Can anybody provide links or pics on the catenary used in Grand Central Station? I see all kinds of pics on the 3rd rail sections but have a hard time finding any with the S2 or other locomotives using those stubby pantographs.
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There never was any catenary under Grand Central Station. There were actual rails suspended from the ceiling over some areas where there was no third rail.
Tommy, your personal record has been awarded ten merits for knowledge of a somewhat obscure component of the New York Central electrified zone.
Originally Posted by Tommy:
There never was any catenary under Grand Central Station. There were actual rails suspended from the ceiling over some areas where there was no third rail.
Thank you! My storehouse of odd details ( my brain) appreciates the info. That's a strange coincidence; I was thinking of building a solid rail catenary instead of wire for my hidden reverse loop.
There was an article in OGR a few years ago about how to build solid rail catenary. I believe that the person used HO code 100 rail. Maybe someone can point you to the correct issue.
Joe
I recall a long time ago an article in one of the mags and the fellow used welding wire.
As some of you may know, our club is in process of building full working PRR style catenary on our layout.
After the towers are in place, we use lengths of code 100 rail as 'cheater' catenary, while each built-up section of the final catenary is being soldered together.
Serving two purposes, to test the electrical system strength, and to give us some operating interest in the meantime.
The actual catenary sections are made up from hard phosper bronze wire.
Originally Posted by Firewood:
Originally Posted by Tommy:
There never was any catenary under Grand Central Station. There were actual rails suspended from the ceiling over some areas where there was no third rail.
Thank you! My storehouse of odd details ( my brain) appreciates the info. That's a strange coincidence; I was thinking of building a solid rail catenary instead of wire for my hidden reverse loop.
The overhead rails were mostly over long switches where the short electric locos could not bridge the third-rail gaps.
---PCJ
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BTW, my catenary is live and functions perfectly.
Originally Posted by Marty Fitzhenry:
BTW, my catenary is live and functions perfectly.
I really like the very functional simplicity you have achieved with your catenary. I have been scanning the forum and doodling ideas taken from your layout and 'scale rail' Don's.
Thanks Marty.
My layout is a toy train layout running scale trains. I tried to make my poles look like something Lionel could have made in 1957. I feel I have done that. I am all about operation. All my pantographs have been tweaked with stronger springs. I have no sparks.
Found satisfactory results continuing catenary through Lionel #313 Moveable Bridge by inverting insulated HO Code 70 rail from the bridge structure. Necessary to cut notch in bottom center of counterweight to clear width of pantograph shoes to a depth to match bridge structure.
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Further thought about successful catenary operation: found it necessary to fabricate shunts around the hinge points of pans to prevent arcing when drawing high current with heavy trains.
