 Joined: 29/01/2017(UTC) Posts: 3 Location: Dungeness
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Hi, am finally managing to build my Marklin HO layout and about to add the brawa Trolleybus system I have collected over the years. I am short of the overhead wires (I have the poles) does anyone know what size/gauge the contact wires are as you don’t seem to be able to find any on eBay at a reasonable price, presumably I must be able to buy a roll of the wire and just cut to length?
Thanks
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 Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,435 Location: Switzerland
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Sorry, no idea about the exact dimensions, but I once got a recommendation for a very cheap replacement for the original Brawa wires: the wires used by dentists and dental technicians for braces intended to straighten teeth (no joke!). I tried it once quite successfully with the sole exception that this type of wire is delivered in the form of reels and therefore tends to "roll up" and is a bit difficult to be kept straight. https://shop.roos-dental...fftechnik/Klammerdraehte
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 2 users liked this useful post by Unholz
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,563 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Jonathan Welcome to the forum. Long time ago I had an N scale Brawa Trolleybus and had many troubles with contact wires. May I suggest you to make a try with a medium size metal guitar string. Their metal coating against oxydation could be great. Regarding the hoses ("Hulsen" in German) you may try with large size medical needles cut to size These O-Busses were really fun. Cheers Jean |
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5 users liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 23/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 193
Location: U.K. Midlands
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Hi. I have measured the wires in my Brawa H0 set at 0.8mm diameter. The earlier Eheim system used a rectangular wire as can be seen in the photo below of my Narrow gauge layout using 60s Eggerbahn and Jouef stock.  A couple of possible sources for 0.8mm wire are MIG welding wire ( Copper coated steel) or Jewellers silver coated copper wire. A sample of both could possibly be begged for testing from respectively an Engineering company or jewellers. Both are also fairly cheap ( Jewellers wire at £3.99 for a 6M coil) but I don't know how strong or stiff it is ! Hope this helps. Colin.
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2 users liked this useful post by EMD_GP7
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Joined: 29/01/2017(UTC) Posts: 3 Location: Dungeness
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Thanks for all the info, I have ordered a roll of .8mm hobby wire so lets see how we get on! Such a shame Brawa stopped producing this!
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Joined: 23/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 193
Location: U.K. Midlands
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Glad to help.
Good luck with the hobby wire.
Colin
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 Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 14,875 Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
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mine are 200mm long and 07-08mm diameter, I used Sommerfeldt copperwire to replace or extend the overhead system., I rather have nickel plated as they don't corrode., I've got 3 of them all digital and sound decoders., changed the lights to Led + added indicator lights, quite happy with the results John |
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2 users liked this useful post by river6109
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 Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,894 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Nice wide angle views of your layout John!
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1 user liked this useful post by marklinist5999
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