Atomic Systems

Hi folks,

As far as I’m aware, European routes that have overhead electrification in Train Simulator have a standard wire height. But on GARL and Edinburgh - Glasgow routes, they have low overhead wire height. As far as I know, some EMUs (including Class 325, Class 375 and Class 380) and Class 86 locomotives have a low-pantograph version in addition to the standard pantograph ones.

London to Faversham Route (Kent High Speed) has higher overhead wire height on its HS1 section.

The reason GARL and Edinburgh - Glasgow routes had low overhead electrification is not clear, this might be for realism. As far as I know, GARL was originally built for training purposes, which also explains the lack of distant scenery. Edinburgh - Glasgow route might have done the same as well.

Another reason could be that GARL and Edinburgh - Glasgow routes might have been constructed earlier for training purposes well before being released to the public, and this might have happened before the standard overhead wire height for electrified European routes was finalised.

Wondering if earlier routes had low overhead electrification as well.

Cheers
Alistair Cowell

Hi
I think it might be a realistic thing as the electrification around Glasgow
Originally 6.25 kV and then was converted to the standard 25 kV later
Dave:)

I seem to remember it was because both routes where the products of Alan Thomson (The original Scottish one - Aka Snowsignal for any old school Trainzers on here , not the new website guy) and he based the catenary heights on the average UK height , Whereas the companies that controlled Rail Simulator , Railworks and subsequently Train Simulator 20xx decided to standardise on a one catenary height fits all routes both UK and EU .

If you take a German electric loco and place it on a DTG UK route with overhead electrification you will see that the pantograph height matches the wire height . Not a show stopper but surely one that causes UK bridges and railway specific buildings and equipment to be overly distorted in height to accommodate this higher catenary compared with their real life counterparts ?

I noticed on the Workshop of a Glasgow to Edinburgh Electrified and because of the standard OHLE height the Wired and Pantographs pass thru Bridges
If you don't mid that it a different route to use an AC Electric on.

Peter

skoda wrote:If you take a German electric loco and place it on a DTG UK route with overhead electrification you will see that the pantograph height matches the wire height . Not a show stopper but surely one that causes UK bridges and railway specific buildings and equipment to be overly distorted in height to accommodate this higher catenary compared with their real life counterparts ?

Anybody know what the wire elevation should be?
Given that data it's not difficult to actually measure it, there are plenty of ruler assets available.

gptech wrote:

skoda wrote:If you take a German electric loco and place it on a DTG UK route with overhead electrification you will see that the pantograph height matches the wire height . Not a show stopper but surely one that causes UK bridges and railway specific buildings and equipment to be overly distorted in height to accommodate this higher catenary compared with their real life counterparts ?

Anybody know what the wire elevation should be?
Given that data it's not difficult to actually measure it, there are plenty of ruler assets available.

Network Rail have a good guide on OHLE - "nr_a_guide_to_overhead_electrification.pdf"

Page 31 should tell you all you need

gptech wrote:

skoda wrote:If you take a German electric loco and place it on a DTG UK route with overhead electrification you will see that the pantograph height matches the wire height . Not a show stopper but surely one that causes UK bridges and railway specific buildings and equipment to be overly distorted in height to accommodate this higher catenary compared with their real life counterparts ?

Anybody know what the wire elevation should be?
Given that data it's not difficult to actually measure it, there are plenty of ruler assets available.

Not sure if it makes a difference
The wire is a set height as the pantographs don't go up and down with the wire, apart from Thomsons RhB locos, so it's a compromise
Standard UK is lower than the standard EU - By using the same height for UK and EU stock it mean you can interoperate as in real life
https://peter749.piwigo.com/picture?/30 ... ugust_2012
https://peter749.piwigo.com/picture?/30 ... lways_2017

Peter

In the Network Rail document, they give examples of where the catenary height is increased (such as at level crossings) or lowered (for some bridges) and show the pantograph lifting or lowering to accommodate

Clive Mortimore has previously posted some excellent articles on UK catenary over on the RMweb forum :
https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index ... ain-track/

He mentions :
Mk3 contact wire height (the wire along which the pantograph runs) as 4.7m
Mk1 contact wire height as 4.864m (16ft)

There are even greater distances in height between the catenary wire (top wire) and the contact wire (as measured at the supporting equipment)
Mk1 6ft 6in - 1.98m
Mk3 90cm - 0.9m

I take those measurements as averages as the wire heights (as stated in previous posts in this thread) will vary whilst passing under structures and above level crossings etc.