Multi-system (rail)

Not to be confused with Electro-diesel locomotive.

File:B82500 Provins5.JPG

SNCF Class B 82500 multi-system electro-diesel multiple unit at Provins

A Multi-system locomotive, also known as a multi-system electric locomotive, multi-system electric multiple unit, or multi-system train, is an electric locomotive which can operate using more than one railway electrification system. Mult-system trains provide continuous journeys over routes which are electrified using more than one system.

Reasons

A multi-system locomotive is useful for providing a single journey over multiple electrification systems without interruption, either from requiring passengers to change trains or from changing locomotives. Such conditions can occur where a train crosses national boundaries and each country has implemented a different electrification system.

Examples

European Union

Prior to 1945 there was little demand for multisystem locomotives in Europe. From the 1950s onwards the formation of the European Communities and the consequent increase in the amount of cross border traffic, and the addition of a 25 kV 50 Hz AC system in France in addition to the older 1.5 kV DC system both gave rise to new needs for multivoltage locomotives. Very high capital costs prevent or hinder the adoption of a standard railway electrification system.

At the beginning of the 21st century railway legislation in Europe (the First Railway Package and Second Railway Package, and the creation of a Trans European Rail Freight Network) liberalised cross border freight traffic, giving rise to demand for locomotives to work between European Union countries with different electrification systems and creating a practically new market for multivoltage locomotives such as Bombardier's TRAXX. However increased cost of purchase and maintenance, along with costs of different safety system installations for cross-border work, have reduced the economic viability of multisystem vehicles versus the use of single voltage machines and locomotive changing.

India

In India 1500 V DC and 25 kV 50 Hz is used for main line trains. The 1500 V DC overhead system (negative earth, positive catenary) is used around Mumbai. The Mumbai region is the last bastion of 1500 V DC electrified lines on Indian Railways. The Western Railway route from Mumbai Central is now completely changed to 25 kV AC. The 25 kV AC system with overhead lines is use throughout the rest of the country. The dual-voltage WCAM series locomotives haul intercity trains out of Mumbai DC suburban region. The new AC/DC EMU rakes used in Mumbai are also designed to operate with both DC and AC traction as the Mumbai area switches over to the 25 kV AC system which has provided access to the locomotives having AC Traction motors to serve in the suburbs.

Multi-system trains are found in metro use as well. The Kolkata Metro uses 750 V DC traction with a third rail for delivering the electricity to the EMUs. The Kolkata trams use 550 V DC with overhead lines with underground conductors. The catenary is at a negative potential. The Delhi Metro uses 25 kV AC overhead lines on the ground-level and elevated routes, and uses a rather unusual "rigid catenary", or overhead power rail, in the underground tunnel sections.

South Africa

Main article: Rail transport in South Africa

South Africa has 15 km of dual system track, both 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC.

United Kingdom

The British Rail Class 92 can operate from both 750 V DC third rail and 25 kV, 50 Hz AC from overhead lines

Main article: Railway electrification in Great Britain

Electrification in the UK began in a piecemeal fashion. The earliest main line (as opposed to metro and tramway) systems were divided between low voltage third rail (commonly about 600 V DC) and overhead systems (a variety of voltages, both DC and AC were used). The third rail systems of this period eventually gave rise to the 750 V DC system in the southern part of the UK and a separate area with the same system around Merseyside.

Cheap loans to stimulate economic development in the 1930s gave rise to the several schemes of 1500 V DC electrification, mostly completed post war, notably between Liverpool Street and Shenfield, and the Woodhead Line. Starting with the West Coast Main Line electrification in the 1960s, the 25 kV AC overhead system was adopted for all subsequent mainline electrification in the UK (except for extensions to other existing systems, mostly on the southern third rail network).

In some areas with restricted clearances, particularly in urban areas in east London (converted from 1500 V DC) and on suburban routes around Glasgow, 6.25 kV was used. A system known as "Automatic Power Control" was developed to allow trains to automatically switch between the voltages whilst moving. All the driver had to do was shut off power and coast until clear of the neutral section; the system automatically opened the circuit breaker, detected a change in voltage and switched over the transformer to the correct input voltage setting, then closed the circuit breaker. This system proved somewhat unreliable and, with experience, it was found that less clearance was needed for 25 kV than had initially been allowed for. This allowed the 6.25 kV sections to be converted to 25 kV, with the last section, at the London end of the London Tilbury and Southend line, being converted in 1983.

United States

New Haven EP-1 No. 020, circa 1907. Note the small DC pantograph between the two larger AC pantographs

Main article: Railroad electrification in the United States

In the United States private companies undertook electrification independently, resulting in divergent systems. Thus the New Haven EP-1 had to support three separate electrification systems: 660 V DC via third rail, 660 V via pantograph, and 11 kV 25 Hz AC via pantograph; in order to make a 27-mile (43 km) journey from the New York Central Railroad's Grand Central Terminal in New York City to its own station in Stamford, Connecticut.

Multi-system operation continues to present day. New Jersey Transit uses multi-system ALP-46 and ALP-45 locomotives for its Midtown Direct service into New York and Amtrak uses multi-system AEM-7, ACS-64 and Acela locomotives on the Northeast Corridor between Washington DC and Boston. In both cases, through trains run on both newer, 25 kV 60 Hz built or refurbished by their respective agencies since the 1980s and older, 12 kV 25 Hz inherited from the now-defunct Pennsylvania Railroad. The latter dates to the 1930s, when the Pennsylvania upgraded its electrified network from 650 V DC third rail.

See also

• Double electrification
• Railway electric traction#Multi-system units