Railroad thermite welding

[Sinovac]

Don't ask me why I find this really interesting. I just do.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5uxsFglz2ig&feature=related

 

[MAD IN NC]

and the train goes 300 kmph.................. smooth as silk to

 

[BlackICE]

Since you brought this up I thought how is thermo expansion handled.

http://www.interfacejournal.com/features/03-05/track_buckling/1.html

 

[Wwabbit]

Interesting. Thanks for the post. I'll relax more next time I'm on the TGV.

 

[Xcentric]

That is cool. Americans always wonder why European trains don't go clackety-clack.

 

[Lorenzo]

We will never catch up to the European's when it comes to public transportation.

 

[Sinovac]

We will never catch up to the European's when it comes to public transportation.

While that is true for interstate public transportation, we are doing a good job in many of the major metro areas. As for interstate public transportation, our country is simply too big to mirror the Euro model. Raise your hand if you want to take a high speed train from coast to coast rather than fly.

Germany is about 1.4 times the size of Wyoming. The size comparison is valid for most of the European countries. Their model simply won't work here. As an aside, there are many other things going on in Europe that I hope we never catch up with. :lol

 

[Cobrar]

As an aside, there are many other things going on in Europe that I hope we never catch up with. :lol

Amen...

 

[Fast Freddy]

356 mph :eek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE4A0nPjyqQ

 

[Sinovac]

That is crazy Freddy. A pantograph no less. But on the other hand, even the ancient Boeing 757 cruises at 500mph.

 

[Xcentric]

We will never catch up to the European's when it comes to public transportation.

Population density per square mile: Germany = 609. US = 84.

If the US had the same population density as Germany, our population would be about 2.2 billion.

We could support good public transportation then. Except for the other problems. Germany has rational land development. City centers are where people want to go. Urban areas are compact with suburbs that are also well defined and green space in between. There is no urban/suburban sprawl. The economic geography of the US will never enable mass transit, except on a limited basis, primarily the Boston - DC corridor.

 

[Sinovac]

Population density per square mile: Germany = 609. US = 84.

Good stat. That partially explains both world wars.