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I've been working for a light rail system for about 18 months now, and the overhead catenary system facinates and, frankly, kinda intimidates me. Every once in a while, one of our pantagraphs snags a minor defect in the wire, and we get an entanglement, broken pantograph(s), and loss of power for enough time to goof up service...and we are only doing a max. of 55 mph, with much better stopping distance than heavy rail! What's it like to operate heavy rail powered by overhead catenary? When you snag a defect, could you pull down hundreds of yards of wire? Please advise of any experiences.
John
EIGHTANDSAND Member # 775
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Worked for midwest commuter line that was at one time electric freight power. Have at times pulled hundreds of feet of catenary. Have had load shift that took town catenary poles and overhead. Proper and continuous maintenance is key to successful operation. Both of the overhead and the pantagraphs. Employees on constant lookout for unusual arching.
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