Abstract: A method bridges gaps in a power supply for electrical, converter-fed rail vehicles having front and rear ends with front and rear current collectors, as seen in a travel direction, for making contact with the power supply. The method includes switching a traction converter from a traction mode to a regenerative braking mode, that is to say a generator operation or from a braking mode to the regenerative braking mode. The switching takes place over a period during which the rail vehicle travels a distance. If possible, the distance is only slightly shorter than a distance between the front and rear current collectors. This occurs as soon as the front current collector is not in contact with the power supply.