Trolley pole and wire

[cnw1995]

Lalalalalala (hands over the ears) Not listening, David!
But seriously, I've not quite figured out how to do this or whether the poles on Walt's trolleys (Western Hobbycraft) are functional or not. I'll have to ask him ;)

[Anonymous]

Hi Doug This sunday I will be going to a train meet in Babylon LI and I think they may be a club there that usually puts up a table that shows their handy work with trolley cars. I will get the name of the club and I will see if they have a web site. They may be more helpful in obtaining information that you need. I will let you know when I get back. Felix

[cnw1995]

Thanks, Felix. Tell us how it went

[trolleyboy]

Hi i'll drop in if you guys don't mind. i am an *** so i don't normally venture over here but Felix mnetione dit to me so her I am. Doug if you aren't going to power it another possible out for you is a ship modellers thread.( for rigging ) It's usually a very elastic product so it should hold out to the stretches and bends from poles or pans rubbing against it. I'm not powerin g the over head on my HO layout either, but like David said traction equipment without the wires does look kind of naked. Bowser may be of help to you as well, they make O and HO trolley's and an overhead system ( wires and poles )if you are interested.Another resorce for you as well.

http://www.eastpenn.org/links.html

Good luck on your endevours anyway,I may check in from time to time.

Rob

[cnw1995]

Thanks for the links, Rob. There's a ship modelling store in a suburb I pass on my rail commute. I'll have to check them out. I didnt know Bowser made catenary too.

[RRCharlie]

Just a thought. Years ago I rode behind a GG-1 on the way to Hartford, Connecticut just after Amtrak took over. I was in the front doorway of the lead passenger car and took some pictures of the top of the "motor". I noticed that the catenary wire did not stay directly above the middle of the locomotive but went back and forth. I read somewhere much later that if you do hang catenary wire, you must do a "zig zag" bag and forth, even along staight sections of track to keep the wire from wearing a groove in the pantograph.

Mel Hazen
Jacksonville, FL

[Anonymous]

At speeds of at over 125mph I don't think zig zaging messenger wires are used. I have been on european trains and I have never noticed the lines like that. This is a question I would like to post in the classic train section of ctt. The important factor is the tension of the springs that are making contact with the messenger wire. I don't think doug is going to run his trolley cars that fast. Hey doug how is the project coming along. Felix

[trolleyboy]

Hi guys figured that I would pop back in again.Most pantograph system in Ontario I'm thinking specifically of the L&PS didn't zig zag their messanger wires. They only topped speeds of 70mph though all with heavy Jewett cars.They did do regular maintenamce on the overhead to keep it tight.loose power wire and pans = bent and broken ears on the pans themselves and usually a pulled done section of wire as well. The ears ( outer ends of the pans ) would be replaceregularly likley a couple or three times a year so ware is an issue,I;m not sure that the zig zagging would help or hinder in that situation.

Doug if you order overhead supplies from Bowser you may have a wait as they tend to manufacture their trolley stuff cars and pole's as the need re orders come in. I've had good luck prdering product right from them though, they are good to deal with.

Rob

[cnw1995]

Thanks, Rob. Pretty good results so far, Felix. Look under Sunday Photo Fun thread to see the zillions of poles planted.

[trolleyboy]

Doug, The poles are looking good,you seem to have the knack, they spacing looks pretty realistic as well [tup] Should look good once you are finished.

Rob

[Anonymous]

I do know they use the zig-zag trick over here - the idea is that wear will be equalised over the pantograph head. This is done even on high speed lines (although as may be expected the zig-zag isn't as marked). I've seen some footage from an overhead test car with a camera pointing at the pantograph which clearly shows the wire "moving" from side to side.