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Railway Traction Power Supply Systems

Electrified rail depends on traction supply systems that behave very differently from ordinary distribution. This programme introduces the substations, overhead lines and return circuits that power trains, along with the protection and earthing that keep them safe. Delegates gain a working understanding suited to operations, maintenance and planning roles.

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What you will be able to do

  • Describe the layout of traction supply from substation to overhead line.
  • Compare direct and alternating current traction arrangements.
  • Explain overhead line and third rail construction and clearances.
  • Outline traction return current paths and stray current control.
  • Identify protection and switching used on traction feeders.
  • Recognise the safety rules that govern work near live traction supply.

Course outline

  1. 01Traction supply overview and voltage systems
  2. 02Traction substation equipment
  3. 03Overhead line and conductor rail construction
  4. 04Return current and stray current management
  5. 05Traction feeder protection
  6. 06Switching and sectioning arrangements
  7. 07Earthing and bonding for traction
  8. 08Safe working near live traction equipment
  9. 09Maintenance and inspection practice

Who should attend

Rail electrical engineers, traction maintenance technicians, project engineers and safety staff involved with electrified railway or transit systems.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendarRegister
20 to 22 Oct 2026Johannesburg3R13,000Register
21 to 23 Oct 2026Cape Town3R13,000Register
26 to 28 Oct 2026Durban3R13,000Register
27 to 29 Oct 2026Pretoria3R13,000Register
28 to 30 Oct 2026Windhoek3US$1,500Register
2 to 4 Nov 2026Gaborone3US$1,500Register
3 to 5 Nov 2026Maseru3US$1,500Register
4 to 6 Nov 2026Mbabane3US$1,500Register
9 to 11 Nov 2026Lusaka3US$1,500Register
10 to 12 Nov 2026Harare3US$1,500Register
11 to 13 Nov 2026Lilongwe3US$1,500Register
16 to 18 Nov 2026Blantyre3US$1,500Register
17 to 19 Nov 2026Mozambique3US$1,500Register
18 to 20 Nov 2026Nairobi3US$1,500Register
23 to 25 Nov 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500Register
24 to 26 Nov 2026Kigali3US$1,500Register
25 to 27 Nov 2026Kampala3US$1,500Register
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Accra3US$1,500Register
1 to 3 Dec 2026Lagos3US$1,500Register
2 to 4 Dec 2026Cairo3US$1,500Register
7 to 9 Dec 2026Mauritius3US$1,500Register
8 to 10 Dec 2026Dubai3US$1,500Register
9 to 11 Dec 2026Online3US$900Register

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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Next session
5 to 9 Oct 2026
Venue
Johannesburg
5 day programme
FromR18,000
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