NO WIRES ON POLES

It's most likely the visual aspect that makes it look better.

I use fishing line on my telephone poles, 8lb. test or 12 lb test for larger wires. The reason I use fish line is because it is cheap to use.

Lee Fritz

But my question goes back to why don't more modelers do it.  Could it be that it probably is a lot of work ?

they were smart they have under ground utilties, cuts down on power outages.

Not a lot of work at all. I make a loop around the insulator and hit it with a dab of CA.

Cesar

Whkat is CA

What is CA?  Can't type

Ken

Ken,

Cyanoacrylate, similar to crazy glue.

Cesar

Did a full blown wire set-up on my HO layout, what a mistake.

Dam things were always in the way.

I like to see the trains, not the ugly wires. It's just not practical either.

I agree, Try putting a derailed engine back on the track reaching over telephone wires.... OK! put  the poles on the other side so you don't have to reach over....

My layout has no wires on the poles, but neither does UP across Nebraska, as viewed from US 30. I consider a lack of wires as prototypical for the modern  era.

Oh yeah..."and they're a pain to maintain..."

This is for Fat Boy.  I like your wires.  Sure they might be a bit of a hassle, but a lot of these fellows go to great lengths to weather their trains and buildings for better realism, or am I mistaken about that ?

Try E-Z Wire. It stretches slightly which lessens the chance of knocking over the poles or breaking the wires. In the photos I've seen which use this, the overall effect is really great. 

Jerrman

I want wires on my country pasture fences.  Know how to do it, but can't find fence posts I like.  Any suggestions about fence posts?

It's a lot of work, for sure, but it also often enough complicates track cleaning and the general "housekeeping" associated with the layout, not to mention the difficulty in placing locomotives and rolling stock on the track if the poles are close by.  Folks operating with catenary face the same sort of obstacles...more so in many cases.

No question, though, that it sure does add to the realism when it's properly done.

Funny thing about those wires, they add so much to the realism, but suddenly disappear when you reach for something.

To Allan Miller,  you use the word catenary.  I'm guessing you are referring to the arch in the line from one pole to another.  Why would this be a problem ?

Corvettte

He means the overhead wiring for electric engines.

I remember wires along RR tracks being blue like monofilament fishing line and a lot of wires. Something like 20 wires per pole. 3 or 4 cross bars and 6 wires per bar.

And, then they reappear as you rip them out and off of their moorings and poles, and attachments to buildings when you reach into the layout to grab something - limitations to practicality.

Catenary generally refers to the frameworks that hold up overhead wire for those that are operating collecting electricity to the engine via either a pantograph or poles. It's only relevant to those interested in prototypical operation of their electric traction engines, interurbans, or trolleys.

Thanks fellows, I learn something new everyday.

Corvettte

No, I'm referring to the overall system as it's generally known in the hobby--wire, poles, brackets, supports, insulators, etc.  Even if not technically correct per the dictionary definition of "catenary," I imagine most hobbyists know what is meant and the answer to the question should be fairly obvious (if one has ever modeled such a system).

Interesting thread as just this afternoon my grand kids wanted to see the trains run. (girls aged 4 and 6 and boy almost 2) We went out to the train shack and the 6-year old noticed the new telephone poles and exclaimed that my telephone poles did not have any wires!  Observant little kid.  I didn't expect her to know what a telephone pole was.  

On my 1st layout, my wife said that was the best part of the layout (realism). I will likely do some on my existing layout, but not everywhere. They do look great! Terry

I was all set to use Weaver 4-crossarm poles along my main track, and have 32 of them.  They would be perfect for the early 1950's which is the setting for my railroad.

However, I have seen the light.  It's a table type layout, not an around-the room basement layout, and I have to climb up on it periodically.  As it is, I have to watch out for the 32 somewhat delicate searchlight block signals, plus the city power poles, and I think now that a main line pole line (especially with wires) would take a lot of the fun out of operating and maintaining the High Plains Division of the Panhandle & Santa Fe Railway Company.  If the layout were linear, like Neal Schorr's, I'd plant those poles and wire 'em up in a heartbeat.

I really do admire layouts with a realistic pole line, but mine will most likely not be one of them.

If you photograph your layout often, you will find that the poles themselves always seem to get in the way of the best camera angle.

