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Regarding overhead wires for double stacked cars, India has a freight corridor with very high overhead wires: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedicated_Freight_Co

by danhor 5y ago

Regarding overhead wires for double stacked cars, India has a freight corridor with very high overhead wires: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedicated_Freight_Corridor_Corporation_of_India https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedicated_Freight_Corridor_Cor... This would probably be the way to go if the US would introduce electrified rail routes. An overview of Third rail vs. Overhead Wire from a transit perspective, but it's similar with freight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGI9XuHE3P0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGI9XuHE3P0 TLDR: Grade crossings are more complicated, if not impossible Smaller voltage since it's closer to the ground and the grounded rails. Thus higher current & more losses, needing more power stations. This is probably way worse for freight, since it weighs more and there are long gaps between civilization on the routes.

bobthepanda 5y ago
This is also already present in the US: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BbF3QiAd-0/Ui9YbpGk-8I/AAAAAAAACC4/Skzmp1iCK5Q/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/container+clear+elec+lines.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BbF3QiAd-0/Ui9YbpGk-8I/AAAAAAAACC...
pmyteh 5y ago
Grade crossings are fine for passenger multiple units (have pickup shoes at both ends of the train and a gap either side of the crossing) but not great for locomotives. The other big problem (in addition to the ones you've outlined) is that having miles of live conductor at ground level isn't particularly safe - for track crew, trespassers, or wildlife. Britain has essentially stopped installing third rail for all these reasons. It's all 25kV overhead now.
- iggldiggl 5y ago
  > Grade crossings are fine for passenger multiple units (have pickup shoes at both ends of the train and a gap either side of the crossing) but not great for locomotives. And the same issue also applies to every instance of pointwork.

by danhor 5y ago

bobthepanda 5y ago

This is also already present in the US: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BbF3QiAd-0/Ui9YbpGk-8I/AAAAAAAACC4/Skzmp1iCK5Q/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/container+clear+elec+lines.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BbF3QiAd-0/Ui9YbpGk-8I/AAAAAAAACC...

pmyteh 5y ago

Grade crossings are fine for passenger multiple units (have pickup shoes at both ends of the train and a gap either side of the crossing) but not great for locomotives. The other big problem (in addition to the ones you've outlined) is that having miles of live conductor at ground level isn't particularly safe - for track crew, trespassers, or wildlife. Britain has essentially stopped installing third rail for all these reasons. It's all 25kV overhead now.

iggldiggl 5y ago
> Grade crossings are fine for passenger multiple units (have pickup shoes at both ends of the train and a gap either side of the crossing) but not great for locomotives. And the same issue also applies to every instance of pointwork.