Third Rail Electrification

[THE BIG APPLE]

PART OF THE RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION SYSTEM

A pretty deadly electrical engineering snippet. 750 volts of electricity run through and electrify the third rail. If the exposed body (skin) in any way makes contact with the third rail, and the person is standing the person lives. If someone touches the third rail with one exposed part of the body and touches the ground OR the other two rails with another exposed part of the body then that is imminent death. If someone ever happens to fall on the tracks at a train station NEVER under circumstances touch any of the rails with any exposed part of the skin (or in general).

Ground level power supply (rail electrification) vs. overhead supply (wires above)

[THE BIG APPLE]

New York City man fatally electrocuted by 'third rail' as he jumps onto subway tracks to retrieve a dropped cell phone

Daily Mail

June 4, 2013

This, according to a DNAinfo.com report that puts the time of the Greenwich Village incident, and thus the man's death, at around 3:30pm on July 15.

'Apparently a customer went onto the roadbed and came into contact with the third rail,' a spokesperson for the MTA and the FDNY said.

Reached for comment, an NYPD spokesperson declined to say if the unnamed victim had been identified by authorities Monday evening.
Traffic: The tragic incident occurred just before rush hour and caused a commuter headache into the late afternoon

Traffic: The tragic incident occurred just before rush hour and caused a commuter headache into the late afternoon

Dangerous: Subway deaths are on the rise in 2013. MTA officials have ramped up education efforts aimed at warning riders never to jump to the track to retrieve dropped items, as Monday's victim reportedly did

Dangerous: Subway deaths are on the rise in 2013. MTA officials have ramped up education efforts aimed at warning riders never to jump to the track to retrieve dropped items, as Monday's victim reportedly did

The incident occurred at rush hour and caused several reroutings and delays for Manhattan commuters into late afternoon.

Though relatively rare, electrocutions do occur in New York City's vast system of rail tunnels.

And 2013 is shaping up to be a memorable year for subway deaths.

This past February, nine subway injuries occurred over the course of just six days, three of which were fatal.

Most subway deaths are ruled suicides and occur as a result of a victim being hit by an oncoming train. Few of the deaths are caused by electrocution.
Calamity: Just this month, Brooklyn man Matthew Zeno, 30, was fatally electrocuted as he urinated on a third rail

Calamity: Just this month, Brooklyn man Matthew Zeno, 30, (pictured) was fatally electrocuted as he urinated on a third rail

But just this month, a Brooklyn man was fatally electrocuted when he urinated on the third rail after a night out to a few bars.

Matthew Zeno, 30, decided to walk along the tracks in the early morning hours of July 8. When he relieved himself on the electrified rail, he was killed. A friend who came to Zeno's aid was also electrocuted but was merely injured.

The 'third rail,' aka contact rail, operates on 625 volts, easily enough to kill a grown man.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has ramped up education efforts in 2013 aimed at cutting down on subway deaths. Audio announcements and signs throughout the system warn riders never to try retrieving items dropped on the tracks.
Powerful: Though subway deaths are rare, they are on the rise in 2013. Most do not occur from electrocution, but the MTA warns riders of the dangers of jumping to the tracks near the deadly 625-volt third rail

Powerful: Though subway deaths are rare, they are on the rise in 2013. Most do not occur from electrocution, but the MTA warns riders of the dangers of jumping to the tracks near the deadly 625-volt third rail

[THE BIG APPLE]

Is It Really Possible to Die By Peeing on the Third Rail? An Investigation

The Wire

July 8, 2013

Last night a man reportedly was killed while peeing on the third rail of the G train in Brooklyn, leading to a renewed debate over the myth that one can actually kill oneself by taking a leak on the super electrified subway track. The report from the New York Post suggests that the man indeed died because his pee came in contact with the deadly rail. "A drunken man was electrocuted and killed relieving himself on the third rail in Brooklyn this morning, sources said," reads the report. But, both the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and law enforcement officials have denied a "whiz-3rd rail connection" to the Wall Street Journal's transportation reporter Tedd Man. So, it sounds more like the man fell while peeing onto the third rail and then got electrocuted and died. But, that doesn't mean it's not possible to die in such a manner. We investigate.

The idea behind the myth makes scientific sense: an electrical current could travel up the stream of urine through one's penis, thus causing a jolt. Or, as a couple of New York City kids put it to a homeless man on the verge of peeing to his death: "Your dick will get blasted, bro." A Yahoo answers commenter also insists the risk is serious, real, and terrifying: "Electricity can arc across gaps in your pee and zap you right in the nuts. Penile electrocution is very painful. And if the electrical current is sustained, your testicles will explode."

There have been plenty of reports of death while peeing, but few have confirmed that the pee-to-rail contact was the actual cause of death, rather than electrocution for touching a 600-plus-volt line. A 1967 news story suggests it happened, but the coroners don't sound certain of the cause of death. "In all probability, he was dead from electrocution before the train ever hit his body," reads the autopsy. More likely, the rail caused a jolt through his fingers and penis, causing him to fall on the rail.

