Electric trains don't get power via the tracks like that, they use power lines. Metros are a different matter, but that's not what the article is about.

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alexfoo 4 hours ago | parent [-]

Many UK long distance trains still take power from a third rail for some of all of their journey.

Overhead electrification is a long term goal for the non-Metro UK rail network but it is a long way off.

The other method is an electric train with a diesel generator car.

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Etheryte an hour ago | parent [-]

Interesting, TIL. Trains don't do that where I'm from for obvious safety reasons, but I understand infrastructure everywhere comes with different baggage.

	▲	alexfoo 5 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Anywhere with third rail (which is predominantly London and the South-East of England) tends to be fenced off along the sides of the tracks or other things in place to strongly discourage you from walking onto the tracks. Given that a considerable amount of the UK rail routes date from the late 1800s there are a lot of places where tracks cross roads and therefore mix with other forms of transport (including pedestrians). It's surprising just how little there is in between a pedestrian and a live rail in these situations, here's an example 10 miles or so away from central London: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nPcJM1YxBexaDDKY6 One of those live third rails start less than 5 yards away from where pedestrians regularly walk, with just some angled planks of wood to stop you walking towards them.