Aerotrains - The Forgotten Train Experiments

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In the time between steam and Deisel / Electric power, a couple of train locomotives tried propulsion sources from aircraft, be that propellers or jets in an attempt to make faster more powerful trains with varying degrees of success but ultimately they were shunted into the sidings of the history books. This is a look at Aerotrains and why they didn't take off.
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Written, Researched and Presented by Paul Shillito
Images and Footage : ReverseThrustAviation, Colin Prosser, Bitgood, The Hellenic Trainspotters
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[@ohnomyhandleistaken]

Now the footage of the Schienenzeppelin pulling in that train station is amazing. The contrast between how modern that thing looks versus the contemporary surroundings and the old grainy footage really highlights how much ahead that machine was for its time. Even if the aerotrain concept didn't work out, it was super advanced in so many other ways.

[@theJellyjoker]

I'm leaving on a jet train, don't know when I'll be back again.

[@lrrrruleroftheplanetomicro6881]

Please don't return at night, caus we'll hear you from a mile away.

[@Coastfog]

First I was like "Oh that's what they were singing about!" Then I was like "Wait a minute, they didn't sing about a train"

[@carbon_no6]

Cool story, bro!

[@matthiasmay1977]

Please make a video about the French Aérotrain. It run on a concrete track on a air cushion and was powered by turboprops.

[@fjarle]

There were jet powered prototypes as well. In the L'AEROTRAIN, ACTE I-video one of them seems to be running with an afterburner as well. The mashup of the insane old railway project + Queen - The Show Must Go On is one of the best videos on this entire service. I keep coming back to it after 14 years. I think a few of the smallest prototype models are still being shipped around as attractions at different technical fairs and exhibitions. Otherwise it's a pretty unknown thing. So sad that the funding dried up - they really seem to have been on to something :/

[@jebise1126]

@@fjarle not really. few videos pointed out that they would have to build whole new tracks. for TGV it can run on existing tracks.

[@pg245091]

There's already a good one by Mustard

[@wramsey2656]

I grew up next to a railroad in the 1970s and the diesel electrics were a sound we all grew use to. I cannot imagine jet powered trains coming by, it would have given you the sensation of living next to an airport and a rock quarry (dust and debris) at the same time lol.

[@CuriousDroid]

From what i read about the Black Beetle, you didn't really hear it until it had gone past which if you see the footage of it, it's kicking up all sorts of dust and debris. Imagine waiting at a crossing when one when past, not exactly a pleasant experience.

[@wramsey2656]

@@CuriousDroid indeed, it would have dampened public support in no time.

[@roryrafferty4589]

The best way to start the week is with a new curious droid video! Thanks Mr. Shillito

[@craigduncan4826]

Wait.. Mr Schillito..? I thought he was Mr Droid? Renowned for being inquisitive and curious, hence the moniker of “good old Curious Droid”. We may need some school friends or shirt tailor to confirm.

[@439sparky1]

AND starting with a pun

[@Rytis36]

Amen

[@jpsholland]

In those days the jet engine was still a new thing. They thought it could be used for everything, planes, trains and automobiles. But also motorcycles, bicycles, and wristwatches.... It still wonders me why there is no jetpunk just like steampunk and cyberpunk.

[@djolley61]

Jay Leno has a turbine powered motorcycle.

[@903strikerunit]

Jet punk is a sideline to atompunk..

[@SneakyTravels]

..or propellerpunk

[@Joopyter724]

Like nuclear reactors when they were first invented like how Ford designed a nuclear car (imagine car crashes)

[@gabelbart]

Id like to see that wristwatch.... :D

[@sbvera13]

Puns that perfectly placed do not require excuses.

[@mpireoutdoors5274]

No permission prescribed for perfectly placed puns.

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

In my opinion, if you don't say "excuse the pun" the pun is hard to notice. So, for perfect delivery, it is necessary to say it.

[@askhowiknow5527]

@@mpireoutdoors5274 What about awful astringent alliteration from an absolute australopith that doesn’t know what a pun is?

[@burningSHADOW42]

On the pronunciation of "Schienenzeppelin": The secondtime he used the word in the video was actually quite close, to the German pronunciation. "Schienen" is pronounced like "She-nan" with "she" like the female pronoun und "nan" like the colloquial term for grandma. The pronunciation of "Zeppelin" in this video ist not bad, but the "z" in German is pronounced like the "ts" in "hurts". So the closest thing in english would look something like "She-nan-tseppelin"

[@the_jcbone]

Pretty much what I just planned to write. I just don't get why english speakers can't distinguish between "IE" and "EI".

[@burningSHADOW42]

@@the_jcbone another comment gave me a clue on that. In words like "shine" the "i" is pronounced like the German "ei" so to an English speaker "Schien" probably looks like "shine"

[@the_jcbone]

@@burningSHADOW42 yeah, that may be it.

