Quote:
Originally Posted by frogstamper
I'm sure somebody can tell me why, but wouldn't it be a lot easier and cheaper to lay a third live rail instead of those overhead lines?
Down here on the South coast and adjoining mainline London routes all our track is electrified this way, also its not so unsightly.  |
I don't think 3rd rail systems (750v DC) can deliver enough power for high speed trains, Ok up to about 90 or 100 MPH which wouldn't match the current performance of the IC 125 diesels. The Thameslink trains seem to have a lot better performance under the wires (25,000 V AC) North of London than they do on 3rd rail in the South. AC power distribution is a lot more efficient than DC.