I made my system so it would look like something Lionel could have made in the 50s. The base is 1 1/4 steel and the vertical pole is 1/4 inch keystock. I made a jig to hold them correctly then I welded the base to the pole. The cross arms are basswood made to wrap around the pole. The system was put together with the fiberglass resin I used when fixing Corvettes. This system has been up for about 12 years and is as strong today as it was when built. I finished the top off with the caps you will find on the 153 Lionel block signal. I stole this idea from Bob Lavezzi the best catenary master anywhere. Being a toy train guy, I got the result I desired. Not scale but it has worked 100 percent with not one issue.