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The Bowser model is, as their website describes, a re-release of the old Varney Aerotrain. Can't speak to construction or operating qualities. Just like the prototype, it looks cool. There were 2 prototype Aerotrain sets, Nos 1000 and 1001. They entered service in 1956 on an experimental basis, under which they were leased to the roads which operated them (NYC, PRR and UP). Each trainset consisted of the 1200-hp locomotive and 10 cars, the last of which was an observation car. The cars were essentially lengthened and widened GM bus bodies. Each car rode on a 4-wheel air-ride suspension. The cars weren't articulated, and the consist could be varied, although not as easily as with conventional equipment. (Union Pacific operated its City of Las Vegas Aerotrain with 6 to 10 cars.) The Aerotrains were rough riding and noisy, and the air conditioning system was inadequare for warmer climates. Both trainsets were sold to Rock Island in 1958 for Chicagoland commuter service. The Rock Island had previously purchased a "Jet Rocket" trainset, which had the same EMD LWT12 locomotive as the Aerotrain, but which had articulated Talgo cars built by American Car & Foundry. The "Jet Rocket" had been tried in Chicago-Peoria intercity service during 1956-'57, but was demoted to suburban service by 1958. The "Jet Rocket" and the Aerotrains were retired around 1965. The photo in Big Boy 4005's post shows the United Aircraft Turbotrain on demonstration in Milwaukee in 1971. (I rode the train from Milwaukee to Chicago that day as part of the train crew.) United Aircraft of Canada built 5 Turbotrains (of 7 cars each) for Canadian National in 1968. They were used on the Montreal-Toronto corridor until about 1973. In the U. S., there were 2 Turbotrains (3 cars each) which were used in Boston-New York service from 1969-'71. The Turbotrains were derived from a Chesapeake & Ohio experimental train designed in 1957 (see the April 1959 issue of Trains Magazine). Mechanical problems did in all of the Turbotrains. Amtrak introduced a French-designed RTG Turboliner in 1973. These trains proved to be very successful, and and additional Turboliners were built in France (and by Rohr Company in the U. S. under license) for service in New York State and in Midwest regional service centered in Chicago. --John
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