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If somebody wonders why costs are high: It's not only about putting a few masts and a cable up. Aside from sub stations etc to actually provide the power the bi
by johannes1234321 4y ago
If somebody wonders why costs are high: It's not only about putting a few masts and a cable up. Aside from sub stations etc to actually provide the power the big things are bridges and tunnels.
If a train goes below a highway bridge it's probably too low for the wire, thus the highway bridge has to be replaced (or tracks be lowered) If there happens to be a tunnel the diameter has to be increased.
- bombcar 4y agoYou could do "third rail" at those points (or the whole line) but that has other safety issues.
- johannes1234321 4y ago.. and incompatible with existing train systems in most regions. In many systems you currently have a central hub which is overhead wired. If you then have a unwired branch line installing a third-rail-system there would require vehicles which can use both. Such systems exist, like the underground in Nuremberg, Germany, which operates with a third rail on tracks, but in the maintenance area has overhead power to make work safer. However that increases cost by requiring custom vehicles etc.
- bombcar 4y agoYeah upgrading the lines is way more complicated than "stick a self-contained diesel electric on the front of the train".