Streetcar Overhead Wire How High?

[Anonymous]

I am planning ahead for streetcars and small interurbans on my layout. In one area of the layout, the streetcars will pass under a bridge. How much clearance below the bridge should I allow for the street car and its overhead wire? I plan on using single wire streetcars with trolley poles as opposed to a more elaborate cantenary. I want to power the streetcars from the overhead wire.

Also, is there perhaps a website that might contain info on running the overhead wire?

Much thanks for some help on this topic!

[Anonymous]

I am planning ahead for streetcars and small interurbans on my layout. In one area of the layout, the streetcars will pass under a bridge. How much clearance below the bridge should I allow for the street car and its overhead wire? I plan on using single wire streetcars with trolley poles as opposed to a more elaborate cantenary. I want to power the streetcars from the overhead wire.

Also, is there perhaps a website that might contain info on running the overhead wire?

Much thanks for some help on this topic!

[Sperandeo]

Hello "SteamEngine,"

The Model Train Magazine Index shows that the two most recent MODEL RAILROADER articles on this subject were:

Light and lacy overhead - better trolley wire
Model Railroader, March 1993 page 86
( "KUTELLA, BOB", OVERHEAD, TRACTION, TROLLEY, WIRE, MR )

Boston MTA Part 5: Stringing the overhead
Model Railroader, February 2000 page 72
Half the fun of traction is watching the trolley pole snake along the wire
( LAYOUT, OVERHEAD, "SIMON, HARVEY", TRACTION, TROLLEY, WIRE,
CONSTRUCTION, MR )

Both of these describe HO scale installations, but are applicable to other scales as well. Back issues are available on the shopping section of the modelrailroader.com Web site.

Good luck with your streetcars,

Andy

[Sperandeo]

Hello "SteamEngine,"

The Model Train Magazine Index shows that the two most recent MODEL RAILROADER articles on this subject were:

Light and lacy overhead - better trolley wire
Model Railroader, March 1993 page 86
( "KUTELLA, BOB", OVERHEAD, TRACTION, TROLLEY, WIRE, MR )

Boston MTA Part 5: Stringing the overhead
Model Railroader, February 2000 page 72
Half the fun of traction is watching the trolley pole snake along the wire
( LAYOUT, OVERHEAD, "SIMON, HARVEY", TRACTION, TROLLEY, WIRE,
CONSTRUCTION, MR )

Both of these describe HO scale installations, but are applicable to other scales as well. Back issues are available on the shopping section of the modelrailroader.com Web site.

Good luck with your streetcars,

Andy

[Anonymous]

SteamEngine,

Visit customtraxx.com. They have a lot of links and info.

There is a nifty little photocopied hand out that Mr. Huckaby gave me at a trainshow. I was able to build great looking trolley lines with it .Check this link for info on building trolley wire: http://www.trolleyville.com/school.shtml.

O Toole Lines makes wire hangars, sells wire and even poles for trolley set ups. Not sure how to find them. They have national distribution at big hobby stores.

Best of luck in your modeling Endeavors.

Guy Cantwell

[Anonymous]

SteamEngine,

Visit customtraxx.com. They have a lot of links and info.

There is a nifty little photocopied hand out that Mr. Huckaby gave me at a trainshow. I was able to build great looking trolley lines with it .Check this link for info on building trolley wire: http://www.trolleyville.com/school.shtml.

O Toole Lines makes wire hangars, sells wire and even poles for trolley set ups. Not sure how to find them. They have national distribution at big hobby stores.

Best of luck in your modeling Endeavors.

Guy Cantwell

[Anonymous]

Thanks very much Andy and Guy for the info. I have both the issues of MR you mentioned Andy, and I briefly checked your links Guy and found that 21' rail head to wire is considered a "high" elevation, which is good enough for now for me to set the bottom of bridge elevations. The Trolleyville link looks to have a great amount of info. Thanks again gents.

David Karle

[Anonymous]

Thanks very much Andy and Guy for the info. I have both the issues of MR you mentioned Andy, and I briefly checked your links Guy and found that 21' rail head to wire is considered a "high" elevation, which is good enough for now for me to set the bottom of bridge elevations. The Trolleyville link looks to have a great amount of info. Thanks again gents.

David Karle

[Anonymous]

HI, 20 feet above the tracks were the norm, and post were 9 feet out from the track centerline.

[Anonymous]

HI, 20 feet above the tracks were the norm, and post were 9 feet out from the track centerline.

[Anonymous]

If you go on to modelrailroader.com under the hobby press if you can type in the keyword "traction" you will find over 1800 links.

Hope this helps.

Shmitty

[Anonymous]

If you go on to modelrailroader.com under the hobby press if you can type in the keyword "traction" you will find over 1800 links.

Hope this helps.

Shmitty

[jrbarney]

SteamEngine,
Bowser has graciously included information, including illustrations, on overhead parts they don't even sell on the Traction-Miscellaneous page at their Web site:

http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/trolleys/misc/misc.htm

"HO & O Gauge Overhead Traction Parts by Friedlein's Rail Replicas
(not available from Bowser)

Order from:
Friedlein's Rail Replicas
8624 Ellen Court
Parkville MD 21234
Email Address [e-mail]

Following are lost wax brass castings. Wire is not included."

[jrbarney]

SteamEngine,
Bowser has graciously included information, including illustrations, on overhead parts they don't even sell on the Traction-Miscellaneous page at their Web site:

http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/trolleys/misc/misc.htm

"HO & O Gauge Overhead Traction Parts by Friedlein's Rail Replicas
(not available from Bowser)

Order from:
Friedlein's Rail Replicas
8624 Ellen Court
Parkville MD 21234
Email Address [e-mail]

Following are lost wax brass castings. Wire is not included."