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A trolley pole is primarily designed to transfer electrical current from a vehicle to an overhead wire.
Answer: False
The primary function of a trolley pole is to collect electrical current from an overhead wire and deliver it to the vehicle's systems, not the reverse.
Within electrical components, a trolley pole serves as a current collector connecting a moving vehicle to a stationary power source like an overhead wire.
Answer: True
A trolley pole functions as a current collector, establishing the necessary electrical connection between a mobile vehicle and a fixed overhead power supply.
On most tram lines, the steel rails serve as the return path for electricity, completing the circuit.
Answer: True
In typical tram systems utilizing a single overhead wire, the steel rails function as the ground return path, completing the electrical circuit back to the power substation.
Trolleybuses require two trolley poles and dual overhead wires because they use the rails as the return path for electricity.
Answer: False
Trolleybuses require two poles and dual overhead wires precisely because they do *not* use the rails as a return path; they must establish a complete circuit solely through the overhead wiring.
What is the primary function of a trolley pole in electric transportation?
Answer: To collect electrical current from an overhead wire and transfer it to the vehicle.
The principal role of a trolley pole is to serve as a current collector, establishing a continuous electrical connection between the vehicle and the overhead power supply infrastructure.
Why do trolleybuses require two trolley poles and dual overhead wires?
Answer: To establish a complete electrical circuit without using the rails.
Trolleybuses require two poles and dual overhead wires to complete the electrical circuit independently, as they do not utilize the ground rails for current return like trams do.
Charles Van Depoele is credited with inventing the overhead wire system for current collection in the 1880s.
Answer: False
While Charles Van Depoele is recognized for developing the first working trolley pole device demonstrated in 1885, historical accounts suggest Frank J. Sprague is reputed to have invented the overhead wire system for current collection in the 1880s.
John Joseph Wright developed a working trolley pole system and received a patent for it in Toronto in 1883.
Answer: False
While John Joseph Wright was involved with experimental tramways in Toronto, there is no documented evidence of him receiving a patent for a trolley pole system in that city in 1883.
Charles Van Depoele made the first public demonstration of his spring-loaded trolley pole device in the autumn of 1885 at the Toronto Industrial Exhibition.
Answer: True
Charles Van Depoele publicly demonstrated his spring-loaded trolley pole device in the autumn of 1885 at the Toronto Industrial Exhibition.
Van Depoele's initial trolley pole was highly reliable, leading him to use it exclusively for early commercial installations.
Answer: False
Van Depoele's initial trolley pole design was described as 'crude' and not very reliable, leading him to revert to the 'troller' system for some early commercial installations.
Frank J. Sprague's 1888 electric streetcar system in Richmond, Virginia, was the world's first large-scale trolley line and utilized trolley-pole current collection.
Answer: True
Frank J. Sprague's 1888 electric streetcar system in Richmond, Virginia, is recognized as the world's first large-scale trolley line and incorporated trolley-pole current collection.
The Richmond Union Passenger Railway began operation in 1888, marking a significant milestone in large-scale trolley line development.
Answer: True
The Richmond Union Passenger Railway commenced operations in 1888, representing a pivotal moment in the establishment of large-scale electric trolley transportation.
Who is credited with developing the first working trolley pole demonstrated in 1885?
Answer: Charles Van Depoele
Charles Van Depoele is credited with developing and demonstrating the first working trolley pole device in 1885.
What was a significant challenge with Charles Van Depoele's initial trolley pole design?
Answer: It was described as 'crude' and not very reliable.
Van Depoele's early trolley pole design faced challenges related to its reliability and rudimentary construction, leading him to revert to alternative systems for initial commercial applications.
Trolley poles are exclusively constructed from metal to ensure efficient electrical conductivity.
Answer: False
Trolley poles are commonly made from metal or wood. The choice of material affects electrical conductivity and insulation requirements, meaning they are not exclusively metal.
The grooved trolley wheel provided superior electrical contact and minimal wear on older, round overhead wires.
Answer: False
The grooved trolley wheel, typically used with older round overhead wires, provided minimal electrical contact and led to excessive arcing and wear, unlike the later sliding shoe design.
The sliding trolley shoe was designed for newer, grooved overhead wires and offered better electrical contact with less wear.
Answer: True
The sliding trolley shoe was developed for grooved overhead wires and significantly improved electrical contact while reducing wear on the infrastructure compared to the older trolley wheel.
