Steam on 3rd Rail

Can someone help me out. I was asked today how is it safe to run a steam loco on a 3rd rail system, and I ws unable to answer. My friend's main issue was that when the injector is opened at first, and when it is shut, water could come into contact with the third rail.

However knowing steam runs down south on the 3rd rail network I said this wasn't a problem but my mate couldn't quite grasp this.

Is there then any precautions needed to be taken when operating on a 3rd rail or do you just go about as normal?

 

Aside from watching where you put your feet, it's business as usual.

 

Thanks

 

Just like a shower falling from the sky..

 

as a xlostock hall fireman , we had lots of jobs to southport and liverpool exchange with their 3rd rail electrics you just had to be careful when climbing down from the footplate to un couple the loco we some times put the live steam injector on asthis was on the driversside thanks norm 236 lostock hall

 

The water overflow may not be an issue, but having something hanging down from the loco certainly is. "Tangmere" had this problem in south London in December, when a hose(?) touched the 3rd rail.

Richard

 

Don't know about the third rail but there were definately some problems under the Lancaster - Morecambe - Heysham overheads in the early 1950's. Firemen entering the tenders to drag coal down and their heads/hands or showels touching the OHL. Problem continued as 25kv began to sprout progressively along the Liverpool/Manchester - Euston route.

 

Usually invoked the Darwin effect if crews were not careful with the overheads.

 

Except that a shower falling from the sky doesn't originate from a large, electrically conductive object???

 

Rainwater is non conductive but tap water conducts electricity.

Loved the Darwin quote =D>

 

Were the current to be able to travel up the water comming from the injector over flow, it would simpley flow around the occupants of the footplate, we the loco will form a Faraday cage, the same as your car would if that was hit by lightening.

 

I can remember when we had 47298 (steam one !) on show at Southport Chapel St. station almost 30 years ago & I asked that question to the BR inspector ,who said injector overflows were no problem on the third rail.

Bob.

 

Not true. Water has to be completely de-ionised to be non-conductive. Rainwater is acidic as it contains carbon dioxide as well as other ions.

 

Any electricity attracted to the loco would be immediatly returned to earth via the wheels and rails. The rails would already be a traction return for the normal electric trains.

 

Waterloo was electrified in about 1912. Steam continued to run in and out of Waterloo for many years after!

 

And on at least one Southern Loco I know the overflows are pointing inwards into the four foot.