Article,
The Use of Aluminium for the Overhead Catenary System on German Federal Railway's New High-Speed Lines
Elektrische Bahnen, 84 (10/86): 298-306 (1986)
Abstract
German Federal Railway (DB) have equipped their new
high-speed lines with an overhead catenary system called
Re 250 and designed it for the higher speeds and electric
currents envisaged. Components made of aluminium alloys
were developed and used for this new catenary type. The
authors report on the selection of suitable casting and
wrought alloys, as well as on design and tests of the components
and on operational experience. The use of aluminium
alloys together with bolts and nuts made of stainless steel
resulted in a catenary system which requires only very little
maintenance and does not necessitate investments higher
than in case of a design based on conventional material.
