A.R.T.

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Andrew Sharp

A.R.T is the International Air Rail Organisation's blog, with news, articles and comment on all things related to air rail links world-wide. Your comments and thoughts are welcome: for obvious reasons, they will be moderated and may be edited.


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Jan26

Level crossings for trams and electrified railways

Permalink | 26/01/10 | Categories: Railways, Safety/Security, State of the ART | by: A Sharp English (UK)

We were intrigued to see, in the January issue of "Tramways & Urban Transit", a picture of a level crossing on Riversdale Road, Melbourne. The road is used by trams drawing power from overhead wires: the railway is used by trains drawing power from overhead wires.

The tram in the picture only has one pantograph, so clearly there is continuous current flowing while it crosses the railway.

Just how does this work?

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Permalink | Add or view comment Add or view comments | 2 comments2 comments

Comments & Pingbacks:

asharp [Member]
Andrew:

You asked how the Melbourne tram could cross an electrified railway line, implying, without blowing up both.

It is elementary. The overhead of both the tram line and railway have insulated sections at the junction. The insulated sections are long enough that they are longer than the respective pantographs are wide or long (take your pick). This is to eliminate bridging of the electrical currents. Both the trams and trains use momentum to cross the dead spot.

Questions?

Herbert Pence, Manchester, NH USA
Permalink  | Posted on: 27/01/10 @ 09:35
asharp [Member]
Herb, thank you - as you say, elementary!

I think that in "English" English the insulated sections are called neutral sections.

Andrew
Permalink  | Posted on: 27/01/10 @ 09:37

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