The engineers were testing the pantograph system. The S120 is bitension (3kVdc - 25kVac) and has pantographs for each tension. Also, the train has a variable gauge system, the train can work in 1886mm and 1445mm gauge lines.
It's sometimes best to keep each pantograph operating in one direction only, so the arm's 'hinge' will operate either towards the front of the train ('knuckle leading') or away from the direction of travel. This is for several reeasons, including aerodynamics (high speed pantographs have to be set up carefully to control aerodynamic forces); also to even out the wear and operating time for each pantograph: and several other reasons dependant upon the train type and configuration.
The engineers were testing the pantograph system. The S120 is bitension (3kVdc - 25kVac) and has pantographs for each tension. Also, the train has a variable gauge system, the train can work in 1886mm and 1445mm gauge lines.
Tolosin69 4 years ago
why does the train need to change pantograph? different overhead geometry?
calt03 4 years ago
It's sometimes best to keep each pantograph operating in one direction only, so the arm's 'hinge' will operate either towards the front of the train ('knuckle leading') or away from the direction of travel. This is for several reeasons, including aerodynamics (high speed pantographs have to be set up carefully to control aerodynamic forces); also to even out the wear and operating time for each pantograph: and several other reasons dependant upon the train type and configuration.
paddyseat45a 4 years ago