[@untruelie2640]

Also, the second "e" in "Zeppelin" is actually pronounced like the first one (some english speakers do leave it out) and the emphasis is on the first syllable ("Ze") as well as on the last one "in"). So it's actually pronounced "SHE-nan-TSE-peh-LEEN". Can this thread become more german? :D

[@harrisonbergeron9746]

nobody cares

[@Fragaut]

Oh no ! You forgot to talk about the Bertin Aérotrain, riding on air cushions with two full scale prototypes built, one using linear induction motor and the other a ducted propeller. Next video, may be?

[@pjotrtje0NL]

Already covered elsewhere...

[@Fragaut]

@@pjotrtje0NL Not by Curious Droid and I think he could do a good job on it. It's an interesting story.

[@OctoChad]

No mention of the french aerotrain, and the 18 km test track still visible today?

[@maxant4285]

I was surprised he skipped that one.

[@fridaycaliforniaa236]

@@maxant4285 Yup same. We have a nice piece of Railroad History with those trains =)

[@Balthorium]

Maybe because it was more monorail?

[@king40606]

I think Mustard did a video on that one

[@tobiwan001]

Probably because it was not a traditional train, but a completely new hovertrain system.

[@liquidmakor6793]

I very rarely comment on KZbin, but Paul, this sort of content is really quality and hard to come by

[@nielsdebakker3283]

If only he would pronounce the word schienen correctly, it is not scheinen...

[@TheZxman]

The sound of that train with a prop spinning passing must have been wild!!!

[@Gunstick]

I am surprised you missed out on the aeorotrain itself. The french one. Called aero because it had no wheels like a maglev, but levitating on an air cushion. Interesting that some of the hypeloop concepts also use air cushion.

[@chromaticAberration]

I was surprised too...

[@raoulkirner492]

As always - great video! Yet, being a native German speaker, I'd like to offer an insight in the pronounciation of "Schienenzeppelin": In German, "i" is pronounced as the "e" in english, or as in "is" or "in". If combined with an "e" before the "i", i.e. "ei", this then is pronounced as the typical english "i" as in "eye". Yet, if combined with an "e" behind the "i", i.e. "ie" as in "Schienenzeppelin", it extends the "i", like in "beer" or "meat". Other than than: pretty decent pronounciation of "Schienzeppelin" for a brit *tips hat*

[@1911doc]

Dude, the same thing here :D It hurt the ears

[@antman7673]

Ch [eat] + [M] ea [t] n+[Kar] en t+zapp[ing] a lin [en] Sch ie nen Zepp e lin Schie - nen ...pause(new Word)... Zep-pelin

[@1911doc]

@Bitterman Better to be know it all than not knowing it at all...

[@namefinder]

@Bitterman funny, considering how often Brits like to tell anyone else in the world to "speak proper English".

[@raoulkirner492]

@Bitterman why feel attacked? This is about sharing done insights into German prononciation, which is as difficult as any... And as the rest of the "Schienenzeppelin" is already very good, maybe this helps to get it to 100% :)

[@F_L_U_X]

10:32 I'm just picturing two of those giant jet engines floating in front of the train like a Racer pod from Star Wars.

[@jpsholland]

Maybe the idea of the Star Wars racing pods came from this trains.

[@CaptainM792]

Now this is podracing.

[@92sepp]

Really nice and informative documentary. There exists another project of the same kind in France which is called "Aérotrain". There are some prototypes of it kept by an association in Versailles which I could visit a few years ago. These vehicles, developed around 50 years ago, are really fascinating. The main difference of the other Aerotrains is, that the Aérotrain hovers (like a hovercraft) on a cussion of air over a single rail. The airflow for this cussion, generated by the turbine, isblown out over a lot of tubes on the bottom side of the vehicle. I was told that this rail was mounted on a "bridge" high over the ground. Some parts of the test rail is still existing, but I don't remember where in France. The project started under president Pompidou and ended after his dead because his follower didn't appreciate this technology, I was told.

[@bearcubdaycare]

Got up to 422km/h, I read

[@moskitosTR]

Hats off to great teacher

[@Root3264]

It's a good day when curious droid uploads

[@iandavidson99]

Purely from a propulsion perspective, thrust-jets simply aren't suitable for trains. Although they provide *phenomenal* power, the trust/torque they provide is comparatively low - not ideal for shifting a heavy train. If you want to use a "jet" to power a train, you use a gas-turbine, which is just a jet engine driving a gearbox, such as on a helicopter, M1 Abrams tank or the Union Pacific turbine trains

[@threeparots1]

The CN Turbo jet train ran between Montreal and Toronto as well as a sister train set from 1970 till 1984 in Canada. With some short breaks for engineering upgrade. This had 4 St-6 engine driving the wheel directly with their power turbines. Not overly economical, but they did break some high speed records and they did run in normal service for some time.

