Network Rail safety campaign - Don't step on the tracks

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

Did anyone else spot the fact that - erm - there's only two rails in the picture? Or is there some part of the country where they use a beefed-up version of the Hornby system?

I suspect that it was policy to show only 2 rails, lest people thought that tracks without a conductor rail were safe. Electrocution is unlikely on a non electrified route, but the risk of being hit by a train remains.

I am not aware of any mainline railway that uses the running rails to supply traction current as is done on model railways.

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), the Volks narrow gauge electric railway DOES use the running rails to supply traction current, positive on one rail and negative on the other. At the remarkably low voltage of 50 volts. This requires special rolling stock with insulation between the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicles.

[grahame]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), the Volks narrow gauge electric railway DOES use the running rails to supply traction current, positive on one rail and negative on the other. ...

I think you've found an old web page.  A third rail has now been installed. [in 1886  ] - but it does show that you can't assume even a 2 rail system won't hurt you.

[ChrisB]

NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are running another - Think you^d know the direction of an oncoming train Wretch32 & GeorgeThePoet are put to the test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4ul6lh0XQ8

[broadgage]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), the Volks narrow gauge electric railway DOES use the running rails to supply traction current, positive on one rail and negative on the other. ...

I think you've found an old web page.  A third rail has now been installed. [in 1886  ] - but it does show that you can't assume even a 2 rail system won't hurt you.

Are you certain, or does your post contain a typo, and you meant 1986 ? I thought that the Volks electric railway had only 2 rails when I visted, which could have been before 1986, but was after 1886 !

[grahame]

I did mean 1886 ... from Wikipedia;  I did a sanity check when you suggested 1986, but pictures such as this one:

http://www.medwaypier.co.uk/volks/h7.jpg

and others at

http://www.medwaypier.co.uk/volks/Routehalfway.htm

Look very much pre-1986, and show a third rail

So I'm going to stick with 1886 ... although I would welcome confirmation

[broadgage]

I was reffering to the Volks railway at Brighton, I did not specify the location as Brighton, as I had no idea that another Volks railway existed.

AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know) the Brighton one still uses 2 rails only

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/parking-and-travel/travel-transport-and-road-safety/a-short-history-volks-railway

[stuving]

I was reffering to the Volks railway at Brighton, I did not specify the location as Brighton, as I had no idea that another Volks railway existed.

It is the same one. For some reason (like a side effect of its hosting)  www.volkselectricrailway.co.uk is mirrored as http://www.medwaypier.co.uk/volks/. If you look under "history", it does indeed say the third rail was added in 1886. There are gaps at crossings, so it may be missing from some pictures (or recollections).

[paul7575]

Many pics of the Volks Electric Railway here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/trolleyfan/sets/72157602736905548/  show the third rail...

Paul

[broadgage]

I was reffering to the Volks railway at Brighton, I did not specify the location as Brighton, as I had no idea that another Volks railway existed.

It is the same one. For some reason (like a side effect of its hosting)  www.volkselectricrailway.co.uk is mirrored as http://www.medwaypier.co.uk/volks/. If you look under "history", it does indeed say the third rail was added in 1886. There are gaps at crossings, so it may be missing from some pictures (or recollections).

I see now, sorry for spreading confusion