Ohio Brass

My thanks to Scott Davis of the PTM Power and Signals Dept. for lending me a couple of Ohio Brass catalogues. Most of the scans were taken from the 1926-27 catalog. It ran to 946 pages and includes catenary, mine, 3rd rail, high tension, car parts and just about anything you could think of -- except signals. Look at the pricing in 1926 dollars!

Several of the scans came from the 1948 book, which was just 200 pages as the writing was definitely on the wall at that point.

These are parts that I'm familiar with from working with the overhead crew at PTM. There are tons of other fittings and hardware required. Constructing overhead is a costly and time consuming effort. It can also be dangerous, as you're working 20 or more feet above the rail, and maybe dealing with live overhead. But, well erected overhead is a beautiful thing. And the wire at PTM is second to none. It rivals the excellent work performed by the Pittsburgh railways line crews.

So, you want to erect trolley wire. Sharpen up the pencil and have the comptometer handy. Don't forget to add the costs of the poles, trolley wire, feeder cable and insulators, rail bonds, back guys, labor, etc.

You'll need some wooden strain insulators, either two or four to each span wire, depending on the type of hanger you're using. Don't forget about pull-offs, backbones, things like that. they all need insulators as well.

Bracket arm construction will save you a buck or two as you'll only need 1 pole for the span.

Non-insulated hangers used on curved overhead. These will make your spans "hot.	Caps and cones for insulated hangars for straight track.

Hangers for above, right, as well as some handy tools for your erection work!!

Basic ear, attach with hammer and clipping block	Splice ear for connecting wire, patching when wire burns through! Section insulator-another high-maintenance item.

One of several types of wire frogs, cam tips extra!!	Frog placement in one easy lesson (although you do have to adjust them to find a happy medium.)

Cam trips for frogs, section insulators, etc. One of various types of fittings for crossings.



So you're crossing a steam railroad? Don't forget to order the trolley guard.



Typical trolley wheel and pole base. Again, many other options, including sliders rather than wheels.