Adoption of Overhead Rigid Conductor Rail System in MTR Extensions

Abstract

The conventional overhead catenary system for both 1500V d.c. traction system and 25kV a.c. traction system have been used in the existing railways of Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited (MTRCL) in Hong Kong for over 20 years. Another type of overhead line system, the overhead rigid conductor rail system has now been increasingly used in the tunnel sections of underground metro system in Europe, Mainland China and South Korea. The non-tension and low resistance characteristics of the rigid conductor rail system have advantages in enhancing and improving various aspects including energy efficiency, reliability, maintainability and availability of the overhead line system. This paper gives an outline of the overhead rigid conductor rail system and the benefits of adopting such system for the new MTR extensions including West Island Line, Kwun Tong Line Extension, South Island Line (East) and Shatin to Central Link. The result of simulation study to demonstrate the acceptable dynamic performance for the interface with the pantograph of rolling stock for line operating speed up to 130kph is included in this paper.

Keywords

• Rigid conductor rail;
• Catenary;
• ORCR;
• OCS