Per a 2007 survey, some 53 new US streetcar systems were on the drawing boards. The reasons to avoid new catenary systems are compelling. At least 5 major builder have very recently introduced hidden external power sources, costing about the same as catenary (far more than hydrogen) but satisfying the public push-back against aerial utility plant. Most of these are in places (Europe) with large existing fleets of catenary trains that can be retrofitted for onboard power storage and used with intermittent “zaps” along the line. Where there is no upfitable fleet, the only reason for not going to hydrolleys is simply the absence of vendors.

If all 50+ new US lines are built, the external track electrification bill could be in the order of US$3 billion, of which half would be from US DOT. Given that it’s all but certain that hydrolleys will begin to replace these lines before a major fraction of their amortized investment life has elapsed, and that electrification is approaching US$7 million per mile and growing, Federal losses for not leading a coherent transition to hydrolleys can be huge.

It’s time for the Fed to say, “Read my specs: no new catenaries!” and get on with adaptation of proven hydrogen hybrid bus technology to the emerging streetcar renaissance.

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS345&q=hydrolley+OR+hydrolleys&btnG=Google+Search

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