Where is a pantograph typically mounted on a train?

• A. On the roof.
• B. Inside the driver's cabin.
• C. Under the floor.
• D. At the front bumper.

Answer: (B)

Pantographs are the devices that collect power from overhead lines, so they have to reach up to the wires above the track. That need is why they are mounted on the roof of the train car—away from passengers and interior equipment, and high enough to stay in contact with the catenary as the train moves. Placing the pantograph on the roof also allows it to retract when not in use and to avoid debris or damage in tunnels or on the ground. Inside the driver's cabin or under the floor would prevent contact with the overhead wires and create safety and insulation issues, while the front bumper is not a suitable place for a current-collecting device.