DB> I notice that our trains in the SouthEast do tend to grind to a
DB> halt in cold weather much sooner that the other systems.
IM> Mainly due to ice build-up on the conductor rail. In times
IM> of very heavy snowfall (not common here in the southern UK),
IM> then the conductor rail can be totally blocked in by snow.
IM>However, overhead power lines can also be affected by
IM> anowfall, and particularly by high winds.
True. On the Pennsylvania RR it was common practice to run
the big GG-1's (6Khp max, 3Khp continuous) with both the
front and rear pantographs up; the rear collected current,
the front cleared the ice from the line.
Reggie Arford
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 X SLMR 2.1a X Riding behind Steam, on the Information SuperRailway!
--- Maximus 3.01
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