Skip to main content

So I was looking at pictures of the massive storm that has hit the UK, and they showed picture of the transit system/underground. What I noticed was in the pictures the track looked like standard outside third rail like is commonly used on urban transit and commuter lines here in the US. Yet I also know the the UK was using a 4 rail system, with hot inside third/outside 4th rails that delivered the voltage differential to run the trains. Do they have a split system, where some parts use the 4th rail, or did they decide to switch over to outside third only? 

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Hello Big Kid

The OUTSIDE third rail provides the 600 VDC (or whatever they use between 600 & 700) for powering the motors, lights and other electric accessories of the train.   The INSIDE (center) third rail is a NEGATIVE rail for RETURN current --- the 2 running rails the wheels run on are not used for return current to the power plant.  The London Underground started their electric operation using that method .

LIONEL TRACK is perfect for modeling London Underground Trains in O Scale --- easy -- just install an outside 3rd rail for appearances and you have your 4-rail track !

Regards - Joe F

Last edited by Joseph Frank

@firewood-

Thanks for the link (should of thought of Wiki), it is interesting they used the 4 rail system to keep electrolytic corrosion from  happening,  because of current seep if they used the running rails as the return, never would of thought of that. It is interesting that they get the 630 volts by having +420 on the outside rail and -210 on the center (which confuses the crap out of people who don't understand that voltage is the potential between two surfaces, not an absolute), and that on dual service track they have the running rails wired to the inside third so the running rails are -210, giving the same 630 volts. 

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×