THE TURBOTRAIN

[Music] ah [Music] this is the united aircraft turbo train a new dimension in travel born of the space age based on the technology of flight capable of speeds greater than 170 miles per hour [Music] the turbo train was created to help solve the growing problem of getting from the downtown area of one city to that of another quickly and in comfort [Music] the turbo train was conceived and designed by united aircraft corporation one of the world's leading aerospace firms the train is being developed and marketed by the sikorsky division of that company the company put more than two years of research and engineering into the gas turbine-powered fully articulated aluminum train before construction was started this 17-foot model for example was extensively tested in a wind tunnel to prove out the aerodynamic design of the turbo train the heart of the turbo train is an aircraft type gas turbine engine the st6 produced by united aircraft of canada limited this is a full-scale model of the engine which weighs about 300 pounds but can produce more than 500 horsepower the operation of the gas turbine engine is basically simple air enters here [Music] it is compressed in this section fuel is injected and burned with the air here result is a highly energized rapidly expanding gas the gas is directed through a free turbine the free turbine is spun at a precisely controlled speed by the gas similar to the operation of a windmill the spinning turbine produces the power to turn the shaft that drives the train's gears the gas turbines in the turbo train are fully developed and are members of the world famous pratt and whitney aircraft family of engines in the aircraft version the engines power a number of turboprop planes and helicopters [Music] the engines also have other applications demanding great reliability and unusual toughness such as in this boat which raced to a sensational victory on high seas [Music] and the turbo car which recorded such an extraordinary performance on the racetrack in the turbo train application for one to four engines can be placed in each dome section depending on the power needed to drive a train of given size and speed three engines are used in this schematic of the propulsion system shafts from the engines power the right angle gearboxes the right angle gearboxes can receive power from two engines in tandem power from all the engines in a power dome car is funneled into this mechanism the center mixing gearbox shafts from the collector mechanism provide power for the gearbox which turns the train's axles and wheels to produce electrical power for lighting air conditioning heating and other on-board purposes one engine drives an alternator through one of the right angle gearboxes for operation in new york city tunnels the turbo train is equipped with a third rail pickup and electric traction motors turbo trains are structurally similar to airplanes they are made mostly of aluminum large beams running the length of each car help form the great strength of the train aircraft structural design and production methods enable these lightweight cars to easily withstand 800 000 pounds of hydraulic force applied to test their strength a requirement of the association of american railroads a turbo train begins to take shape [Music] a turbo train is readied for its first test run the first turbo train essentially a prototype for others that followed was tested a full year before it was outfitted for passenger service making it one of the most tested trains ever built the speed of the train was increased in increments until a top speed of 170 miles per hour was achieved brakes were tested again and again emergency stops were simulated brakes were purposely punished more than they ever would be in regular service to prove out their consistent reliability ride quality was tested extensively on both welded and jointed rails the ride quality was carefully measured with the latest equipment one of the major engineering innovations that contributes to the turbo train smooth ride is the suspension system instead of two axles at the end of each car the turbo train has a single axle between two cars greatly reducing weight and friction the new system enables the train to round curves with passenger comfort and safety at speeds up to 40 percent greater than conventional trains the system is mounted on guided axles which follow tracks around curves this model demonstrates the difference between a conventional car shown here and the turbo train note first the difference in the height of the cars passengers sit about a foot and a half lower in the turbo train than in a conventional car the center of gravity of the turbo train is much lower than that of a conventional train centrifugal forces cause a conventional car to lean outward on curves resulting in passenger discomfort but the turbo train banks inward like an airplane resulting in much greater passenger comfort the power dome car has a pendulous suspension system also it too banks inward on curves the turbo train can be operated with superior performance over conventional equipment on any existing well-maintained track and turbo trains can be operated for less costs per seat mile than regular trains up to 30 percent less [Music] the reasons for this are many first they are constructed of aluminum with use of other lightweight materials throughout they weigh less than half the weight of conventional diesel-powered trains this means they require much less horsepower even for much higher speeds higher average speeds also help save money initial top speed for passenger service is about 120 miles per hour this greater top speed plus faster curve speeds and faster acceleration and braking permit much greater utilization of the equipment another feature is easier maintenance the turbo train was designed to be maintained like an aircraft at scheduled intervals wearing parts such as engines air conditioners and wheels are quickly replaced with spares and repaired in the shop so the train doesn't have to be taken out of service for long periods of time still another feature which helps in the overall economics of the train is its bi-directional capability each turbo train has two power dome cars one at each end one car pushes another pulls turbo trains do not have to be turned around thus saving switching costs and time [Music] the streamlined front of the power dome car is actually a nose door covering an automatic coupler enabling multiple unit operation of two or more trains to give a train more passenger capacity two trains dock together like some of our space vehicles after the dollars are luxurious like those in the first class section of the jetliner fold down tables enable passengers to eat at their individual reclining seats the air conditioning system exhausts directly above each passenger truly this is the most comfortable ride ever experienced on the rails turbo trains have been assigned to operate between boston and new york on the new haven railroad in a demonstration of high-speed ground transportation sponsored by the united states department of transportation the boston new york turbo train schedule is 3 hours and 15 minutes with four intermediate stops a reduction of one hour from previous best schedules canadian national railways ordered turbo trains for operation between montreal and toronto the passenger service offered on this run is said to be the finest and most luxurious in the western hemisphere canadian nationals turbos reduce this run from four hours and fifty nine minutes to three hours and fifty nine minutes still further reductions are expected as operational experience is gained in both the united states and canadian programs united aircraft is providing the turbo trains under lease maintenance agreements unsurpassed in passenger comfort swift sleek and smooth this is the turbo train truly a new way to travel [Music] you