Electrification masts - why not lattice type structures

[Railperf]

Just wondered why newer BR style overhead cantilever arms - which incidentally - look like a purchased Italian design (see attached photo) - do not use similar Italian lattice style masts - as they are visually far less intrusive than the very steel heavy masts we are using?

 

[Railperf]

Here's the full pic of the Italian mast and cantilever as used on the Bologna to Rimini line.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Southern WCML has plenty of lattice structures.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The registration gear in that photo looks just like our Series 2 design (eg Liverpool-Manchester).
Series 2 STC (single-track cantilever) masts are solid but nothing like as heavy as GW Series 1.
Series 2 TTCs (twin-track cantilevers, with booms) are usually lattice type.
The 1960s WCML 4-track portals are mainly lattice, though.
It's my impression that today's WCML OHLE is significantly more complex than when it was first installed (a lot more components).
The high-level AT wire support adds significant intrusion (presumably it's the "candelabra" in the Italian photo).
The Italian example will also be for 3kV DC.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It's my impression that today's WCML OHLE is significantly more complex than when it was first installed (a lot more components).
The high-level AT wire support adds significant intrusion.

You are right. I had not thought about that. The AT wire above each track plus SPS and largish insulators all add to complexity and visual intrusion. Mainly happened under WCRM work in the 2000s iirc

 

[randyrippley]

I don't know if its the answer, but a lattice is always going to have more corrosion points and so will need more frequent painting

 

[Kneedown]

I'd also suggest that a lattice structure is more complicated to manufacture than a regular "H" section, and therefore more costly?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

You are right. I had not thought about that. The AT wire above each track plus SPS and largish insulators all add to complexity and visual intrusion. Mainly happened under WCRM work in the 2000s iirc

I can't describe it properly, but the WCML OHLE has gained registration arms and catenary wire at a high level (above the portal), as well as an AT wire on the side.
I'm sure it wasn't like that initially, where all the fancy bits were below the portal.
Unless I'm seeing things.

I was in Austria recently and I came across this new OHLE at Graz (it's evident in many other locations, they've been doing a lot of wiring recently).
It looks to me quite elegant and unobtrusive.
Not high speed of course.

 

[twpsaesneg]

As stated above, fabrication costs mainly. Single section UC or simple Double Channel fabrications are far cheaper and easier to obtain, and the slight weight benefit doesn't really make much difference.

The Italian OLE would indeed look the same as Series 2, as the Bonomi cantilever is an Italian design originally used on 3kV equipment.

 

[twpsaesneg]

It's my impression that today's WCML OHLE is significantly more complex than when it was first installed (a lot more components)

Not sure where you mean, the ex Mark 1 areas are significantly simpler with the removal of auxiliary catenary under the route modernisation. Catenary supports are simpler with the removal of pulleys and replacement with cantilevers.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Not sure where you mean, the ex Mark 1 areas are significantly simpler with the removal of auxiliary catenary under the route modernisation. Catenary supports are simpler with the removal of pulleys and replacement with cantilevers.

Yes, but new UKMS has an aerial earth wire and often an AF wire, so that works the other way?

 

[DarloRich]

Just wondered why newer BR style overhead cantilever arms - which incidentally - look like a purchased Italian design (see attached photo) - do not use similar Italian lattice style masts - as they are visually far less intrusive than the very steel heavy masts we are using?

I suspect it is cheaper, quicker and easier to make, deliver, erect and maintain the solid masts.

 

[twpsaesneg]

Yes, but new UKMS has an aerial earth wire and often an AF wire, so that works the other way?

Indeed, but the West Coast isn't an area with EW. The existing Return Conductors, generally 4 of in 4-track areas, were replaced / are being replaced with 2 AF wires.

UKMS where not run as Boosterless Classic runs with EW & AF, but this is no different to other EW areas (such as Paddington to Heathrow) which run with EW and RC (Return Conductor).

However, there are now additional works at ground level to help immunise signalling and telecoms circuits, with a RSC (Return Screening Conductor).

Clear as mud

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Clear as mud

It's OK, I'm keeping up ... just as well, with my day job.

 

[Railperf]

The Italian OLE would indeed look the same as Series 2, as the Bonomi cantilever is an Italian design originally used on 3kV equipment.

I thought they looked Italian, but only when i saw the newer Italian designs did it click they might be one and the same, with a slight modification for 25KV.
of course the lattice design is more intricate and must be more costly, but visually it is so much less intrusive than the masts we use -which look like oversized RSJ's !!.

 

[furnessvale]

I suspect it is cheaper, quicker and easier to make, deliver, erect and maintain the solid masts.

As alluded to above, painting solid masts would be a lot simpler and faster, spraying perhaps.