In fact, most of the tales of death by pee carefully word the incident so that either the urine stream or contact with the actual rail could have killed the man. A 1977 court case reads: "At this point, he apparently proceeded into the CTA's [Chicago Transit Authority] right-of-way in order to urinate. In the process of doing so, he came into contact with the third rail, and suffered fatal injuries." That final clause suggests that more than his pee touched the rail. The Daily Mail reported a Polish man died in Britain while whizzing. Authorities, however, found him slumped over the rail, questioning the actual cause of death. An ex-Marine died in Chicago after "climbing on electrified train tracks to urinate," reported the Daily Mail in 2012. But, that definitively said he fell on the rail.

[THE BIG APPLE]

Dubai to Install Alstom APS

Overhead Wire

2008

Interesting news on the International Tram front. Dubai is going to build a 10 km (6.2 miles) tramway with 13 stations. But that isn't the interesting part. Alstom, who owns the rights to the catenary free APS ground level electrification system, has started moving it outside of France. Bordeaux is the only city currently to operate the system. However other cities such as Angers have begun looking to install it. It will be interesting how the technology fares in the sun soaked middle east.

Many have hoped that the technology would come to the United States and answer the call to get rid over overhead wires, specifically in the District of Columbia where an old law prohibits wires. It was specifically called for by Clay Chastain for Kansas City's system. However experts in the US have said that Alstom has no plans to bring the system to the United States. Part of the problem is the unknown effects of stray current coming from the third rail when the roads are salted during snow or ice storms.

How it works: Basically a third rail is laid between the two tracks and turns on when radioed by the vehicle. Two shoes, one on each end of the tram take up power as the electrified sections pass under. Sections only turn on when they are underneath the vehicle leaving pedestrians safe from being electrification.

[volguus zildrohar]

Most people don't know which is the third rail but really don't need to as long as they read signs and adhere to common sense telling you to stay out of the trackbed.

That said, I'm not known for my common sense. When I took these photos I was sure to avoid the third rail. Easy enough on most systems that employ them as they're usually covered with wooden or plastic planking. Chicago has exposed third rail and Metro-North and Philadelphia's Market-Frankford Line use underrunning third rail.

[THE BIG APPLE]

^ Don't want to scare you or anyone, but here is a NYC (34th Street - Herald Sq.) third rail death. (If explicit content is not allowed then I will take it down).

[Video removed by moderator /Swede]

[Ploppalopp]

^^^^^God that's one of the most horrific thing I've seen.

[Alpha]

I know that in the Southern parts of Great Britain third rail electrification is widely used and that there also level crossings of roads of railway lines electrified with third rail exist.
How well is the fencing of these railway lines maintained?

Which railway lines are electrified with overhead wire and third rail?

How common are emergency switches at railways electrified with third rail for switching off the power when a person got contact with the third rail?

[THE BIG APPLE]

Originally Posted by Alpha

How well is the fencing of these railway lines maintained?

Which railway lines are electrified with overhead wire and third rail?

In the NYC Subway system (unlike the London Tube) there is no safety screen at stations that keeps passengers at the station off the tracks.

In many Asian countries like India the century old trains are still used where coal is burned to run the train. Therefore a third rail and electricity is not required to run these trains in India. That's why the only danger regarding trains in India and other Asian countries is being on the tracks when a train is coming. NO OVERHEAD or THIRD RAIL WIRES in most Asian countries.

In the USA third rail wires are used in places where space is limited (cities, large towns, etc), and overhead wires are used in places where space is plentiful (forests, rural areas, suburbs, and other tree lined/infested areas).

[THE BIG APPLE]

Originally Posted by Alpha

How common are emergency switches at railways electrified with third rail for switching off the power when a person got contact with the third rail?

In the NYC subway system electricity is delivered through three-conductor cables to transformers and converters in sub-stations suitably located along their track system (Broadway, 7th Ave, 6th Ave, Lexington. Ave etc.) I'm sure each station at least has a on/off switch that allows electricity to be supplies to the rails of that specific station.

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by THE BIG APPLE

In the USA third rail wires are used in places where space is limited (cities, large towns, etc), and overhead wires are used in places where space is plentiful (forests, rural areas, suburbs, and other tree lined/infested areas).

Though, as in in the London area, most suburban rail lines in the tri-state area use third rail. You can be way out somewhere like Ronkonkoma (50 miles from Manhattan) and it's still third rail.

And Amtrak and NJ Transit use overhead catenary rail, even when passing through the densest parts of NYC.

[Perklol]

Originally Posted by THE BIG APPLE

^ Don't want to scare you or anyone, but here is a NYC (34th Street - Herald Sq.) third rail death. (If explicit content is not allowed then I will take it down).

That video needs to be removed.

