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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.
The third rail system resulted, not surprisingly, in a number of accidents. It also resulted in a decree from the Connecticut Supreme Court on June 13, 1906 forbidding the use of third rail electrification within the state. [2] The New Haven was forced by this decision to design their main line electrification system using overhead catenary.
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 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.
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 ...
The Southern Railway considered the two systems and decided to adopt the LSWR third rail system, and in due course the LBSCR system was converted, and the third rail system was installed over a large proportion of the suburban area of the Southern Railway, as well as some main line installations. The Portsmouth Direct line was electrified in 1937.
The Island Line used 660 V DC third rail, [40] as it was a cheaper option to convert the LUL stock into third rail, and implement third rail only on the line. The rolling stock currently used is British Rail Class 484s . The line was upgraded to a 750 V DC third rail system in 2021 to allow Class 484 units to be used. [41] London Overground