Ridings - the Overhead

This page shows the work on the overhead - the core of the layout and effectively why I started this project in the first place, to get trolleybuses running on realistic overhead.
There is a picture of the first proper attempt to see if this was all possible on the Early Days page. Once I had proved that it was a practical proposition, I started construction of the main layout. It was to be many years before I actually erected working overhead! The steering at that time was of my own construction, using a suspended magnet to follow a steel guide strip (following abortive experiments with a radio-frequency guide system). This was not very successful, and was beyond my construction abilities to produce a reliable system en-mass. Therefore most of the work stopped until I discovered the Faller system; then it all became possible again!
As the pictures below show, the first proper overhead appeared on the layout in 2005, and a circuit was built in time for its first public exhibition. The trolleybuses follow the same guide system as the motorbuses, and naturally all this had to be finished first. Overhead gets in the way of any other modelling, and indeed I still have to be very careful not to damage it when I'm doing anything else. However, just like the real thing, it is remarkably robust.

A new intersection was later added on Board 2. This enables trolleybuses to short-turn from the station up the hill, and also get into town along the main road instead of round the back. The latter run into town has not been added yet, but the rest worked better than expected.

(>>) indicates a larger shot is available. Click on the arrows or the photo.

The first overhead starts to appear in June 2005.	The very first test runs with the wiring on the first board. A few snags needed to be ironed out, but generally good. A new chassis had to be built for the trolleybus, incorporating the Faller steering arm.	A closer view of the first board's overhead being tested.
Overhead now painted so it looks more the part (but the trolleybus wheels are not!).   (>>)	The second board gets its wires, and the trolleybus runs up the slope past the bungalow. A complete loop was erected in time for the Sheffield Exhibition in June 2005.	(>>) The control area has had a panel for the buses added. The switches are to activate the bus stops; the controller behind will be inserted into the bus panel for trolleybus control.  Compare this with the third photo on the Early Days page.
Prototype of a 60º crossing which worked well. Board 2 needed 4 of these, 4 x 75º and 3 x 25º plus 4 facing and 2 trailing point blades. This made up two complete crossings and three complete frogs (points), and that's before the ones required on Board 3. All the overhead I plan to install will take some time!	The two angled crossings completed and placed in approximate position over the existing overhead at the bottom of the slope on Board 2.  The frogs were still to do at this time.  (>>)	Two frogs completed - the facing for turning up the hill or going straight on, and the trailing one up the hill. The facing frog went through three versions before I got one to work! Only the other facing frog to pull into the station layby, and tidying up to do now, then the complete unit can be installed, replacing the existing wiring. (>>)
(>>) New module installed for test running. Some pull-offs not yet fitted, tensioning not finished and a few problems, but connected to the rest of the network and looking promising!	Closer view of the layby frog in place, and overview of the whole junction before all the pull-offs were added and final painting, on the right.	(>>)
(>>)	Three shots of the finished junction, with all the pull-offs in position and spacer bars painted. On the left: the trolleybus enters the loop in front of the station. Above and right: swinging up the hill from the station loop. (>>)	(>>) Operation of the frogs by pull wire has been OK, but leaves a bit to be desired. Instead of the sprung version I constructed, I plan to alter the frogs to 'pull both ways', ie. not sprung so they will need to be pulled in either direction. This will take some of the stresses off the overhead.