Monorails

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

I think that Las Vegas is planning a Monorail system to connect the casinos on the
Strip. If the tourists & Gamblers like it, who knows!

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

I think that Las Vegas is planning a Monorail system to connect the casinos on the
Strip. If the tourists & Gamblers like it, who knows!

[Anonymous]

I hate to disagree with Mr Ironhorseman on the mag-lev systems as I usually find myself more in tune with his than not. The attraction and repulsion are two distinct and seperate systems. In the attraction system, the electro-magnet is in the actual vehicle so that the attraction forces are stronger the closer the electro-magnet is to the rail, this means the current must be constant to keep the air cushion between a 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to balance the weight of the vehicle. However, due to the movement of the vehicle there is a possibility of the air gap decreasing and the attraction forces increasing causing the vehicle to become 'glued' to the rail making this system very unstable.
In the repulsion system however, there are two magnetic fields one caused by a coil and the other created by the vehicle travelling on the rails. In this case, the vehicle floats 1 to 4 inches above the track. This makes this system very stable because, if the vehicle rises, the force of repulsion decreases and the trains on weight returns to a position of equilibrium and if the train descends the force of repulsion increases and acts as a spring.
The problem putting this type of system into service is to find materials that will ensure electrical conductivity necessary to provide the substantial electromagnetic fields to levitate the tran over any distance.
Since metallurgy is improving every day, I'm sure someone will find the answer just as they did for the early jet engines.

[Anonymous]

I hate to disagree with Mr Ironhorseman on the mag-lev systems as I usually find myself more in tune with his than not. The attraction and repulsion are two distinct and seperate systems. In the attraction system, the electro-magnet is in the actual vehicle so that the attraction forces are stronger the closer the electro-magnet is to the rail, this means the current must be constant to keep the air cushion between a 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to balance the weight of the vehicle. However, due to the movement of the vehicle there is a possibility of the air gap decreasing and the attraction forces increasing causing the vehicle to become 'glued' to the rail making this system very unstable.
In the repulsion system however, there are two magnetic fields one caused by a coil and the other created by the vehicle travelling on the rails. In this case, the vehicle floats 1 to 4 inches above the track. This makes this system very stable because, if the vehicle rises, the force of repulsion decreases and the trains on weight returns to a position of equilibrium and if the train descends the force of repulsion increases and acts as a spring.
The problem putting this type of system into service is to find materials that will ensure electrical conductivity necessary to provide the substantial electromagnetic fields to levitate the tran over any distance.
Since metallurgy is improving every day, I'm sure someone will find the answer just as they did for the early jet engines.

[Anonymous]

Speed is only possible when track is smooth and straight. Whether high or surface mounted, rail(s) that bend or bump cause suspension (wheels etc.) systems to break. Look at the Amtrac recent experience on two rails! Most mag and mono rail systems have three working sides; i.e., left, right, and down. Thus I see them very similar to the Roman ruts. Even a duck feels R=V squared over 2g. Lindsay

[Anonymous]

Speed is only possible when track is smooth and straight. Whether high or surface mounted, rail(s) that bend or bump cause suspension (wheels etc.) systems to break. Look at the Amtrac recent experience on two rails! Most mag and mono rail systems have three working sides; i.e., left, right, and down. Thus I see them very similar to the Roman ruts. Even a duck feels R=V squared over 2g. Lindsay

[Anonymous]

Ironhorseman,

The maglevpa.com link is excellent. The interactive animated explanation in the Technology section is outstanding. Thanks

Jeff

[Anonymous]

Ironhorseman,

The maglevpa.com link is excellent. The interactive animated explanation in the Technology section is outstanding. Thanks

Jeff

[Modelcar]

....Wasn't the recent failure of the Amtrak parts caused because of improperly designed brackets that supported the anchor for shock absorbers....Not track. I'm referring to the brand new Acela train sets...

[Modelcar]

....Wasn't the recent failure of the Amtrak parts caused because of improperly designed brackets that supported the anchor for shock absorbers....Not track. I'm referring to the brand new Acela train sets...

[Anonymous]

Dallas Area Rapid Transit has been building a light rail system during the last fifteen years. There are parts of this system on the ground, in a tunnel, on top of an embankment, and over bridges. Some of the stations are underground, on the ground, and above the ground. Light rail is better because of the double track which have many crossovers. Therefore, there is more than one trainset operating and in both directions. Monorail has failed to do so.

In fact, the above the ground sections of DART appear as a monorail. Double track light rail can be built alongside highways, under transmission lines, under the highways, and above the highways, if not using abandoned railroad lines. In the Garland area, light rail was built alongside a current freight single rail railroad. While two of the light rail tracks are built over major highways, the old freight track still crosses at grade level, and with all three tracks being built inside the old freight tracks right of way.

Simply put, light rail is better because it is sustainable over a number of different terrains. For pictures of the different types of DART light rail, and its stations, I highly recommend you search their website at:

http://www.dart.org

[Anonymous]

Dallas Area Rapid Transit has been building a light rail system during the last fifteen years. There are parts of this system on the ground, in a tunnel, on top of an embankment, and over bridges. Some of the stations are underground, on the ground, and above the ground. Light rail is better because of the double track which have many crossovers. Therefore, there is more than one trainset operating and in both directions. Monorail has failed to do so.

In fact, the above the ground sections of DART appear as a monorail. Double track light rail can be built alongside highways, under transmission lines, under the highways, and above the highways, if not using abandoned railroad lines. In the Garland area, light rail was built alongside a current freight single rail railroad. While two of the light rail tracks are built over major highways, the old freight track still crosses at grade level, and with all three tracks being built inside the old freight tracks right of way.

Simply put, light rail is better because it is sustainable over a number of different terrains. For pictures of the different types of DART light rail, and its stations, I highly recommend you search their website at:

http://www.dart.org

[vsmith]

In 1960 the Alweg Company offered to build free of charge a monorail system throughout Los Angeles connecting downtown with Santa Monica and the San Fernando valley, all LA would have to do is pick up the operating and maintanence costs. The city in its infinate lack of vision and imagination turned the offer down (something about those big payoffs from Standard Oil and GM might have had an influence too).

Author Ray Bradbury said at the time, "this is the single greatest mistake in the city's history" and " will have reprecussions that will be felt for generations". 40 years of freeways later only now is the city realizing how great a need for mass transit there is. He also said a few things about the then city councel but I wont repeat them here.

[vsmith]

In 1960 the Alweg Company offered to build free of charge a monorail system throughout Los Angeles connecting downtown with Santa Monica and the San Fernando valley, all LA would have to do is pick up the operating and maintanence costs. The city in its infinate lack of vision and imagination turned the offer down (something about those big payoffs from Standard Oil and GM might have had an influence too).

Author Ray Bradbury said at the time, "this is the single greatest mistake in the city's history" and " will have reprecussions that will be felt for generations". 40 years of freeways later only now is the city realizing how great a need for mass transit there is. He also said a few things about the then city councel but I wont repeat them here.

[IslandMan]

 

 

There was a commercial steam-operated monorail in Ireland (Listowel and Ballybunion Railway):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lartigue_Monorail

...here's a video of the original line:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjBKQlr9fSs

 

 

This has recently been partly reconstructed:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RikSdJOuSNg