Neon Noir Designs

[Martijn Meerts]

I printed the A4 version of the catenary, pasted it on some thicker cardstock, and gave it a quick test on the layout.

 

 

This is 2 of them roughly in place. The track here is the Tomix 33mm spacing. It fits really quite well. Height wise they're a bit low for this Chinese loco, but adding a (3D printed) base would solve any height issue.

 

 

 

These are the same 2 gantries, but I left the track indications in. Spacing between the track and the masts seems pretty good. Just ignore the 3rd track for now 😄

 

I have to say, even just printed and plopped in place with some blue tack, it makes such a massive difference in how the track looks.

 

[Junech]

The catenary looks pretty nice! Really makes me think about putting it on my 3 segments. I guess I will need to look into that before starting with other things and taking up space that I would need for it.

Will you do these things aswell:

 

(location: https://www.google.com/maps/@35.3669141,136.6258068,3a,75y,13.62h,99.58t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shpTCq8NtDcsRsiSVKV280Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-9.57534679686357%26panoid%3DhpTCq8NtDcsRsiSVKV280Q%26yaw%3D13.621594158365212!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQwOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

 

[Kamome442]

Thank you for taking the time to do that @Martijn Meerts

The height is going to an interesting issue, I was sent a bunch of images of different trains with callipers showing their pantograph to wheelbase heights. The range was from 34.98mm for a Kato EF64 up to 40.16 for a Tomix EF510. I guess in reality they would not run a pantograph at full extension unless going through a level crossing or something similar however I don't want to damage anyones trains. Certainly a 3D printed base allowing you adjust the heights would be a very good idea. 

Here is an image of the catenary set with a 40mm gap from the rail head to the bottom of the wire. The isolator is different type and doesn't hang as low a the standard one. I just wanted to use matching parts for consistency:

I set the sleeper depth for Peco track at 1mm as I didn't have an accurate measurement to hand it would be a little more than this. Kato is 7mm and Tomix is 6mm.

 

I was also sent pictures of an etched kit for the above style of gantry and oh boy it was pretty! The kit has been made up so I am not 100% sure how it went together but I have worked some of the separate parts it used. What really impressed me was the fact it had actual L-beams not just as a half etch detail. I am going to have to come up with some special to compete.

 

@Junech I will definitely be be doing the tensioners, I already have the dimensions for the spring type, they are not as cool looking as the counter weights but I am still trying to find accurate dimensions for that style. There are lots of interesting details on gantries, in rail yards they often have handrails running along the top of them so I will try to do lots of little add-on parts later.

 

I picked up a test etch for one of the sets of catenary today.

 

A long way to go but it is going to be worth it!

Joe

 

[Kamome442]

Oh I forgot to say, along with all the new images and information sent to me was the details and dimensions of another style of catenary 🫣

Once I have completed the drawings I will share the new design.

[Martijn Meerts]

8 hours ago, Kamome442 said:

Thank you for taking the time to do that @Martijn Meerts

 

No problem at all. Let me know if you want more things tested 🙂

 

[Kamome442]

Thank you Martijn.

 

I have drawn the additional design, it is very simple.

[Junech]

22 hours ago, Kamome442 said:

@Junech I will definitely be be doing the tensioners, I already have the dimensions for the spring type, they are not as cool looking as the counter weights but I am still trying to find accurate dimensions for that style. There are lots of interesting details on gantries, in rail yards they often have handrails running along the top of them so I will try to do lots of little add-on parts later.

 

I hope that you stumble upon the dimensions. And yeah, there is a lot about the full catenary setup to look into. Will need to look further into it as well before starting to build anything in that regard...