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Unobtrusive overhead wires

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April 11, 2007 - 7:44am — Ron

Since many think overhead wires will clutter the air along Albert and Slater, I present a couple photos that show they can be unobtrusive.

portland1.jpg
Portland: Overhead view of LRT train in downtown street reservation approaching intersection. Good design and traffic management ensures that transit, pedestrians, and vehicular traffic coexist in harmony. (Note the "obtrusive" overhead trolley wire.)

(Photo: LRP library)

portland2.jpg
Portland: LRT streetcar with other traffic enters intersection. Incidentally, can you find the overhead wires?

(Photo: M. Kavanaugh)

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June 21, 2007 - 3:36pm — Albrown

LRT schemes with no overheads

For those people who are 'Catenary-challlenged', please take a look at this photo.
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/trams/Bordeaux/Citadis302/Bordeaux_T...

This is an electric tram which has no overhead lines and doesn't run on batteries.
So where is the power source?
The answer is in the grassy area . It uses Alstom's Innorail concept which powers a portion of the conductor rail directly underneath the tram, thus minimising the risk to the general public.
It's a great concept for use in places of historical interest or sensitive public areas.