Waka seeks help with pylons

[Waka]

Hi there, brand new to this group.....I have a 10 year old grandson who is on the autism spectrum....he is totally obsessed with anything to do with power transmission line equipment especially pylons.  I have made him several power pole and line models about 300mm high and would like make his a pylon or two.  Trouble is I cant find any plans or templates to assist me and I'm at a loss as to type of material to use...I would think wood is the best.  Can anyone help please.

[sir douglas]

username Pylon King in this thread builds pylons

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/74067-show-us-your-scratchbuilt-building/&do=findComment&comment=4550341

[KingEdwardII]

There are complete models and kits of pylons available like these:

 

https://www.hattons.co.uk/13281/hornby_r530_overhead_power_pylons_pack_of_three/stockdetail.aspx

 

https://www.modelscenerysupplies.co.uk/brands/Kirbi-models/Electricity-pylons-OO

 

https://severnmodels.com/epages/eshop1179816.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/eshop1179816/Products/D12

 

The last one gives one idea as to possible materials if you want to create your own, since it is mostly made from metal - you can buy fine brass or nickel silver strips and "L" sections from various model shops, e.g. Eileens Emporium.

 

Not so sure about getting scale drawings for pylons. There is this site, but it ain't free:

 

https://www.cadblocksfree.com/en/electricity-pylon.html

 

Good luck,

 

Yours,  Mike.

[Nile]

Plenty of pylons here:

 

[Pylon King]

On 25/08/2021 at 05:57, Waka said:

Hi there, brand new to this group.....I have a 10 year old grandson who is on the autism spectrum....he is totally obsessed with anything to do with power transmission line equipment especially pylons.  I have made him several power pole and line models about 300mm high and would like make his a pylon or two.  Trouble is I cant find any plans or templates to assist me and I'm at a loss as to type of material to use...I would think wood is the best.  Can anyone help please.

The Science and Industry Museum Manchester website have a few CEB pylon design drawings from 1928 . They make excellent templates should you want to scratch build them . The finished models are in 1:76 scale and made from Plastruct/Evergreen Plastics.

 

Edited February 5, 2022 by Pylon King

[Pylon King]

Severn Models brass kit photos.

[The Johnster]

There may be some mileage in the 'Pylon Appreciation Society', an online group that spoofs hobby sites with vicious accuracy, but some of it's contributors seem seriously knowledgeable.  I would suggest that you need to 'filter' you son's access to it, though, as one of the features of autism is an inability to detect humour, satire, and spoofing.

[Right Away]

On 26/08/2021 at 22:29, Pylon King said:

Severn Models brass kit photos.

Hi PK, absolutely stunning models.

Considering having a bash myself; there are many pylons of differing types in my area for reference. 

Having to order the materials online, I would you be able to recommend which of the various Evergreen angle strips to buy.

Many thanks.

[Pylon King]

On 29/08/2021 at 10:31, Right Away said:

Hi PK, absolutely stunning models.

Considering having a bash myself; there are many pylons of differing types in my area for reference. 

Having to order the materials online, I would you be able to recommend which of the various Evergreen angle strips to buy.

Many thanks.

For lower voltage models (33-132kV) I would recommend using 2mm angle (outer) with 1.2mm angle (inner) for the tower corners , double bracing will make them far more stable as the plastic tends to expand/contract when bonded . The majority of cross bracing uses 1.6mm angles which are manufactured  by Plastruct . 

Edited November 13, 2021 by Pylon King

[Pylon King]

1 hour ago, Right Away said:

Hi PK, absolutely stunning models.

Considering having a bash myself; there are many pylons of differing types in my area for reference. 

Having to order the materials online, I would you be able to recommend which of the various Evergreen angle strips to buy.

Utility poles  poles are another option to model which are generally far easier to scratch build.

[Right Away]

Thank you so much for the info.

 

Speaking from the prototypical side, passing our local area there were four rows (or whatever the correct term is) of pylons, 3 rows carrying 132kV and 1 carrying 33kV feeding from the Brighton “A” and “B” coal fired power stations. The “A” station was first to go in 1976 and the “B” station was later replaced by a gas fired installation. There are now only two rows of pylons, one with single conductors and one with twin conductors. Out of interest, the warning plates on these pylons no longer state the voltage; is there a specific reason for this?

 

Apologies if this would be better on a new thread elsewhere, but the subject matter deemed it quite relevant here.