Cable Forum - View Single Post - Great Western line to be electrified

**Chris** · 25-07-2009, 08:52

Third-rail systems are actually a lot cheaper to install and maintain. I guess we'd see a far wider use of them if it weren't for the capacity issue.

Eurostar trains actually had shoes installed for third rail pickup when they began service in the UK, for use on the line between the chunnel and London. But then this wasn't going to be a big problem as they couldn't get anywhere near fulll speed on that stretch anyway. I believe these may have been removed since HS1 opened - it has overhead wires.

25-07-2009, 08:52	#9
Chris Trollsplatter Cable Forum Team Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North of Watford Services: Humane elimination of all common Internet pests Posts: 38,604	Re: Great Western line to be electrified - at last! Third-rail systems are actually a lot cheaper to install and maintain. I guess we'd see a far wider use of them if it weren't for the capacity issue. Eurostar trains actually had shoes installed for third rail pickup when they began service in the UK, for use on the line between the chunnel and London. But then this wasn't going to be a big problem as they couldn't get anywhere near fulll speed on that stretch anyway. I believe these may have been removed since HS1 opened - it has overhead wires.