Tram Catenary

[Saleel]

I am trying to find a complete set of catenary system for trams, which includes poles for crossovers and terminus/end of line, all of the systems I found missed out on these, for normal trains I am using Bernd German Catenary the height is no compatible with the trams, ideally I would have liked seamless system, also a manual on installation could help as the Tram system seems different, what are the distances between poles, any pointers which can help me.

 

[BLACKWATCH]

Have a look on the dls under ID paulzmay

 

[bwfeldsee]

The distance between poles will depend on the circumstances of the route and type of overhead. The most important thing to remember is that trams go around much sharper curves than trains and therefore, on these curves, the poles need to be close together so that the overhead wire keeps in fairly close proximity to the rails - particularly important if using a pantograph rather than a trolley arm.

On straight track the poles can be further apart - but not too far if your tramway has unsupported single wire overhead.

Nowadays the distiction between tramway and light rail has become very blurred so, again, it depends very much on your location and era. There is no one single rule which governs all this. Have a look at some photos of real life locations and if your route looks right, it probably is.

Good luck
Alan

 

[Saleel]

I have checked the paulzmay, silversmith, motorman1066 and ptram (this does have the end wires with weights but they are flat, I going by the conventional catenary system so , I expect there should be in/out on single pole for diverging tracks layout, or are things different for the tram as there is no guidelines for newbies, the pantograph I tried to fit other on Siemens Combino for height but it gets rotated 90 degrees, guess it would not work as the trams sits lower, is there any pantograph which will give right extended height for standard catenary, I think many people would have faced this in combining the trams and trains where trams.

 

[ray_whiley]

The minimum height for tram overhead in the UK was 20 feet, although this could be lowered to pass under bridges if necessary whilst the minimum on the Isle of Man was 16 feet. Tram overhead must, I suggest, be modelled separate from the track to give the correct appearance, as otherwise it would curve with the track and overhead wires are of necessity straight - in short lengths on curved tram track of tight radius. The suggestions given above are excellent.

A good solution for a tram layout, which I have adopted, is to use LT conduit collection trams and track which are available from the DLS. No problem with overhead and they are excellent trams. Another possibility is to use steam or diesel trams, if they appeal, and Birmingham even had some battery operated cars.

Ray

 

[Saleel]

Any screenshots of tracks merging point caternary, I don't seem to see any IN/OUT wire holders or terminating wire poles, since I have not seen any trams in real this would help, as I am looking at realistic tram catenary

 

[BLACKWATCH]

Try Google Images, there are lots of pictures of prototype trams & wires. Then you will know what they should look like.