The China Train that Doesn't Stop

For this to work, there has to be sufficient time for people to transfer between the main part of the train and the satellite cars used at the stations. So this might work for train service that covers long distances between stops, but I don't believe this will work for most commuter services. I notice that they don't show how people get on and off of the main part of the train into the satellite car.

Interesting concept, but there may be a better way.

Just to think aloud for a moment, how about making all the cars at track level? Accelerate the incoming car(s) on a spur to say 10mph faster than the train, and shunt it onto the main track just behind the passing train. When the incoming car catches up, couple it onto the train. Then everybody does musical chairs so that the rearmost car(s) can be decoupled at the next station, and decelerated to a stop. Rinse and repeat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slip_coach

Aha! So part 2 has already been done. Part 1 might be trickier, but not insurmountable.

Interesting concept. In a system that lacks regenerative braking, that could save quite a bit of energy. In the video the acceleration/deceleration lane seems rather short, so the train would at least have to slow down at the terminals to prevent high g forces being imparted to the 'papoose' cars. Or they'd need to make these sections longer than the video implies.

In a way, the cable car system in San Francisco works a bit like that. The cable under the street runs constantly. A gripman operating the cable car carefully engages and disengages a gripping mechanism that allows the car to be pulled along with the cable.

I think the deceleration is OK in the China train. In the video, the papoose car is disengaged on the red portion of the wider track before it reaches the station. Acceleration on the other hand does not start until the train reaches the station. It means the papoose would be at full speed when the end of the train passes the station.That would be fun (or not) to watch if the train is packed (standing room only) like it is on Toronto's GO trains after a sporting event.

Perhaps the loading train is meant to start somewhere on the red tracks, before the train reaches the station to impart some of the acceleration needed in a safe manner. Or the red tracks extend forward beyond the station to allow a softer acceleration.

I am guessing passengers are able to access the lower portion of the train once it is in motion between station. There would likely be lots of moving passengers at all times during the journey. Not fun if you have luggage to manage.

I like it.

It's already been done....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGg8OtHiwS0

That was too fast to see how well it did with outgoing mail, if any....

(Sometime I may describe the Bering Sea "mail buoy" legend.)

It was quick but it did pickup the mail from the hook. There are other videos of the same pass that show the pickup clearly.

Some of those bags were still moving after alighting from the train. The railway personnel then beat the bags with clubs.....

It isn't a stupid idea.

What is the basis of your _(arrogant) statement?

Should i justifie myself or the "inventors" should?

You should justify yourself for calling someone's idea "stupid". You give no reason for your "stupid" remark.

The OP presents, at least, a plausible way to pick up, and drop off modular pods.

There's no magic here, just existing technology and a new concept.

You are wrong, you propose you justify.If somebody here was the author of such idea i wouldn't say thats stupid: Along years in the forum i expect you realize of that.In fact the first time i receive any info of that was thru my own father and i said it is an stupid idea.Just ladies should feel offended by a colloquial way to speak in a forum.-

Many ideas that seem stupid at first are now in mainstream acceptance. Were the Wright Brothers oddballs in their day? Was Farnsworth a dreamer? All good things start with some idea not in the mainstream. Sometimes the idea is vilified like Galileo's postulations. I mentioned the airports in my opening but I also think the transfer of passengers in mid-air will be a strong possibility in the future. As an example (albeit fictitious), check out the trailer from the movie, "Executive Decision". Somewhere between the 54 second and 1:35 you get hints of the transfer. If you are confused, watch the movie. At the very least, it is entertaining.

We should consider the technicals troubles to solve and, in case those becomes solvables consider the benefits...Is still a good idea? you should justifie your point not me.By the way what was exactly the jump or progress produced in aviation history by wright brothers?.-

Nobody can deny there will be technical problems. I suspect all problems will eventually be solved if the decision is made to proceed. As for the Wright Brothers, well nearly everyone in the original attempts to fly like a bird were considered nuts. Check this video and maybe you will gain some appreciation of the Wright Brothers. Nutty ideas always seem to allow man to proceed forward in technology. I just happen to like innovation and those who risk everything to prove it. Our astronauts are the new nut balls and some of them are going to go to Mars one day in the not so distant future.

In Reality, I presented this opening video to provoke thought and recognize some problems as did other responders. If you want to stay within the "known" bounds of technology, feel free but you will miss many "trains" of thought. I like it when someone reaches out with a concept that may actually work despite our reservations.

Your video is a beauty (even when historically Wright brothers didn´t anything useful in aviation).Getting back to our subject i don't see so wrong or unpolite to say "stupid idea" at less it is your idea, i think is a colloquial way to speak among us and nobody should feel hurt because of this.I think the troubles had the engineers to catch an airplane to the navy-ships even when this one is one piece,not wagoons.Did you feel the train wheels when differents pieces of railways? How strong should be the wagoons to support something like that in the roof? Let's say a local train approaching the big one puting beside each other isn't it better? or even better in my point of view,couldn't it stop and recover its energy when you know it must stop in that station? i feel the involved tech would be very useful for many applications.-

I see what you mean.

If the Chinese do build it then the whole system will be riddled with razor sharp cable tie tails that haven't been snipped flush and smooth like at 1:31 in that trailer. (The relays looked nice).

Interesting idea. However, if the timing is a little off, something bad could happen.

they would want to have good redundant failsafe engagement / desengagement mechanisms on the pickup latch and at the release gate on the fore end of the upper slides

imagine if the stops at the front of the upper tracks didnt open , yet the piggy backed carriage was latched to the train...

you could have some refined metal fragmentation taking place there. :)

Beam me up Scotti would be easier to pull off.