09-21-2009, 10:54 PM
Well, i thought i might be able to get more out of the way today, but classes held me up. I only really had time to finish one more catenary bridge ( i still need to build another, but its ready for assembly), and I layed the cork and most of the track i needed.
If it really ends tomorrow (assuming i can still work tomorrow, Tuesday), then i think i can get it done, since hanging the wire is a simple matter of just soldering it in a few places, and i only need to make one more new wire section, which should be no problem with the jig i have.
the only thing I'm still contemplating is the messenger wire, the wire that gives "catenary" its name, because it curves. there are multiple ways of making it. One is to pre-attach this catenary to the wire. This could be done, since i have fixed catenary bridges, but I wonder if it would be faster to instead hang the wires first, then do the catenary in the air. the downside is that doing anything in the air can be pretty tough, and might put un-due strain on the system.
in fact, now that i think about it, i'll just start the curve on the board, and just have all the messenger wires and their connecting rods put together before hand. that way, it reduces the risk of heat harming the rest of the structure, and makes it so that i only have to solder in two places for each wire on each bridge when i do install the wire (at the connection of the messenger with one hanger, and where the trolley/axillary wire contact the "V" hangers. It might take more time the measure, but it seems like a safer bet. besides, other than a crossover (which need's its own wires anyway), there are no curves, so there is no reason to do anything fancy.
there is also "Box" catenary at the turnouts, but I'm thinking i can build that separate and install that into the main system after the main wires are mostly up. I'll just have to leave the pull off wires un-anchored, so that i can pull it tight after the supporting box catenary is up.
If the crossover is a pain, i'll just hang them as straight sections. technically, i have to start with that anyway, so I'll see how complicated it gets. i also need to find my camera.
If it really ends tomorrow (assuming i can still work tomorrow, Tuesday), then i think i can get it done, since hanging the wire is a simple matter of just soldering it in a few places, and i only need to make one more new wire section, which should be no problem with the jig i have.
the only thing I'm still contemplating is the messenger wire, the wire that gives "catenary" its name, because it curves. there are multiple ways of making it. One is to pre-attach this catenary to the wire. This could be done, since i have fixed catenary bridges, but I wonder if it would be faster to instead hang the wires first, then do the catenary in the air. the downside is that doing anything in the air can be pretty tough, and might put un-due strain on the system.
in fact, now that i think about it, i'll just start the curve on the board, and just have all the messenger wires and their connecting rods put together before hand. that way, it reduces the risk of heat harming the rest of the structure, and makes it so that i only have to solder in two places for each wire on each bridge when i do install the wire (at the connection of the messenger with one hanger, and where the trolley/axillary wire contact the "V" hangers. It might take more time the measure, but it seems like a safer bet. besides, other than a crossover (which need's its own wires anyway), there are no curves, so there is no reason to do anything fancy.
there is also "Box" catenary at the turnouts, but I'm thinking i can build that separate and install that into the main system after the main wires are mostly up. I'll just have to leave the pull off wires un-anchored, so that i can pull it tight after the supporting box catenary is up.
If the crossover is a pain, i'll just hang them as straight sections. technically, i have to start with that anyway, so I'll see how complicated it gets. i also need to find my camera.
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.
![[Image: logosmall.png]](http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg445/CAB_IV/Model%20Trains%202013/logosmall.png)