Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Pig
3rd rail works very nicely up to 100 mph. I know some twonk from NR was poo-pooing it recently, but it's worked without any problems at 100 for class 319s and 377s on the Brighton Main Line in my experience as a driver. The shoe gear rides onto and off it without any problems from an operational point of view.
However what CRE doesn't do is snow. You just can't draw any traction current with even the finest coating of snow, in fact a light touch of ice can bring trains to a stand.
It's utterly hopeless - but hey I'm sure it NEVER snows in Harrogate, right ?  |
Yes, I was interested in the NR guy's comments about 80mph being the effective top whack on the third rail. Trains coming through Purley seem to be doing a good 90mph in the up direction, so I'm not sure where he's getting his figures from. There might be an issue with traction supply in the busier parts of the network but speed is going to be limited by signals and speed restrictions there anyway.
I guess the people in Yorkshire could get round the snow problem by going for the side-contact system that they used to use on the Manchester Bury line if they're going for a new-build. I suppose the one objection is that it wouldn't be compatible with the 25kv overhead electrification that already exists in the Leeds area.