Shapeways for PRR Catenary

[Iain]

Do you by chance have good drawings of PRR cat?

[davefoxx]

For those of you that have had extensive experience with Shapeways products, is there any way Shapeways and FUD would be a viable route toward PRR catenary towers, or is the product too brittle?  In a perfect world, I'd want something with a little give that wouldn't snap if bumped, and that could also host some green Berkshire E-Z Line for dummy trolley wire.

I'm feeling a Pennsy itch again and my three Kato GG1s have been neglected...

@Dave Vollmer,

I think that PRR catenary towers made out of FUD would be too fragile, but scratchbuilding towers from brass at the workbench shouldn't be that hard.  I think the wires would be the most difficult, but you've got experience with that after stringing the line poles on the Juniata Division.  Possibly making it easier would be to start with K&S brass structural pieces.  Scroll to the bottom of this webpage and check out the H columns: http://www.ksmetals.com/32.html

I hope this is not just a teaser from you, Dr. V., because I sure would like to see you doing more modeling of the PRR/PC/CR again.

Do you by chance have good drawings of PRR cat?

@Iain,

This is certainly no scale drawing, but these are what I am used to seeing on the Northeast Corridor here in Maryland and Delaware:



Hope this helps,
DFF

[eric220]

Keep in mind that the PRR used many different kinds of catenary. Some used wire cross-bracing. I'd suggest perusing Keystone Crossings. A quick Google search turned up a diagram of how to make HO K-style catenary, including curve and turnout geometry.

[Dave V]

We'll see.  I'm not promising anything...just curious.

[eric220]

We'll see.  I'm not promising anything...just curious.

Oh no, good sir; promises have been made!

[davefoxx]

Keep in mind that the PRR used many different kinds of catenary. Some used wire cross-bracing. I'd suggest perusing Keystone Crossings. A quick Google search turned up a diagram of how to make HO K-style catenary, including curve and turnout geometry.

If need be, I can get pictures of the towers with wire cross-bracing, because there's some of those on the Northeast Corridor in Newark, Delaware, where the NS Delmarva Sub diverges.

DFF

[davefoxx]

We'll see.  I'm not promising anything...just curious.

Well, since you're into narrow gauge and standard gauge, does that make you bi-curious?   

[Dave V]

Well, since you're into narrow gauge and standard gauge, does that make you bi-curious?   

 

 

 

[James Costello]

So yeah....are there diagrams somewhere for the New Haven version?

Anyone have detail photos?

[160pennsy]

So yeah....are there diagrams somewhere for the New Haven version?

Anyone have detail photos?

You can find diagrams & details on Hew Naven catenary at this vendors site..too bad he does not do N-scale

http://www.modelmemories.com/hocat.htm#nhcatbr

[victor miranda]

Victor, the MM is a good 'learning tool' for etching but supremely slow, cumbersome, and messy to use.  And there's a pretty significant size limit on parts.
If you really want one I'll sell you mine for a significant discount, and all the 'modifications' I made to make the system work better, like a vent system and  stirrer.

If you can do the CAD part, and follow some directions, you can use an etching service for much better results, particularly in any volume or size.

I was able to make usable parts though.  It's not like it doesn't work, it just doesn't work when I was trying to make 30 sets of etched handrails for kits.

PM me if you want the one I use.

Hi RandGust,
Thank you for the very generous offer.
I have an agreement with my Buddy Kirk to borrow his.

he pretty much said that a etch service is likely better
.... I may well end up there.
I am not planning to etch Cat poles but maybe some electrical pickups for my
christmas cars.

thank you again.

victor

[James Costello]

You can find diagrams & details on Hew Naven catenary at this vendors site..too bad he does not do N-scale

http://www.modelmemories.com/hocat.htm#nhcatbr

Thanks for the link Paul - we might have to ask the question @Jim Costello

[conrail98]

I have a PDF someone did of Pennsy cat, complete with HO scale drawings and dimensions, including the brass rod and rail sizes to use for the poles. I'll have to go find it later today,

Phil

[Lemosteam]

I have been wanting to design a PRR cat set for some time now, either etched or RP.  Every time I think I am close, something deters my ideas. 

The though of scratch building that many poles (300' between poles IIRC) 22.5" apart in N scale is frigging daunting, not to mention the trolley and support wires, which  I thought of etching (thank god my two track main is straight).

Developing a mounting system the allows one to remove them (I have a functional lift-out) that is normally removed.

The pyramidal pole cap castings, the truncated pyramid bases, the cross beam, oi!

In any kit form I just see the hours flying by making them....

[Dave V]

I have been wanting to design a PRR cat set for some time now, either etched or RP.  Every time I think I am close, something deters my ideas. 

The though of scratch building that many poles (300' between poles IIRC) 22.5" apart in N scale is frigging daunting, not to mention the trolley and support wires, which  I thought of etching (thank god my two track main is straight).

Developing a mounting system the allows one to remove them (I have a functional lift-out) that is normally removed.

The pyramidal pole cap castings, the truncated pyramid bases, the cross beam, oi!

In any kit form I just see the hours flying by making them....

...which is precisely why I never stepped out scratchbuilding.  Not that I can't...I just don't have the time to do all that.

There are some simpler PRR cat styles...

http://www.smarttinc.com/email/NL-1013/spotlight-1013-1.jpg