An electric train cannot operate without a current collector. The current collector – also known as a pantograph – maintains contact with the overhead line while the train is moving and supplies the vehicle with electrical power. It may sound straightforward, but the engineering behind it is anything but simple.
The contact strips mounted on the pantograph must maintain a precisely defined contact force against the overhead line. If the force is too low, contact can be lost temporarily, potentially causing arcing. If it is too high, wear and mechanical stress on both the pantograph and the overhead contact line increase.
The higher the overhead line, the more demanding this becomes. As the pantograph’s operating height increases, the mechanical and aerodynamic forces acting on it change as well. Add the higher speeds for which modern trains in India are designed, and simply scaling up an existing current collector is no longer an option. Reach, mechanical design, aerodynamics and contact behavior have to be considered together from the start.
A high-reach pantograph is a current collector specifically designed for rail lines with exceptionally high overhead contact lines. It bridges the greater distance between the vehicle and the contact wire while maintaining stable contact across an extended operating range – even at speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph).
Extended reach alone is not enough. What matters is how the mechanical design, aerodynamics and pneumatically controlled contact force work together. Only when these factors are properly balanced can the pantograph collect current reliably from the overhead line at greater operating heights.
Pantographs that have performed reliably for many years are not automatically suited to changing operating conditions. As overhead line heights and train speeds increase, so do the demands placed on the current collector.
That is why Schunk developed a new generation of high-reach pantographs. The design is engineered to bridge the greater distance between the vehicle and the overhead contact line while meeting the demands of higher-speed operation.
The development process combined extensive simulations, multiple prototypes and experience gained from previous generations of pantographs. This allowed the new design to be evaluated under different operating conditions and refined step by step. Testing under real-world operating conditions followed, leading ultimately to approval.
Double-stack freight trains create a distinct engineering challenge: The overhead contact line is positioned significantly higher, while the pantograph remains mounted on a vehicle of conventional height. It therefore has to bridge a greater distance while continuing to maintain reliable contact with the overhead line.
The high-reach pantograph was developed for exactly this purpose. It combines the required reach with stable overhead line contact – even at high speeds. It is a clear example of how onboard rail technology must evolve as rail infrastructure and operating conditions change.
Find relevant brochures, technical documents and further information on Schunk Transit Systems pantograph solutions for rail applications.
Learn more about Schunk’s High-Reach pantograph, its technical features and its applications for exceptionally high overhead lines and demanding operating conditions.
Since November 2025, the SLS 104 roof-mounted pantograph has been operating in regular service with Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB). The real-world test highlights how pantograph charging systems are evolving—and what that means for day-to-day e-bus operations.
Electric buses are becoming standard in public transit systems across North America. As fleets continue to grow, transit agencies face increasing pressure to scale charging infrastructure that can keep vehicles running reliably throughout the day. That is exactly what King County Metro is addressing in Seattle. The agency is currently expanding the charging infrastructure at its Tukwila Base depot with 123 inverted pantographs from Schunk Transit Systems.
