Alternative third rail

Regarding the debate on electrification and third rail, can I suggest we develop a high-level third rail system which would involve putting the rail on posts alongside the train and below the roof height?

The train pick-up would be self-locating using video and or

other sensors, and would extend, position and drop onto the rail. The pick-up would be an inverted ‘U’ shape, which I believe would allow higher speeds - perhaps not 175mph, but 130mph-150mph which could suit many of our existing tracks for many years.

This system would be much lower cost than wires, look a lot better, and keep the robust features of the existing third rail. It would also be well above head height and safer than a groundbased system. Some time back, an article in

RAIL about battery-powered trains came to the conclusion that lead/ acid would work but was heavy and bad for the environment, while capacitor system would be lighter but not give the range. Would it be possible to develop a modular bolt-on capacitor system that would give a five- to ten-mile range?

The third rail would not need to cover crossovers, banked track low bridges and Victorian stations, as the pick-up would retract and the train could continue on its capacitor back-up.

I do appreciate that battery design is improving at an amazing rate. If only I was a wealthy eccentric rail buff, I could fund a prototype/proof of concept. Perhaps we could crowd-fund one?

C Stewart, York