Things that seemed a good idea at the time, but in practice are pretty useless.

Yes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_GTELs . GT3 was rather different in that the turbine was not used to generate electricity to power the wheels. Many countries experimented e.g. USSR, China, France Switzerland.

 

In his paper to the I Loco E Colonel Fell focused on its superior power/weight ratio compared with a diesel electric loco of the period. (This factor presumably also influenced the early enthusiasm for diesel hydraulics e.g. 80 tons for a Warship v. 130+ tons for a Peak or Class 40.) Ricardos were involved with the development of the Fell concept, so it could hardly be dismissed as a crackpot scheme, although it seems that BR (probably correctly) was not very interested in the concept.

 

I don't think I'd like to get too close to the platform edge with that around...

Steve B

 

So as originally built a sort of propellor driven uni-directional 'Pacer', then?

 

Freightliner Caboose.

https://theghoststationhunters.smug...-and-Wagons-e/1960s-Freightliner-Gaurds-Brak/

 

So that's your next new-build project Bryan????
Cheers,
Ray.

 

I seem to recall Tri-ang made a model that used the same principle. Braking could be tricky

 

that would be the Battlespace turbo car
http://www.tri-ang.co.uk/battleturbo.htm

cheers

Colin

 

Seems fairly mainstream compared with the Bennie Railplane.

 

Apparently somebody at Swindon thought this was a good idea...



Full story on https://www.svrlive.com/bloct19

 

I’m sure we’ve covered this elsewhere, but ‘inappropriate streamlining’ should feature… Schools, GWR 6014/5005, etc.

Simon

 

Don't need a new build as we already got one.
Needs a bit of a tidy up though.
Other than the one at the NRM not sure if there are anymore around, unless anyone knows any different?

 

Put some doors in, and longitudinal seats on the running plate.... No steam heat problems in winter!

Richard.

 

Brunel failed to take the next step. Make the tube bigger and put the whole train inside, cf Hyperloop.

Dave

 

Gas Turbine multiple unit trains ran for over 30 years in France. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNCF_Class_T_2000

 

Yes, though hyperloop is not powered by air pressure. The loop is evacuated to reduce/eliminate air resistance and enable much higher speeds. As the loop is in a vacuum the passenger modules must be pressurised, yet another reason why it's a very unwieldy technology.

 

Sounds just like the sort of project Brunel would have supported...

 

There - that’s my suggestion for “things that seemed a good idea at the time, but in practice pretty useless”.

Tom

 

That's harsh.

 

Well, there's the broad gauge that had to be expensively converted to standard; the atmospheric railway that had to be converted to conventional traction; the first locomotives ordered to his design were dreadful beyond compare and almost immediately withdrawn; a ship that bankrupted its builder, almost failed to be launched and then exploded on its maiden voyage ... For a man so revered, he was certainly associated with losing his financial backers a lot of money!

(I'll accept he was a half-decent bridge builder ...)

Tom