Both Metro-North and the LIRR have boosted their third rail voltage from the original nominal 660 v.d.c. to 750 v.d.c. in the interests of improving train performance and reducing voltage dropoff with distance from the substations. Yet the subway system still uses the old 600 v.d.c. standard inherited from the street railway industry in 1904, and still has some motor-generator or rotary converter substations.
I know money is an issue right now, but have there been any plans for the NYCTA to follow suit? Also, the LIRR replaced its all steel third rails (except on certain yard trackage) with new third rails consisting of a steel I-beam sandwiched by two aluminum strips, one on each side, to provide greater efficiency and conductivity, and to, again, reduce voltage drop with distance from substations. M-N, with its underruning third rail system, can't do so as easily but I have seen all-aluminum third rail installed, experimentally at least, on some platform tracks in Grand Central. Once again, is the subway system to be left behind? I guess the present power distribution system works well enough, but...
I know money is an issue right now, but have there been any plans for the NYCTA to follow suit? Also, the LIRR replaced its all steel third rails (except on certain yard trackage) with new third rails consisting of a steel I-beam sandwiched by two aluminum strips, one on each side, to provide greater efficiency and conductivity, and to, again, reduce voltage drop with distance from substations. M-N, with its underruning third rail system, can't do so as easily but I have seen all-aluminum third rail installed, experimentally at least, on some platform tracks in Grand Central. Once again, is the subway system to be left behind? I guess the present power distribution system works well enough, but...
Fairbanks-Morse forever!