The transition from trolley wheels to trolley shoes began in the 1920s due to a desire for improved electrical contact and reduced wear.
Answer: True
The shift towards sliding trolley shoes gained momentum in the 1920s, driven by the need for enhanced electrical contact and diminished wear on the overhead wire systems.
Trolley poles are mounted on the vehicle's chassis, with gravity ensuring continuous contact with the overhead wire.
Answer: False
Trolley poles are mounted on a sprung base on the vehicle's roof, with internal springs providing the necessary pressure for continuous contact, not solely gravity.
When using a wooden trolley pole, a separate cable is required to conduct electricity from the pole to the vehicle's systems.
Answer: True
Since wood is an insulator, a separate conductive cable must be integrated into the design to transfer the collected electricity from a wooden trolley pole down to the vehicle's electrical systems.
A metal trolley pole conducts electricity directly, eliminating the need for insulation at its base.
Answer: False
While a metal trolley pole conducts electricity, its base must be properly insulated from the vehicle's chassis to prevent electrical shock and ensure current flows correctly to the vehicle's systems.
On double-ended trams, the trolley pole should ideally be pushed ahead of the vehicle for optimal stability.
Answer: False
For double-ended trams, the trolley pole must trail behind the vehicle to prevent 'dewiring' (losing contact with the overhead wire), which can damage the infrastructure.
At terminus points for double-ended trams with a single trolley pole, the conductor must manually reposition the pole for the return journey.
Answer: True
When a double-ended tram reaches a terminus and needs to reverse direction, the conductor must manually turn the single trolley pole around to face the new direction of travel.
Equipping double-ended trams with two trolley poles eliminates the need for manual pole turning at termini.
Answer: True
By utilizing two trolley poles on a double-ended tram, one for each direction, the necessity for the conductor to manually turn the pole at termini is obviated.
When switching between two trolley poles, it is acceptable for both poles to momentarily contact the live wire simultaneously.
Answer: False
It is crucial to avoid simultaneous contact between both trolley poles and the live wire when switching. This prevents electrical arcing and potential damage to the system.
A trolley catcher is a mechanism designed to prevent the trolley pole from flying upward uncontrollably if it loses contact with the overhead wire.
Answer: True
A trolley catcher is a safety device that arrests the upward movement of a trolley pole should it derail from the overhead wire, preventing it from whipping uncontrollably.
A trolley retriever actively pulls the pole downward if it leaves the wire, offering enhanced safety over a simple trolley catcher.
Answer: True
A trolley retriever incorporates a spring mechanism that actively pulls the pole downward upon losing contact with the wire, providing an additional safety feature beyond the arresting function of a basic trolley catcher.
Trolley catchers are preferred for high-speed suburban lines, while retrievers are used for lower-speed city trams.
Answer: False
Trolley catchers are typically used for lower-speed city trams, while trolley retrievers, with their enhanced safety features, are preferred for higher-speed suburban and interurban lines.
Bamboo was sometimes used for manual pole-raising equipment due to its strength, light weight, and insulating properties.
Answer: True
Bamboo's natural characteristics, including its length, strength, light weight, and electrical insulating properties, made it a suitable material for the poles used to manually adjust trolley poles.
Trolley poles on trolleybuses are typically shorter than those on trams to allow for tighter turns.
Answer: False
Trolley poles on trolleybuses are generally longer than those on trams, providing greater lateral flexibility for curbside passenger boarding, not for tighter turns.
The image caption 'Trolley pole on a Toronto streetcar, tipped with a trolley shoe' describes a specific configuration of current collection.
Answer: True
The caption accurately describes a Toronto streetcar equipped with a trolley pole fitted with a trolley shoe for current collection.
The image 'Machining spare trolley pole wheels' illustrates the process of manufacturing replacement parts for trolley poles.
Answer: True
The image depicts the machining of spare wheels intended for use on trolley poles, illustrating the manufacturing of replacement components.
The image 'Trolley retrievers on the back of a 1949 trolleybus' shows safety devices for managing trolley poles.
Answer: True
The image correctly identifies trolley retrievers mounted on a 1949 trolleybus as safety mechanisms designed to control the trolley pole's movement.
Which of the following materials are commonly used in the construction of trolley poles?
