Hi all,
I am looking at getting feedback from electric loco users whether they run their locos with their pantographs up or in the down position. I ask the question because most magazines, You Tube clips including marklin TV mostly show the pantographs in the lowered position. Which then poses the question why.? Is it because the newer marklin catenary system cannot support the tension of the pantographs when in contact.? Or is there some other reason why most operate with lowered pantographs. I am looking at adding catenary to my own layout but would ideally like to run my locos with their pantographs raised. Look forward to any comments or experiences.

Regards Steve

If you look at the demo video of the E93 Insider model, you can see how the tension of the pantograph pushes upwards the catenary wire quite a bit. Not a very nice effect in my opinion, and rather unprototypical.
Another reason could be the risk of getting stuck, but if the wire is positioned properly, that risk is very low.

best regards,
Gregor

Hi Steve.
Indeed they look so much better with the pantographs in the "up" position.
There is no secret the wires needs to be straight **and under tension** (like the real one!)
Sommerfeldt edits a small "how to" booklet, which is the reference in that matter.
It is not hard to do, just takes some care + precision when installing the poles and the wires, and using the tensionning accessories.
IMHO, best to use Sommerfeldt masts and wires + accessories. Way more robust and more realistic even though just a little more work than Märklin's or Viessmann.
Märklin doesn't make functional tensionners, but you can use the Sommerfeldt ones
Sommerfeldt is not easy to find in the USA, but if you get in touch with your local ETE chapter (www.ete.org) I am sure they'll share with you where they got their equipement from.
Hope this helps

I use the Viessmann catenary, which is identical to Märklin. It works very well, as long as it has sufficient tension. Just follow the instructions. I run my locos with pantos up on the parts of my layout that has continuous catenary.

Powering the locos from the catenary is optional. I don't, as it adds no realism visually and only complicates things operationally. Others will disagree, of course. You can run your trains in whatever manner suits you best.

Hello Steve,

After considering the alternatives I have been using Sommerfeldt caternary for 31 years, but as advised by Märklin, I still run the digital signal/power through the
3rd rail rather than the overhead.
The Sommerfeldt is very robust, versatile and prototypical (if you feel prototypical is very important). I can run my locos with the pantographs up without any
problems in all but one area awaiting overhead completion (the preiserlings are still complaining, I received a petition just last week)
Interestingly, you can then still run any analogue electric locos you have by the overhead wire power using the two outer rails as the earth common
to both systems. I have not yet done this, but have only one candidate - a very old Lima cisalpine TEE set converted to run on the analogue overhead.

Regards,

PJ