Big idea - comments please!

[whistlehead]

Well, I've had an idea (Actually, I thought it up nearly a year ago, but I was reminded of it watching THUNDERBIRDS).

I call it the overtram. I've made a video about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGOKhE8hIE

I will be making a demonstration route in Trainz, of course. Well, that is, when I can figure out how to make track...

Please comment on this!

Chris :wave:

 

[picture]

I think this is a great idea. I would love to see that in trainz and out in real life. Personally I think it could really help big citys like LA, Chicago, NY, etc.

Matt

 

[Ronayne]

Great Idea...
I like it, I like it...

 

[cascaderailroad]

There is already an asset in Trainz that hangs from overhead supports, and runs, and there already was a prototype of it in a European country. Seach DLS under "Tram" it might be somewhere there.

 

[jammydodger]

I'm all for it! Just don't ask me for any donations...

 

[bassist118]

There is already an asset in Trainz that hangs from overhead supports, and runs, and there already was a prototype of it in a European country. Seach DLS under "Tram" it might be somewhere there.

Its the H-bahn in Germany

http://www.monorails.org/tmspages/Dortmnd.html

Although I don't think it can change from above the rail to below the rail.



Andy

 

[whitepass]

This was made in about 1890 in Germany. The problem is a way to let one train pass another also you can not support something the size of a bus on a cable the size shown, think 10-20 tons. The more practical system was the EL.

 

[whistlehead]

Its the H-bahn in Germany

http://www.monorails.org/tmspages/Dortmnd.html

Although I don't think it can change from above the rail to below the rail.



Andy

This is what my idea counters. It's pretty obvious, really. Monorails are incompatible with normal rail networks, but if you put rail wheels under them and make a few minor changes, problem solved.

 

[airtime]

I like the idea behind this hanging train,

If it was possible to hold the weight, you could build a double level monorail, one set of cars on the top of the rail and one set underneath the rail, with little generators in the wheels that power the battery's, which in turn powers the whole consist along, and as it moves along, it puts power into the wheels that powers the generators, which powers the battery's, and the whole process starts up again, no need for fuel or power stations.

You could even increase traffic usage in highly populated areas, and also run these in opposite directions, the top one would never effect the bottom one when running in opposite directions...

Joe Airtime

 

[American_Connections]

Overhead Rails

Check out my idea for overhead rails, using standard gage train trucks, but hung from the middle underneath!

http://ac-monkeywrench-models.yolasite.com/trains.php

I also have a container trainsport that can acually load from traincars and truck trailers too.

http://ac-monkeywrench-models.yolasite.com/dollys.php

I even have stations and track to support this idea. Everything runs well in Trainz.

 

[Sampug394]

I like the Idea, but one thing that came to mind as that, the Big Holding things should Fold down, and smaller pantographs should rise up when it's on Conventional Rail.

Visa-Versa for the Monorail function.

EDIT:

Just thought of this. You COULD have the Pantographs stay up, and get power off of a Metal Strip on the Underside of the Monorail guideway

 

[UP5521]

I say go for it!

 

[cascaderailroad]

Have you ever searched Youtube or Google Images: "H-Bahn" "Schwebebahn"...it already has been invented, and is running.
http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/5f05efdd53bdf4f0_landing
http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/f6b604ee2148028b_landing
http://home.telebel.de/~pebosba/start.html
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-1rfeKvohVM/Spjtd6Wbx-I/AAAAAAAABBc/HhFP2FWRAhU/s400/hanging-train01.jpg
http://www2.dortmund.de/do4u_extern/dvd/html/fotoserien/1133194588_uni_hochbahn_mittel.jpg
http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/5f05efdd53bdf4f0_landing

The same thing is in Trainz...it is already is on DLS: Schwebebahn Search Username: Wuppertaler56
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=57166
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=59726
http://img2.photographersdirect.com/img/19309/wm/pd1487919.jpg
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=83309
Doubtfull that this will ever be seen in your lifetime in the US cities...moves far too few passengers per car, and is too expensive to construct in inner city urban areas. Maybe in a theme park, Disneyworld, or Worlds Fair.
I don't think many riders would put their trust in a hanging train...what if it derails ??? Going down !!!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Wuppertaler_Schwebebahn_Detail_Antrieb.jpg

 

[whistlehead]

Have you ever searched Youtube "H-Bahn" or Google Images...it already has been invented, and is running.

The same thing in Trainz...it already is on DLS.

Doubtfull that this will ever be seen in your lifetime in the US cities...moves far too few passengers per car, and is too expensive to construct in inner city urban areas.

*sigh...*

This is NOT just an overhead monorail.

That is.

End of story.

Chris :wave:

 

[PerRock]

I'm curious as to the advantage of doing it your way over just having the track rise up and go over the street. One would need the same amount of transition space; one is still building elevated and tram rails. The only advantage I see is that one wouldn't have to build the support pylons for the catanery; because its down with the rails. That being said one can easily make a 3rd rail conversion during the transition and solve that little problem.

peter

 

[Sampug394]

How about this: It's FICTIONAL!

It doesn't have to be 95% Accurate to the Real World Standards...

 

[whistlehead]

I'm curious as to the advantage of doing it your way over just having the track rise up and go over the street. One would need the same amount of transition space; one is still building elevated and tram rails. The only advantage I see is that one wouldn't have to build the support pylons for the catanery; because its down with the rails. That being said one can easily make a 3rd rail conversion during the transition and solve that little problem.

peter

I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at, but I'll try to answer.

The rails themselves do not rise into the air. Instead, the vehicle transfers to an overhead beam, which it hangs from on the overhead sections of line. This does not need complicated girder/concrete structures like conventional rails, just a single reinforced steel column. This should reduce construction costs.

I can see that the video can be misleading, so I'll soon post some better pictures of what I'm on about, to clear up confusion.

Chris :wave:

 

[PerRock]

I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at, but I'll try to answer.

The rails themselves do not rise into the air. Instead, the vehicle transfers to an overhead beam, which it hangs from on the overhead sections of line. This does not need complicated girder/concrete structures like conventional rails, just a single reinforced steel column. This should reduce construction costs.

I can see that the video can be misleading, so I'll soon post some better pictures of what I'm on about, to clear up confusion.

Chris :wave:

So.... what will keep this single beam from falling to the ground?

Generally when one makes an overhead monorail (or regular rail for that matter) you put in a series of girder (or concrete) structures that support the single rail.

Did I miss some huge breakthrough in scientific research?

peter

 

[Sampug394]

Did I miss some huge breakthrough in scientific research?

Yup: :hehe:

ANTIGRAVITY!

 

[American_Connections]

A solution

So.... what will keep this single beam from falling to the ground?

Generally when one makes an overhead monorail (or regular rail for that matter) you put in a series of girder (or concrete) structures that support the single rail.

Did I miss some huge breakthrough in scientific research?

peter

I noticed this too, but didn't want to give bad karma. With mine, the supports are to the outsides, with a bridgeing brace over the top. But this will not work with a monorail use to support a train above it. But I thought that existing comonents could be adapted to the new technology, especially for congested traffic areas. Being able to elevate above other traffic if needed, so the driveable areas between buildings can thus be mulit-level.
See examble here.