by UpperHarlemLine4ever
Noticed that CTA tracks still have the old, uncovered, unprotected el 3rd rail. Are there or have there been any plans to replace them with covered rapid transit 3rd rails?
Railroad Forums
Moderators: metraRI, JamesT4
UpperHarlemLine4ever wrote:I am aware of the way the Chicago 3rd rail works. New York used to have the same on it's elevated lines and on lines that had both el and subway cars running. They were all changed over to the covered 3rd rail. I'm looking at it from a safety point of view. Chicago is the only operation that still has the old style, el, 3rd rail. Boston has uncovered 3rd rail but the cars run on a 3rd rail that could be easily covered over (the 3rd rail shoe is as you refer to it as a paddle shoe).If you say you "you are aware"...then you undoubtedly should be aware that changing our system isn't going to happen for numerous reasons....expensive, time consuming, we have no "safety problems" with our workers, our unions...no benefit in terms of service, equipment apparatus, scheduling, operations car usage, etc. There just is NO REASON.