 Joined: 15/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 213 Location: Quebec, Montreal
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 I wonder what that is for really?
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 10 users liked this useful post by Puttputtmaru
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,555 Location: Paris, France
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Hi In Bordeaux (a city south west of France, there are tramway rails with a center rail (only in the city center to avoid hugly catenaries) which is only active (with 600 V Voltage) only when the tram is there (puling- up the piece of metal to close the contact. this is to avoid any danger to pedestrians walking near on a rainy day. Here you see the transition between a catenary section and a centre-rail section.  On the London Underground, there are some lines with a center rail and a side rail to provide power. So center rails or studs are not so rare Jean |
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3 users liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,555 Location: Paris, France
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Hi In Bordeaux (a city south west of France, there are tramway rails with a center rail (only in the city center to avoid hugly catenaries) which is only active (with 600 V Voltage) only when the tram is there (puling- up the piece of metal to close the contact. this is to avoid any danger to pedestrians walking near on a rainy day. Here you see multiple images of the transition between a catenary section and a centre-rail section. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo...head-wire-transition.jpgOn the London Underground, there are some lines with a center rail and a side rail to provide power. So center rails or studs are not so rare Jean |
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5 users liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 15/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 213 Location: Quebec, Montreal
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Interesting and that on/off switch better work every time
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1 user liked this useful post by Puttputtmaru
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 Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,884 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Stay away from the third rail! The New York subway system has them too, but only inches away from the outer rail.
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 Joined: 21/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 383
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB  Hi In Bordeaux (a city south west of France, there are tramway rails with a center rail (only in the city center to avoid hugly catenaries) which is only active (with 600 V Voltage) only when the tram is there (puling- up the piece of metal to close the contact. this is to avoid any danger to pedestrians walking near on a rainy day. Here you see the transition between a catenary section and a centre-rail section. On the London Underground, there are some lines with a center rail and a side rail to provide power. So center rails or studs are not so rare Jean Sydney's L2 and L3 lines also use this system: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alstom_APS |
Author of the gritty sci-fi novel 'Stories of Earth: WWIII' (featuring an awesome train chase)
Avid YouTuber (XtremeTrainz and TrainzXtreme) and train person! |
2 users liked this useful post by Dimi194
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Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC) Posts: 6,763 Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB Hi
In Bordeaux (a city south west of France, there are tramway rails with a center rail (only in the city center to avoid hugly catenaries) which is only active (with 600 V Voltage) only when the tram is there (puling- up the piece of metal to close the contact.
this is to avoid any danger to pedestrians walking near on a rainy day. ....
So center rails or studs are not so rare
Jean Hi Jean, IN Tours (France) the trams run on normal tracks with no visible means of electricity transmission. I don't know how that works, maybe they are battery operated. Kimball |
HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge. |
1 user liked this useful post by kimballthurlow
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,555 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Kimbal Thanks for your input Here is a picture of the tramways in Tours (France)  There seems to be a center rail to bring power BUT, there are technical possibilities NOT to have any power lines (above or below) The trams are Alstom Citadis ones (very low floor and optional overhead, ground or battery power supply). So in one of the variants you may have a strech of line without any power at all. In France we are a bit maniacs  not to spoil the city centers with overhead wires, noise or huge advert signs even though today, sadly we have strikes about the retirement age which in my opinion is stupid (I worked until 71 and I finished my career in the UK to avoid having my pension suspended). Maybe it is an excuse for unions to show their power. Cheers Jean |
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5 users liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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