green_elite_cab wrote:does he have sound in those E44s? i'd love a copy of that
the only thing I'll say on the catenary is that it is amazing, but the wire isn't quite set up that way on the PRR, the messenger wire isn't suppose to reach up to the horizontal cross-braces, at least it doesn't in any picture i've seen.
However, i owe Bill Kachel since most of my catenary construction techniques come from a PDF by him that has been posted on the internet, and anyone who makes wires of any kind is incredible. I knew about that open house and i wanted to go, but i was busy that weekend. I would have really loved to check it out for myself.
The only place that happens on the prototype is on anchor bridges usually signal towers, but not every other pole like on his layout. There are resisitors on the catenary and pull off wires. Kachel uses beads painted brown for all resistors He doesnt have sound on the E44s. but hes has a number of GG-1 broadways on the layout that do have sound. The only thing that disapointed me was that it was not live catenary like my set up. Many visitors asked "is it live" But like you've said we all Owe him graditude for his catenary construction PDF and I was able to thank him in person. What really stunned me was the amount of catenary. You really have to See it.
I was able to attend Charlie Grants Layout over the last weekend which also has catenary but more prototypical with correct hangers. He also uses Brown beads for insulators. He models from the Philly area down to Washington DC and has areas like the Bell jumpover ,Perryville and Washington Union Station Modelled exactly. Stunning the layout is Tripple decked with 6 trains running at one time with a signal system resembling the prototype that controls the trains!! The layout is DC and not computer controlled. The catenary crossings are even X boxed .. This guys layout is just AWESOME check out some picts
Bell Jump Over Y bracket V bracket
Wilmington funky catpoles
Ivy City xboxed Catenary
Steve in Philly - Home of the PRR - Railroad architect - Full Size & 1:87 - Live Wire
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