These are an actual game changer, and the fact that these are compatible with other systems as well means that no one is gonna loose out. 10/10 design from my point of view.
Yeah hopefully we start to see more people embrace OHLE and ac electric locos, as that is the way the network is going so manufacturers are going to have to produce these locos in greater numbers to allow people to model the current scene.
They look like they’re more durable than the magnetic couplings that they sell that break a lot according to what I’ve read, it would be nice if they sold a mast and accessories start up kit to keep the cost down?
Hi Dave, Whilst I only model steam I still found your video interesting. The quality and detail of the product produced by West Hill Wagon Works was amazing. Cheers Greg
Very nice review Dave and some much needs overhead equipment, I’ll be looking more into this in the coming months when I start my new layout, thanks Dave.
I remember when I was a kid,Lima actually produced catenary systems for their locos with pantographs. You had the option of live or dummy operating, but even back then, very expensive!
Hornby also released a few locos that could draw power from a live catenary, I still have one, but never bothered with a catenary I was happy enough to run it using the usual track power.
I used the NBrass Locomotives Gantries extensively on my Layout (about 20 years ago). They were excellent. I also used Electrotren Single masts. Thankfully got them before Hornby took them over @ 43p each.
I was actually over in Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as Ayrshire back in 1991 when the British Government were iniating this act. They were also having guardless stations which upset a lot of people as they didn't feel safe anymore!!.
As someone who does want to have some overhead catenary on a layout when I can eventually start building one this is defiantly a game changer and something I will consider getting, will defiantly be interested seeing the east coast mainline versions as I have lived near for a long time, great video showing this product Dave.
Looks good. A bit chunky as stated. Did you mention that later types similar to your existing masts are being considered? I really like your OHLE masts. They look the part. Thanks. Enjoy your episodes Howard
Hi, thanks for getting in touch. Which OHLE ones do you like? West hill are doing the mk1 and mk3 types of mast very soon. They won’t be doing what I did with mine that I built myself. Those are too fine for 3D printing. Cheers Dave
This is incredible stuff. Are there plans for high-detail Mk1 and 3 sets along with single masts for the S2 sets? There's a whole host of different variants of these and it'd be superb to have a truly modular catenary system with an arsenal of different styles of masts, headspans, and girders/portals. I'd also love to see the variants to do _realistic_ overlaps, neutral sections and feeder stations. I'm getting excited enough to want to actually spend the time and money to build a model rail layout.
I will be putting the masts on my layout as I had a call from West Hill Wagon works on how to put the magnets in to keep the masts up and I think they said to use pva glue or super glue to keep them in the mast which I can't wait to put them on my layout
I'm going to be honest. I model southern so it's 3rd rail. But this kit from West hill is really good . If I was doing over head then I'd be using it .
Wow. While I'm not really a fan of 3d printed products these look like they'll change my mind set! As a West coast AC modeller this range will certainly find a home on my layout. One question though. Longevity in resin printed products can be an issue with them becoming brittle over time, have WHWW overcome this with the choice of resins?
Hi, great review of these great items, are they based on British or European systems, they look amazing and imposing at the Same time, the would brighten up any layout, thanks for sharing.
Yes they did for the 1500V DC system used on the Woodhead route. There was a slide switch on the roof of the locos to switch between the overhead or the normal dual rail system.
As David Steele has said triang used to do it where you could take power from the overhead but one thing with that is you had to make sure the insulated side of the locomotive was on the correct line,these days live overhead wires are not seen and they are purely for show, this is because some manufacturer use plastic pantographs on their models and when metal ones are used they are not connected to take power, I have also heard they they don’t work very well with dcc as with that signals from the controller to the locomotives chip have to be constant and with a pantograph there is the possibility of losing connection.
Hello... Great video, as always! The version [ portal] with the side supports.... will that be ok without the side supports... will expand to 3 or 4 line portal.... or is that still on its way? Thanks....
Hi, all varieties will be covered eventually by west hill. But yeah you can use one of the masts with the horizontal beam. If that’s what your situation requires. You can also expand the portals to fit 3-4 lines by getting the expansion packs.
You make sure there is a span either side of the points (if it’s a cross over) and connect a wire from them over the diagonal track on the point. Also, if it’s just a point off to a siding for example, make sure there are masts near the point to attach wire to both lines.
OHLE is SO visually intrusive, both from inside the carriage and worse basically shouting the railway's presence across the hills and dales of our beautiful country. About time other electric charging and powering options were brought in. It's SO clunkily old fashioned for the latest "green" technology!
@@DeanPark Indeed we can. Apologies! I admit that I was lost in the plethora and pretty much perfect production quality of all the West Hill 3d modelled gems. Good luck to your mate Chris and company with keeping everything flowing. Apologies once more, this was not the time to have a go.
Whilst I appreciate the innovation and engineering, the aesthetic (of the prototype I guess) is just brutal. I prefer the Dapol styles as in your intro
I'm planning a layout that has a 4 track mainline on it, unsure do I use a mono-boom approach with one long boom going over all 4 tracks or a cantilever boom on each side? It doesn't seem as if they produce a 4 track width mono boom set but you use extension pieces instead? So do these come in two halves that you glue together on either side of the track then? And the extension pieces fit in between?
Hi, yes the extension packs can be built up to extend to the width you need. Or you could use two cantilever designs either side, but I would think one portal span would be more authentic for the real railway?
I’m pretty sure it wasn’t as detailed as this. Plus, locos today aren’t built to receive power from the wires. So producing such a system would be pointless. It’s not so much reinventing the wheel. This takes detail, usability and practicality to a much wider audience.
Full prices are on the website. As I helped west hill with the process (I tested them etc) I was therefore sent a few first production samples to show them off to help Chris at west hill promote them. But rest assured I’ll be buying the ones I’ll be using on my layout, just like every other customer.
I’m afraid I am not sure. If you look at the video you’ll see I’ve credited the person/channel that filmed it. Maybe on their original video upload it will tell you more.
Fantastic products if you have lots of money. Something that the average new starter modeller may not have. So again, another product / products aimed at the more wealthy railway modellers. Such a shame as they look awesome! Just be prepared to remortgage your house for a big layout, with all the add on bonus items also.
The beauty of this system is that it can be built up over time. It’s not requiring you to invest in 10 masts in a pack. Etc. Nothing is cheap these days. :-(
Not GWR overhead....it looks truly horrible. Id have gone for mk1 and mk3 systems first........still, baby steps. We also need a Class 81. Seems Dapol took their toe back out of the water after doing plain mk3 masts.
@@DeanParkWell in mainland Europe, and Scandinavia as well, catenary systems has been a part of the railway landscape for decades. In Sweden for an instance all our mainlines were electrified by the 1930s. The Swiss and others were even earlier. Nowadays it’s so common with overhead wires that no one even notice it anymore. The thing is perhaps more due to that you fellas at the British Isles lag a tad behind at this. 😉 Regarding models, don’t worry you get there. In European H0 I would say that probably 50 % of the models depicts different kinds of electrically driven trains… from single locos to EMUs.