List of railway electrification systems

A list of the different systems used on electric railways

This is a list of the power supply systems that are, or have been, used for railway electrification.

Note that the voltages are nominal and vary depending on load and distance from the substation.

As of 2023^[update] many trams and trains use on-board solid-state electronics to convert these supplies to run three-phase AC traction motors.

Tram electrification systems are listed here.

Key to the tables below

• Volts: voltage or volt
• Current:
  • DC = direct current
  • # Hz = frequency in hertz (alternating current (AC))
    • AC supplies are usually single-phase (1φ) except where marked three-phase (3φ).
• Conductors:
  • overhead line or
  • conductor rail, usually a third rail to one side of the running rails. Conductor rail can be:
    • top contact: oldest, least safe, most affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves. Protection boards are installed on most top contact systems, which increases safety and reduces these affections.
    • side contact: newer, safer, less affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves
    • bottom contact: newest, safest, least affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves

Systems using standard voltages

Voltages are defined by two standards: BS EN 50163^[1] and IEC 60850.^[2]

Overhead systems

600 V DC

750 V DC

1,200 V DC

1,500 V DC

3 kV DC

15 kV AC, 16+2⁄3 Hz / 16.7 Hz

25 kV AC, 50 Hz

25 kV AC, 60 Hz

Conductor rail systems

600 V DC conductor

All systems are third rail unless stated otherwise. Used by some older metros.

750 V DC conductor

Conductor rail systems have been separated into tables based on whether they are top, side or bottom contact. Used by most metros outside Asia and the former Eastern bloc.

Bottom contact

Side contact

Top contact

Mixed

1,200 V DC conductor

All systems are third rail and side contact unless stated otherwise.

1,500 V DC conductor

All systems are third rail unless stated otherwise.

Systems using non-standard voltages

Overhead systems

DC voltage

AC voltage

Three-phase AC voltage

Two wires

Three wires

Conductor rail systems (DC voltage)

Conductor rail systems have been separated into tables based on whether they are top, side or bottom contact.

Top contact systems

Side contact systems

All third rail unless otherwise stated.

Bottom contact systems

All third rail unless otherwise stated.

Conductor rail systems (AC voltage)

All systems are 3-phase unless otherwise noted.

Special or unusual types

DC, plough collection from conductors in conduit below track

• London County Council Tramways, later operated by London Transport
• streetcars in New York City (Manhattan), New York
• Washington, D.C. streetcars
• Panama Canal locks' ship handlers (called mules)

DC, one ground-level conductor

• Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways, England (stud contact) (1902–1921)
• Bordeaux Tramway, France (conductor rail)
• Sydney Light Rail (tramway)

DC, two-wire

• Greenwich, England. Previously used by trams when in the vicinity of Greenwich Observatory;^{[citation needed]} separate from trolleybus supply.
• Cincinnati,^{[citation needed]} Ohio, US. Tram (streetcar) system used this arrangement throughout, probably due to legal constraints on ground return currents.^{[citation needed]}
• Havana and Guanabacoa,^{[citation needed]} Cuba. Tram (streetcar) systems in both cities used this arrangement.
• Lisbon, Portugal. Elevador da Bica, Elevador da Glória and Elevador da Lavra.^{[citation needed]}

DC, power from running rails

• Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway (1881–1893), 180 V
• Ungerer Tramway (1886–1895)
• transportable railways as a ride for children

DC, four-rail

See also

• Third rail
• Railway electrification system
• Railroad electrification in the United States
• Ground level power supply
• Conduit current collection
• Current collector
• Amtrak's 25 Hz traction power system
• List of tram systems by gauge and electrification
• Traction current pylon

