Depending on how you read between the lines, the only future 3 rail electification had was with JLC and other toy train manufacturers. Lionel didn't impliment 3 rail track until 1906 when production of 2 rail, 2 7/8" equipment ended and the new Standard Gauge was adopted.
Bruce Webster
The scoop.
"Center Third Rail" was the wave of the future in 1900 when J. Lionel Cowen looked to mass produce electric "Model Trains".
The New Haven Railroad, then under the control of J. P. Morgan, dreamed of using DC Electric power from Boston to New York. A feeder line outside of Boston (Nantasket Beach) was electrified in 1896 using a center 3rd rail and Interurban passenger cars. It worked fine.
The next move was to try a longer faster line. Third rail was installed from Hartford CT south to New Britain, then east to Berlin and west along the old New York & New England main line to Bristol. A total of 32 route miles were in operation. In 1905, the state of Connecticut outlawed the center 3rd rail and ended the noble experiment. By now the New Haven was already looking to the 11,000 volt AC system of overhead wires invisioned by George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla as the solution to long distance power transmission. That installation is still in service today by Amtrak.
Lionel WAS in step with his times!
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Bob Nelson
Also, lots of dual gauge RRs in the world; this one is Japan:
Here's the only 3-rail freight only RR that ever existed. Out in Calif. Standard gauge and 2' gauge combo.
Below is undoctored photo I took on CSX at my station stop in Crystal City, VA
(apparently, they darkened the center rail)
Great photo, btw, Doug!!!!
cnw1995 wrote: Apparently a New Haven RR owned interurban streetcar line back in 1900 had the first electrically experimental true 3 rail track with a center powered, exposed 3rd rail..." Can you imagine how dangerous this was?
Apparently a New Haven RR owned interurban streetcar line back in 1900 had the first electrically experimental true 3 rail track with a center powered, exposed 3rd rail..." Can you imagine how dangerous this was?
That occurred in Eastern Massachusetts, a few miles from where I live (although the trackage was long gone by the time I was born). From what I recall reading, a number of small animals were electrocuted along the track. Then one night, someone tried taking a shortcut by walking down the track and was electrocuted. There was a well-deserved public outcry, and the live center rail was removed. However, the experiment proved to the New Haven that third-rail electric power was feasible as long as better safety measures were in place.
Richard Bjorkman
That 3rd rail looks like a guide channel for a cable car to me.
Carl T.
Here's another for the books. While the Volks Electric Railway wasn't initially 3 rail ( third rail was installed in 1886 ) it was a later modification that was better suited rather than use 2 power rails with wooden insulated wheels. The center rail is offset to one side but this is definitely live exposed rail, the mainline fenced in to keep pedestrians from becoming crispy critters.
http://www.volkselectricrailway.co.uk/
cnw1995 wrote:Wow, really? How do they keep patrons (or dogs or whatnot) from being electrocuted?
They're using it for population control.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
cnw1995 wrote: Joe Frank is one of the greatest subway modellers on earth - how's that for hyperbole.
Joe Frank is one of the greatest subway modellers on earth - how's that for hyperbole.
I stumbled upon Joe elsewhere and viewing the work he had done made me re-assess what I was going to do with my humble o-gauge layout. While I realize Joe is from a different planet when it comes to modeling skill, his work got me moving towards trying to build a quasi-relaistic layout. He gave me a lot of encouragement as well.
Wow, thanks for sharing that, Frank.
This paraphrases a little of what he posted about this photo:
"The surface street level tracks are timber shored-up street railway "conduit system" tracks - supported at street level OVER a subway excavation below, to maintain streetcar services. ...the center "slot" rail is for the conduit beneath containing the both + and - current "strap-rails" which the streetcar under-truck "pickup plows" made electrical contact with. The streetcar tracks themselves were NOT energized meaning they were not used to send return current to the powerhouse, as in normal electric railway operation ! Apparently a New Haven RR owned interurban streetcar line back in 1900 had the first electrically experimental true 3 rail track with a center powered, exposed 3rd rail..." Can you imagine how dangerous this was?
Doug:
There is a run down on that photo posted by Joe Frank on the subway section at the other forum where I post.
Very cool, Doug! Is that a Bowser powered Corgi Trolley I see in the distance?
Why.... yes, Jim. Yes it certainly is. Good eyes.
Where did you get those life like workers for your layout? Scenic Express?
Laz, I cannot reveal the source of my laborers as they might get the idea they are worth more than the Company is paying.
Very nice picture indeed!
My web site (updated monthly)
http://home.mchsi.com/~ironmaster1960/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
cnw1995 wrote: I found this evocative photo on another forum - early last cen. NYC. Isn't it cool? Certainly looks like the latest trolley line construction on my layout.
I found this evocative photo on another forum - early last cen. NYC. Isn't it cool? Certainly looks like the latest trolley line construction on my layout.
Cool pic DOUG.
laz57
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
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