Electrical Transmission Tower

[Rick112]

Any interest in an N scale electrical transmission tower model in etched brass?  The image here is of the 3D test model I built to confirm fit.  I have ordered a few test sheets so I can confirm it all works but once that's done I'm going to find a way to sell the kit.  I have more kits basially ready to send out but I want to see how this one goes first.  The kit will have the parts to build one the two versions shown in the attached image.

[peteski]

That would be really nice item if rendered in photoetched brass!

There was a photoetched brass kit of a transmission tower (it also included cast metal insulators) available years ago.  IIRC, it was a British kit. Not sure if it is still available.  We have installed one on my friends layout (visible on the mountain).



Your version looks more like the ones seen in USA.  If you make those scaled correctly to 1:160, they might appear overwhelmingly large on most layouts (just like properly scaled mature trees look too large in most cases).

[Rick112]

They will be 120 scale feet tall.  We'll see how they look.  I've thought about 3D printing insulators as an extra. 

Rick

[pmpexpress]

That would be really nice item if rendered in photoetched brass!

There was a photoetched brass kit of a transmission tower (it also included cast metal insulators) available years ago.  IIRC, it was a British kit. Not sure if it is still available.  We have installed one on my friends layout (visible on the mountain).



Your version looks more like the ones seen in USA.  If you make those scaled correctly to 1:160, they might appear overwhelmingly large on most layouts (just like properly scaled mature trees look too large in most cases).

TrainCat Model Sales once sold a photo-etched brass kit (i.e., Item Number 1000201 -  102' Tall Tower Version #2 with two different styles of insulators) with a similar North American electrical tower design for $39.95.

[wazzou]

I’d be quite interested in what you come up with for insulators.
I won’t be needing any towers but the insulators are a need, for sure.

[dem34]

I'd probably get a pair. Looks a bit better than my fully 3D Printed one.

[Englewood]

I'd buy a couple. I think they'd be a nice addition to a more modern layout.

[C855B]

Sign me up for four or five. Nothing says "vast desert wasteland" like a row of high tension lines across the barren landscape. 

[peteski]

TrainCat Model Sales once sold a photo-etched brass kit (i.e., Item Number 1000201 -  102' Tall Tower Version #2 with two different styles of insulators) with a similar North American electrical tower design for $39.95.

I forgot about that one Neville. Unfortunately Train Cat is no more.  Ricks design looks very similar to TrainCat's.

The one on my friend's layout is I believe from Scale Link Ltd.  It has a different appearance than Train Cat's.

[nkalanaga]

I have an unbuilt TrainCat kit.  It looks nice, but I've never found a use for ONE tower.  Or a bunch, for that matter.  No major transmission lines along my route.  Any I would add would be wooden poles.

For those who have one, Sommerfeldt in Europe makes hollow plastic insulators, in various sizes, that could be used with these towers.

EDIT:  Mine is NOT TrainCat, but "Into Details", which seems to have vanished without a trace, and apparently without many memories.

[randgust]

I haven't heard anything about Bob Knight for a long time.   

He had a bunch of stuff that was truly excellent, and you'd think the artwork would be worth reselling to GMM or somebody.    He had the artwork spot on for those towers, as well as the bridges he did and the car kits.

The ultimate kit that never quite was was the Canyon Diablo bridge.  I'm not sure he ever even finished his own.    It was like 40 pounds of brass and cost as much as a bad used car.   At the time I couldn't afford it.

The toughest kit I ever did was his NYC/PC/CR transfer caboose kit, those railings were epic but the results were spectacular.

[Rio Grandeous]

Absolutely I would be interested in some!  I would be interested in taking ANY Traincat kits that aren't being used or have not got to building from anyone as well, so please let me know if anybody reading has any Traincat kits they'd be willing to let me pry from their hands. 

Let me/us know if and when they become available, I'm game for a few.

Chuck

[Mark5]

Bob musta prepaid on his site hosting for 15 years (still up  ) https://www.traincat2.com

It would be fantastic if he could see his way to selling some of the files to someone that could resume production (he had some platform signal "towers" that I was ready to order when he ceased).

Mark

[Rivet Miscounter]

This is gonna sound ridiculous, but my ideal electrical transmission tower offering would consist of:
1. One tower (similar to what you are proposing) 105% of Scale
2. Second tower at 100% of Scale
3. Third tower at 85% of Scale
4. (Optional) 4th tower at 65% of Scale
Probably no secret that this would facilitate the forced perspective of a series of towers from foreground to background.  I'm not exactly sure on those percentages, just sort of a wild-arse guess as to what might work.   (For the record I'm currently a Z-Scaler so not in the market for an N version.  And I'm not pushing for a Z version at the moment since I have no idea of the market for these in Z...just my take on things.  Having said that I would probably buy several in Z.)

I model west Texas and a well built run of towers would really set the scene.   I struggle because it is extremely easy for a tower to overwhelm a scene....IMHO they need to be airy/spindly (read: brass) to represent the high-tension metal towers without the being "too much".   I personally would avoid Traincat's "Version 1" also...just seems to have a cobra-like sprawl making itself look bigger.  (and yes, I've seen them in real life...this is more of a modeler's license thing I'm referring to.  I know they're huge, and they're common.)

Here is another option (or something very similar) that I will likely employ that is common especially in remote rural areas.  And--you guessed it--less over-the-top than the steel towers.  https://www.photocase.com/photos/3653067-wooden-electic-pole-with-a-blue-sky-in-the-background-photocase-stock-photo

ANyway, sorry for veering all over the place but thought I'd share my thoughts on the matter.  I do think you have a good idea, these should do well.

[Rick112]

What do you think about this?  Or are you just looking for the tower in your link?