PVRR Catenary Project
The Patcong Valley Catenary Project is made possible by our friends at Model Memories. 
Model Memories Catenary can be purchased by following this link: 
 

We began by measuring out the first span of wires per the directions that were provided to us by the manufacturer. It is important to ensure you start with the proper spacing and maintain that spacing through the whole project.

Once the proper distance was established between the poles, their height was adjusted to ensure proper spacing between the catenary wiring and the pantographs that will be operating under neath it.

Multiple locomotive styles were tested to ensure the spacing was accurate and that the pantographs would remain under the wire as they traversed the curves on the layout.

Here we see a GG1 being positioned under the wire. The GG1 has a different wheel base than most model engines and because of this, the model proves to be the most difficult to keep under the wire in curves.

The first 5 catenary poles in this order are installed and the wire will be finished during the next work session. Eventually the catenary will be airbrushed to match the real life prototype.

Here is an example of the current day railroad and how the PRR combined signal towers with their catenary. This is the look we hope to achieve here on the club layout for our visitors to enjoy

A Pennsylvania Railroad P5 sits under the catenary while we double check the height of the wire. We have several different engine types that members run and we want to make sure that they all work.

Construction crews are seen hard at work installing one of the new catenary poles. We thought it was a good idea to include a construction scene so visitors can see that the project is under construction.

We test fit a power substation on the layout to check to see if it would fit in this area. Electric trains can not run without electricity and this substation will help provide the power to the wire.

Shown here is the completed catenary construction scene. Our master modelers weathered the crane and reinstalled it into the scene. Only thing missing is the animatronic welder that is still on order.

Shown here is the completed catenary construction scene. Our master modelers weathered the crane and reinstalled it into the scene. Only thing missing is the animatronic welder that is still on order.

Here is a completed section of catenary. We had to measure the curvature of the track and the tracking of the pantographs to ensure the wire would remain above the equipment through the curve.

Here we see Buzz double checking the wire curvature with the GG1. We set the wire to the GG1 since it has the widest wheel base and thus the widest "swing" through the curves.

This next section coming up is going to prove to be a challenged for the catenary team. Both diverging routes will need to be wired which will allow for a pretty cool catenary setup.

One of our members had 24 single track poles at home and brought them in for us to use. We were able to get a jump start on the yard lead out of Kip Junction. 

These single track poles will allow us to electrify the yard lead so that our electric locomotive powered trains can access the yard under wire. 

The single track poles continue down the yard ladder which will get the engines down to the switch they need to enter the engine servicing terminal pictured to the right of the photo

This shows the bottom of the yard ladder. Electric engines will take the switch at the bottom of the photo and then change directions into the engine service terminal.