[Brian Considine]

OHL equipment is available at a reasonable cost from Viessmann - the H section masts are a good representation of the ones used in the UK (we sell quite a lot to UK modellers). It is robust, the masts clip into the bases so removal for track maintenence/scenary is straightforward.

Yes, derailments can be a problem sorting out (another reason why I favour the Fleischmann Profi-Coupling), but the "extra" visual effect of OH electrics with the panto up when running is well worth it.

Having said the, the OHL equipment on "St.Laurent" is all hand soldered in brass, copper & steel (it was constructed by the original builder Bill Roberts) & has, on odd occasions broken an errant panto ! (BTW - it's heavy looking construction reflects the prototype's 3,000v DC appearence.)

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (alastairq @ 18 Aug 2007, 16:55) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>but if Tillig and others can produce commercial dual gauge track....why not some 3rd rail stuff for the UK?

Easy - too small a market.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (alastairq @ 21 Aug 2007, 07:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>but what has happened to Sommerfeldt and its overhead products?

[I have a pair of Sommerfeldt pans, one in use, one in the box]

Sommerfeld is still available as is the excellent value for money Viessmann.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (alastairq @ 24 Aug 2007, 17:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>but, there should be an NMRA, DOGA, EMGS, or whoever, strict rule, that overhead wires MEAN overhead pickup ONLY!

All future electric locos with pantographs, should, by law (EU law an' all!) be wired only to collect off overhead wires.
that should focus some minds?

Alastair - I hope your comments are tongue in cheek, otherwise ;

Don't agree - for example putting OHL equipment on the fiddle yards to St.Laurent would be an absolute pain - for a start the fiddle yard sections would no longer fit into the van & they would be too vunerable in transit. Putting the stock on & taking it off again (already a laborious task) for shows would add considerably to our setup time. And that's without the additional cost ! I have yet to see an exhibition layout that has OHL equipment in the fiddle yards.

If NMRA et all insist what you are suggestion then that means only live steam & live diesel for other forms of motive power.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (dwb @ 28 Aug 2007, 19:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I think that is unlikely. It will take longer than that just to deal with the line to Bristol never mind the rest of the west country and Wales. Are they even any plans to update the current HST fleet operating out of Paddington?

David

Agreed ! - technology will eventually clean up diesel so that pollution will be a thing of the past. Actually, I've just spent the day in central London & did not see one smokey (road transport) diesel, so that proves the point - if road transport can run clean diesels, then so can the railways - lets apply the same emission rules & watch the diesels clean up (after loads of bleating from the TOC's).

And in any case (at the moment anyway) running "clean" electrics on the railways only move the bulk of the pollution somewhere else !

 

[Brian Considine]

The Triang overhead system worked well enough, but so does the Marklin stud contact system !

 

[Brian Considine]

As some will know 7113 (AKA Dave Saffery) & I run St.Laurent - an SNCB exhibition layout with prototypical hand made/soldered OHLE. The pans are run in the up position with graded sections to "collect" & "release" the pans. Thre is no OHLE in the storage yards - as the OHLE is not energised there is simply no point.

We do get the odd derailment which is harder to sort out with the OHLE, but the fact that we use Fleischmann Profi couplings as starnard makes it a little easier.

The OHLE is exceptionally strong & should a pan "jump off" it's the pan that needs replacing.