[THE BIG APPLE]

ADVICE: Should you ever fall or get pushed into the subway tracks…

WordPress

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s horrific. On Dec. 3, a man was pushed into the subway tracks and killed. Here are some tips from my friend Rich, who as a former graffiti writer, has been on the subway tracks, as well as inside the tunnels:

If you happen to fall or get pushed into the subway tracks:

- If you don’t hear a train coming down the tunnel, and don’t see any lights, you can try to climb out of the tracks.
The height is a lot higher than you may think, and will take some real effort. Hopefully someone can help you out. Take off any backpacks/bulky coats (again, assuming you have time. There is a difference between falling into a subway track at 5:30 pm and 3am).

-If you can make it to either end of the track, it might be a little easier to climb out using step railings. Go to the end that the first car would end up at, since you have a better chance of the train stopping by then.

- If the train is barreling down the tunnel, and you have no time to climb out, don’t freak out and keep reaching out, or if someone who is trying to pull you up is not able to, make them let go. You do not want to be caught half-way up as the train crushes you between platform and subway car.

What you want to do is lie down FLAT and STRAIGHT, AGAINST the wall UNDER the subway platform. Don’t curl up, and this will push you out closer to the train.
There is a relatively good amount of space under there.

The train will likely stop, and likely not move until rescue teams arrive, though perhaps some MTA workers might try to come to you to make sure you’re ok.

Don’t try to crawl out unless you are directed to do so in a safe manner.

Yes, it’s dirty and disgusting down there, but it’s a lot better than being crushed into human Spam.

Do not try to lie down in between the track rails to let the train go over you.
While there have been cases of people surviving this way, there are mechanical components underneath the train carriage that can snag up on your coat or backpack and drag you, causing you serious harm.

As you all know, there is a live 3rd rail, usually against the opposite wall from the platform. The electricity on this rail will KILL you.

But if for some reason, you end up stuck on this side of the track when the train is barreling down the tunnel, the rail usually has a wooden beam over it that is *safe* to step on.
(By *safe*, I mean it’s certainly better than stepping on the metal of the 3rd rail itself).

Hopefully, this beam is structurally sound.

You will also notice there are indentations on the wall. If you stand up super pressed against the wall in these gaps, you have a much better chance of not being hit.

(If you are wearing a backpack/purse, remove it. Throw it away. It’s not worth getting tangled over).

— Extra tip:
If you are trying to hold the door for your kid/friend, etc, most people’s arm strength cannot stop the doors from closing. You can get caught and dragged.

Use your foot (hopefully with a sneaker or boot, and not heels on it) at the bottom of the open door. This provides a lot more friction to stop the doors from closing than trying to use your hands/arms.

— Extra extra tip:
If you are inside the subway tunnel, it is far more deadly in there, as the gaps for safety are much much smaller.
It’s a lot more difficult to see where the 3rd rails are, and the trains will be zooming by a lot faster.

If you are in there for some reason (which I can’t imagine why, unless you have a can of silver spray paint or are escaping from zombies),
some paths have elevated platforms against the wall. Lying flat against the wall on these platforms will help with you not getting hit, but it’s a close shave.

If you don’t extend beyond the edge of the platform (again, watch out with that backpack), you should be ok. Beware of the “suction” the train forms when it zooms by you. It can pull you into the moving train.

Though I’m 6’2 and 230 lbs, I don’t sleep on the subway platform.
Whether it’s kids/gangs acting stupid, or some mentally deranged individual having a violent fit, I don’t sleep on anyone. Even with headphones on, I keep an eye out, and watch out for who is around me.

The man who was recently killed by that train could have survived if he just lied down beneath the platform.

He probably had no idea, and thought the only chance was to climb out.

A little info can save your life.

[chris08876]

• Video Link

[Alpha]

Does Shanghai Metro not use an overhead wire for power supply?

[fflint]

Originally Posted by Alpha

Which railway lines are electrified with overhead wire and third rail?

Boston's Blue Line uses both catenary wire and third rail propulsion, depending on location.

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by Alpha

Does Shanghai Metro not use an overhead wire for power supply?

Yes, on all lines except maybe one. I think that Line 16 may use 3rd Rail, but I haven't been on that line so I don't know for sure.

This video is showing Line 3, which is overhead, so there was no danger of electrocution in this video.

[nito]

Originally Posted by Alpha

I know that in the Southern parts of Great Britain third rail electrification is widely used and that there also level crossings of roads of railway lines electrified with third rail exist.
How well is the fencing of these railway lines maintained?

Which railway lines are electrified with overhead wire and third rail?

How common are emergency switches at railways electrified with third rail for switching off the power when a person got contact with the third rail?

I am under the impression that at pedestrian and road level crossings and the like, the third rail has a ‘gap’ to mitigate the likelihood of people accidently coming into contact with the electrified rail. The only people I’ve heard that ended up getting electrocuted tended to be accessing the lines at unorthodox points, i.e. trespassers, vandals, etc… I think it helps (which also explains why the UK has one of the safest railway networks in Europe) that railway infrastructure in general is strongly separated from the public & private realms.

ITO World (http://www.itoworld.com/map/group/1) had an electrification map, but they appear to have temporarily taken it down.