Laboratory scaled third rail deicing comparative test

The train transportation networks in northern countries are, during winter, affected by the frozen and freezing precipitations. The most affected part is the conductive rail denoted as the third rail. Although the two other rails are easily deiced, the third rail is only in contact with a conductive shoe that does not give enough force to properly remove the ice. This paper proposes a new comparative test to evaluate the required force to remove the ice on a scaled down rail under controlled conditions in a cold room. Experimentations have been performed under simulated freezing drizzle at −10 ​°C on a steel rail bare and covered with protection coatings or fluids. The results obtained have proven the efficiency of the test method for the comparison, the classification and the selection of the best candidate products for outdoor test campaigns.