Rapid Transit Modelling?

[Green_Elite_Cab]

In the UK there's been quite few London Underground layouts <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+underground+layout&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Bc1RVfmxPMm17gax9oPQBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1680&bih=911#tbm=isch&q=london+underground+model+layout">https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=londo ... del+layout</a><!-- m -->
There aren't many other systems you would call rapid transit. Here's a model of the Tyne and Wear Metro. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://roundtreessidings.wordpress.com/">https://roundtreessidings.wordpress.com/</a><!-- m -->
On the subject of third rail, much of the rail system south-east of London uses it, so there have been plenty of models. It uses uses top contact third rail ( think that is what you mean by over-running) and is quite easy, although time consuming to model as the insulator pots are available <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.peco-uk.com/product.asp?strParents=3309,3328&CAT_ID=3330&P_ID=17548">http://www.peco-uk.com/product.asp?strP ... P_ID=17548</a><!-- m -->
AFAIK the only bottom contact third rail in the UK is on the Docklands Light Railway, which I have never seen modeled.

Now those WOULD be useful! I might have to pick some up for a PATCO display sometime.

You are correct, "top contact" is Over-running. Just a difference in terminology I suppose!

I suspect that even though over-running is more common in the US, that the Under-running is probably more popular on model railroads thanks to the New York Central railroad and its "heavy" third rail electrics. Indeed, I'm not really sure if any other railroads employed gargantuan third-rail locomotives like the New York Central did.

This reminds me that I need to get my T-motor running!