pH Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Apologies for the quality of the picture - it was a 'grab shot' as a train was running into the platform. It's on the Barcelona Metro.How common is this for overhead power pickup? It appears to be a rigid rail. (Overhead third rail? ) The train pantographs seemed quite normal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Is it to reduce headroom requirements? All the cable type overhead that I've seem seems to require quite an elaborate and high support structure above the pick-up wires which I can see being awkward in underground applications. To my shame (as a former regular traveller with an interest in railways) I can't remember what the Tyne & Wear Metro uses in its tunnelled sections. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted June 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 28, 2013 The system was used in Budapest for the original (1896) subway because of the low headroom (2.5 metres), the cars resembled a tramcar body mounted on a bogie well wagon. The pickups were similar to those used on the Snaefell Railway but mounted on the frames instead of the roof. A similar arrangement was used in the Hudson River tunnels but this was more of a third rail mounted on the roof of the tunnel to avoid problems with water seepage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium HillsideDepot Posted June 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 28, 2013 As far as I can remember (as another former T&W Metro regular) that uses wire throughout PatB. There is an example of "overhead conductor rail" (if that's the correct term!) on the Trowse Swing Bridge in Norwich http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trowse_Bridge . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 The correct term is conductor beam. It is used in areas of severely restricted headroom where speeds are low. This is used where the upward pressure of the pantograph would push a conventional wire up and compromise the elecrical clearance. There is some installed on Thameslink. The Trowse swing bridge was a special case: Movable conductors were required and this was not practical with conventional wires under tension. The normal practice where clearance is restricted is to use twin contact wire supported on single glass fibre arms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 The Thameslink installation includes the underground platfoms at St Pancras. Crossrail will be using it and I believe it may also be fitted in the Severn Tunnel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted June 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 28, 2013 The Thameslink installation includes the underground platfoms at St Pancras. Crossrail will be using it and I believe it may also be fitted in the Severn Tunnel. I would be suprised about Crossrail needing it - the tunnels being new build and having sufficent headroom. On the other hand the refurbished Cannaught tunnel under the docks might need it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I would be suprised about Crossrail needing it - the tunnels being new build and having sufficent headroom. On the other hand the refurbished Cannaught tunnel under the docks might need it. Crossrail's apparently being built to quite a skimpy loading gauge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieB Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I would be suprised about Crossrail needing it - the tunnels being new build and having sufficent headroom. On the other hand the refurbished Cannaught tunnel under the docks might need it. Unfortunately Crossrail is being engineered to a price and I can't see there being sufficient room for conventional catenary. It's a hobby horse of mine, but I think it's a shame the tunnels weren't bored big enough for a bigger loading gauge such that there would be capacity to run double deck stock should traffic levels demand in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Typical British compromise and lack of forethought! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted October 13, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 13, 2013 Typical British compromise and lack of forethought! No, more like typical British cost-cutting and lack of thought Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted October 13, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2013 Its being talked about for use in the Severn tunnel too - though in that case the corrosive environment in which it will be fitted might also mean the more 'chunkier' the better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Accord Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 The Haymarket tunnels have such a conductor rail fitted due to lack of headroom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Also on the S-Train system in Copenhagen. Changes to catenary outside main station confines. May possibly be in other stations on the system but it's a big network and I have yet to explore it all. http://www.oz1tax.dk/billeder/SA_95_Kbh20060613_M[1].jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher125 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Unfortunately Crossrail is being engineered to a price and I can't see there being sufficient room for conventional catenary. It's a hobby horse of mine, but I think it's a shame the tunnels weren't bored big enough for a bigger loading gauge such that there would be capacity to run double deck stock should traffic levels demand in the future. I believe the DfT have confirmed that 'GB' size continental stock could in theory fit through the new Crossrail tunnels if platforms/catenary were suitably modified, but there's reason to think that will ever happen - the longer dwell times of such rolling stock, especially a design needing to cope with our high platform heights, would reduce the capacity of the line for minimal extra room in each carriage. With no prospect of the GWML, GEML or Connaught tunnel being cleared for such trains it really isn't an issue. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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