Quote:
Originally Posted by Busy Bee
Any new installation of third rail would be unlikely as its become almost totally unfavored for current collection outside metro lines that require interoperability with the legacy system. Nearly all electrification projects for ground up electrification or new build metro sytems are OCS. I understand its also cheaper than ground 3rd rail which is probably the most significant contributing factor along with safety.
|
I’ll agree that “most” new electrical rail lines will choose the cheaper and quicker to install overhead catenary systems, but “most” is not “all”. HART chose to install 3rd rail on an entirely new rail system, so 3rd rail still has it’s proponents. HART has avoided the safety issues by building on almost entirely elevated guideways, only coming to grade at maintenance yards and station areas that can be fenced or gated to keep trespassers away from the third rail.