The Northern Ohio Railway Museum has revived Cleveland Transit System "Bluebird" single unit car 109 to operation, with pantographs in place.
https://pnaerc.blogspot.com/2023/03/cleveland-transit-system-109-runs.html

It's possible to operate with both pans and poles on the same wire.

Phil Mulligan

I believe both poles & pantographs can operate on the same system, but adjustments have to be made to the hangers, if I recall. Pittsburgh did for several years as they converted to pantographs, if I recall.

Correct. Hangers have to be above the contact shoes of the pans and wire frogs need guides to push the pans below the frogs.

Phil Mulligan

Another thing is like what the old Sacramento Northern did (and I think that Western Ry Museum did when it re-electrified its old SN r-o-w) is to slowly move the single wire back and forth across the width of the pan contact area. Making the zig-zag over several pole lengths. This eliminates the possibility of wearing a narrow grove in the pan. And the slow movement back and forth does not adversely cause problems with a trolley wheel or slide.

Congratulations NORM and your dedicated volunteers who made this possible! Very impressive.

Best wishes,
Matt Nawn

I'm assuming NORM adapted the overhead so you can use either poles or pans.

Phil Mulligan

The overhead at NORM is being built to allow pan and pole operation. It has been that way from day one.

Steve