How do subways get power

At this point they are commonly referred to as the El for elevated train. An example of this would be the number 6 subway line in New York City. In midtown Manhattan it is called the subway, but in Harlem and the Bronx it is the El, even though it is the same train in both places. Subway trains are driven by operators, or conductors, who sit in a booth at the front of the train and use a handheld device similar to a video game joystick to operate the train. There are no foot pedals on most modern subway trains, though some older model systems do have them.

The acceleration and braking are done with the joystick and buttons on a control panel. The conductor is also the one who makes announcements over the public address system in the train and opens and closes the doors of the cars at stations. Blake Guthrie covers travel, entertainment and outdoor recreation for many outlets, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he is a regular contributor.

Categories: How do they do that? How do they power the trains was the question…so once the train gets the electricity from the third rail or catenary line, then what? A related but entirely different question. Low blow? Unfortunately, for the politicians, the cheapest source of electricity will continue to be petroleum for some time.

The money is running out. Try to make oil and coal cleaner. Nuclear would be the best yield for what is needed to grow but, people are freaked out about the waste. Tough problem but, someone must step forward to chart the most economical course with safety built in but not overboard.

Power the trains by Kim Upton , March 5, Like this: Like Loading High-Speed Rail Authority moves forward on agreement with Southern California transportation agencies. Expo construction notice: Temporary full closure on National Blvd. Loading Comments Email Required Name Required Website. Alternating current AC operates signals, station and tunnel lighting, ventilation and miscellaneous line equipment.

Direct current DC is used to operate trains and such auxiliary equipment as water pumps and emergency lighting. The system's electrical-power substations receive high and low-voltage electrical current from the New York Power Authority. Substations may receive as much as 27, volts from the power plants and then convert it for use in the subway. The subway's contact third rail requires volts for operating trains.