What is this?

[allanroy]

Anyone know what this is used for?

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Good catch!

Overhead wire maintenance?

[allanroy]

I also thought it was Overhead wire maintenance but its powered from the overhead cable so its a live wire.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Maybe they measure the current draw as an efficiency barometer etc?

I am, sure someone will have the answer just now.

Again this vehicle has no number plates -see here

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... 145&t=4738

Did it look like a converted truck or a homebuilt rail trolley/powered vehicle? I cannot see the wheels properly but you may have noticed?

[Gabor Kovacs]

Gents,

It's is and overhead wire maintance vehicle!

Note that the technicians are actually in physical contact the overhead wire, which must be turned OFF and earthed before they start their duties!

The first picture is rather alarming, if you look rather carefully! There is just one "wood breaker" that protects the workers, from the adjoining line, with and electric unit at the head of the train!

The vehicle is powered by either by a 4 cylinder Cummings or Bell diesel engine!

If I'm correct, the panto on the overhead wire maintance vehicle, is used for testing the high of the contact wire, the tension on the contact wire, thickness and other vital contact dynamics, and it also checks that the dropper wire clips don't interfer with the contact between the panto's contact plate and contact wire!

I hope that helps

[Gabor Kovacs]

Should rather read as follows;

The second picture is rather alarming, . . . .

[Luca Lategan]

Uhm, may I ask where you see this piece of wood, Gabor?

[allanroy]

Thanks Gabor. using google I searched on the badge on the side of it which says LRS. Which is lenning Rail Services and here is a link to the website. http://www.lenningsrail.co.za/mtm_overh ... enance.asp

What I found interesting is that

The measuring system can be used on live 3kV DC and 25kV AC electrified lines