I'm working on a diorama of a freelance interurban (ala the Pacific Electric). I'm wondering what would be the typical pole spacing for the overheads? From this photo, I'm thinking around 200 feet on straight track, and obviously shorter on curves. On an N scale diorama, I'm thinking of about every 12" on the straights, and every 4" on curves. ------------------ Ed Harrison Ed's Mental Cab Ride
Going on Australian standard for pole spacing I think you need to place the poles a scale 180 feet apart which would make it around 13-14 inches apart but 12 inches is probably fine ------------------ Regards Paul #1-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
I checked around a bit to see what other folks have done with spacing. I think you are ok with the spacing you mentioned because at least three bak issues of MR have these types of layouts featured and EACH has different spacing. Also there are several reference books on interurbans, but I can't remember their titles. Perhaps check Barnes and Nobel or e-bay. Good luck and Happy Modeling! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
I'm too young to have ever seen these things anywhere but a museum, so I have to ask another stupid question (I've already looked at N-Cat and other pages). Do single-pole lines go on the outside of curved track or the inside. My guess is the outside so it can pull against the natural tendency of the wire to straighten itself out. I've seen some photos of poles on both sides of the track in curves, but I'd like to just go on one side. ------------------ Ed Harrison Ed's Mental Cab Ride
Ed you are correct the catenary is tensioned by poles on the outside of the curve ------------------ Regards Paul #1-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
Ed, further to Paul's post, line pole spacing for communication and power supply on our NSW railways was 55 yards. Overhead supports are generally spaced about the same for straight runs but become closer on curves so to maintain the catenary centred within the side to side tolerance of the pick-up. Check this link for model construction - http://www.trolleyville.com/tv/school/catenary_construction/index.shtml and this for prototype construction - http://nic.cpuc.ca.gov/divisions/CSD/USB/go95/Sect7.htm Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377 N to the Nth degree!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gats: Server brainf*rted and posted multi-copies. Thanks!Gary.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yeah, but you only get credit for one posting! Thanks for those links. Both have exactly what I was looking for! ------------------ Ed Harrison Ed's Mental Cab Ride
Gary, I removed the double postings as requested! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