Answer: Wood and metal
Trolley poles are traditionally constructed from materials such as wood and various metals, chosen for their structural integrity and conductivity properties.
What was a primary disadvantage of the grooved trolley wheel used with older overhead wires?
Answer: It provided minimal electrical contact and caused arcing.
The grooved trolley wheel's design resulted in limited contact with the overhead wire, leading to significant electrical arcing and increased wear on both the wheel and the wire.
Compared to the trolley wheel, the sliding trolley shoe offered which advantage when used with grooved overhead wires?
Answer: Better electrical contact and reduced wire wear.
The sliding trolley shoe provided superior electrical contact and significantly reduced wear on the overhead wires compared to the older trolley wheel design.
Why did many electric transit systems transition to sliding trolley shoes starting in the 1920s?
Answer: To improve electrical contact and decrease wear on infrastructure.
The transition to sliding trolley shoes was motivated by the desire for more reliable electrical contact and reduced wear on the overhead infrastructure, leading to greater system efficiency and longevity.
How is the trolley pole maintained in continuous contact with the overhead wire?
Answer: Springs in the pole's base provide pressure.
Spring mechanisms integrated into the trolley pole's base exert upward pressure, ensuring consistent contact between the pole's tip (wheel or shoe) and the overhead wire.
What electrical consideration is crucial for a metal trolley pole that is not as critical for a wooden one?
Answer: The insulation of the pole's base from the vehicle.
Metal trolley poles are conductive, necessitating robust insulation at their base to prevent electrical current from reaching the vehicle chassis and posing a safety hazard.
Why must the trolley pole on a double-ended tram always trail behind the vehicle?
Answer: To prevent the pole from pushing against the wire and causing 'dewiring'.
Positioning the trolley pole to trail behind the vehicle is essential to prevent it from pushing against the overhead wire, which could lead to 'dewiring' and damage to the infrastructure.
What is the function of a trolley catcher or retriever?
Answer: To manage the pole's movement and prevent it from flying upward if it loses contact.
Trolley catchers and retrievers are safety mechanisms designed to control the trolley pole's trajectory, particularly preventing it from excessive upward movement if it derails from the overhead wire.
What is the key difference in function between a trolley retriever and a basic trolley catcher?
Answer: The retriever actively pulls the pole downward if it leaves the wire.
A trolley retriever incorporates an active spring mechanism that pulls the pole downward upon dewirement, offering enhanced safety compared to a trolley catcher, which primarily arrests upward motion.
Trolley poles on trolleybuses are typically longer than those on trams to:
Answer: Enable greater lateral flexibility for curbside pickup.
The extended length of trolley poles on trolleybuses provides the necessary lateral range for the vehicle to maneuver away from the center of the road and access curbside passenger stops.
Philadelphia was the last major city to use trolley wheels on its remaining streetcars, discontinuing their use in 1978.
Answer: True
Philadelphia maintained the use of trolley wheels on its streetcars until 1978, marking it as one of the last major cities to phase out this older technology.
Most tram lines use a negative polarity for the overhead wire to minimize corrosion.
Answer: False
Most tram lines employ a positive polarity for the overhead wire and negative for the rails. This configuration is chosen to minimize electrolytic corrosion of underground metallic structures.
Toronto's new Flexity Outlook streetcars experienced rapid wear of their carbon inserts, sometimes lasting only eight hours.
Answer: True
The carbon inserts on Toronto's Flexity Outlook streetcars exhibited accelerated wear, with some instances reported where they lasted as little as eight hours.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) temporarily converted its overhead power supply to accommodate both trolley poles and pantographs during fleet upgrades.
Answer: True
During fleet transitions, the TTC adapted its overhead power supply to support both trolley poles (for older vehicles) and pantographs (for newer ones), ensuring operational continuity.
San Francisco's network is equipped to handle only trolley pole operation, necessitating upgrades for pantograph vehicles.
Answer: False
San Francisco's surface network is designed to accommodate both trolley pole and pantograph operation, allowing compatibility between its historic streetcars and modern light rail vehicles.
The Tramway Histórico de Buenos Aires operates at a voltage of 550 V.
Answer: False
The Tramway Histórico de Buenos Aires operates at a voltage of 750 V, not 550 V.
The heritage streetcars in Ballarat, Australia, utilize a voltage of 600 V.
