I have always been disappointed with the HO scale kits of electric substations
offered by various manufacturers.  Most of them are of European design, and
don't look anything like the facilities I have seen growing up in the Midwest. 
Walthers Northern Light & Power Company substation is an excellent model of a
1970s and later era "low profile" substation, and represents something similiar
to a 115,000-volt/34,500-volt or 13,800-volt substation.

The trouble is I am modeling the 1950s, and the Walthers kit does not fit the
period.  Also, I am modeling a small "high profile" 2300-volt/33,000-volt
step-up power substation for my 5-Mw to 10-Mw coal-fired steam power plant. 
Over the last three days I drafted the drawings for the substation structure,
and drew up the necessary bill of goods.  I will be using the post-type
insulators from the Walthers kit, scale 4-inch angle iron (plastic), scale
6-inch channel beams, and the necessary footings, and base.  I am also using two
of the rack mounted circuit breakers because they are of sufficient size to
represent 33,000-volt breakers.  I used several photographs of small power
substations and a 1925 General Electric 6001B catalogue as my sources.  My sub
will also be fitted with Thyrite lightning arrestors developed in the 1930s (and
still in use) as opposed to the Aluminum Oxide arrestors of the 1920s.

I will be using a Kibri 9922 power transformer because it closely resembles a
North American oil cooled transformer.

I will probably buy the necessary goods in the next few days, but because I work
seven days a week, it may take me awhile to assemble the thing.  I will post a
picture when I get it done.

David A. Budka
Omaha, Nebraska




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