Is there a rule which can automatically change the height of the pantograph?

B

belgian46

Active member
Hello,

In my route, I'm using different types of trains and trams.

On those trains, the pantograph height is not the same.

I still have to measure the height of the pantograph used on the trams, but at first look, they height seems to be the same.

I'm not the builder of the trains and trams, so I have no ability to change those assets.

Other problem is the use of a catenary, wire, pylons, etc ...

I have tried to find a solution for this problem, but in all my tests that I have done, the pantograph went through the wire, or didn't reach up to the wire.

Is there a solution for this problem?

Other problem is placing the catenary, wire, pylons within the route. Recently, I might have found an asset from Kenichiro, which could be a solution for me.

Kenichiro's asset = Track with catenary A single/double. Wire height is again the issue.

So I created a thread within the community section of this forum if someone recently had contact with Kenichiro.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
Kurt,

I think the height of a pantograph is fixed by the mesh and animation when the asset is created and if I'm correct then this can't be changed. BUT... I think many pantographs are made as separate assets and attached to the main mesh so, with assets of this kind, you can change the pantograph by a simple edit of the config.txt file to one of the correct height.

Chris
 
itareus said:
Kurt,

I think the height of a pantograph is fixed by the mesh and animation when the asset is created and if I'm correct then this can't be changed. BUT... I think many pantographs are made as separate assets and attached to the main mesh so, with assets of this kind, you can change the pantograph by a simple edit of the config.txt file to one of the correct height.

Chris
Click to expand...

Hello Chris,

Thank you for your hopeful reply. :)

I will have a look on the DLS if a pantograph with the exact height is available. At this moment, I haven' t got a clue how I will measure the height of the standalone pantograph asset, but I will probably figure it out when I get there.

If the pantograph on the tram/train is placed as an individual asset, then I will investigate how I can replace the pantograph.

Ps Some rainy days are arriving - so I will also spent time with the LOD-problem ( I will keep you informed );)


Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
Hello,

On the DLS, I went for a pantograph search which has the height that I need. There are pantographs present, but only a few have their measurements in the description box.

This was looking for a needle in a haystack.

So, I first had a look at the tram I would like to use in my route. This tram has a BB pantograph ( -1:100860 ( created by Auran ). The cabin height of the tram = 3,1m.

The height of pantograph ( when pantograph is up ) = 1,7m. The wire ( catenary ) has a height of 5,2m.

I finally found a pantograph with a height of approximately 2,1m ( when pantograph is up ). This pantograph = SBB CFF FSS pantograph ( kuid2:182970:57133:1 ) ( Created by locovapeur ).

I did the test just by replacing the BB pantograph with the SBB CFF FSS pantograph.

To my big suprise - when I opened my route with the tram ( now with SBB CFF FSS pantograph ) in it, the height of the pantograph showed 1,7m ( when pantograph is up ) and not 2,1m. :confused:

If someone can explane this to me, I would be grateful.

I continued my search, and found following thread http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?48764-Pantograph-2-Fit .

I downloaded the TGV V150 extremite 2 Beta ( kuid 386541:1502 ). This asset has a pantograph with several animated pantograph heights ( 4m; 4,8m, 4,9m; 5,6m and 5,8m ) in it.

Unfortunately, non of those height can be used for my situation.

Therefore I would like to try a make a pantograph myself, which has the measurements that I need.

The problem is, I haven't got a clue how to make a pantograph.

Is there someone who has a step by step how to build a pantograph tutorial ( Gmax, Blender, Sketchup, other ... )?

I did a search on the www, but up to now, no how to build a pantograph tutorial was found.

Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
Many moons ago, probably before you were born, this issue was all over the forums. Nowadays people have given up and don't talk about it. The bottom line is that since there is no standard being set by anyone, the height of the wires and the pantographs or trolleys is made to the best guess of the creators, and it normally is wrong for the type of posts and wires you use. So, at some point someone made a "catenary adjusting tool", and there you could set all the wires to a fixed height.. one by one, so it takes lot's of time to do. Lately I found a Mistral 69 loco that has the pantographs extended, and I use it to gauge the near correct height of my catenary, giving a better outlook. Anyhow this is not an exact science and the best solution is not to look very closely to the external view at ground level. Things get more complicated when you install catenaries inside of tunnels deep inside of high mountains, as I do. Others have suggested changing or creating scripts, but so far this is our best bet: Don't look at it very closely. But of course, if anyone has a better solution.. Please let us know.
 
llebrez said:
Many moons ago, probably before you were born, this issue was all over the forums. Nowadays people have given up and don't talk about it. The bottom line is that since there is no standard being set by anyone, the height of the wires and the pantographs or trolleys is made to the best guess of the creators, and it normally is wrong for the type of posts and wires you use. So, at some point someone made a "catenary adjusting tool", and there you could set all the wires to a fixed height.. one by one, so it takes lot's of time to do. Lately I found a Mistral 69 loco that has the pantographs extended, and I use it to gauge the near correct height of my catenary, giving a better outlook. Anyhow this is not an exact science and the best solution is not to look very closely to the external view at ground level. Things get more complicated when you install catenaries inside of tunnels deep inside of high mountains, as I do. Others have suggested changing or creating scripts, but so far this is our best bet: Don't look at it very closely. But of course, if anyone has a better solution.. Please let us know.
Click to expand...

