Tramway Catenary

[themole]

I will repost from GSM, my construction details of how to build tramway catenary, and masts, in brass plus some updates such as working frogs etc. First picture, the brass catenary wire is joined end on in the same LGB clip;- this allows a trolley pole to follow through to the next section. The second picture, a junction for a pantograph car. The pantograph car can take either route, whilst a trolley pole car can only go straight ahead. Third picture, construction details from the German Tramway Group.

 

[themole]

If,LGB profile, brass overhead is in short supply, then as as alternative code 80 or (for a stronger outside profile)code 100 rail in nickel silver, can be used. Be careful though, as expansion is different to that of brass, but would be certainly OK in indoor conditions.

 

[themole]

Brass poles/masts can be built from metal section found in the large DIY centres in most towns. Brass is easy to work with, and can be soldered using a 100watt iron or small blow-lamp the key to success is plenty of heat, and use flux, to help the solder flow. More to follow.

 

[themole]

The two pictures below are of home brewed masts, made out of brass, and using dry-cleaning coat-hanger wire to form the cross support. Joints on ex-rail overhead can be made with fishplates, on permanent layouts solder one end of fish-plate to the overhead.

 

[themole]

The base of the mast also made from brass. Second picture, the overhead fitted to mast arm. Picture of the Hanover IIm Tramway Group Layout with home-brewed masts and catenary. Bottom picture, my own layout with home brew masts.

 

[themole]

Tramway overhead frogs can be made out of brass, or nickle silver. Below, is a frog in Blackpool, which can handle trolley poles, and pantographs, also bow collectors. In a later posting I will show how to make them, in working model form.

 

[themole]

As the spring weather should improve soon, I will be building more overhead and catenary junctions on my tramway. As the weeks progress I will be posting more on the subject on this thread. The picture shows one of the historic Chemnitz trams at the Museum Depot.(photo Chemnitz Strassenbahn) Alyn

 

[trammayo]

Great pictures and info - don't how I missed this thread in the first place! The Blackpool frog is interesting in its own right - the whole weight being taken on the overhead running wire rather than spans or droppers - looks like the round wire type as well.

Look forward to postings on your future work.

Mick

 

[themole]

Hi, Mick. I will be adding to this thread, and to my other thread, on tramcars, over the next few weeks, as now the weather is getting warmer so drop by. If you want to ask about anything about the trams, or catenary, please ask. Over on the other thread, I am converting a LGB New Orleans streetcar to live, overhead trolley pole, power collection. This using modified Bachmann trolley poles. Alyn

 

[themole]

I have now reposted this thread as I am now building some more catenary over the winter months; including junctions and turn offs. Alyn

 

[gregh]

Fantastic work. I'm truely envious. Would love some overhead but not possible outside. Too many animals and birds.

Over on the other thread, I am converting a LGB New Orleans streetcar to live, overhead trolley pole, power collection. This using modified Bachmann trolley poles. Alyn

If you're modelling New Orleans, I hope you add these details...

Seems the locals like to add their jewellery to the wire.

 

[dunnyrail]

Fantastic work. I'm truely envious. Would love some overhead but not possible outside. Too many animals and birds.

Outdoor Catenery is perfectly possible, I have created a new thread to give some details for you:-
http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?high=&m=102094&mpage=1#102094 < Link To http://www.gscalecentral....094&mpage=1#102094
JonD

 

[themole]

Nice info, John, the wire you could, I suppose use MIG welding copper wire, if building a small indoor layout. I have used brass wire, tensioned, on a 7mm layout a few years back. Alyn

 

[themole]

The above pictures curtesy Nurnberg Tramway Museum, and Hanover Model Tramway group, illustrate the homebrew construction of tramway catenary. Alyn

 

[themole]

Types of mast and bracket. Use 1/2" or 5/8" dowel and soak in wood preservative.

Frog; make out of brass angle of turnout to equal that of the radius of point/turnout.Note the eyes for connecting to span wires.

Brass overhead wire joiner.

Brass cross-over.

 

[trammayo]

Nice pics Alyn. I see the overhead fittings are quite early types (for round wire).

Mick

 

[CoggesRailway]

Really cool... silly question but I assume they are fully functional? if so how practical are they outdoors and do the need cleaning like track?

 

[Madman]

Really cool... silly question but I assume they are fully functional? if so how practical are they outdoors and do the need cleaning like track?

I have, in the past, had operating catenary on my outdoor railway. Depending on how your railway is built, on the ground or raised, is really the determining factor. While I had the catenary on my ground level layout, it held up rather nicely. However, my railway is also a garden. My wife, who is in charge of the garden, was very careful about working around the catenary system. But now that I have grandchildren, it became apparent that one of them must go. Since giving away the grandchildren was not a very popular idea, the catenary was dismantled and sold.

 

[hornbeam]

Ive got overhead in my garden, still not got around to finishing it! It was a shame LGB got rid of the basic one piece plastic mast as this didnt help the price!

fantastic thread, how did you make the little loops that hold the conductor wire to the mast?

 

[themole]

The loops are just threaded eyelets;- can be bought from B&Q etc. Just screw into the wooden dowel. Frogs are made from brass and code 75 n/s track soldered up then filed to shape (a nice job to, do in the sun, on summer days :- make a batch at a time)Eyelets on the frogs are profiled on brass frog base, and the centres drilled out.
Working catenary I use on my tramway, the action of the pantograph rubbing on the overhead keeps it clean on a daily basis. Once a week rub/wipe the o/head wire with meths. My tramway is indoors but outside running the same cleaning will suffice. In the past I have built tramway layouts in 7mm and 4mm scales, all with working overhead. Alyn