I’m just about to start a conversion of a Lilliputian (Bachmann) tram to working overhead collection. My system uses live connection to the panto and negative collection to the facing set of wheels as you look at the side with the A cab pointing to the right. One of the ends is marked A…the other side of the axle does not pick up from the track. I use 2 rail normal collection steam and diesel engines, so with the aid of a second controller, I can run overhead on the same track as normal 2 rail pick up. I suppose collecting the negative to both sides of the axle would be a simple enough task, but it wouldn’t allow 2 rail running without switching things electrically. I’ll be happy to run a blow by blow description with pics when I get back from holibobs…
Here are some pics of the work to date. Remove the roof from the tram. This is held in by 6 clips, three on each side. Some careful prising with a flat blade will release the clips if you start at one end and work towards the other. Repeat for the other side, although the roof will probably come away in your hand. The trolley pole is held in place by a screw which goes through the roof and has a nut on the other end, underneath the roof. From the underside of the roof, remove the two tiny screws from the centre black plastic cover. The trolley pole nut is now exposed along with the wiring for the internal lights.
Everything is easy to get at. Once the pole is removed, you can start to fit the panto.
The panto on this model is an ex Piko unit with isolators fitted. The bottom of the isolator is drilled out so a 4 BA screw can be fitted. The tram roof is suitably marked and drilled to match the 4 isolators. From the underside of the roof, push the 4 ba screws through the roof and screw them tightly into the 4 isolators, which has been positioned on the other side of the roof.
If you’re not going to electrify the panto, simply clip the roof back on to the tram and you’re done. You can of course put the screw back where the hole for the trolley pole fitting was to close the hole up where it came from. I’ve left it open as it’s where the live electric feed will pass through the roof.
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Cheers
Martin