Welcome to the forum   
Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register.

Notification

Icon
Error

Share
Options
View
Go to last post in this topic Go to first unread post in this topic
Offline Mr. Ron  
#1 Posted : 16 November 2020 00:29:02(UTC)
Mr. Ron

United States   
Joined: 05/07/2020(UTC)
Posts: 311
Location: Mississippi, Vancleave
I have been watching videos of model railroads and notice that most model railways (European) have catenary, but trains are running without contacting the overhead wires. Why is that? Has DCC anything to do with it?
Offline applor  
#2 Posted : 16 November 2020 00:47:53(UTC)
applor

Australia   
Joined: 21/05/2004(UTC)
Posts: 1,653
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Originally Posted by: Mr. Ron Go to Quoted Post
I have been watching videos of model railroads and notice that most model railways (European) have catenary, but trains are running without contacting the overhead wires. Why is that? Has DCC anything to do with it?



Because it's easier to do that and avoid any possible contact entanglement issues and also stops wear on the pantograph and wires and tensioning issues.

Running power from catenary is a different matter again so no it has nothing to do with it but running digital from overheads is not recommended.
You can have pantographs up and touching but still run traction power from the rails/pickup which is what I do.

Personally I am not a fan of having catenary but the pantographs completely down. If you really don't want them up then a good compromise is to limit their height just below the wire.
modelling era IIIa (1951-1955) Germany
Offline river6109  
#3 Posted : 16 November 2020 05:51:23(UTC)
river6109

Australia   
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 14,636
Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
I personally think its a myth whoever stated the overhead system with a digital system doesn't work., there are several points I like to make regarding the overhead system:

a.) I've been running it for 40 years with power from the overhead system
b.) I have not yet noticed the wear of the pantograph wiper or the wire itself
c.) to construct the overhead wires in a professional manner does give you all the safety checks you need.
d.) I think it has more to do with fear than facts having the pantograph up
e.) the cost is of setting up an overhead system is expensive.
f.) using the Sommerfeldt system is a good start
g.) using the Märklin system and any other manufacturer is also ok and much cheaper but doesn't look prototypical
h.) unfortunately some loco manufacturers don't produce proper pantographs they are either prototypical and very thin or the spring which holds the pantograph up is to weak and I think the reason behind it, they are just made for show and not for operational purposes.
i.) Märklin pantographs are very sturdy and functional.
j.) some loco manufacturers don't have any electrical contact between the pantograph and the electrocnic circuit board and you have to establish your own connection.
k.) I find it odd having an electrical loco with its pantograph down, its a petty some modellers don't go the extra mile to install a proper or functional overhead system.
l.) As Eric mentioned the next best thing is having it just below the wire.
m.) some modellers also use a technique having the pantograph up and when entering or appearing from a tunnel they have the wire upwards within the tunnel and the pantograph than adjust itself to height .
n.) In my case I buy electric DC locos and this gives me another axle with rubber tyres
o.) the contact between pantograph wiper and the overhead wire is more reliable than that of the middle contacts especially over turnouts.
p.) you also could run your electric locos on a different power system
q.) you have the option to run if off the slider (power) but have the pantograph up at the same time
r.) or you could run your 2nd loco (push) power from your first loco via electrical couplings without the slider but with the pantograph up (no power)
s.) the same goes for consists of 2, 3, 4 locos or more
t.) you will rarely have a short (track) unless the loco or carriages derail.
u.) sometimes DC locos are cheaper than AC locos
v.) you can create sparks via pantograph and the overhead wires (led) or natural
x.) to set up a proper overhead system can be very time consuming and complicated when power comes from the overhead system
y.) much simpler if the pantograph is up but no power comes from the overhead wire and the slider is used
z.) I've given you 25 examples of why it is possible to create a more realistic scene

John

4 locos hauling a 50 carriage iron ore train





https://www.youtube.com/river6109
https://www.youtube.com/6109river
5 years in Destruction mode
50 years in Repairing mode
thanks 5 users liked this useful post by river6109
Offline DaleSchultz  
#4 Posted : 16 November 2020 17:43:37(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
on my layout, the reason the pantographs don't touch the running wire is because I only put up the catenary masts and no running wire.

I find the model catenary wire looks too thick and intrusive on the scene for my taste.

Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
Users browsing this topic
Similar Topics
Catenary Transition for Shadow Station to Tunnel (H0-scale)
by sforugby 22/03/2024 21:05:18(UTC)
Starting with catenary. (H0-scale)
by dave55uk 21/01/2024 12:09:40(UTC)
Paint Colour required for Marklin Catenary (H0-scale)
by marklin61 04/12/2023 20:45:38(UTC)
3015 didn’t work from catenary (H0-scale)
by Hematite 13/06/2023 19:25:59(UTC)
Catenary Set Up - Curve Combinations (H0-scale)
by Eddie7979 04/01/2023 06:01:00(UTC)
Transfer table 7294 catenary (General MRR)
by Boydrlhome 21/11/2022 16:09:09(UTC)
Using Block signal #89391 with Catenary system (Small scale)
by veloboldie 06/10/2022 21:40:31(UTC)
Catenary pole spacing (General MRR)
by Mr. Ron 17/01/2022 10:34:42(UTC)
Catenary (General MRR)
by Mr. Ron 25/12/2021 23:32:37(UTC)
Marklin Catenary (H0-scale)
by Ausipeet 18/08/2021 05:13:57(UTC)
Catenary fabrication for M track (H0-scale)
by Mr. Ron 12/07/2021 21:49:21(UTC)
Catenary Function (H0-scale)
by Ranjit 23/06/2021 15:06:10(UTC)
Lowering the Catenary (Small scale)
by Ricinport 07/03/2021 11:43:26(UTC)
How to isolate catenary circuits at a crossing? (H0-scale)
by ccranium 25/01/2021 21:57:31(UTC)
711.1 Catenary service vehicle catches fire and becomes run-away - July 9 2020 (Prototype)
by Minok 05/01/2021 00:22:19(UTC)
Looking for a source for a, Marklin 03902 ”Catenary Handbook” (H0-scale)
by frickwg 10/12/2020 19:18:01(UTC)
39940 Unimog Catenary Maintenance Locomotive (Loco Reviews)
by xxup 08/11/2020 09:04:06(UTC)
M track, catenary and helixes (or helices) (H0-scale)
by Michael4 25/08/2020 15:30:16(UTC)
kato catenary 5-052 (General MRR)
by sonra 30/04/2020 16:23:44(UTC)
Dapol catenary masts (H0-scale)
by PeFu 24/03/2020 08:56:51(UTC)
Märklin gauge 1 catenary wires (Big scale)
by aclassifier 17/01/2020 10:30:22(UTC)
Searching for catenary manual (General MRR)
by Bertl 09/01/2020 17:25:06(UTC)
Sommerfeldt catenary (General MRR)
by Nuno 11/11/2019 20:59:59(UTC)
Marklin 88564 catenary issue (Small scale)
by husafreak 25/08/2019 08:08:36(UTC)
My world under catenary? (General MRR)
by hennabm 08/03/2019 21:27:11(UTC)
Bent catenary masts...and wires (H0-scale)
by Michael4 31/01/2019 10:44:10(UTC)
39970 Catenary Railcar Coupling (H0-scale)
by cookee_nz 28/01/2019 05:39:24(UTC)
Buying catenary for marklin ho (H0-scale)
by quarkhirad 10/12/2018 18:57:49(UTC)
Electric Locos with or without catenary (H0-scale)
by Jabez 16/10/2018 21:24:37(UTC)
Marklin Catenary (H0-scale)
by Kyrannosaurus 08/08/2018 11:01:16(UTC)
Overhead wiring with Sommerfeldt catenary (Model railroad wiring)
by river6109 10/07/2018 12:39:47(UTC)
Bundesbahn Catenary Safety Film (Prototype)
by analogmike 26/07/2017 02:30:24(UTC)
Brawa KLv 60.9001 Catenary Test Coach - Sound and Light mod (H0-scale)
by Moritz-BR365 28/06/2017 15:05:41(UTC)
Catenary (yet again, sorry!) (H0-scale)
by Michael4 24/06/2017 18:32:01(UTC)
Tunnel Portals for M-track w/catenary (H0-scale)
by AtlanticMan 21/05/2017 19:19:49(UTC)
Catenary mast question (H0-scale)
by DB Fan 07/05/2017 05:47:15(UTC)
Catenary Lengths and M-track (H0-scale)
by AtlanticMan 23/03/2017 21:01:18(UTC)
constructing a Sommerfeldt catenary (General MRR)
by river6109 08/03/2017 05:15:34(UTC)
Catenary and M-track (H0-scale)
by AtlanticMan 10/02/2017 20:40:26(UTC)
Catenary for M-track (H0-scale)
by AtlanticMan 07/02/2017 02:26:20(UTC)
AC operations with catenary (H0-scale)
Belarus Leitner 19/10/2016 13:28:19(UTC)
z scale catenary (Small scale)
by thomas buckley 28/09/2016 03:22:03(UTC)
Marklin M Track catenary: Which screw type is needed? (H0-scale)
by Slider 05/09/2016 14:34:01(UTC)
old style catenary questions (H0-scale)
by thomas buckley 30/05/2016 17:53:03(UTC)
Old-Style Marklin Catenary- Wire Material and Conductive Weathering Treatments? (Painting & Weathering)
by 5HorizonsRR 09/05/2016 22:43:46(UTC)
digital and catenary (Digital)
by thomas buckley 09/05/2016 18:24:20(UTC)
Catenary vehicle I've never saw it before, have you? (H0-scale)
by Iamnotthecrazyone 03/04/2016 13:25:10(UTC)
more catenary questions (H0-scale)
by thomas buckley 27/01/2016 17:48:18(UTC)
CATENARY QUESTIONS (H0-scale)
by thomas buckley 14/01/2016 19:08:38(UTC)
working with Marklin catenary (H0-scale)
by quarkhirad 06/05/2015 14:33:59(UTC)
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

| Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2024, Yet Another Forum.NET
This page was generated in 0.501 seconds.