Footnotes

1. BS EN 50163 (2007).
2. IEC 60850 (2007).
3. "Sóller Website". Archived from the original on 2006-04-20. Retrieved 2007-02-22.
4. Schweers+Wall (2012), p. 11.
5. Schweers+Wall (2012), p. 19.
6. "Chapter 7: Project description – operation" (PDF). Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
7. Barrow, Keith (14 March 2014). "Cairo to order new trains for metro Line 1". International Railway Journal. Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
8. "Cairo Metro Tender for New Rolling Stock". MENA RAIL POST. MENA RAIL POST. 16 March 2014. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
9. 2020-07-23T08:00:00. "AC conversion planned in Cascais line upgrade". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 2021-07-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
10. Vosman, Quintus (4 January 2017). "Czechs to switch to 25 kV ac electrification". International Railway Journal.
11. Michał Szymajda (17 January 2020). "Szybka linia kolejowa "Y" przez CPK ma być gotowa do 2030 roku" [High-speed 'Y' railway line through CPK should be completed by 2030]. Rynek Lotniczy (in Polish). Retrieved 5 February 2020.
12. Railway Gazette International April 2008, p 240
13. "Western Railway sets stage for AC system". Times of India. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
14. "From May 5, faster Central Railway with AC power". Times of India. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
15. "Soon, faster trains on Kalyan-LTT route". Times of India. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
16. "Central Railway plans DC/AC switch in May". Times of India. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
17. "Israel Railways awards USD 500m electrification contract to Spanish SEMI". Think Railways. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
18. "Africa's first high speed line inaugurated". Railway Gazette International. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
19. "Electrification to increase Ukraine – Poland iron ore export capacity". Railway Gazette International. 8 May 2021. In conjunction with the UZ scheme, Poland has agreed to electrify its 3 km section of the route from the border to Hrubieszów.
20. New 25kv electrification in Tunisia Railways Africa
21. Kazunga, Oliver (1 March 2018). "Electrification of NRZ rail network set for 2nd phase". The Chronicle.
22. "Espacio del Viajero: Conoce los Trenes" (in Spanish). Mexico City: Ferrocarriles Suburbanos. Retrieved 24 May 2011. Alimentación (Vcc. catenaria): 25000, 60 Hz
23. "Proyecto Tren Maya: Electrificación" (in Spanish). Mexico: Fonatur. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
24. "TXU – Monticello Line". Trainweb.org. 1999-11-02. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
25. Hilton, George W.; Due, John Fitzgerald (1960). The Electric Interurban Railways in America. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-4014-2. OCLC 237973.
26. Cummings, O.R. & Munger, Charles F. (August 1961). Borrup, Roger (ed.). The Shore Line Electric Railway Company: Predecessor Companies. Vol. 13. Warehouse Point, CT: Connecticut Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.
27. McGraw Electric Railway List August, 1918. Trade Investigation and Directory Department of the Electric Railway Journal. 1918.
28. McGraw-Hill 1920, p. 5.
29. Hilton, George Woodman; Due, John Fitzgerald (2000). The Electric Interurban Railways in America. Stanford University Press. p. 299. ISBN 9780804740142.
30. "Railway Technical Info – Hungary". www.chiark.greenend.org.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
31. Schweers+Wall (2012), p. 66.
32. "EL2".
33. "Na odkrywce Adamów wydobyto ostatnią tonę węgla. Kopalnia zakończyła definitywnie działalność" [Last tonne of coal from Adamów pit. Mine definitely closed.]. Turek.net.pl (in Polish). 19 February 2021.
34. "ERS – Presentation, La Mure". www.railfaneurope.net. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
35. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
36. Cacozza, Marco (August 2016). "Three-Phase Electrification: An Italian Story". Today's Railways Europe #248. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
37. "Southend Pier Railway".
38. Karslake, Colin. "Unofficial MailRail Website – Home". www.mailrail.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
39. "Mail Rail".
40. "BART System Facts". San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
41. "Structures, devices and rolling stock of underground (Сооружения, устройства и подвижной состав метрополитена)" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
42. "Rules of technical operation of undergrounds of the Russian Federation (Правила технической эксплуатации метрополитенов Российской Федерации)" (PDF) (in Russian). International Metro Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-10. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
43. "Monorail" (PDF). Switzerland: Von Roll Habegger Ltd. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
44. "Sydney Monorail cars". Powerhouse Collection. 28 January 2014. 500 volts AC 3 wire /50 Hertz
45. Japan Railway & Transport 18 (PDF). p. 28. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
46. "Tube | Transport for London". Transport for London. Retrieved 2013-04-22.

References

• BS EN 50163 (2007), EN 50163: Railway applications. Supply voltages of traction systems, IET, archived from the original on 2007-02-13{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• IEC 60850 (2007), IEC 60850: Railway applications – Supply voltages of traction systems (3rd ed.){{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• Boddy, M.G.; Fry, E.V.; Hennigan, W.; Hoole, Ken; Mallaband, Peter; Neve, E.; Price, J.H.; Proud, P.; Yeadon, W.B. (April 1990). Fry, E.V. (ed.). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 10B: Railcars and Electric Stock. Lincoln: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-66-5.
• Dixon, Frank (1994) [1973]. The Manchester South Junction & Altrincham Railway. The Oakwood Library of Railway History (2nd ed.). Headington: Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-454-7. OL34.
• McGraw Electric Railway Directory. McGraw-Hill Company. August 1920.
• Schweers+Wall (2012). Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz. Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH. ISBN 978-3-89494-130-7. ASIN 3894941308.
• Swain, Alec (1990). British Rail Fleet Survey 11: Overhead Line Electric Multiple-Units. Shepperton: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-1902-9.

External links

• Electrification systems, track gauges and electrified track lengths in selected countries (in German)
• Map of European voltage systems
• Southern Electric, England—details of 3rd rail electrification