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Francis Begbie

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The Aérotrain (1965-1977)

aerotrain11-612x410.jpg

Originally the Aérotrain was a French project that began in early 1965. Touted as an incredible technological breakthrough it was supposed to renew the interest in single track rail transportation.

aerotrainprototype.jpg

Unfortunately, the Aérotrain had a tragic political fate, leaving its high speed legacy to the Train à Grand Vitesse (TGV) electrics which run on existing rail and the modern rail less Maglev transporters.

Inital propulsion for the Aérotrain was provided by a 260 hp aircraft engine driving a three bladed reversible pitch propeller. Its hovering ability was supported by lightly compressed air produced by two fans, each powered by 50 hp Renault Gordiines engines.

aerotrain.jpeg

aerotrain6.jpg

Today, only remnants of the concrete rail abandoned in the countryside of Orléans, France testify to Jean Bertin’s dream liner, the Aérotrain hovercraft. His French prototypes have all been damaged or destroyed. But after 35 years of neglect the Rohr Aérotrain has been moved to a new home, the Pueblo Arizona Railway Museum for train buffs to view and imagine “what if.

aerotrain7.jpg

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The Aérotrain (1965-1977)

aerotrain11-612x410.jpg

Originally the Aérotrain was a French project that began in early 1965. Touted as an incredible technological breakthrough it was supposed to renew the interest in single track rail transportation.

aerotrainprototype.jpg

Unfortunately, the Aérotrain had a tragic political fate, leaving its high speed legacy to the Train à Grand Vitesse (TGV) electrics which run on existing rail and the modern rail less Maglev transporters.

Inital propulsion for the Aérotrain was provided by a 260 hp aircraft engine driving a three bladed reversible pitch propeller. Its hovering ability was supported by lightly compressed air produced by two fans, each powered by 50 hp Renault Gordiines engines.

aerotrain.jpeg

aerotrain6.jpg

Today, only remnants of the concrete rail abandoned in the countryside of Orléans, France testify to Jean Bertin’s dream liner, the Aérotrain hovercraft. His French prototypes have all been damaged or destroyed. But after 35 years of neglect the Rohr Aérotrain has been moved to a new home, the Pueblo Arizona Railway Museum for train buffs to view and imagine “what if.

aerotrain7.jpg

Germans did it during the Weimar era

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

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