pen sized high voltage detector (especially if you are in the city with a subway).
I don't think there's any way to safely test for train voltage with gear that isn't at least a yard long.
It's only around 600-700VAC - nothing supernatural for a non contact detector, they are easily up to 1000V standard, I believe. Surely, be cautious, not ground yourself too effectively
Agreed, especially in a city you don't know well. Keep in mind that most of the time you don't want to look like a tourist.
True. But in a distressed city there could be benefits to pretend or demonstrate that.
Underground railways in the USA and elsewhere typically use DC supply at around 600 to 800 volts.
There is no cheap simple and compact device to test for DC voltage.
Non contact testers for AC voltages up to about 1000 volts are available, but WONT DETECT DC VOLTAGE.
The ONLY WAY to detect DC voltage is by an approved tester that uses a meter or a lamp connected between the conductor rail and ground.
And even if you DO carry such a device and are trained in its safe use, it only proves that the live rail was dead WHEN TESTED and does nothing to prevent it being re-energised.
The only safe advice is to avoid going on or near the track of an electric railway. If a serious emergency makes going on the track unavoidable, then do not step on or touch any rail, nor allow anything that you are carrying, holding or touching, to touch any rail.
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