Electrical Rail Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems

Participants will receive a thorough introduction to the key concepts and components of rail traction power and overhead contact systems. The curriculum covers applicable design standards, traction power substation and distribution system design, and load flow simulation methods for AC and DC systems. Additionally, the course includes topics on wayside energy storage systems, substation grounding, and automation/control.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand applicable design and equipment standards, guide documents, and technical reference materials.
Learn the fundamentals of traction power substation, distribution system, and overhead contact system design, construction, and operation.
Master traction power load flow simulation methods, input requirements, and available software for AC and DC traction power systems.

Who Should Attend:

Railroad engineers and managers responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of railway systems, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
Qualified engineering technicians and track supervisors overseeing the implementation of railway projects and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Organizational leaders seeking to build bench strength and fill holes in succession planning.

Course Details: RA01357-E146

Course Outline

Introduction to Electrified Transportation Systems

Modes (Passenger, commuter, heavy & light rail, tram/trolley)
Traction power system types (alternating & direct current, OCS, contact rail)
Traction power system components
Traction electrification system design resources

Overhead Contact System Design

Project approach
Design criteria
Current collectors
System selection
Protection and control

Overhead Contact Systems Construction

Foundations
Support structures
Overhead contact system supports
Messenger and contact wires
In-span materials

Substations

Foundations
Ductbanks
Building

Overhead Contact System Operation

Dynamics
Various systems
Sectioning
High speed rail

Overhead Contact System Maintenance

Inspection items
Periods

Substation Maintenance

Inspection Items
Periods

Overhead Contact System Other Topics

Maintenance building
Substation
Current collectors
Running rail
Signal system
Planning and what gets built
Project savings

DC Traction Power Substation Design

Introduction
Substation types and configurations
Rectifier transformers
Rectifiers/converters
AC and DC switchgear
Protection and control
Utility interface

Load Flow Simulation

Methods
Vehicle modeling
Corridor modeling
Conductor modeling
Rectifier modeling
Rail Potential Modeling

DC Traction Power System Grounding

Equipment and system grounding
Rail potential
Negative grounding devices
Stray current

AC Traction Power System Design

System types
Substation types
Sectionalizing
Utility interconnection requirements
Switchgear
Protection and control
System and equipment grounding

DC Traction Power Distribution System Design

Wire and cable current-carrying capacity
Traction power cable systems
Contact rail systems
Raceway systems

Selected Topics in Traction Power System Design

Substation Automation
Wayside Energy Storage

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Location

Pyle Center

702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

Map

866-301-1753

608-262-1122

Lodging

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

525 West Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $156

Accommodations include: Enjoy complimentary business center, WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, 42-inch HDTV, and executive desk. Parking available $15/night.

Online Reservations

800-222-8733

608-251-5511

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

One West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $160

Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.

Fluno Center

601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Map

Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.

Online Reservations

608-441-7117

877-773-5866

More Madison Lodging Options

Course Notes

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us before registering if you have any questions.

Registration confirmation will guide students through accessing the Canvas course site.

Students will create and log in to the Canvas course site with a NetID. Course assets such as participation certificates and course evaluations will be available to all students through the Canvas course site.

Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform.

Instructors and Program Director

Instructors
Moises Ramos
Project Manager II - Engineering
Moises Ramos, PE, is a Project Manager for HNTB in Denver, CO. With 20 years of specialized experience in the design, construction, inspection, testing, and commissioning of electrification projects, Moises possesses a wealth of knowledge tailored for the unique demands of challenging projects. His expertise extends to overhead contact systems, traction power systems, training, maintenance, and operations. Moises has delivered systems engineering services to prominent entities such as Caltrain, RTD-Denver, Amtrak, SEPTA, MBTA, LA Metro, Trimet, Sound Transit, and DART. His skill set encompasses construction estimating, intricate construction staging, and constructability logistics, acquired through a career that includes being a systems contractor and owner's representative for multiple transit authorities across North America.
Mohammad Saif
Sr. Principal Traction Power Engineer
Mr. Saif is a senior principal traction power engineer with a comprehensive electrical engineering background in the rail transportation industry. With over a decade of experience, he has successfully contributed to diverse projects, including traction power substations, distribution systems, subway station rehabilitation, lighting systems, fire alarms, and control systems. This work has included facility assessments, feasibility studies, bridging document development, demand load analysis, stray current testing, transit system simulation modeling, design and construction support services.
Program Director
Dave Peterson

Total Credits:

CEU 1.7,

PDH 17,

Course Administration

Fee Information

This course has two attendance options: face-to-face or online.

Face-to-face attendance fee includes morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, and course materials.

Online attendance fee includes online instruction and course materials. Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform.

Payment Options

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
Provide the registrations representative with:
- the course name, dates, and/or course number.
- the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.

Electrical Rail Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems

Learning Outcomes:

Who Should Attend:

Stay Connected

Course Details: RA01357-E146

Course Outline

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Notes

Instructors and Program Director

Course Administration

Fee Information

Payment Options

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

Event Cancellation

Cancellation Policy

Create a custom learning experience

Related Courses

Past Courses

Electrified Rail Systems: Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems Fundamentals

Fundamentals of Traction Power Systems and Overhead Contact Systems