Transrapid Maglev
Chris Stratton (stratton.chris.cp@bhp.com.au)
Fri, 24 Apr 1998 07:48:03 +1000
The Transrapid Maglev is getting promoted heavily in the local media as they
believe it will provide a large number of jobs for Wollongong. There is even
a petition in the local newspaper for readers to sign and send in to support
the train. Wednesday's paper had a computer enhanced photo showing the train
coming down the escarpment into Wollongong through the bush, but near Mount
Ousley Road. There must have been complaints about this as on Thursday there
was an article saying it will actually use existing transport corridors and
will be a "green" mode of transport as they don't need to destroy large
tracts of land as the track will be elevated.
I know it has been mentioned here before, but what is the power consumption
of these trains? Surely to get the thing started and maintain levitation
will use a reasonable amount of electricity.
Also they only ever show a single track. Do they have some sort of crossing
loops for the monorail track? Or because it is going to be so tremendously
fast do they just use one train that goes back and forward all day :)
Regards,
--
Chris Stratton
Wollongong, NSW, Australia
stratton.chris.cp@bhp.com.au