Am currently sat on a Pendolino going North around the Stafford area where there has been quite a bit of snow and in the dark i can see from the window flashing to the point of almost being a constant light coming from the overhead pick up. Anyone any ideas what would cause this??
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Overhead power pickup flashing in snow/ice???
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RailUK Forums
It's the pantograph knocking ice off the overhead lines.
westcoaster
Established Member
Nothing to worry about, usually a greeny/ blue bright light and frazzling sound due to frozen overheads
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y5UpfFbPqs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y5UpfFbPqs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Can't do much good the longevity of the contact strip of the pantograph itself I would have thought (or for that matter the wire!).
That used to be a really cool effect, seeing that when an EMU came in to a station on a cold dark winter's morning. Was always worried it would zap out and get me.
O L Leigh
Established Member
Saying ice on the wire is perhaps overstating things slightly. It's probably just frost. It gets scraped off but it quickly forms again so you get the same problem with the next pan.
It doesn't do a lot of harm because the arc is not large so the energy is modest, but the visual and audible effect is impressive particularly in the dark.
O L Leigh
It doesn't do a lot of harm because the arc is not large so the energy is modest, but the visual and audible effect is impressive particularly in the dark.
O L Leigh
Old Timer
Established Member
The arcing is caused when the pan carbons loose contact with the OHL Contact wire. The power being drawn causes the arcing - which consists of a contact-break arc, and a contact-make arc.
You can experience a similar effect yourself if you pull an old wire fuse holder from a circuit which is drawing current. There will be a small arc as you withdraw and then reinsert the fuse holder pins.
You can experience a similar effect yourself if you pull an old wire fuse holder from a circuit which is drawing current. There will be a small arc as you withdraw and then reinsert the fuse holder pins.
starrymarkb
Established Member
Some impressive arcing from a Swedish IORE pair
[youtube]eIXlLIL3oZo[/youtube]
[youtube]eIXlLIL3oZo[/youtube]
oliverj8
Member
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I could have been on your train!
Did it stop at Nuneaton? Was it the additional service to Manchester?I could have been on your train!
probably close but not the same...it was the delayed 1820
The Engineer
Member
A nice experiment but - as they used to say - don't try this at home!! Health and Safety would have a fit......
Southwesttrain
Member
My Dad currently has been assisting a train company using overhead lines and I have been told that the problem was down partly to shorting in the train between the overhead wire. There were other factors as well and they couldn't get a train out of the siding due to faulty point but...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
To right they would. Otherwise i'd be standing on a chair to put up these decorations!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
To right they would. Otherwise i'd be standing on a chair to put up these decorations!!
TGV
Member
It shortens the life of our pan head carbons quite a bit. Each arc causes minimal damage but after several diagrams and knocking the occasional lump of ice (like O L Leigh says - it's mostly frost, but there is the occasional bit of ice) the carbons can be rendered out of spec after only a few days of running in extreme cases - compared to many weeks in the summer.
The Engineer
Member
Was walking across the Clyde next to Glasgow Central and noticed a lot of sparking.
I know it's cold, but use the bridge next time
I know it's cold, but use the bridge next time
No need to use a bridge in Glasgow!
Aictos
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Class 466
Established Member
Third rail sparks can be bad aswell thought this video of a 465 trying to leave strood (kent) was good http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&client=mv-google&hl=en&v=kXXw7qQukjM
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