COMPARATIVE CATENARY COSTS-EUROPEAN AND U.S. MAIN LINE RAILROAD ELECTRIFICATION

Recent comparisons of railroad electrification costs have reported costs of overhead contact systems (catenaries) for overseas electrification much lower than those of U.S. installations. Such direct comparison may not be valid for several reasons-the smaller load gauges, shorter trains, and lower labor costs on overseas railroads. To demonstrate a recent catnary installation on British Rail cost $112,000 per single-track-mile (STM) (1982 prices), but this value would increase to $201,100 per STM at U.S. cost levels on similar complex routes. Also, the U.S. projects compared (e.g., Northeast Corridor Rehabilitation and Pueblo Test Track) are not representative of main line railroads. More representative examples are the 78-mile Black Mesa and Lake Powell Railroad catenary ($180,000 per STM at 1982 prices), and the 370-mile Mexico City-Queretaro Railroad catenary (bid at $165,000 per STM at 1982 prices). An independent estimate was made for a hupothetical 300-mile U.S. main line catenary by using a typical 25-kV design, to be installed in 2 years. The resulting cost ($162,200 per STM) is considered representative of for the United States. This cost could double should track access be difficult and work periods short. But, with good planning and improved equipment and experience, catenary costs on large-scale electrification could be reduced to approximately $150,000 per STM at 1982 prices. In conclusion, main line catenary cost in the United States is expected to be higher than that overseas but will reduce with large-scale programs and improved equipment and techniques.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/939/939-007a.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=COMPARATIVE+CATENARY+COSTS-EUROPEAN+AND+U.S.+MAIN+LINE+RAILROAD+ELECTRIFICATION&author=W.+Weiss&author=H.+Hayes&author=P.+SHAW&publication_year=1983
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Rail Electrification Systems.Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Weiss, Willard D
  • Hayes, H Ian
  • SHAW, PETER L
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 44-48
• Monograph Title: Track design and railroad electrification
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 939
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Catenary wires; Costs; Railroad clearances; Railroad electrification; Technology; Traffic density
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Geographic Terms: Europe
• Old TRIS Terms: Clearances
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Highways; Public Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00391598
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM