11/33kv poles

[Chris]

Given that these are one of the most common things on the british landscape but totally ignored by the model railway manufacturers I thought you might appreciate this guide to making your own 33 & 11kv poles.

Cut some 1.5mm plastic rod to around 6cm in length for each pole.

Cut a piece of small (1mm) evergreen angle to around 15mm length for the insulator plate and glue to the pole just below the top. For twin-pole pylons cut two pieces of angle and mount back-to-back (or alternatively use a single piece of C-channel).

For single pole pylons cut out a small V shape from card approx 5mm each side. The V should be cut at around 60 degrees. Cut the top of the V horizontally then glue the V to the pole, with the top of the V touching the underside of the insulator plate.

For 'straight-ahead' poles, cut 3 pieces of wire 4mm long and mount upright to the plate. For 'corner' poles with a sinlge pole, cut 6 5mm lengths of wire and mount a right angles on the plate, and angled left or right as desired, then cut 2 further 5mm lengths of wire and mount upright on the centre and outer edge of the plate. For twin-pole corners, one outer upright insulator is the norm, although 2 or 3 is not uncommon.

Paint as required.

Here are the ones I made unpainted:-



And painted:-






If you have built the Kato electricity pylon kit then you will probably have lots of spare insulators left over. These can be used in place of the pieces of wire for the insulators on these poles (2 discs for 11kv and 3 for 33kv).

[NGF Staff]

What a great idea Chris.  Something that's common indeed.  They look great in your field.