[dpacmittal]

I don't think it's safe if the track is electrified

[Etheryte]

Electric trains don't get power via the tracks like that, they use power lines. Metros are a different matter, but that's not what the article is about.

[alexfoo]

Many UK long distance trains still take power from a third rail for some of all of their journey.

Overhead electrification is a long term goal for the non-Metro UK rail network but it is a long way off.

The other method is an electric train with a diesel generator car.

[sparqlittlestar]

Metros may have electrified third rail, but the ones next to DB train tracks are all with a top covered third rail. Usualy power deliviery is via catenaries.