New(er) OHLE?

[MrWhippyO]

Apologies if this has been raised or mentioned before folks.

 

I have seen this newer style of OHLE masts appearing in various places, the example I have here is between Glasgow and Edinburgh (apologies for the Street view screenshot).

 

Is this replacing older OHLE or is it for newer projects?

 

Cheers, James

 

[Titan]

That's Series 2 equipment. It is the standard for new electrification for speeds up to 100mph.

[GordonC]

the same kind of masts have been used for the Chat Moss route between Liverpool and Manchester

[Dixie Dean]

Attached is a specification file for the new Mark 1 Seris OHLE for anyone who is interested.

Mark 1 (F +F) New Style OHLE.pdf

[Edwin_m]

Unlikely it will replace any existing OLE lock stock and barrel (or should that be pole, wire and dropper?), and small mods and extensions are usually done with more of what is already used nearby to minimise the need for spares holding etc.  However where the equipmement is having major rebuilding it could see elements of the new series used - for example on the GE small steelwork very similar to this has been fixed to the old LNER-designed gantries.  There are also plans to replace many of the headspans installed on four-track routes in the 70s and 80s with portal frames so that a dewirement only brings down one track's worth rather than the whole lot.  There doesn't seem to be much progress on this yet, perhaps unsurprising considering the problems NR is having with new electrification, but when it happens it will probably keep the existing uprights and possibly the wires themselves, but replace the rest. 

[GordonC]

what is it that limits it to 100mph lines? I would have thought Edinburgh to Glasgow may have wanted faster sooner or later

[Edwin_m]

The limiting factor is probably the rigidity of the system, particularly with multiple pantographs where the oscillations set up by the first one can impede current collection on the second.  So OLE for higher speeds is likely to have greater tension in the wire and various components may need to be heavier to withstand the extra tension. 

[Peter Crawford]

This is a new catenary 'Chez Alstom', designed for 160km/h+ on high capacity routes. Here's the official take on it: http://www.alstom.com/products-services/product-catalogue/rail-systems/Infrastructures/products/clever/. The Scottish rail corridor might skip the 100mph phase and go straight to 200mph LGV.

[Dixie Dean]

2 main types are currently being used in the UK, Bonomi Omnia from Italy:

 

http://www.gruppo-bonomi.com/en/sectors-bonomi-group/railways.html

 

http://www.satferr.it/wp-content/uploads/Omnia-25-kV-and-Components-UK.pdf

 

and Furrer and Frey from Switzerland: 

 

https://www.furrerfrey.ch/en/systems/Series-1.html

 

 

with variations at different places around the network (mixing bits of both systems), such as the North West, Scotland, Great Eastern

Edited December 24, 2018 by Dixie Dean