Two countries separated by a common language and track gauge,

You mean united.

Chicago's  EL has unprotected third rail too. It's more common here then you think.

Many interurban systems in the U.S. never covered the third rail.

Same as power lines are not insulated.  It's not practical and extremely cost prohibitive.  People need to be educated, as soon as you engineer a safety device, someone engineers a better idiot, it's a vicious circle.

TexasSP posted:

Same as power lines are not insulated.  It's not practical and extremely cost prohibitive.  People need to be educated, as soon as you engineer a safety device, someone engineers a better idiot, it's a vicious circle.

True. There are 2 videos online that I know of where someone in India stands up on the top of an electric train and eats the overhead. Hilarity does not ensue.

I wouldn't suggest going to look for them unless you're not squeamish at all...

In Marin County California just north of the Golden Gate there was an outside third railroad (North Western Pacific) that had unprotected third rail except around the stations. No one was ever hurt in all the years it ran. Don

"You mean united."

If that were the saying, it would have no irony. The quote, historically, and incorrectly, attributed to George Bernard Shaw, refers to the USA and Great Britain, whose common language has many inconsistencies and differences in spelling and usage. Those differences are the things that separate or divide us.

Electricity will not "jump" from a 600 volt rail, as is the case with high voltage lines. You can stand on the rail and not be shocked as long as you don't connect with a ground. And ordinary clothing will provide insulation if you just brush against the rail.

Here in the Uk track was/is always fenced in so no stray animals. Also it can be switched off in sections.