Overhead electric lines for trolleys

[dieseldan]

Hi I'm a garden railroad newbie. Are there any resources on how to create overhead wires for your garden railroad trolleys?

Thanks!

[the Bach-man]

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

[dieseldan]

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!

[the Bach-man]

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

[dieseldan]

Thanks,
I'll look into that!

[Dennis Paulson]

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 

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 .

[japasha]

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.

[dieseldan]

Japasha,
Would you mind posting a photo of your supports?
(alternately, feel free to e-mail me one at [email protected] )
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