Rail-Zeppelins!

Shwaz · March 23, 2011, 11:52:54 AM

When we should be looking into Rail-Zeppelins!

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/03/schienenzeppelin/

Captain Zissou · March 23, 2011, 11:56:38 AM

Awesome.

Lunican · March 23, 2011, 02:01:29 PM

Seems a little dangerous with that propeller right next to passengers on the platform.

Shwaz · March 23, 2011, 02:02:05 PM

People love dangerous. Why do you think so many women still date Chris Brown?

Dog Walker · March 23, 2011, 02:05:32 PM

Gimmick! Way more efficient to transfer power to wheels rather than trying to generate thrust with a propeller. Electric is the way to go.

Lunican · March 23, 2011, 02:08:15 PM

Yeah, there is a reason it didn't catch on: it's completely ridiculous.

Why turn a propeller at 10,000 rpm when you can turn a wheel at 100?

Lunican · March 23, 2011, 02:09:37 PM

Oh and one other thing... It can't pull anything!

wsansewjs · March 23, 2011, 02:12:08 PM

Quote from: Lunican on March 23, 2011, 02:09:37 PM
Oh and one other thing... It can't pull anything!

And push because the blade is in the way! LOL

-Josh

BridgeTroll · March 23, 2011, 02:27:08 PM

Kinda shocked Ock did not find this first. When he see's the topic this should keep him occupied for a few hours...

Ocklawaha · March 23, 2011, 03:05:56 PM

I believe we posted a photo or two in the old METJAX site, then again in 2009 when stjr posted one, so this image sends us back to that drawing board 3x. Lunican, I could pull a train, but the train gets shorter every time the slack runs in.

OCKLAWAHA

BridgeTroll · March 23, 2011, 03:06:49 PM

Quote from: Ocklawaha on March 23, 2011, 03:05:56 PM
I believe we posted a photo or two in the old METJAX site, then again in 2009 when stjr posted one, so this image sends us back to that drawing board 3x. Lunican, I could pull a train, but the train gets shorter every time the slack runs in.

OCKLAWAHA

I knew it!

Shwaz · March 23, 2011, 03:35:42 PM

Quote from: Dog Walker on March 23, 2011, 02:05:32 PM
Gimmick! Way more efficient to transfer power to wheels rather than trying to generate thrust with a propeller. Electric is the way to go.

That depends. What are you using using for fuel?

http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2011/04/features/faster?page=1

Dog Walker · March 23, 2011, 03:47:05 PM

All modern trains are electric. Some use an on-board diesel engine to generate the electricity and some get theirs off a special grid that uses coal, gas or nukes.

All submarines are electric too as are most war ships and the newer, bigger cruise ships.

The article you cite is not correct in whole. A sail boat CAN sail faster than the wind that is blowing, just not downwind. Modern catamarans do it everyday, but only upwind.

Shwaz · March 23, 2011, 03:58:34 PM

Quote from: Dog Walker on March 23, 2011, 03:47:05 PM
All modern trains are electric. Some use an on-board diesel engine to generate the electricity and some get theirs off a special grid that uses coal, gas or nukes.

All submarines are electric too as are most war ships and the newer, bigger cruise ships.

The article you cite is not correct in whole. A sail boat CAN sail faster than the wind that is blowing, just not downwind. Modern catamarans do it everyday, but only upwind.

Both sail boats and catamarans can sail faster than the wind... just not in straight line. Implementing the propeller to the design made this possible in this experiment.