In this situation the driver should have pulled out slowly all the way into the left lane and then the trolley poles would not have hit the cone.
With rope retrievers on the back of the bus the poles will fly up more if they were out to the side at the time of the dewirement. The new style pneumatic retrievers on the roof at the pole bases can lower the poles more quickly regardless of the angle of the poles.
We have E40LFR trackless trolleys here in Philadelphia as well. For us, in the event of a dewirement, our coaches have a diesel EPU (Emergency Power Unit) that can be turned on to run the coach for short distances around the depot, but it has also been used to bypass construction or other wire outages for a few blocks at a time. With the poles latched on their storage holders, max speed in EPU mode is 24mph, and with the poles hanging free, 8mph.
That cone is to tell the trolley drivers to go slow and use caution in that section. But inthis case it is obvious that the line crew put the cone too close to the trolley wires.
During my childhood when I resided in a trolleybus operating city, i had seen far more violent pole jumping stunts on trolleybuses when their poles dewired.
What you see in this video is considered very mild and gentle thanks to the retrievers that automatically and timely lowered the poles, and the bus was going at relatively low speed.
If you know someone working as an overhead crew, you will be told more than half of the overhead damages are caused by violent dewirements.
@datalal624 All trolley buses dewire sometimes. It's not the trolleybus' fault, sometimes there's a cone in the way, sometimes the driver does the turn wrong, etc.
There are a bank of batteries on the bus which provide auxiliary power. However, the bus must be stopped first, then switched into battery mode before continuing. I believe another set of batteries keep the lights, signs, power steering and brakes working, but I'm not sure about the last two.
You will understand the simple mechanics of these trolleybuses when you see them in person, or if you live in a city where these trolleybuses operate.
That must be a pain in the ass. When I drove buses here in the UK I recall some of the old trolley drivers cursing like hell about that. Another problem was too many buses to a section which caused the breakers to shut down the power. They then had to get towed up the hill to the next section by the recovery crew pmsl
The new trolleys we have here have a set of backup batteries which can drive the bus for a short distance without the current collectors on the wires (for detours, etc).
I think. It doesnt matter. If it is in a turn or not. I seen SF Muni TCs have dewirements on Straight sections. Some was at the overhead diamonds (or whatever you call the crossings) Etc. I remember seeing a one TC go too fast on a turnout. Going straight. and losing both poles. Note. these was the old E800s.
Trolley poles do pop off on straight wire too. I used to live in Dayton, Ohio and was actually on a trolley who's pole popped off the wire at 40mph. Also, other things make the poles pop off....like going under a low bridge too fast. sometimes, the voltage itself can "blow" the poles off the wires with a bright flash and a electrical sounding pop.
@villageway124 it's to inform trolley bus drivers of construction in the area. Sometimes it means the wires have been moved to the side a little bit, to allow for the construction.
Yeah, subsequent drivers used lane 2 to pass the intersection, but there were at least 2-3 buses who didn't notice the cone.
DennisTT 5 months ago
In this situation the driver should have pulled out slowly all the way into the left lane and then the trolley poles would not have hit the cone.
With rope retrievers on the back of the bus the poles will fly up more if they were out to the side at the time of the dewirement. The new style pneumatic retrievers on the roof at the pole bases can lower the poles more quickly regardless of the angle of the poles.
ajaynejr 5 months ago
We have E40LFR trackless trolleys here in Philadelphia as well. For us, in the event of a dewirement, our coaches have a diesel EPU (Emergency Power Unit) that can be turned on to run the coach for short distances around the depot, but it has also been used to bypass construction or other wire outages for a few blocks at a time. With the poles latched on their storage holders, max speed in EPU mode is 24mph, and with the poles hanging free, 8mph.
trainman1971 5 months ago
Problem??
lgman83 8 months ago
Yes, for safety the retrievers pull down both poles when a dewirement is detected.
DennisTT 11 months ago
Why does the other pole dewire when it isn't affected by the cone?
Or is it for salfety?
X2an 11 months ago
Thank you for uploading this............... I love when the wires fall off ( yea, im a weird child)
iluvSpectacular011 1 year ago
That cone is to tell the trolley drivers to go slow and use caution in that section. But inthis case it is obvious that the line crew put the cone too close to the trolley wires.
jmw0284 1 year ago
What was the cone doing up there to begin with? Vandalism?
plateshutoverlock 2 years ago
WOW! Good shot. Hm, I had the impression that the newer trolleys didn't de-pole like that, but I guess I was wrong.
datalal624 2 years ago
During my childhood when I resided in a trolleybus operating city, i had seen far more violent pole jumping stunts on trolleybuses when their poles dewired.
