Can anyone give the size of cord (rope) used for trolley retrievers? In the signal cord thread mention was made of Samson Spot Cord which is still available

http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?ind ... 214&inst=1

What are the other trolley groups using?

Thanks,

Richard Wilkens

If I remember correctly, we've been using #8, 1/4" trolley rope from Cancord in Hamilton, Ontario for a number of years. It appears to be very similar to Samson spot cord and is hot wax impregnated. The Cancord product is not a stock item and has to be specially ordered in quantity.

We have no retrievers in service, only catchers. Given our 20 mph hour operation and potential for crew or visitor injury (yes, kids do like to pull on trolley ropes), catchers have been satisfactory for all our rail vehicles.

Gord McOuat
Halton County Radial Ry.
Milton, Ontario
Canada

I do not know how #8 sizes up, but my feeling is that 1/4 inch is a bit small. Working from memory, my guess would be more like 1/2 inch (13 mm), but perhaps I can check if I go on site later this week, if nobody else has a positive answer before then.

Bob Kutella

We've switched fom 1/4" cord to 1/2" cotton cord with good results this year. It seems to be more durable, and holds up well. Given our low-speed operation we only use catchers though.

Unlike bell cord (see separate thread) you do NOT want any metal core strand.

The Western Railway Museum has been running cars for quite a while and has developed a standard trolley rope type and size over the years. The wire at the Museum is mostly at 21 feet ATR. The trolley rope must be long enough to reach the wire, and small enough in diameter so that the catcher and retriever spools will hold all the rope when the pole is down. With our wire height, we find the largest diameter rope we can use is 5/16". Some of our cars came with 3/8" diameter rope, which is easier for the operators to handle, but the catchers and retrievers will not hold enough of it on the spools to reach the wire. The Museum has used both waxed and unwaxed rope. We disconinued using the waxed rope because the operators complained that it was too slippery to hold on to. The waxed rope does last longer and does not get wet in the rain. If we could use the 3/8" diameter rope, we would probably still be using waxed rope. The rope is precut to 24 foot lengths. This length is long enough to allow the poles to contact the wire at all locations and short enough to wind up completely on the spools on all cars at the Museum. If the rope is not precut, the wrong length invariable ends up on a car resulting is the expected problems. The Museum runs its trolley poles with 26 to 28 pounds of force on the wire at 21 feet. The rope is purchased from McMaster-Carr Supply Company in 200 foot long hanks, their part number 3845T45.

In checking today it appears that most of the rope used on the trolley poles at IRM is 3/8 inch diameter, catchers and retrievers alike.

Bob Kutella

Thanks Bob.

Richard