IS ELECTRIFICATION THE ANSWER?

The author discusses the fact that there are no new problems to solve in the field of railway electrification and that the technology in that field is available. Whatever may have been the situation in the past, data available today show that a typical route requiring 400,000 kwh per km per annum (probably typical of a main line in Canada), was 26% more expensive using diesels in 1970 and now would be 54% more costly with diesels than when electrified. High voltage single phase ac distribution with thyristor-controlled direct current motors is a fully developed technology and has proved extremely satisfactory. A catenary system (to distribute the power to the train) can accommodate speeds up to 150 mph. For Canadian systems, 50,000 volts might be the best voltage level, although most of Europe is using 25 kv. A national voltage standard must, of course, be established.

• Corporate Authors:

  Engineering Institute of Canada

  700 EIC Building, 2050 Mansfield Street
  Montreal 110, PQ  Canada 
• Authors:
  • Cass-Beggs, D
• Publication Date: 1976-11

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 36-38
• Serial:
  • Engineering Journal (Canada)
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Engineering Institute of Canada

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Costs; Electric railroads; Energy conservation; Energy resources; Planning; Railroad electrification
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Finance; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00156902
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 4 1977 12:00AM