Do You Run Electric Without Catenary Wires?

[scottmitchell74]

I've always avoided electric locomotives because I didn't want to deal with the Wires which seem very complicated and very delicate,  but was wondering if certain electronic locos look "okay" running on a layout without?

Anyone do this?

[njee20]

Yes, 99% of people running electric (not electronic!) locos do so without OHLE. Some fit masts, but no wires.

Ultimately it's your layout, do what makes you happy. Only you can say if they look ok.

[PLD]

I would say that the majority of N-gauge layouts at exhibitions that represent Electrified lines have the masts, but no wires.
They would be so fine as to be almost invisible and on a portable layout there is the practicality of how to deal with board joins...
Ideally the pans need to be fixed in a mid-position, at the height the wire should be.

[scottmitchell74]

Yes, 99% of people running electric (not electronic!) locos do so without OHLE. Some fit masts, but no wires.

Ultimately it's your layout, do what makes you happy. Only you can say if they look ok.

Auto correct!! 

Interesting! Guess I never thought they would.

[Newportnobby]

Here's a couple of N gauge or 2mmFS layout that do:-

Of course, it makes track cleaning a bit of a PITA!!

[njee20]

Kinlet Wharf and Maid's Morton both did as well, and (IMO) look immeasurably better for it. Our own ntpntpntp has them fitted too, to excellent effect.

Drem and Dallas Sidings spring to mind as superb layouts that only have the portals, with no wires.

Personally I prefer having wires, I do accept that at X distance they tend not to be visible on the real thing, but for me they add to the scene.

[Bealman]

Yes, track cleaning and come to that, placing stock on rails would be problematic, I suspect.

[njee20]

Kinlet Wharf and Maid's Morton both did as well, and (IMO) look immeasurably better for it. Our own ntpntpntp has them fitted too, to excellent effect.

Drem and Dallam Sidings spring to mind as superb layouts that only have the portals, with no wires.

Personally I prefer having wires, I do accept that at X distance they tend not to be visible on the real thing, but for me they add to the scene.