Conductor-rail installation and maintenance, and collector shoe-gear

The paper gives brief details of the conductor-rail systems used for electric traction by the London Transport Executive1 and British Railways. The specification, testing, installation and maintenance of the 100- and 150-lb/yd flat-bottom conductor rails used on the Southern Region´s 660-volt d.c. third-rail system which conforms to the Railway (Standardization of Electrification) Order, 1932, are described in detail. The associated electrical track equipment is reviewed. Details are given of the proposed new standard 106- and 150-lb/yd flat-bottom and 130-lb/yd rectangular conductor rails. The types of collector shoe-gear used by the London Transport Executive and Southern Region are also described.