How does one wire a layout for catenary or third-rail power? Are both rails still A and B so diesels and steam can also run? Is the overhead wire A or B (red or black)?
This all depends on whether you intend to use the overhead for power. If you are going to run steam, diesel, etc, then staying with the rail for power all around is simplest.
You could try to use both rails and overhead, but this would require insulated wheelsets on one side and that equipment that pulls from the wire never be turned. That way there's independent power of ops. This was done in DC days to allow separate control between electric and other power. However, DCC sort of eliminates that as an issue for the most part.
There are a few specialized reasons I can imagine using the overhead for power, but for most it's probably easier to stick with rail power, even if you erect a wire or caternary, for mixed traffic.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Model traction layouts would have both rail = ground and the wire be live.
LION has third rails, but it is all faked, and without actual metal rails present.
HIM would like to have had placed real metal rails there, at least they could activate the signals.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Weez1013 Is the overhead wire A or B (red or black)?
Is the overhead wire A or B (red or black)?
Pick one. Seriously. Just stay consistent.
mfm37 Weez1013 Is the overhead wire A or B (red or black)? Pick one. Seriously. Just stay consistent.
Correct! If you do not like the way the train is moving, just switch them.
Some pan equipped equipment has the pan connected to what would have been either the right or the left rail. You have to test this out to see how the unit is wired, and then wire your wire accordingly.
But to do it RIGHT (on a traction layout with no regular DC equipment) make the tracks (both of them) GROUND. Then put the power on the overhead wire.
LION has never had success building overhead wires, big furry paws mitigate against such subtle work, so him just put the pans up an imagines that there is a wire there.
Agreed, but is there a manufacturer's standard as to which (left or right) is connected to the pantograph?
Weez1013 Agreed, but is there a manufacturer's standard as to which (left or right) is connected to the pantograph?