Copper Places: Affective Circuitries

Abstract

The frequent UK rail traveller is well-acquainted with ‘signal failures’ — delays can last minutes, or hours, and create domino stoppages down the line. These are moments of dead time, irritation, unwelcome adjustment of schedules and connections. In September 2010 the BBC reported a spike in copper thefts on the railways: thieves were stealing the signalling cables, risking their lives to sell the stolen copper on the recycled metals market. The thefts severed the circuits that send electricity and information along the rail network, exposing the usually hidden infrastructure that underpins the system.