Modeling 3rd Rail???

[NightStar]

Hi everyone, I have a question? Back in the 1930's, 1940's I understand here in the US that a company was offering the insulators for laying the third rail along the outside of the track since this was the popular way to power a model train in that time period. However today these kits and offerings are extinct here in the US. I am wondering if any company makes the parts to lay a live working third rail in OO or HO scale? I am not concerned with whether it looks prototypical or not. I am only looking for the parts needed to make some kind of working outside conductor rails for HO, Or what I guess is OO in the UK since the track gauge is the same. Only the trains are different slightly in scale. So I am looking for both rail and train pickup parts?

Robert

 

[djo]

Peco do all the parts you will need, or at least they used to, as I have a bag full of rail and pots for my layout.

David

 

[CROMPTON 33]

have a look at C L finescale website . they do 3rd rail and 4th rail underground track. plus the kickboards that you need in stations. i have used them in the past they give a good service. email them and you get a reply . peco insulators are plastic

 

[455driver]

I wouldnt bother with the kick boards unless you are modelling new track, the boards fall off after 5 minutes and are a complete waste of money both on the "big" railway and the "little" railway.

 

[EM2]

I've not seen any commercial products for livethird rail, but I know of someone that has done it: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/41625-st-mary-hoo/

 

[NightStar]

Thanks for the insightful information into the world of modeling conductor rails.

Robert