02-01-2017, 11:50 AM
If we have two pantographs, I'm sure they'll arc backwards towards the power lines. Otherwise, they'll use one. One is cheaper to make, identifies the orientation of the train immediately, but when traveling in one direction, the friction of contact pulls the pantograph up into the contact wire, whereas the other direction friction releases pressure from the pantograph. Running in both configurations might prematurely wear out the pantograph and/or wire. Were they to always run Fairview to Conestoga in one orientation, and Conestoga to Fairview in the other, the one in which friction pulled the pantograph into the contact wire would likely see the contact wire wear out sooner than in the other direction of travel.