What you see in this video is considered very mild and gentle thanks to the retrievers that automatically and timely lowered the poles, and the bus was going at relatively low speed.
If you know someone working as an overhead crew, you will be told more than half of the overhead damages are caused by violent dewirements.
jemdude22 2 years ago
@datalal624 All trolley buses dewire sometimes. It's not the trolleybus' fault, sometimes there's a cone in the way, sometimes the driver does the turn wrong, etc.
ecologist96 1 year ago
I thought these buses were better than the old ones
LESTERNIDOY 2 years ago
The new poles aren't any better at avoiding obstacles than the old ones...
DennisTT 2 years ago
werg
ryancarlopot 2 years ago
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so these buses aren't that great... lol i think the TTC streetcars in toronto is better
BrianEaZy 2 years ago
When the poles popped off, did the bus immediately lose power???
jlb62983 3 years ago
There are a bank of batteries on the bus which provide auxiliary power. However, the bus must be stopped first, then switched into battery mode before continuing. I believe another set of batteries keep the lights, signs, power steering and brakes working, but I'm not sure about the last two.
DennisTT 3 years ago
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i dont understand the design of these buses. They just seem so impractical.
raptor750r 3 years ago
You will understand the simple mechanics of these trolleybuses when you see them in person, or if you live in a city where these trolleybuses operate.
jemdude22 3 years ago
He's talking about actually operating them. Such as the fact you can't pass other buses, you have to stay with the wires, etc.
spaceye 3 years ago
That must be a pain in the ass. When I drove buses here in the UK I recall some of the old trolley drivers cursing like hell about that. Another problem was too many buses to a section which caused the breakers to shut down the power. They then had to get towed up the hill to the next section by the recovery crew pmsl
robr55 3 years ago
The new trolleys we have here have a set of backup batteries which can drive the bus for a short distance without the current collectors on the wires (for detours, etc).
DennisTT 3 years ago
there was a cone there???? no wonder it got dewired
firekid091 3 years ago
i bet the bus driver was like "Aw for pete's sake!"
6V92TA 3 years ago
i bet! like he was like "awman now i gotta get my lazy ass out there in the cold!
cactuarizamoron 2 years ago
I think. It doesnt matter. If it is in a turn or not. I seen SF Muni TCs have dewirements on Straight sections. Some was at the overhead diamonds (or whatever you call the crossings) Etc. I remember seeing a one TC go too fast on a turnout. Going straight. and losing both poles. Note. these was the old E800s.
AM458 3 years ago
How often does this happen?
adelgado75 3 years ago
it mostly happens when the trolley buses do turns, it doesn't happen when they go straight forward. I live in Vancouver, so i went on them many times
Dalek0122 3 years ago
Trolley poles do pop off on straight wire too. I used to live in Dayton, Ohio and was actually on a trolley who's pole popped off the wire at 40mph. Also, other things make the poles pop off....like going under a low bridge too fast. sometimes, the voltage itself can "blow" the poles off the wires with a bright flash and a electrical sounding pop.
6V92TA 3 years ago
i liked the old trolleys !!!
Dalek0122 3 years ago
How did the other one come off? I know one came off but I don't get how the other one came off.
ttcgeek 4 years ago
As far as I understand, the retrievers pull both poles down when any one dewires.
DennisTT 4 years ago
WTH
why is there a cone on the wire?
villageway124 4 years ago 3
@villageway124 the cone is there to inform the driver that the switch is broken or the turn switch is broken.
kr192101 1 year ago
@villageway124 it's to inform trolley bus drivers of construction in the area. Sometimes it means the wires have been moved to the side a little bit, to allow for the construction.
ecologist96 1 year ago
Yes, fast acting retrievers. Saved any damafge to the trolleybus or the overhead.
tbusuk 4 years ago
The cool thing about the new buses is how the wires come down...Unlike the old ones where they fling around and get tangled up.
kiernan8666 4 years ago 2
fault of the trolley linesman who put the cone there. not the conventional drivers fault.
morrisondandm 4 years ago