Catenary? Nah - what I would like is an under-running outside-third-rail system as used by the new York Central electrics, and some of the NH units that traversed NYC trackage. (Those little pantographs on Central electrics were for yards and such where the 3rd rail got really funky around complicated switches - sound 3-rail familiar? - so a few feet of catenary was installed to make life easier.) O3R (outside 3rd rail) was used many tears ago on early "2-rail" layouts, but it was over-running. Still reasonably prototypical for a NYC-type system, but that under-running rail would look so cool.
GG used to sell track with a longer tie every 5 ties or do, upon which one could place an O3R support for the rail. Don't think they do any more - but every 5th tie could be extended (wood/wood glue, etc).
Then I'd have to fit the OSR shoes to the electric locos' trucks...
At least the center rail would be gone....but I'll never get to it.
