2 votes

Are rubber-tired trains a scam?

1 comment

  1. knocklessmonster
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    I got some whiplash from this video. I'd actually pictured something like a railroad truck but a bus and felt it was silly. "Those sound wasteful." thinking about Rocket Rods at Disneyland, that...

    I got some whiplash from this video. I'd actually pictured something like a railroad truck but a bus and felt it was silly.

    "Those sound wasteful." thinking about Rocket Rods at Disneyland, that used a tire+rail+LIM system, which failed because of how it tore through tires.

    "Hey, those are some great perks!"

    "But it's already also a full train."

    I wonder if a hybrid system could be used: Rubber in the cities for frequent stops and steep hills, but long hauls with rubber contacts used for cutting through mountains, for example.

    In the end, I think the best thing is a method that doesn't use redundant materials, and steel wheels don't really need any redundant/alternative measures. Steel works well enough and trains are inherently loud no matter the contact, so I don't think anybody should worry about changing the contact materials.

    2 votes