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1000 mph train!

IS it possible? Without considering maglev or future tech is it possible to get a train to hit 1000 mph without sploding?

Comments

  • ArethusaArethusa Universal Cathode
    Is this question coming from reality anywhere?

    Yes, it's possible. A solid fuel rocket on rails. Hell, you could do it with a jet engine, probably. Of course, if you're doing this in air, you'll be dealing with a supersonic shockwave.

    If this ever happens, and it may, it will be done in vacuum (or near vacuum, as some resistance may be desirable for safety reasons) tubes, possibly with a maglev system for minimum friction. Whether it's really efficient or reasonably safe (slowing down'd be a bitch) is another matter.
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    No. Trains rely on rolling friction to prevent them slipping on the rails. This begins to break down over about 400km/h.
  • ArethusaArethusa Universal Cathode
    Well, he didn't say it had to be built around the current train system.
  • It does unfortunately figured friction would kill it. Even with a strait track theres no hope of going near a thousand?
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Arethusa [/i]
    [B]Well, he didn't say it had to be built around the current train system. [/B][/QUOTE]

    Actually, he pretty much did. :)

    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The Cabl3 Guy [/i]
    IS it possible? [b]Without considering maglev or future tech[/b] is it possible to get a train to hit 1000 mph without sploding? [/QUOTE]


    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The Cabl3 Guy [/i]
    [B]It does unfortunately figured friction would kill it. Even with a strait track theres no hope of going near a thousand? [/B][/QUOTE]

    Even with a straight track the friction is still important for accelerating and deccelerating.
  • ArethusaArethusa Universal Cathode
    No he didn't! I can do it right now! Solid fuel booster rocket, straight track, and two large, thick metal rails for the rocket to grip around.

    It'll get you where you're going.
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    OK, if we're talking non-standard train tech, then yes you could do it provided you didn't have to turn (feasible in many situations) and you used rockets or jets or something like that for propulsion and breaking (plus air brakes, naturally), and had a track that you didn't just sit on but were held to somehow. If you were actually held to the track you could even manage turns over a large radius.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Biggles [/i]
    [B]OK, if we're talking non-standard train tech, then yes you could do it provided you didn't have to turn (feasible in many situations) and you used rockets or jets or something like that for propulsion and breaking (plus air brakes, naturally), and had a track that you didn't just sit on but were held to somehow. If you were actually held to the track you could even manage turns over a large radius. [/B][/QUOTE]

    In the latter, track could even be raised off the ground and banked to extreme degrees, possibly as extensive as 75-90, and the train could feasably still move along it. at incredible speeds, even turn and keep the passengers comfortable, as centrepital forces would be more than enough to keep them (and the train) planted.
  • LEts do it!

    we could beat the airlines !

    INVEST IN ME AND WE SHALL RISE TO THE SUPER TRAIN !

    P.S.

    Whats the cost of building & the daily maintaince gonna be like? What exactly is "rocket fuel".
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    A lot of money. that's how much.
  • Would the rockets be able to function for three hours?
  • We could do it with [i]Rearden Metal[/i].
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The Cabl3 Guy [/i]
    [B]Would the rockets be able to function for three hours? [/B][/QUOTE]

    You'd be better off with jets. More efficient, and it's pretty clear that they can function for 3 hours happily. :)
  • [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by the_exile [/i]
    [B]We could do it with [i]Rearden Metal[/i]. [/B][/QUOTE] Atlas Shrugged?
  • Could the jets be applied to an airship concept too?
  • ArethusaArethusa Universal Cathode
    Er, how?
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    also, why not just stick with an array of turbofans? Jets are nice, but they're VERY noisy and eat up fuel They are smaller, which is nice, but consider how much kerosine you'll need to haul around on this fast-moving train like that. Lots, that's how much.

    As for airships, I don't see why not, but what's the practicality? Airships as they stand now are not friendly with higher speeds. They're just giant balloons with passenger thingies strapped on.
  • FreejackFreejack Jake the Not-so-Wise
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Sanfam [/i]
    [B]In the latter, track could even be raised off the ground and banked to extreme degrees, possibly as extensive as 75-90, and the train could feasably still move along it. at incredible speeds, even turn and keep the passengers comfortable, as centrepital forces would be more than enough to keep them (and the train) planted. [/B][/QUOTE]

    I think the idea of a tube would be better, have the shuttle be levitated in the tube using electro magnents, then used compressed air to " fire" the train down the tube. This would also help cut down on evironmental factors that could effect an ulta-highspeed train that's exposed to the elements (Think bird at 600 mph...)

    Jake
  • E.TE.T Quote-o-matic
    Some experst (one of those behind English Canal tunnel) have proposed building railroad between London and New York using vacuum tube floating ~50 meters under the surface of Atlantic in which trains could go well over this speed.


    [url]http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/5e610b4511b84010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html[/url]
  • Vorlons in my HeadVorlons in my Head The Vorlons told me to.
    With enough power and money sure it can be done. It would require significant modification or redesign of track systems. It might even have been done already or close to it. The Air Force has tested a lot of equipment at extreme speeds on rails such as testing ejection seat systems.
    Would it be practical? Not at all. Not to mention that pesky sonic boom you have to deal with. Can't have that running in any proximity to anything.
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