The aerodynamic properties of a pantograph that is under consideration for application on Korean high-speed trains are experimentally investigated. The selected experimental models were one-quarter scale pantographs (a double-arm pantograph, single-arm pantograph and a periscope pantograph) with either a rectangular panhead or a panhead with an optimized streamlined shape. To increase the performance and the robustness of the pantograph, the drag coefficient and the fluctuation of the lift coefficient along the angle of attack are simultaneously minimized. In order to confirm the aerodynamic enhancement of the pantograph due to the optimized panhead, the aerodynamic forces are compared with those of a pantograph with a rectangular panhead. To investigate the aerodynamic force distribution of a pantograph, the aerodynamic forces of the lift and drag of the pantograph are measured in wind tunnel tests and analyzed in terms of the pantograph’s components. In addition, wake flows are examined based on variations of the shape of the panhead.