Answer: True
The heritage streetcars operating in Ballarat, Australia, are powered by a 600 V electrical system.
New Škoda trams in Riga, Latvia, continue to use trolley poles, consistent with the city's older system.
Answer: False
Although Riga's tram system historically used trolley poles, the newer Škoda trams introduced in the city are equipped with pantographs, not trolley poles.
The Santa Teresa Tram in Brazil has a route length of 6 kilometers and operates at 600 V.
Answer: True
The Santa Teresa Tram in Brazil covers a route length of 6 kilometers and operates using a 600 V electrical supply.
The Tramvia Blau in Barcelona, Spain, is an active heritage streetcar line operating since 2018.
Answer: False
The Tramvia Blau in Barcelona, a heritage streetcar line, has had its service suspended since 2018.
The Manx Electric Railway on the Isle of Man operates at 550 V and is classified as a heritage streetcar line.
Answer: True
The Manx Electric Railway, a heritage line on the Isle of Man, operates at a voltage of 550 V.
Boston's Mattapan Line uses modern low-floor streetcars equipped with pantographs.
Answer: False
Boston's Mattapan Line utilizes classic PCC streetcars, which are equipped with trolley poles, not modern low-floor vehicles with pantographs.
The F Market & Wharves line in San Francisco uses trolley poles and has a route length of 9.7 kilometers.
Answer: True
The F Market & Wharves line in San Francisco, a heritage streetcar route, employs trolley poles for power collection and extends for approximately 9.7 kilometers.
Heritage streetcars in Kimberley, South Africa, operate on a voltage of 500 V.
Answer: True
The heritage streetcar system in Kimberley, South Africa, operates at a voltage of 500 V.
The image caption 'Classic PCC streetcars with trolley poles are still used in Boston' indicates that Boston exclusively uses pantographs on its PCC streetcars.
Answer: False
The caption explicitly states that classic PCC streetcars with trolley poles are still in use in Boston, contradicting the notion that only pantographs are used on these vehicles.
What is the standard polarity setup for most tram lines, and why?
Answer: Overhead wire positive (+), rails negative (-), to reduce electrolytic corrosion.
Most tram systems employ a positive polarity for the overhead wire and negative for the rails. This configuration is chosen to minimize electrolytic corrosion of underground metallic structures by directing the current flow away from them.
What issue have the carbon inserts on Toronto's modern Flexity Outlook streetcars encountered?
Answer: They wear out extremely rapidly, sometimes in just eight hours.
The carbon inserts on Toronto's Flexity Outlook streetcars have experienced exceptionally rapid wear, with some instances requiring replacement after only eight hours of operation.
What dual-purpose setup exists in San Francisco's surface network regarding current collection?
Answer: It supports both trolley poles and pantographs for fleet compatibility.
San Francisco's surface transit network is equipped to handle both trolley poles and pantographs, ensuring compatibility with its diverse fleet of historic and modern vehicles.
Which heritage streetcar line in Barcelona, Spain, has had its service suspended since 2018?
Answer: The Tramvia Blau
The Tramvia Blau, a heritage streetcar line in Barcelona, Spain, has been inactive since 2018.
What type of streetcars are used on Boston's Mattapan Line, and how do they collect power?
Answer: Classic PCC streetcars using trolley poles.
Boston's Mattapan Line operates classic PCC streetcars, which utilize trolley poles for their electrical power collection.
Pantographs and bow collectors have largely replaced trolley poles on modern railway vehicles due to their stability and ease of use.
Answer: True
Pantographs and bow collectors are now the predominant current collection methods on modern railway vehicles, largely supplanting trolley poles due to superior stability at higher speeds and simpler automated operation.
Pantographs and bow collectors require complex overhead wiring switches ('frogs') at junctions, similar to trolley poles.
Answer: False
A key advantage of pantographs and bow collectors is that they generally do not require the complex overhead wire switches ('frogs') that are necessary for guiding trolley poles at junctions.
The carbon inserts in trolley pole shoes on modern streetcars wear out quickly, especially in dry conditions.
Answer: True
Carbon inserts in trolley shoes can experience rapid wear on modern streetcars, particularly under conditions of high electrical demand or adverse weather, leading to increased maintenance requirements.
Trolley poles are still commonly found on modern tram systems worldwide, while their use on trolleybuses is rare.
