Abstract :
The paper gives a general account of the electrification of a suburban line operating from Manchester. This is the first passenger line in this country to be electrified on the 1500-volt d.c. overhead system. A short historical introduction precedes a general account with detailed reference to special features of the equipment installed and the reasons governing the type selected. The information is given under sections devoted to substation plant, overhead and track equipment, rolling stock, electrical equipment, and car repair shed. The equipment includes a number of features which have not previously been used in this country. For example: the rectifier is the first to operate at 1500 volts; the remote control of one substation from the other is the first application of the Midworth transmitter to this duty; the pantographs are the first to use the curved pan; the motors are the most powerful of any in use in this country. Particulars are given of the more interesting operating experiences, in particular the behavior of the mercury-arc rectifier, the overhead contact wire, and the rolling stock. The paper concludes with some particulars of energy consumption, and technical particulars of the plant installed are given in an appendix.