Hello llebrez,

Thank you for your information.

Due to the fact that I have some difficulties placing caternary, pylons, wires etc, I found it interesting to find Kenichiro Track with catenary A single ( kuid 117608:60325 . This is an all in one asset ( track, pylon, catenary, wire ). Unfortunately, with this asset the replace assets tool could not be used.

My only other option was to delete the presently used track in my route and replace it by using Transdem.

I did a test using transdem and there I had the unexpected result that the pylons, catenary and wire are visible but the track was not presented.
( link to transdem forum = http://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.p...f5a55ee8711294 ). I have no idea why this happens.

That's why I started my work, which you can read in my post 4.

It is possible to receive the name of the Mistral69 Loco?

Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
Last edited:
Begian: Go to Mistra69.jimdo.com. Is in french but you should have no problem to find the loco. There a several, but at least 2-3 have the pantographs up in surveyor.
 
llebrez said:
Begian: Go to Mistra69.jimdo.com. Is in french but you should have no problem to find the loco. There a several, but at least 2-3 have the pantographs up in surveyor.
Click to expand...

Hello llebrez,

Ok. I had a look on Mistral69 website. I will ask him some detailed information.

Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
josiassobrinho said:
Hello guys

Now your can download my pantograph from TurboSquid, is free: :D

http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/free-max-mode-pantograph-tgv/698384


Everyone remember: you need 3ds or Blender for editing and change height also Blender/3DS Max exporter for Trainz.

All the best

Josias https://www.facebook.com/josias.wattrelos
Click to expand...

Hello josiassobrinho,

Thank you for your answer and link to the pantograph.

Did you receive my personal email ( not transmitted via this forum, I used the email address from within your asset in content creator plus )?

Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
Last edited:
belgian46 said:
Hello josiassobrinho,

Thank you for your answer and link to the pantograph.

Did you receive my personal email ( not transmitted via this forum, I used the email address from within your asset in content creator plus )?

Best regards

Kurt :wave:
Click to expand...

Hello Kurt.

Yes I received.
My email address is quickest way to contact me because I see daily.
Any questions I will be answering ASAP. :D
Thanks.

Best regards.

Josias
 
josiassobrinho said:
Hello Kurt.

Yes I received.
My email address is quickest way to contact me because I see daily.
Any questions I will be answering ASAP. :D
Thanks.

Best regards.

Josias
Click to expand...

Hello Josias,

Thank you for your information.

Nice to know that your emailaddress is still operational. :)


Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
Sorry to bring back a slightly old thread, but I think a solution to this problem has been implemented by PWeiser for his US New Haven electric locos:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?88897-New-Haven-EP-5-“Jet”-Update-Upgrade
and
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?95471-Old-Freight-Motor-Updated-(NH-EF-1)

PWeiser said:
Just placed an updated and upgraded version of my New Haven EP-5 “Jet” electric locomotive on DLS, and it is available now*. .
[.....]
The principal upgrade, though, was developed as a demonstration project with this locomotive and meets a longstanding Trainz(tm) need: pantographs which you, the user, can configure to match the contact wire height on your layout. To do this (full instructions included in a Readme.txt file with the asset) all you have to do is set your desired height at one place in the script and two places in the config.txt file. Pantograph sparks also conform to your chosen contact wire height.

This feature requires a new pantograph asset which is *not* usable for other locomotives because without the script it will always rise to the maximum height mechanically possible - about 8.5m - and cycle continuously. This is entertaining (and happens in Railyard where script is ignored) but not particularly useful. An upgraded bogey is also provided (includes modeled third-rail shoes).

......
Click to expand...

Making changes to the installed Sparker.gs script that comes with the locos is very easy and I've set pantographs on his locos for a 5.9m catenary for a route I'm currently conceiving and it seems to work fine. Could this provide a new standard for variable height pantographs in Trainz?

Paul
 
Hello Paul,

Many thanks for putting this information into this thread. I will check this out.

Info follows ....


Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
Last edited:
Hello Paul,

Checked it and absolutely love it. :clap: If this feature could be used on all trains and trams which are going to be used in my route, this would be realy great. :cool:

Best regards

Kurt :wave:
 
I'm new to catenary and pantograph issues and this certainly seemed like a very straightforward and obvious solution to me. A bit of a well kept secret at the moment perhaps? Let's try and do some PR for it! :Y:

Paul
 
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