Answer: False
Trolley poles remain common on trolleybuses globally, but their use on modern tram and streetcar systems is now rare, having been largely replaced by pantographs and bow collectors.
Many systems retain trolley poles on new vehicles to avoid the high cost of modifying existing overhead infrastructure designed for pantographs.
Answer: False
Systems often retain trolley poles on new vehicles to avoid the substantial cost of modifying existing overhead infrastructure that was designed for trolley poles, rather than infrastructure designed for pantographs.
The 'See also' section lists the pantograph as the only other type of current collector besides the trolley pole.
Answer: False
The 'See also' section lists multiple other current collectors, including bow collectors, collector poles, and contact shoes, in addition to the pantograph.
The table 'List of tram systems using trolley pole' provides details on systems that use pantographs.
Answer: False
The table 'List of tram systems using trolley pole' specifically details systems that utilize trolley poles, not pantographs.
The image 'Modern trolley poles as installed on Vancouver's low-floor trolley buses' shows outdated technology.
Answer: False
The image shows modern trolley poles installed on contemporary low-floor trolley buses in Vancouver, indicating current usage rather than outdated technology.
The image 'Pantograph(left) and trolley pole in use on Queens Quay West, Toronto' shows two different current collection methods operating simultaneously.
Answer: True
The photograph from Queens Quay West in Toronto indeed captures both a pantograph and a trolley pole operating concurrently on the overhead power lines.
The image 'Overhead frog for pantograph & trolley pole' depicts a device that only guides pantographs at junctions.
Answer: False
The overhead frog shown is designed to guide both pantographs and trolley poles through junctions, facilitating passage for both types of current collectors.
Which current collectors have largely replaced trolley poles on modern railway vehicles?
Answer: Pantographs and bow collectors
Pantographs and bow collectors have become the standard current collection devices on most modern railway vehicles, largely superseding the use of trolley poles.
What is an advantage of pantographs and bow collectors over trolley poles?
Answer: They are less prone to dewiring and more stable at high speeds.
Pantographs and bow collectors offer enhanced stability at higher speeds and are less susceptible to derailing from the overhead wire compared to traditional trolley poles.
Where are trolley poles still commonly found in normal service today?
Answer: On trolleybuses wherever they are in operation.
Trolley poles remain a prevalent current collection method for trolleybuses globally, whereas their use on modern tram and streetcar systems is now infrequent.
Why do some systems retain trolley poles even with new streetcars?
Answer: To avoid the significant expense of modifying existing overhead infrastructure.
Many transit systems continue to utilize trolley poles on new vehicles to circumvent the substantial costs associated with upgrading existing overhead infrastructure originally designed for this system.
The image 'Overhead frog for pantograph & trolley pole' depicts a device designed to:
Answer: Guide both pantographs and trolley poles through switches.
The overhead frog illustrated is a component of the wiring system engineered to direct both pantographs and trolley poles safely through junctions and switches in the network.
The visible sparks from early trolley poles inspired writers and poets, contributing to creative works.
Answer: True
The novel visual and technological aspects of early trolley poles, particularly the sparks generated during operation, captured the imagination of writers and poets, influencing their creative output.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. described Boston's early electric streetcar trolley pole as resembling a 'broomstick' with a 'witch astride'.
Answer: True
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. poetically likened Boston's early electric streetcar trolley pole to a 'broomstick' topped with a 'witch astride,' referencing its appearance and sparking contact.
Samuel Barber's 'Knoxville: Summer of 1915' references the 'iron moan' of a streetcar and the 'bleak spark' of its trolley pole.
Answer: True
In Samuel Barber's 'Knoxville: Summer of 1915,' the evocative imagery includes the 'iron moan' of a streetcar and the 'bleak spark' associated with its trolley pole.
How did the visual aspect of early trolley poles influence writers and poets?
Answer: It inspired fascination and creative works due to its 'lightning-like' appearance.
The novel and dynamic appearance of early trolley poles, particularly the sparks generated, evoked a sense of wonder and inspired creative expression among writers and poets.
In Samuel Barber's 'Knoxville: Summer of 1915,' what is associated with the passing streetcar's trolley pole?
Answer: A 'bleak spark crackling and cursing above it'.
Samuel Barber's 'Knoxville: Summer of 1915' poetically describes the trolley pole's spark as 'crackling and cursing above it,' contributing to the atmospheric depiction of the streetcar.