Hi I'm a garden railroad newbie. Are there any resources on how to create overhead wires for your garden railroad trolleys?
Thanks!
Dear Dan,
I think the hardest part of an outdoor overhead would be wear and tear- particularly from Mother Nature. One deer walking through...
Have fun!
the Bach-man
I take it most people don't worry with adding any sort of "catenary"
(look at that, I'm already throwing around jargon I don't understand!)
;)
Thanks for your VERY prompt reply by the way!
Dear Dan,
Most LGB catalogs have loads of photos of European systems with often extensive overhead wiring, at least some of which is non-operating.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Thanks,
I'll look into that!
The former German company did make a complete catenary system that works great outside . ;)
I operate it everyday , Over 200 feet of main , overhead is POWERED .
video link of electric train powered by overhead wire ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlLRyiF30qg
a
Also a very short video of Bachmann trolleys , but not yet converted to use overhead power ::)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HoxhQqgjCA
Layout is elevated 3 feet . I could not do this at ground level myself .
I had catenary on my outdoor line in California. I made the wire myself from 1/16 brass wire on a home made jig. I used 1/4 inch dowel to make the supports. Very easy and not too expensive as I modeled the catenary after the Milwaukee Road in Montana. Simple yet very reliable I still have the jigand some unused pieces.
Japasha,
Would you mind posting a photo of your supports?
(alternately, feel free to e-mail me one at ngoaccess@comcast.net )
I'd be very interested in seeing your final scratch built product.
"The former German company" just ain't what they used to be, and would have been too expensive for me, anyway.
Thanks,
--dan