PTC Radio Towers?

[jereising]

Got my locos mostly ready, but a glaring omission are the trackside towers that let the PTC mothership know the status of switches and crossing gates and signals.  These things are everywhere on the prototype.

Everything I see model wise appears to be too large.

The prototype looks to be triangular in cross section, maybe as much as a foot wide but not a heckuva lot more, and maybe 50-60 feet high.

The BLMA appear too large - if they could be found, don't think Atlas has got around to them yet.

Brass might work, but Traincat is regrettably not with us - and they are probably also too large. 

I find nothing on Shapeways and I'd be worried about maintaining straightness.

Any suggestions from the brain trust?  And thanks!

[Philip H]

So here's a YouTube/Shapeways mash up rabbit hole:

On the Bennet Railroad YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/fcc8LVtAXuo) he talked about getting a PTC tower in HO from shapeways and then showed it off (I think that's the correct update). I would think the designer could be persuaded to shrink it appropriately.

[jereising]

Thanks for that URL, Philip.

I suspect there are many different towers on the prototype; this one is a fold down to allow work without cranes or boom trucks.

And push comes to shove, I can make this from tubing.

The ones that seem to hit my eye in prototype photos are the triangular ones, though. 

[C855B]

... The prototype looks to be triangular in cross section, maybe as much as a foot wide but not a heckuva lot more, and maybe 50-60 feet high. ...

The prototype can be nearly anything that gets it into the air. CN (for instance) typically uses a crank-over style similar to what you mentioned, hinged in the middle with a built-in winch that lowers the top to the ground for maintenance. I've seen the arrays on a pole on top of a signal bridge. The triangular tower you're talking about is probably a Rohn tower, although there are other manufacturers with similar styles.

IIRC, you're right, the BLMA tower is too large, and represents a prototype in a style designed for 100-120'.

It would be helpful to have a photo of the tower(s) in question. I suspect the end came is scratchbuilding or etching your own to match UP's choice of mast vendor for the project.

[peteski]

I seem to recall that someone was selling a photoetched brass triangular cross-section lattice mast with a blinking red light on top. I just don't remember who . . .

[Point353]

It would be helpful to have a photo of the tower(s) in question. I suspect the end came is scratchbuilding or etching your own to match UP's choice of mast vendor for the project.

http://trn.trains.com/~/media/images/ptc/trnc111401a3.jpg

[Ike the BN Freak]

There is talks at my company of putting them as additional customers on cell towers

[pdx1955]

Years ago, I built towers like these from Plastruct truss web parts. Gluing three together will create a triangular cross-section. This may be a possibility if they make sizes small enough that will work.

[jereising]

Just did a "flyover" of the route via Google Earth and seems they use both the tilt-pole 50'-60' and the larger maybe 100' BLMA types - probably because of the mountainous terrain.

I also thought of the Plastruct and will have to check sizes more carefully - could maybe sub those in four sided in place of the unavailable  BLMA...if small enough. 

The BLMA "Style 1" (602) looks to be at least three feet wide.  "Style 2", (608) looks to be wider yet, and shows a three sided structure but claims parallel sides - maybe because there is no change in width from bottom to top...making one think that perhaps "style 1" is tapered.

The metal would make it look lacier, a desired feature...

[peteski]

Am I missing something? The photo shown by Point353 shows a rod-shaped antenna past with some few dipoles on the top. No lattice mast.



Jim, consider the quality of your layout, I would not even consider using Plastruct molded-plastic girders.  They would look like a crude toy on your very realistic layout.

[Santa Fe Guy]

I seem to recall that someone was selling a photoetched brass triangular cross-section lattice mast with a blinking red light on top. I just don't remember who . . .

    Pete, Joe Warren of Showcase Miniatures made the brass etched towers. Richmond controls added the flashing light as a kit with an office added below the tower to house the battery.
I had one of their towers on my SFRSD unlit.
   Jim might I suggest you try making one by using telescopic stainless steel tubing.
 Rod.

[peteski]

    Pete, Joe Warren of Showcase Miniatures made the brass etched towers. Richmond controls added the flashing light as a kit with an office added below the tower to house the battery.
I had one of their towers on my SFRSD unlit.
   Jim might I suggest you try making one by using telescopic stainless steel tubing.
 Rod.

Thanks for jogging my memory - that's it!
https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/n_scale/n_scale_structures/111.html

[Lemosteam]

@jereising ,

If you can muster up some dimensions, I could etch those out of stainless or nickel for you, but you will need a bender.  Brass would work too if you'd rather paint it.

Send me a PM.

[jereising]

@Lemosteam thanks for the offer; etched would definitely be the way to go for the larger towers, and of course @peteski is correct.

I think that photo is from Cajon, not the Tehachapis, which means it would be BNSF practice rather than UP.

But my flyby does show that style tower along with the larger ones depending on terrain. 

Question is, then, does anyone have the BLMA or Showcase tower, and if so what is the tower width.

I greatly appreciate the help this far, it's super to have this resource.

[Santa Fe Guy]

@Lemosteam thanks for the offer; etched would definitely be the way to go for the larger towers, and of course @peteski is correct.

I think that photo is from Cajon, not the Tehachapis, which means it would be BNSF practice rather than UP.

But my flyby does show that style tower along with the larger ones depending on terrain. 

Question is, then, does anyone have the BLMA or Showcase tower, and if so what is the tower width.

I greatly appreciate the help this far, it's super to have this resource.

Hi Jim.
I do not have the Showcase tower at present as I sold my layout to a good friend. I can easily obtain the dimensions and will post them ASAP.
Rod.