Web Links for Traction parts.

[interurban]

So glad you posted these sites Bill.
Great info and the price`s are good to

[swampdaddy]

Hi all: I am a newbie here. Busch has a new paint scheme for the HO scale GMC new-look fishbowl bus, it is the "environmental paint scheme" as used on an Edmonton, Alberta BBC/GMC trolleybus. I want to turn one of these Busch units into an Edmonton trolleybus; and, if I am lucky to power it with a Faller Car System propulsion system. The trolleybus line will supplement my streetcar routes.

I will be going to those parts sites in this thread later on but I thought I'd ask as maybe some one can short cut my search.

All for now, Swamp Daddy

[spitfire]

Hey there Swampdaddy - welcome to the Gauge!

Glad to see your first post was in our Traction forum. I think your powered trolleybus is a brilliant idea!!! Keep us posted on your progress with it - I would love to see how it works out.

Val

[bill937ca]

Originally Posted by swampdaddy

Hi all: I am a newbie here. Busch has a new paint scheme for the HO scale GMC new-look fishbowl bus, it is the "environmental paint scheme" as used on an Edmonton, Alberta BBC/GMC trolleybus. I want to turn one of these Busch units into an Edmonton trolleybus; and, if I am lucky to power it with a Faller Car System propulsion system. The trolleybus line will supplement my streetcar routes.

I will be going to those parts sites in this thread later on but I thought I'd ask as maybe some one can short cut my search.

All for now, Swamp Daddy

Welcome Swamp Daddy.

The only retriever parts that I am aware of in any scale are offered by Light Rail Products in G scale:

http://www.lightrailproducts.com/index.html

http://www.lightrailproducts.com/006...ey.catcher.htm


On the HO trolleys Customtraxx painted and detailed for me, the retriever is just a small hunk of styrene.

I'll give you a couple of O scale suppliers as trolley coach retrievers are sometimes oversize compared to streetcar retrievers. Q scale does offer a couple of retrievers, but one model is out of stock.

Current Line Models

http://www.currentline.net/

Q Car Company

http://www.qcarcompany.com/listings/...terior.html#EX

http://www.qcarcompany.com/listings/...wings/B154.gif

http://www.qcarcompany.com/listings/...wings/B155.gif

[Uintah Dave]

East Gary Car Company has some nice stuff in O & G scale. No web site but you can get a catalog with an SASE to 3828 St. Joseph Ct. Lake Station, IN 46405

[swampdaddy]

Thanks for the replies. I am not sure about those O-gage ones. Years back MTS offered a generic ACF Brill kit which was available (in HO) as a trolleybus or a motorbus version. I am sorry I did not buy one; but, it was metal parts you had to glue together and this was just a bit before 'super glues' became commonly available.

At any rate they did list the 'retriever parts' for a few years in Walthers catalog. Not for years now. And, I've already turned a couple out of styrene sprues leftover from kits. Still, I wanted to see what was made that might look better then what I've done.

I might fill in a little here on my efforts. The two streetcar routes were serviced by Bachmann PCC cars, several AHM LRV cars and the newest (at least as to purchases) were 3 Roco articulated streetcars (German, but based on the PCC car).

In addition, for years, on several layouts I've run the Brawa HO trolleybuses. These are a bit unrealistic as the poles are mounted up front (to actually steer the bus) and the overhead is a bit oversized. But, they are ultra reliable, the overhead is tough as nails and a few other benefits such as a 4" turning radius. I did experiment with a unit running on slot track with poles mounted in the correct spot but still drawing power from the overhead. This experiment from around 1970 worked well; but, due to the slot track, it looked terrible. So I went back to the front steering poles. Then lately I noticed the Faller Car System which uses a battery for power, and a magnet on a slider piece attached to the front axle to steer the bus. I bought one of these expensive sets and after a bit of tweaking it ran well. But, you were always recharging the bus. So, I figure, put poles on it and draw power from the overhead -- no recharging needed. Swivel shoes would be nice at the end of the pole. Someone in Australia has made this sort of pole; but, I have yet to get a pair for experimenting.

Experimentation has about ended for now as I am packing up the city, tearing apart the benchwork, etc. in preparation for an upcoming move.

I am sure I will post more; and I hope to find some photos. You can go here to look at some of the bus fleet I have (powered and non-powered) and one streetcar:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/swampdaddy40219/album?.dir=/34d5&urlhint=actn,ren%3as,1%3af,0

be sure and get the whole URL pasted in. Note also photos of the large downtown "traction terminal" I am building from scratch. It will have loading bays out front for both streetcars and trolleybuses. I've stalled out on it for awhile due to other projects.

I will be, over a few weeks, reading all posts in this thread.

Harry

[interurban]

Thanks for that information Uintah Dave, and welcome to the gauge and our traction
hang out

Hello Harry (swampdaddy) and welcome to you also great project you have on the go. Man you sure have a lot of busses.

Where did your interest in Transport come from Harry?