J&C Studios O Gauge Archive


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for Model Railroading
What is the J&C Studios O Gauge Archive?

J&C Studios O Gauge Archive


O Gauge / O Scale Forums and Individual Blogs for Model Railroading

What is the J&C Studios O Gauge Archive?
(Guest)   JCS Archive   Catenary   O Gauge Catenary
 
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O Gauge Catenary
Hugh Laubis
Joined: Nov 6, 2011
Topics: 46 Replies: 28 Topics: 46
My Archive Category | My Website
posted Jan 13, 2012: 
I am happy to entertain questions to help me tell the story.
See more detais in the replies section at bottom of this post.
Thanks
Hugh

This is 'kind of' the look I wanted to achieve. I wanted my uprights to have the steel gridwork look.





These are the materials I selected to gather in order to make my 'cat' from. See more details on these in the replies section.



I needed to solve the entrance to the tunnels at both ends first. I was modifying Lionel block signals at one end and semaphores at the other. Here I am working on acceptable'workable' height.



Block signal was modeled and height of portal clearance to pantographs is being tested.



The semaphores at the other end are modeled as well.



Here I am trying out what a 'double'span might look like.



Here is what a finished single looks like.



Here is a single span finished view.



And then the finished double.



Here is a top Broad view of the only triple.



Looking at closeup of entry into the MTH bridge span.






Here you can see how the double spans worked out.



The block signals were wired with Christmas LED's



Eye level view of the block signals in operation.



Block signal entrance in a scenery finished environment.



Here you see a triple track span again where switch turns off.



A broad overview.



Bridge span total view.



Long Single span view.



My 'earth' ground to keep control of TMCC engines under the catenary








 
PapaT
Joined: Jul 26, 2011
Topics: 0 Replies: 2 Topics: 0
My Archive Category |
posted Jan 18, 2012: 
Great photos of cat standards. I am looking for the correct materials. Where did you purchase the steel girder look poles ans what did you use for the actual car wire that feeds the electric locomotive?
ralph.tolbert@me.com
 
Hugh Laubis
Joined: Nov 6, 2011
Topics: 46 Replies: 28 Topics: 46
My Archive Category | My Website
posted Jan 19, 2012: 
Hi and thanks for your interest. Photo #2 above has all the materials shown but here are some more pictures to help along the explanation.

The upright are a combination of 'pre-war Lionel' accessory parts and new MTH copies of the telegraph poles. I bought the old at shows for $5 each or less and the new on EBAY for about $50.








THe box brass and round copper tube and screws and nuts I bought at ACE Hardware. They have a rack of these KS stock materials and sell by the piece, a lot less expensive than you local hobby shop.









The rails are simply HO rail removed from long sections of track bought inexpensively at local train shows. Makes no difference if they are brass or nickel if you are going to paint them. Initially I was all brass but did not like the look. The connectors are ATLAS O gauge track connectors. You have to slighty pinch them to make a tight fit on HO track used up side down.





There are two more pieces to this puzzle.
First, to go under a bridge as I have done, requires some plastic girders which I bought in the same rack at ACE Hardware. To put them in place at the proper location requires glueing. I used JB WELD. After using it, I stopped all the solder work on the uprights and rail and used it.



Second, This cat is only for looks. It could be electrified but I do not own those types of electric engines and I had to contend with going thru the tunnel and closet. The tunnel was easy, I used masonite with shine side down. The pantographs transition nicely from the rail outside to the masonite underneath. It take a little craft work but not hard. Picture is on my TV coming from a camera in my Budd car showing inside of tunnel.




See Hugh's other stuff! http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogCategoryMain?catId=975
 
Joe Allen
Joined: Jan 23, 2012
Topics: 0 Replies: 1 Topics: 0
My Archive Category |
posted Jan 23, 2012: 
Great job on the catenary system, Hugh. I like the girders and it's the first time I have seen them used this way. Keep up the good work.
 
wsdimenna
Joined: Oct 28, 2008
Topics: 17 Replies: 61 Topics: 17
My Archive Category | My Website
posted Jan 24, 2012: 
Like to see this sometime...looks great.
 
Hugh Laubis
Joined: Nov 6, 2011
Topics: 46 Replies: 28 Topics: 46
My Archive Category | My Website
posted Jan 25, 2012: 
Come take a look please while you are down south.
You have my number or contact me via email and we can set it up.
Hugh
 
AG
Joined: Nov 19, 2009
Topics: 51 Replies: 64 Topics: 51
My Archive Category |
posted May 15, 2012: 
Very nice and well done!
Andre.
 

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