Train Depots in 3rd Rail land

Aictos · 6 Nov 2010

Can anyone with knowledge of 3rd rail equipped routes please explain to me using Wimbledon Traincare Centre as a example, how is the 3rd rail equipped rolling stock moved in and out of the place when one photo recently published in Modern Railways seems to depict the fact that the 3rd rail stops just outside the place.

I don't have dealings with 3rd rail so lack knowledge in this area, anyone able to help me please?

RailUK Forums

hello · 6 Nov 2010

they have jumpers hanging from the shed roof, that they plug into the train

starrymarkb · 6 Nov 2010

Certainly thats how LUL works

Aictos · 6 Nov 2010

Ah interesting, thanks for that,

142094 · 6 Nov 2010

Do they also have some sort of diesel shunter as well?

Hydro · 6 Nov 2010

I know Siemens at Northam has small battery shunters.

Fincra5 · 6 Nov 2010

At lovers walk 442s are often moved around using the 09 Shunter but most are indeed connected to electrical jumpers.

At_traction · 6 Nov 2010

hello said:
they have jumpers hanging from the shed roof, that they plug into the train

Hope no one forgets to disconnect them while leaving the shed...

starrymarkb said:
Certainly thats how LUL works

This photo shows the Central Line depot at Wood Lane having the buzzing and sparking things going all the way to the end of shed: http://www.davros.org/rail/photos/woodlane/midsize/wlane115.jpg
(from the excellent 2003 Wood Lane Study Tour page: http://www.davros.org/rail/photos/woodlane/ )

Differing power arrangements between lines/stock as I also had an understanding of the use of jumpers (for goalposts)?

First class · 6 Nov 2010

Kirkdale has 3rd rail throughout, but Birkenhead North requires the trains to be "plugged in" to the roof power supply, presumably to make it safer.

Kirkdale has a wheel lathe with no third rail in it, but does have a remote controlled battery shunter which propels an EMU into it.

TheSlash · 8 Nov 2010

An electrical jumper is plugged into a socket on the motor coach and acts as a third rail supply. This is connected to an overhead trolley wire system.

The supply is first isolated and the jumper inserted. The Designated Person will then energise the overhead wires and the unit will got through it's powering up routine and compressors will run to build up air supply for the brakes.
Next up, it's driven out of the shed onto a short distance onto a small length of conductor rail known as the short section. This is also energised or de energised by the DP.
Now the train is back on the third rail it's time to remove the jumper. The supply is de energised {including the short section to prevent current flowing from the pick up shoes to the jumper} and the jumper removed.
DP reenergises the supply and the train is now ready to resume normal third rail operation.

TGV · 8 Nov 2010

BlockJoint said:
An electrical jumper is plugged into a socket on the motor coach and acts as a third rail supply. This is connected to an overhead trolley wire system.

The supply is first isolated and the jumper inserted. The Designated Person will then energise the overhead wires and the unit will got through it's powering up routine and compressors will run to build up air supply for the brakes.
Next up, it's driven out of the shed onto a short distance onto a small length of conductor rail known as the short section. This is also energised or de energised by the DP.
Now the train is back on the third rail it's time to remove the jumper. The supply is de energised {including the short section to prevent current flowing from the pick up shoes to the jumper} and the jumper removed.
DP reenergises the supply and the train is now ready to resume normal third rail operation.

That's interesting and something I've just realised I've never considered. I'm glad our trains get their juice from over head... So much simpler!

YesToHS2 · 8 Nov 2010

You learn something new every day. I just assumed yards had 3rd rails. Thinking about it, 3rd rail in a yard not all that safe.

Aictos · 8 Nov 2010

BlockJoint said:
An electrical jumper is plugged into a socket on the motor coach and acts as a third rail supply. This is connected to an overhead trolley wire system.

The supply is first isolated and the jumper inserted. The Designated Person will then energise the overhead wires and the unit will got through it's powering up routine and compressors will run to build up air supply for the brakes.
Next up, it's driven out of the shed onto a short distance onto a small length of conductor rail known as the short section. This is also energised or de energised by the DP.
Now the train is back on the third rail it's time to remove the jumper. The supply is de energised {including the short section to prevent current flowing from the pick up shoes to the jumper} and the jumper removed.
DP reenergises the supply and the train is now ready to resume normal third rail operation.

Thanks for that, found that really useful

wintonian · 9 Nov 2010

YesToHS2 said:
You learn something new every day. I just assumed yards had 3rd rails. Thinking about it, 3rd rail in a yard not all that safe.

Exactly what I always thought, so Im pleased to know theres a safer way.

Thanks for the explination.

hairyhandedfool · 9 Nov 2010

At Selhurst, the New Shed has the overhead supply, but it is rarely (if ever) used to get the units into the shed, instead they run off the third rail at 5mph and roll into the shed. I've never been into the cleaning shed there, but I presume it is the same process.

jopsuk · 9 Nov 2010

Presumably though the overhead is used to get them back out again?!

jrhilton · 9 Nov 2010

hairyhandedfool said:
At Selhurst, the New Shed has the overhead supply, but it is rarely (if ever) used to get the units into the shed, instead they run off the third rail at 5mph and roll into the shed. I've never been into the cleaning shed there, but I presume it is the same process.

jopsuk said:
Presumably though the overhead is used to get them back out again?!

For some reason reading these made me think of a sort of Laurel and Hardy/Carry On Film scenario where the next unit gives the one inside some help to get out with a friendly shunt or two....And then absolute chaos begins when two 4 carriage units get stuck in a 12 carriage shed.... :lol:

Back on topic, good question, I presume the plug in power is used to get them out again? Are there any built on a slight slope or would that make maintenance impossible?

ainsworth74 · 9 Nov 2010

jrhilton said:
Back on topic, good question, I presume the plug in power is used to get them out again?

I would have thought that they would get 3 or 4 burly blokes to give the unit a bit of push to get it out of the shed. I mean how heavy can a train be anyway

starrymarkb · 9 Nov 2010

Rather more then the Mercedes Actros tractor unit I once had to help push across the yard with it being dead and it's parking space being needed for a sales event the following day. Took several people to move it!

Train Depots in 3rd Rail land

Aictos

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hello

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