Traction Supplies

[Anonymous]

Where is a source of Traction supplies, such as trolly poles, pantographs, poles, wire, etc.? Have not been able to find manufacturers or suppliers with this kind of materials. Any suggestions?

[bikerraypa]

East Penn Traction Club has a pretty good links page:

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

Good luck!


Ray

[DSchmitt]

This site has information

http://www.trolleyville.com/trolleyville.shtml

[Jetrock]

There isn't a lot out there, but there are a few companies:

www.customtraxx.com

Decals, customization kits and a few detail parts

www.bowser-trains.com

Several models of streetcar, and some detail parts.

www.alpinemodels.com

The inheritors of the "Suydam" brand name--they still sell a few detail parts.

www.mrrwarehouse.com

Model Railroad Warehouse sells a few body shell kits for electric steeplecab locomotives that require many detail parts, motors, frame and quite a bit of your time, but nobody else makes 'em.

It is quite common to find things like poles and detail parts on eBay--prices vary, and lots of people are selling their cheap plastic unpowered Reader's Digest cable car/Brill streetcar kits as priceless antiques. But there are some deals to be had.

[Anonymous]

I have seen plans to make your own - not on the web unfortunately though if you can track down a copy of "How to go Tram and Tramway Modelling" by David Voice it's described in there. It involves piano wire for the pole, a flathead brass screw for the trolley, and assorted shaped bitsof wire and springs. I think I'll probably just order them from Tramalan as he only charges £2 or so per pole and it'll be worth it to avoid the frustration! http://www.blackpool-in-the-box.freeserve.co.uk/ is a website about traction modelling this side of the pond that may be of interest - there's a links section with suppliers.

[ElectricMotive]

There's a European company called Sommerfeldt that makes pantographs; I've not have occassion to order any yet, so I can't say anything about their quality (or likeness to American prototype pans). The site I have bookmarked with pictures of them is Eurorail Hobbies (http://www.eurorailhobbies.com/erh/eurorailhobbieslist.asp?pageid=&MN=24&CA=15&SC=HO), which at the moment of this post is down. (EDIT: It's back up now.)