A system for operating a powered device on a vehicle comprising: first and second support components (20, 22) that are movable with respect to one another; a power storage unit and connector attached to the first support component; a powered device configured to receive power from the power storage unit; a powered rail attached to the second support component; and a power unit configured to provide electrical power to the powered rail, wherein the power storage unit is configured to receive electrical power from the power unit when the connector is in contact with the powered rail in a first position, wherein the connector includes an electrically conductive surface configured to conduct electrical power from the powered rail to the power storage unit when the electrically conductive surface is in direct contact with the powered rail in the first position, wherein the powered device is configured to operate using power from the power storage unit when the connector is spaced apart from the powered rail and the electrically conductive surface and the powered rail are no longer in electrical contact with one another in a second position, characterised in that the powered rail comprises a rigid conductor having a length disposed in a direction of motion between the first and second support components, and wherein in the first position the connector is configured to move with direct contact of the electrically conductive surface to the powered rail through a distance such that direct contact charging can be maintained while traveling through the length of the rigid conductor with the electrically conductive surface sliding along the powered rail. first and second support components (20, 22) that are movable with respect to one another; a power storage unit and connector attached to the first support component; a powered device configured to receive power from the power storage unit; a powered rail attached to the second support component; and a power unit configured to provide electrical power to the powered rail, wherein the power storage unit is configured to receive electrical power from the power unit when the connector is in contact with the powered rail in a first position, wherein the connector includes an electrically conductive surface configured to conduct electrical power from the powered rail to the power storage unit when the electrically conductive surface is in direct contact with the powered rail in the first position, wherein the powered device is configured to operate using power from the power storage unit when the connector is spaced apart from the powered rail and the electrically conductive surface and the powered rail are no longer in electrical contact with one another in a second position, characterised in that the powered rail comprises a rigid conductor having a length disposed in a direction of motion between the first and second support components, and wherein in the first position the connector is configured to move with direct contact of the electrically conductive surface to the powered rail through a distance such that direct contact charging can be maintained while traveling through the length of the rigid conductor with the electrically conductive surface sliding along the powered rail.