The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
third-rail system — noun (elec eng) A system of electric traction supply by which current is fed to the tractor from an insulated conductor rail running parallel with the track • • • Main Entry: ↑third … Useful english dictionary
Third rail — (Electric Railways) (a) The third rail used in the third rail system. (b) An electric railway using such a rail. [Colloq.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Third rail — For other uses, see Third rail (disambiguation). Third rail at the West Falls Church Metro station near Washington, D.C., electrified at 750 volts. The third rail is at the top of the image, with a white canopy above it. The two lower rails… … Wikipedia
Third rail (model railroading) — The use of a third rail in model railroading is a technique that is sometimes applied in order to facilitate easier wiring.Two rail versus three rail systemEarly toy trains used two metal rail tracks like most real trains. However, manufacturers… … Wikipedia
Third rail (metaphor) — The phrase third rail is a metaphor in politics to denote an idea or topic that is so charged and untouchable that any politician or public official who dares to broach the subject would invariably suffer politically.The third rail in a train… … Wikipedia
List of rail transport systems using third rail — Third rail railways predominantly operate in urban contexts. Notable exceptions are (or were) mainline electrics of the former Southern Region of British Railways and a few interurban railways in the US. In Europe top contact third rail tends to… … Wikipedia
Rail transport in Japan — is a major means of passenger transport, especially for mass and high speed travel between major cities and for commuter transport in metropolitan areas.OverviewSix Japan Railways Group (JR) companies, state owned until 1987, provide passenger… … Wikipedia
Rail transport in Ireland — Rail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland. The gauge on main lines is RailGauge|1600 Irish gauge, as opposed to the standard gauge of RailGauge|1435 of … Wikipedia
Rail — or rails may refer to:* Guard rail, for safety or support * Handrail, on a stairway * Rallidae, the group of birds called rails * Rail tracks * The hot rolled steel profiles used on rail tracks or Tramway tracks ** Railway rail ** Vignoles rail… … Wikipedia
Rail transport in Victoria — Infobox rail railroad name = Railways of Victoria logo filename = logo size = system map caption = Victorian railway network, passenger lines in colour, freight only lines in grey marks = locale = Victoria, Australia start year = 1854 end year =… … Wikipedia
