Work to install OCS poles on the North Metro Rail Line. Photo: courtesy of RTD.
The Denver area’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) is installing the first foundations and poles for the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) along the North Metro Rail Line between the Northglenn-112th and Eastlake-124th stations.
The OCS poles are located adjacent to the tracks and are essential to carrying the wires that energize commuter and light rail trains. The poles hold messenger and contact wires that distribute 25,000 volts of alternating current for commuter rail operation.
There are approximately 580 OCS poles along the first 13 miles of the North Metro Line. Each varies in height from 25 feet to 42.5 feet and they weigh roughly 2,000 pounds.