West Hill Wagon Works have released SR/Southern Region ‘Tram/trolley’ style lightweight overhead cantilever mast kits in 00 Gauge.
To enable the Bulleid Raworth Booster and class 71 electric locos to pick up / drop off (rather than shunt) trains in a number of yards away from electrified 3rd rail and its obvious inconvenience and dangers in such yards, a tram/trolley style lightweight 750v DC overhead catenary was, in 1941, installed at Brighton and Balcombe initially for testing CC1/2. The overhead was later installed at Angerstein Wharf, Betteshanger Colliery, Bricklayers Arms, Deal, Dover Town, Faversham, Hither Green Goods, Hoo Junction, Maidstone West, Plumstead, Shepherdswell, Sittingbourne, and Snowdown Colliery.
Locos were restricted to a maximum speed of a maximum 15mph when using the overhead.
Mast Bases are included in the kit, with magnets to fit into the bases and the Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE) mast. The use of magnets allows the OHLE masts to be easily removed and re-fitted on your layout. Registration Arm magnets are included should you wish to attach a contact wire (wires are not included in this kit). A length of 0.5mm wire rod is included to form the top brace of each mast, for fitting between the mast and the registration arm during assembly.
For those who run either the EFE Rail Bulleid Raworth SR Boosters or Class 71 electric locomotives these masts would be an ideal and interesting addition to a goods yard. If you have not got your EFE Rail Bulleid Raworth SR Booster yet you can do so by clicking here…
Interesting and most development – thank you for the ‘heads up’ Graham.
Particuarly like the magnetic bases too….
Correction – “most welcomed development”