Brecknell Willis high reach pantograph

The Brecknell Willis high reach pantograph is one of the four standard pantographs in use on British railway locomotives and multiple units.

Sheffield Supertram Siemens-Duewag Supertram
Manchester Metrolink AnsaldoBreda T-68

In 1973 the small West Country firm of Brecknell Willis patented a very compact and ingenious design of single arm pantograph. This was a development of an idea from Doug Dixon, a consultant designer to BW & Co.

The pantograph was primarily designed as a lightweight rapid transit pantograph where its compact size when folded, combined with its ability to reach up to high wire height, resulted in it being christened the 'Highreach pantograph'. It was first used on the Seaton Tramway.

The pantograph was, in keeping with most pantographs at the time, spring operated with an elementary head suspension. It featured needle roller bearings at the base and knuckle. The operating rods were cleverly hidden inside the hollow arms making an excellent aesthetically pleasing design.

Although it had been used on a few rapid transit systems and on a Blackpool tram, the first use in the UK on the main lines was back in 1974 when a small number were fitted to some Class 309s based at Ilford EMU Depot. These continued to be used until around 1980 when they were all removed.

The highreach pantograph formed the basis of the BR/Brecknell Willis high speed pantograph which was a joint development between Brecknell Willis and the British Rail Research Division during the late 1970s.

Today the highreach pantograph is used extensively in UK and around the world.

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