2 rail at last

[robert.]

What's a good trolley pole? Are they all same? Would I be better off using pantographs?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

What's a good trolley pole? Are they all same? Would I be better off using pantographs?

Depends on what you're putting it on - pans vs. poles. Also what the overhead plans are.......poles, catenary, etc.

Midwest poles are supposed to be very good; Q-car poles, old Kemtron/PSC poles (kits) can be painful to assemble, Keil-line made poles.

Want a slider shoe or roller at the end of the pole? 2 or 4 springs? Depends on prototype and personal decisions....

Check with Jim Rivers.

Pans....you see them on eBay anywhere from cheap to stupid........

[R.K. Maroon]

I have no personal experience other than observing what my brother and others (Cherry Valley) have done, but is seems to me that it is easier to string wire for trolley operation (typically light-duty service) than to string cantenary for pantographs (heavy-duty service). I would think this is especially true if the overhead is to be operational. I would LOVE to do cantenary, but if I did I would be tempted to make the pantographs fixed height just under the wire (non contacting) to lessen the burdens of the whole operation.

But for me it is a moot discussion, as I have no room for a layout nor do I expect that to change anytime soon.

Jim

[J. S. Bach]

...snip... but is seems to me that it is easier to string wire for trolley operation (typically light-duty service) than to string cantenary for pantographs ...snip... Jim

My personal experience is just the opposite; although my catenary building process might be different from most.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

...snip... but is seems to me that it is easier to string wire for trolley operation (typically light-duty service) than to string cantenary for pantographs ...snip... Jim

My personal experience is just the opposite; although my catenary building process might be different from most.

Please, do tell.

[J. S. Bach]

Please, do tell.

Hang and get the contact wire working well then add all of the jewelry later; messenger, "droppers", etc. Plus pans do not require the tedious adjustment of wire frogs. Note that it is possible to build the cat so that both poles and pans will work just fine.

[robert.]

I'll throw prototype out the window for ease of operation. 2-4 springs, roller or slider i don't care. What ever will work the best for me. I have 6-7 feet of track under the second level. Seems like overhead wire will be a pita. I'm thinking of using n scale flex instead of wire or brass flashing through the tunnel.

[big bad jim]

I want to incorporate an electrified freight interchange with whatever else I end up with. With Baldwin-Westinghouse steeple cabs like the Sacremento Northern (with pans) or better yet the Iowa Traction Railway (with trolley poles). I love the juxtaposition of the vintage loco with the modern tank cars and hoppers on the Iowa Traction.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 998&nseq=2

Or I could just do the traction line, since I envision a switching/terminal type layout anyway.

Someday....

[Rufus T. Firefly]

With Baldwin-Westinghouse steeple cabs like the Sacremento Northern (with pans) or better yet the Iowa Traction Railway (with trolley poles).

They both show up fairly often - I passed on a Class B in Chicago last year. I have way too much stuff to buy more unless it's so cheap that I can resell it will little effort.

More on poles:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-O-GA-Q-Car-tr ... SwKtlWtBsU

http://www.ebay.com/itm/O-GA-MTH-trolle ... xyJ8ZRia8o

Brian Weisman (Jason's Brass Poles) stocks poles, wire and other overhead parts.

[robert.]

LVG freight motor

[Rufus T. Firefly]

LVG freight motor

Now post that over on OGR and be embraced by the faithful at the alter,

[rex desilets]

At last, the giraffe. Inquiring minds want to know if it's fitted with a smoke generator.

[GreggL]

...and does the head bob up and down prototypically? And shouldn't there be an Easter bunny inside too?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

At last, the giraffe. Inquiring minds want to know if it's fitted with a smoke generator.

And sound!!!!!! With the right chuff rate!!!!

[robert.]

Chuff rate = 2 toots per bean.
If you never watched hangover 3 watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS3KzwmU8Tg