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We already have 25kV for rail electrification which move 6MW all over the place, surely at boat speeds making some strange double-pantograph system for shipping could be strung up alongside most of the canals, maybe electric tugs could be used as well as normal shipping?

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High speed trains can be over 16MW on 25kV AC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_374 (16MW)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/500_Series_Shinkansen (18MW)

> surely at boat speeds making some strange double-pantograph system for shipping could be strung up alongside most of the canals, maybe electric tugs could be used as well as normal shipping?

I like it, very similar to how mules used to pull barges thru canals except with electrical cables and a rail pantograph running on distribution lines next to the canal instead of mules and ropes.

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