2 ms·
Wear and tear is always going to be a limiting factor. Back in 1955, SNCF began its early high-speed research with a record-setting 331 km/h run - this under 15
by flyinghamster 4y ago
Wear and tear is always going to be a limiting factor. Back in 1955, SNCF began its early high-speed research with a record-setting 331 km/h run - this under 1500V DC catenary, boosted to 1800V for the run. Some aerial footage of the run shows spectacular arcing, and they switched pantographs when first one became too damaged.
Newsreel in three parts (in French):
1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AyPGkMoGE0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AyPGkMoGE0
2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpLf4M5OXeQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpLf4M5OXeQ
3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHWjelxe_MU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHWjelxe_MU