Power to move people for the Manchester Metrolink

Modern light rail rapid transit is gaining in popularity and the right power supply equipment is important for the reliable operation of any railway service. The author reviews the design process and equipment supplied to achieve this goal for the Manchester Metrolink. The depth of work and design methods employed to arrive at adequate but cost-effective equipment ratings is presented along with an insight into some of the forward thinking, which has been employed to cater for future requirements. The author discusses the substations, AC and DC switchgear, rectifiers, transformers, overhead line equipment, stray current control, and touch voltages