Tower car

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As autotowers even catenary inspection car , catenary trolley , Contact wire vehicle , contact wire trolley or assembly trolleys are OTMs and trams designated specifically for work on the overhead lines are constructed. Depending on whether the tower car is a trailer or is self-motorized, other names are common. If it concerns smaller trailers, as they were common with tram companies, one speaks of a tower lore . Self-propelled vehicles in the railway sector are called tower railcars , TVT (internal combustion engine powered rail cars) or ORT (overhead line inspection railcars) . In the case of trams (partially) and trolleybus operators (exclusively), tower cars based on road vehicles are also used. As a rule, these are trucks with special bodies.

The first vehicles of this type were simple flat wagons with no drive , on which a ladder or a tower was placed (hence the name) in order to get to the overhead line. These structures were made of wood to prevent electric shocks.

Because of different requirements, there are tower cars for DC and AC overhead contact lines. In DC networks it is possible to work under voltage within certain limits. To do this, the working platform and access must be insulated, up to and including vehicle bodies made entirely of non-conductive materials. For AC overhead contact lines, on which work cannot be carried out under voltage due to possible interference, the work surfaces must be conductive, connected through and earthed.

Tower cars are still used occasionally today, but the standard vehicles for working on the overhead line are tower cars at most railway companies. These are special vehicles based on normal railcars . They have a work platform on the roof (usually liftable and swiveling) and a small workshop inside the car. For smaller jobs also are road-rail vehicles or heavy small cars like the GAF100R / H used. Due to the more difficult network access conditions due to the train path prices to be paid and the no longer existing sidings and sidings, many construction companies went back to the comparatively primitive, but easily transportable by road, mobile ladders.

Current and earlier tower railcars of Deutsche Bahn are the series 701 , 702 , 703 , 704 , 708 , 709 , 711.0 , 711.1 and 711.2 .

See also