Why LGB catenary still requires track power?

[Mobi]

So catenary seems worst of both worlds - instead of simply cleaning tracks, you have to clean both track and wires.

 

[HobbitFertang]

So, is the catenary basically all about safety or is the circuitry more reliable?

 

[Gizzy]

Powered catenary was useful for analogue DC power, when you wanted to control 2 trains on the same track.

But with digital DCC power, the requirement for powered catenary is no longer relevant as several trains can be driven on the same track.

Also, powering overhead on DCC with track power is not recommended....

 

[PhilP]

So catenary seems worst of both worlds - instead of simply cleaning tracks, you have to clean both track and wires.

In the model-world, yes but not a lot..
Infrequent running is the biggest problem, so you get a microscopic build up of oxidation on surfaces.

As in the real-world, frequent running keeps the catenary clean.

The track will be a bigger problem, as gravity assists in dust settling as well..
Dust and fluff don't scale, and it sticks in the small amount of oil that migrated to the track and on the running surfaces of wheels.
We also don't have several tonnes of contact pressure, to 'squish' this out of the way.

If the contact area, wheel to track, of a full-size train is about the size of a ten pence piece, how tiny are our model contact areas?

PhilP.

 

[Rhinochugger]

The info I found said it was also a return in the mountainous areas. As the ground is not good for ground current flow, as well as a ground potential wire for the poles.
Looking at the cables it appears to be the same diameter as the overhead supply cables?

Yep, ground conditions can vary the way in which current can be carried - Lightning conductors are a case in point.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Oh we never got into Stud Contact!

It was available in 00 from Peco as an alternative to central third rail I seem to remember

 

[dunnyrail]

In the model-world, yes but not a lot..
Infrequent running is the biggest problem, so you get a microscopic build up of oxidation on surfaces.

As in the real-world, frequent running keeps the catenary clean.

The track will be a bigger problem, as gravity assists in dust settling as well..
Dust and fluff don't scale, and it sticks in the small amount of oil that migrated to the track and on the running surfaces of wheels.
We also don't have several tonnes of contact pressure, to 'squish' this out of the way.

If the contact area, wheel to track, of a full-size train is about the size of a ten pence piece, how tiny are our model contact areas?

PhilP.

Not forgetting the much higher power on the real thing, these days 25Kv predominates for overhead main line, Trams, 3rd rail and others had different voltages, I do not intend to list all the others. This link pretty well tells the ful story.

List of railway electrification systems - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[John Randall]

One of the biggest issues with overhead line is seasonal in the form of ice forming on it overnight when no trains have run. The first train of the day is the “ice breaker” and will light up the sky like an arc welder accompanied by an electrical cackle and ozone smell.Also Locomotive pantograph carbon thickness wear limit tolerance is thicker in the winter!

 

[dunnyrail]

One of the biggest issues with overhead line is seasonal in the form of ice forming on it overnight when no trains have run. The first train of the day is the “ice breaker” and will light up the sky like an arc welder accompanied by an electrical cackle and ozone smell.Also Locomotive pantograph carbon thickness wear limit tolerance is thicker in the winter!

Yup I keep wanting to be at my local station to do a ‘time exposure’ pic of this. One day.

 

[playmofire]

As promised, page from LGB book The Big Train which may help.