3rd rail and OHLE

[DJC_158]

hello all,

this may be a stupid question, but i have always wondered whether trains that are either powered by 3rd rail or OHLE would not run during a thunder storm.

im not an expert on Electric trains, but i would have thought that they would have some form of a safety cut system in the event of a power serge or during a thunder storm so that it cuts out all power safely.

cheers
dan

 

[Nick W]

The OHLE cables aren't high up compared to high-voltage electric pylons so I doubt the risk is taht great.

Surely lightning hitting a line will do more damage to the line than any frying it may cause to a train.

 

[O L Leigh]

No problems. Both the supply systems and traction have safety cut-outs to deal with power surges.

A lightning strike to the OLE is more likely to cause physical damage to the infrastructure than any electrical interference.

one TN

 

[LucaZone]

As the electrical wires are totally isolated anyway, wouldnt this prevent a strike that hits a pylon from connecting with the wires? So the strike would just earth straight away.

 

[Respite]

I've only ever heard of a few lightning strikes on the actual wires & this did operate the safety cut off's as well as blow a few insulators.

 

[DJC_158]

ah right yeah,

thanks for the replies

 

[Dennis]

Lightning affecting signalling seems to be a more common problem - every time there's a bit of thundery weather a pile of delays seem to be attributed to this.

 

[Respite]

Lightning affecting signalling seems to be a more common problem - every time there's a bit of thundery weather a pile of delays seem to be attributed to this.

Yep modern signalling only seems to require a slight surge & thats it relays fried! Mind You I always had reservations about pulling levers attached to metal point rodding & 100's yds of steel cable in the middle of a thunder & lightning storm when I worked manual boxes ad10:

 

[AlexS]

Water Orton seems to blow every time...

Given the flash new signals at Codsall have already set about failing semi regularly, i wonder what the next thunder storm will do to them.

 

[LucaZone]

News Headline - "Trains delayed due to the wrong kind of Thunder storm"