power to them (no pun intended). Accurate modeling is never to be disdained but in most instances the modelers I visited were satisfied with capturing some sense of the complexity of the Pennsy or New Haven or Insull catenary systems, and if done well the casual viewer does not even notice when European parts are used. So do not disdain the Kato cat system or the very European looking, but satisfyingly complex looking, Vollmer systems which I think they offer in N.
Dave Nelson
N Scale, CR&T, is slowly but surely progressing toward its benchwork, and; will feature two types of overhead:
[1] Single wire for the CR&T: This overhead is based on NCat standards.
NCat is no longer functioning, but; their (4) quite thorough project books can now be found at (easy to join) Yahoo Groups N Scale Traction – As well as two full past newsletters along with other traction resources. This is arguably the most concentrated source on N Scale traction tips & tricks.
[2] PRR-style catanary for GG1s: The PDFs referenced above are excellent PRR catenary primers.
CR&T’s Pennsy overhead is still in the planning stage. Caveat: When you look at PRR catenary – Do not confuse the catenary-rigging itself with the electric power lines (the higher rigging) – You might end up modeling Pennsy catenary only for simplicity.
In both cases, the key to overhead & soldering success will be determined by the wooden templates to be designed for consistency. As to live overhead, you might do what Japanese N Scale modelers do, and that is to only construct traction poles, but without wires, for standard 2-rail running with “virtual overhead.”
To me, part of modeling traction fun is what we’re discussing here! Regardless of the scale modeled, unless you are willing to settle for what is available in R-T-R poles & overhead (typically Japanese or European prototype) – It tends to be pricey – Plus the overhead may not resemble the desired PRR prototype. Thus, there’s usually a need to scratchbuild (i.e. model) overhead, streets, and traction motive power conversions.
More suggested resources:
[1]