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Post by rmc on Sept 30, 2021 11:48:48 GMT
Saw this and wondered if larger, more modern trains could be retooled so as to slog along without rails, and what THAT would look like.
(This is really just a big steam tractor, but, heck, the first steam trains were probably the same thing, only up on rails)
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Post by the light works on Sept 30, 2021 14:40:34 GMT
there are commuter trains in the world that ride on rubber tires. there are also guided busways that use rubber tired vehicles. the biggest issue that would affect a railless train is that there still needs to be enough lateral traction that it will track properly around corners.
that problem could be helped by making an electrically driven train that powered all the segments from the prime mover. but you would also need to design it so the segments would be guided to follow the path of the prime mover as well. the easiest method of that is to provide some form of guideway. so there is a need to determine how strict your definition of "rails" is.
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Post by wvengineer on Oct 4, 2021 12:07:07 GMT
You could start with something like WVU's PRT system. Weile this system uses individual cars, the difference between this and a train is simply coupling multiple cars together. This is a "rapid" transet system the university built as an experiment, but grew to rely on it for student transportation over it's spread out campus. It uses custom designed cars with rubber wheels that run on a dedicated "flat" track. This system uses power rails on the sides. The steering axle is tied to the power rail followers. Se as it keeps the power connection, it also steers. It switches track by changing from power rails on one side vs. the other. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgantown_Personal_Rapid_Transit  |
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Post by wvengineer on Oct 4, 2021 12:12:10 GMT
Also, depending on your definition, you have Ausi road trains. Basically just a extra heavy duty semi pulling a line of trailers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_train |
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Post by GTCGreg on Oct 4, 2021 13:16:37 GMT
Wouldn’t want to try backing up one of those suckers.
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Post by the light works on Oct 4, 2021 14:35:20 GMT
Also, depending on your definition, you have Ausi road trains. Basically just a extra heavy duty semi pulling a line of trailers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_trainI was a bit disappointed to find out that Aussie road trains aren't much longer than Oregon triples.  |
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Post by rmc on Oct 6, 2021 17:45:11 GMT
Wonder if redesigning the wheel area of a diesel-electric locomotive would allow such a vehicle, typically strictly rail, to wonder across some patch of grassland?
Switching out the steel wheels for rather wide tracks of some sort?
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Post by wvengineer on Oct 6, 2021 18:53:22 GMT
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Post by rmc on Oct 6, 2021 20:28:01 GMT
Stunning! Both the story AND that you've nearly EXACTLY matched what I was wondering about! You, sir, are a genius! |
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