Telephone poles - update 29/04 : 5 more painted + extra details

[Doomsdave]

In the US all wood is  the most common. As to insulator colors, white brown, and red porcelain were common, as were semi transparent glass ones in clear, green, and purple.

I can confirm the folowing colors.  As a redneck kid who lived near the tracks in the Midwest we picked up and "collected" a large number of these (in our local vernacular they were "insulators") isolators.  The oldest ones seemed to be the white and green clear/translucent varieties while the newer ones were brownish and opaque.  My brother and I had a crate full of these things.  Mind you, we collected ours 25+ years ago.

[zizi666]

A big "Thank you" for your input, guys.
I think I got what I need. struts will be metal and I'll go for white insulators to create a bit more contrast and possibly some rust streaks on the pole.

[Brummie Thug]

maybe a bit of green mould near the bottom?

[zizi666]

maybe a bit of green mould near the bottom?

I've considered using green on the base, but as I'm aiming for an arid wasteland look, I've dismissed the idea.
They already have a reasonable amount of dried grass glued on them.

[former user]

how do You prevent them from tipping over?
will You link them with string?

[zizi666]

how do You prevent them from tipping over?
will You link them with string?

They came with plastic bases, but I cut off the washer like part and glued the cilinder part onto a 30mm washer (only slightly bigger but being metal heavier) so that should provide enough stability, as long as they don't get knocked over in the heat of the action.

I'll probably let some strings hang on some of 'em but I reckon linking them would restrict access to the table somewhat and risk a domino effect should one get knocked over or get stuck in a players sleeve...

[Too Bo Coo]

They came with plastic bases, but I cut off the washer like part and glued the cilinder part onto a 30mm washer (only slightly bigger but being metal heavier) so that should provide enough stability, as long as they don't get knocked over in the heat of the action.

I'll probably let some strings hang on some of 'em but I reckon linking them would restrict access to the table somewhat and risk a domino effect should one get knocked over or get stuck in a players sleeve...

Sounds like a good plan.  I'd def not connect more than say two and then use those in a lowtraffic part of the table.  What brand?

[Too Bo Coo]

Here is a better image of a pole itself.  Note, the darker porcelain.

I was wrong in my first post, they do clearly show all metal struts on this pic.

[zizi666]

They still need a coat of anti-shine and some more dangling power lines, but they're decent enough to show :

group shot :


top close-up :


base close-up :

[former user]

they are just perfect.

[DELTADOG]

Nice! BUT   The isolators are too bright. Maybe some light brown/sebia ink. Then mattvarnish the whole thing and after drying gloss varnish just only the isolators, then its perfect  

[Wyrmalla]

Ooh, those look good. Might I suggest cutting up a length of balsa wood and using that for some broken ones too? I was going to make my own telephone poles, but those look just the thing. Is the company still in business, or did you pick these up from Ebay? I can't find any sets for sale. =(

[Hitman]

Awesome!! Thanks for sharing. Some great inspiration for some of my games now too...
Regards,
Hitman
 

[Constable Bertrand]

I like the rusty bolt heads

[zizi666]

Ooh, those look good. Might I suggest cutting up a length of balsa wood and using that for some broken ones too?

Already considered that and moved it way down on my (want) to do list 

Is the company still in business, or did you pick these up from Ebay? I can't find any sets for sale. =(

They're from a Lionel kit of which I bought 2 on Ebay : http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Lionel-Telephone-Poles-6-62181-NIB-/390676947891?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5af62923b3