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Third-rail systems are a means of providing electric traction power to trains using an additional rail (called a "conductor rail") for the purpose. On most systems, the conductor rail is placed on the sleeper ends outside the running rails, but in some systems a central conductor rail is used.
Railway electrification is the development of powering trains and locomotives using electricity instead of diesel or steam power.The history of railway electrification dates back to the late 19th century when the first electric tramways were introduced in cities like Berlin, London, and New York City.
Modern European systems predominantly make use of bottom or side contact power rails. There are numerous urban rail systems, including these running mostly in tunnels, which do not use third rail at all. Such systems can be found in Asia, which may have been influenced by the overhead power supply formula followed by Tokyo Metro after 1960
Converted to 25 kV 50 Hz as a test bed for the future main line electrification system South London line: London Victoria to London Bridge: 1909–1928 Converted to 660 V (later 750 V) DC third-rail supply 8 kV: 25 Hz Germany: Karlsruhe: Alb Valley Railway: 1911–1966, today using 750 V DC 10 kV Netherlands: The Hague – Rotterdam: Hofpleinlijn
Railway electrification as a means of traction emerged at the end of the nineteenth century, although experiments in electric rail have been traced back to the mid-nineteenth century. [1] Thomas Davenport , in Brandon, Vermont , erected a circular model railroad on which ran battery-powered locomotives (or locomotives running on battery-powered ...
A 675 V DC third rail (Top Contact) system was used. [18] Electrification was later changed to 11 kV 25 Hz overhead catenary, when the PRR electrified its mainline to Washington, D. C. in the early 1930s. Third rail is still installed in the East River Tunnels in order to provide power the LIRR trains.
Third-rail electrification between Hartford, New Britain, and Berlin, a total of 12 mi (20 km) in 1896. This third-rail system was unique; it consisted of an inverted V cross-section rail, mounted on the cross ties between the running rails, and was totally exposed. In 1898, the New Canaan Branch was electrified with 500V DC catenary. [1]
The contact shoe may slide on top of the third rail (top running), on the bottom (bottom running) or on the side (side running). The side running contact shoe is used against the guide bars on rubber-tired metros. A vertical contact shoe is used on fourth rail systems. A pair of contact shoes was used on underground current collection systems.