Now I am so interested in Third Rail Issue

[xhpuam]

Thank you now I understand In England most of 3rd rail is protected by fence, although small amount of level crossing exsists. But I see this INCREDIBLE video, taxi hit 3rd rail and burn. See how near the cars are parked, I was wondering how many people gonna be electrocuted on that rail every year. It is completely exposed to public. Sounds in America.

By the way, why it is called "juice rail"?

 

[wintonian]

By the way, why it is called "juice rail"?

The electric current is referred to as 'juice' for some reason.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

So why don't you tell us what your country is? It might help us to understand your point of view.

We still wait for the answer to your question, which could be quite interesting, even though the OP has made further postings. I for one would like to be able to compare the status-quo in Britain, with the country of the OP, on third-rail electrification matters.

 

[Domeyhead]

I wonder if our friend works in China for a company that produces third rail barrier protection equipment, and is preparing for an expo somewhere?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hmmm it has now gone quiet. Perhaps if our friend is from China (or Japan) we could ask the question why British manufacturers are not allowed to sell their technology into those countries, while those country's protected industries reserve the right to plunder business opportunities in the UK - .......... including protection of third rail.
Call me paranoid but...........

 

[LexyBoy]

I wonder if our friend works in China for a company that produces third rail barrier protection equipment, and is preparing for an expo somewhere?

Or maybe somewhere (i.e. almost anywhere in the world) where 3rd rail is either not used at all, or only used on enclosed metro lines...?

If I came from somewhere where railways are not fenced off throughout, I'd be pretty surprised at having a live rail apparently unprotected from those who may wish to walk across the line.

 

[NightatLaira]

I haven't come across a third rail line open to fields. UK Railway regulation is strict about fencing. As for kids on the line, they would have to get past the fence, so they are putting their own lives at risk.

London Underground Central line north of Buckhurst Hill certainly has a lot of farmland either side of the tracks, I would imagine most of it would be fenced off however I'm not sure about he heritage section north of Epping to Ongar

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The OP seems somewhat reticent to reveal his country of origin and their rail systems, but seems happy to make disparaging remarks about the British 3rd rail system from behind his shroud of anonymity.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

He is on a forum, he isn't required to answer...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

He is on a forum, he isn't required to answer...

I think you have misunderstood the point, but I am pleased to see your response and the way in which you have worded it.

eMeS, Domeyhead and I were interested in how protection to the 3rd rail system in the country of the OP functions, in order to make a considered evaluation which will lead to giving the OP a comparitive response.

 

[Old Timer]

Thank you now I understand In England most of 3rd rail is protected by fence, although small amount of level crossing exsists. But I see this INCREDIBLE video, taxi hit 3rd rail and burn. See how near the cars are parked, I was wondering how many people gonna be electrocuted on that rail every year. It is completely exposed to public. Sounds in America.

By the way, why it is called "juice rail"?

You can see there is a fence. Most US suburban railway systems are now fenced off, as are pretty much all of the systems in the rest of the world. This is for security as well as for fare evasion, and suicide prevention reasons.

Fencing is provided for the same reasons in the UK, NOT for the protection of the third rail.

 

[xhpuam]

I wonder if our friend works in China for a company that produces third rail barrier protection equipment, and is preparing for an expo somewhere?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hmmm it has now gone quiet. Perhaps if our friend is from China (or Japan) we could ask the question why British manufacturers are not allowed to sell their technology into those countries, while those country's protected industries reserve the right to plunder business opportunities in the UK - .......... including protection of third rail.
Call me paranoid but...........

Haha

Yeah, I am from China

We got 3rd rail in beijing, and many people think the subway is dangerous coz the running rail carries 20KV of power.

Actually we use 3rd rail hidden under platform, 825 V DC on open circuit and drop to 750V DC when a train is nearby normal running, and pop up to 900V DC when the regenerating breaking of the train is applied.

Of course when you hide the 3rd rail under platform you can cause many troubles:

1. People fell off the platform, and struggle to climb back, finding the third rail a good ladder and choose to step on it - zap

2. You drop a metal ruler off a platform, and a big bang and flash - short circuit.

3. Some one jump off to suicide but couldn't find the third rail.

4. For me I am curious and always want to take a look at the juice rail so I tilt my body and try to see it. I almost loose balance and fall off for a few times.

But the good thing is, all the subway is fenced off, and the third rail is covered by some wooden board, so making the people think twice before they for some reason wanna touch or step on it.

Funny thing is, 99.99% of the Chinese subway passenger do not know what is third rail.

 

[bb21]

Look at this pedestrian level crossing on the SWML in Poole. the juice is maybe about two metres away from the edges of the crossing, but I've never heard of any accident, electrocution or otherwise, on this busy street.

It has been so tempting walking down there as a kid though. Of course none of us dared to try it.

Mind you there is also a bridge over the tracks.

Yeah you are supposed to use them when the barriers are down.

It also would be considerably quicker to walk along the tracks from there to the station.

Quicker to where? To the heaven?

Talking about old fashioned level crossing gates I found this picture of the crossing in Poole from 1970.

Unelectrified then though.

But I see this INCREDIBLE video, taxi hit 3rd rail and burn. See how near the cars are parked, I was wondering how many people gonna be electrocuted on that rail every year. It is completely exposed to public. Sounds in America.

You're right. That's in Nassau County and it is in the US, not the UK.

4. For me I am curious and always want to take a look at the juice rail so I tilt my body and try to see it. I almost loose balance and fall off for a few times.

My advice: Don't do it!

Funny thing is, 99.99% of the Chinese subway passenger do not know what is third rail.

Not everywhere has the same system as Beijing though. For example, Shanghai and Dalian uses overhead power lines rather than 3rd rail. Guangzhou uses a mixture however the majority of the lines are currently powered through OHLs.

 

[jopsuk]

Actually we use 3rd rail hidden under platform,

On UK systems the 3rd rail is almost always postioned on the far side of the line from the platform where possible- on the London Underground, which has a fourth rail between the tracks as well, the "3rd" rail is still positioned away from the platform.

I've seen pictures from other countries of "top contact" 3rd rail with a cover over it (the shoe goes between the rail and the cover) to keep snow off, and then there's bottom contact such as the Docklands light railway where the conductor rail has a plastic top.

 

[Buttsy]

I have heard of kids in North London playing on the 3rd rail. To get electrocuted, you have to have an earth contact. If you can avoid this, then you don't get fried. Personally, I'd only touch a live contact if I were wearing rubber gloves and boots for insulation.

 

[Hydro]

I have heard of kids in North London playing on the 3rd rail. To get electrocuted, you have to have an earth contact. If you can avoid this, then you don't get fried. Personally, I'd only touch a live contact if I were wearing rubber gloves and boots for insulation.

It's very easy to touch both the conductor rail and it's main path to earth at the same time: the running rail. Unless it's wet, accidentally brushing against the con rail whilst stood on sleepers or ballast normally won't even register. If it's wet, then the chance of a good "belt" is fairly likely.

There are the old stories of the PW inspectors of yesteryear wearing their railway issue macs in the rain, stepping over the con rail and the bottom of the coat brushing over the top. Not necessarily lethal, but could take you off your feet allegedly.

If you're working with anything metal that touches the con rail and the running rail, then you best be made of asbestos because you won't make a good connection and you get an unholy explosion as the current zaps across. Seen it happen twice, and it's not pretty.