Originally posted by Texcoco II:
Hi all
I got one question, does the MRT track itself is electrified? Or the Cable beside it. Cos I , kinda curious whether the Caution sigh is warning u the track or the high voltage cable beside it Anyway, unlike those overseas trains with overhead electric cable, how does the MRT train get it electricity from? the track itself?
Next time, you can post this question on the "question on MRT/LRT" thread.
As for your question, all MRT tracks in Singapore are electrified (but not the tracks itself!), just that how they are electrified depends on the company running the trains.
As for SMRT trains, tracks are electrified by means of a special rail conducting electricity, known as "third rail". They are seen as white metals beside the train tracks. And so, SMRT trains are electrified by the metal contacts attached to the bogie known as "shoes", which in turn would have some metal floss brushing against the third rail as the train moves, electrifying the train for virtually everything from lighting to the train's controls.
And as for SBST trains, if you observe with care you would have noticed that there are overhead cables on top of the train. And that as the train runs gradually while you are in the front/back end of the train looking out to the tracks, you would probably notice some third rails. As like said, SBST trains would take power from the pantograph located on the roof of the 2nd/5th coach (if you are very observant enough), and also from the shoes of the train's bogies.