For that reason, all my poles are removable for photography and wires just wouldn't work.

I employ an assistant to help with the removal when needed.  

Jim

Thanks for all the input fellows.  I'm going to go ahead and wire some of my poles when they go up and see what I think.

Meanwhile, does the cat know which poles to take down and which ones to leave up ?

He seems to have good "railroad sense". But that's not surprising since his name is Hudson.

Jim

HA! Love the Picture Jim.

Mine is not quite that bad but seems to think everything on the layout is a rubbing post. Lots of flagpoles & streetlights knocked over when she gets down there.

I can't imagine what wired power lines and telephone poles would be like.

That said, I do like the look and will have some of the stretchy lines on some poles at minimum. I like a little droop in the wires too, much more realistic that way.

I just finished putting EZ stretch wire, .05mm, on 54 Weaver two crossbar telephone poles. I put two wires on each side of the top crossbar. It does look very good compared to just the pole. Yes, I did a loop with a dab of CA but it still was a pain in the back and legs etc to do the wiring. I believe I will add more wires as time goes by, but there is no rush. A cold winter day in Wisconsin would be the time to do it. That gives me about 6 months per year of cold winter days! The stretch wire is the way to go because it forgives you when you make contact with it. I would definitely do it again but I would not try to be prototypical. My next project will be putting feeder wires from the poles to the buildings. That, IMHO, really completes the look. Corvette, I think you will be glad you did it.

Thanks for the input  MilwRdPaul.  From all the back and forth, I'm convinced wiring the poles is the way to go.  I'm not into weathering anything yet, but from the pictures I see online, the wires on the poles definitely makes the layout look like the real thing.

So for a bit of effort, I'll do it.

These are my poles I use thread

That's what I mean.  The wires give the layout so much more realism.

One helpful hint:

Try to put posts and wire on the far side of the track from your reaching points.

This will reduce the number of Oh NO moments.

I use the wires in places I don't have to access much. They do make the layout pop for sure.  I have always wanted to add a high tension power line but  haven't found the right towers that call to me. Lol. Someday I will. 

Good idea about the wires towards the real of the layout where you don't

reach much.  Thanks

I've been following this thread with a LOT of interest - thanks for the helpful comments on both sides of the 'debate'.

At York, I bought a packet of 51 plastic telephone poles (for $10!!) with the intent of "poling up" my layout a bit.  The poles are the type with a round plastic base, with 2 holes in the base for nails.

The issue with me might be unique, at least to this particular thread - I only have a Christmas layout.  My thought right now is to use thread.  Tie the beginning of it to the first pole and then just wrap it around the nubs on each subsequent pole til I get to the last one, which I will tie-off.  If they are nailed down that should add enough stability I would think.

I thought about glueing them, but since I have to take them down and store them in the off-season, well, you know that no matter how carefully any cord, string, etc is stored the gremlins find a way to tangle them all up when you get them out of storage!

Any one ever do temporary????

As always, thanks - walt

Hi  Walt,

Find a fat dowel about 9" long.  Start with the first pole with the thread attached to it.

Then carefully rape the thread around the dowel until you get to the next pole and keep going until you get to the last pole.

Then you can unwrap it later without the thread getting mixed up.

Corvette,

On Saturday I attended the NMRA MCR Division 2 Model Railroad Jamboree in Pittsburgh.  Fred Lagno, a very talented fellow whose photographs appear in Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman, and in NMRA publications was gave a clinic and displayed some of his award-winning work.  Next time you come across one of his scenes, take a look at his exquisite power line work.  His telephone poles and wires always look extremely realistic.

George

Boy, you're not kidding.  His power lines can't be distinguished from the real thing.

Great work.

Hi Fellows,

I was browsing through some of the books I have on model trains last night and came across one that is just right for our discussion.

It's called How to Build & Detail Model Railroad Scenes - Vol. #1 by Lou Sassi.

He spends 8 pages just on power and telephone poles and their wiring.  His detailing is during a period of the 50's but can be used almost anytime after that.  He also details a power truck used to service that time era.

Amazon has this book for $8.86 used.  I buy all my books used because I have found 99% of the used books I get are as good as new without paying the new price.

He has other scenery tips in the book which have been very helpful to me as a newby.