[@fabiank485]

As a German, your pronunciation of Schienenzeppelin is hilarious. Absolutely brilliant 😄

[@nadirnadir7384]

He's not a native German... to be honest I can't even pronounce it right even after trained 10 minutes following Google assistant 😂

[@Pascal-uc6tr]

Schainenzeppelin ;)

[@rockyblacksmith]

@@nadirnadir7384 This one ain't complicated though, he just got the pronunciation of the "ie" wrong. The "Schie" in "Schienenzeppelin" is pronounced just like the English "she". And he got the rest of the word decently right.

[@PaulA-zp7hn]

Yessss, the Droid returns! Always top content.

[@Elkatook666]

a really interesting design can be seen in The Man in the High Castle - season 4, episode 10. they have an elevated jet powered monorail. elevating the tracks negates the dust and debris from having the tracks on the ground. great video, as always

[@CuriousDroid]

Good point, George Bennie in the UK did a propeller powered monorail in the late 1920s early 30s, they built a 120 meter test track but despite a lot of interest at the time no one was prepared to back it and it became another footnote in the history books and Bennie went bankroupt developing it with his own money :-(

[@greghanson5696]

The pod containing the twin General Electric J47 engines was first used on the Boeing B-47 Stratojet, then added to the Convair B-36 Peacemaker D model.

[@gerogyzurkov2259]

Detail tgv Gas turbine one too. Short lived was when TGV was running on gas turbines for 1-3 years before the switch to the familiar electric TGV.

[@kauske]

We had some locos and rolling stock like that in Canada too, with other odd features that made the whole thing incompatible with standard rolling stock.

[@drboze6781]

In the US, Union Pacific dabbled in gas turbine locomotives (for freight) that got nicknamed "the Big Blows". They produced up to 10,000 hp and worked well, but the Korean War drove the cost of Bunker C oil up so they were no longer viable. Apparently the noise was terrific, and non-stop, as the turbine drove a generator and were single speed.

[@enisra_bowman]

No, it wasn't mentioned because the Video was not about such trains! Yes, a Gasturbine is the same Thing as a Jet Engine sans the large Fan in the front, but they drive the wheels, but this Video was about trains driven by the Trust from a Jet Engine or Propeller

[@zeroone8800]

The big problem with gas turbine operation is idle and low speed energy use. The only way for it to work would be a turbo-generator-battery-motor set up. When the turbine is on it is at its most efficient speed, otherwise it is off. The reason Otto and Diesel engines dominate the internal combustion engine game is that they are deep throttling without a large loss of efficiency. With series hybrids, engines that are more efficient in a narrow operational range can now be used. The only mainline manufacturer that appears to be experimenting with this is Mazda with the Wankel. The Wankel has the same problem as the gas turbine a narrow efficient operational range.

[@Dave_Sisson]

One of the pre-war British railway companies built a "Turbomotive" which ran off a steam turbine they got from a company that made turbines for ships.

[@Night4fingers]

There was also a french prototype of another type of Aerotrain - this time, instead of using standard rail it used an inverted T-shaped monorail made of concrete and rode on a form of aircushion. Problems were numerous, and it was also fairly noisy, so it was quickly dropped.

[@radioactive9861]

Night4fingers, YES! I saw the French train you are referring to on a tv show..."What on Earth?"(I think that was the name of it). Was hoping it would be covered here on Curious Droid, but...whoops!

[@Night4fingers]

@@radioactive9861 Curious Droid covered only the air-propelled conventional rail here. The french aerotrain (that was the actual name) was not, I can see why it wouldn't be kept for the video.

[@maxant4285]

@@Night4fingers he covered all types of aerotrains but excluded the French one that was literally called "aerotrain".

[@joshuasims5421]

Bullet trains with giant propellers should be their own aesthetic. Is it steampunk? Gearpunk? Dieselpunk? Propellerpunk? Anyway, watch out for low-flying aircraft!

[@OzzProg]

I prefer your "space" content, but I still appreciate ones such as these... they're so well made, and your narration is entertaining & informative. Thanks!

[@DownToNerd]

"exuse the pun" - oh your pun has been excused, traight to the upvote!

[@Tjalve70]

Probably due to a lack of wings.

[@nalstudio_official]

Usually when I come back to watch these old channels I haven't watched in years, I get disappointed, because the content is not the same, but I am happy to report that curious droid is one of the few channels that are just like I remembered them as

[@peterisaksson9915]

This video reminds me the we humans tend to be stubborn when it comes to trying something that initially seems like a good idea, making the same mistakes over and over again. It´s probably the best quality we have as it makes us experts in what we do, and most likely the worst as it makes us repeat our greatest mistakes. Great video!

[@globetlottel]

My first toy rail vehicle as a kid was the Schienenzeppelin. I’m amazed to see the real thing in videos today for the first time!

[@globetlottel]

Also, come on, Märklin, those were supposed to be single axles front and rear!

[@RogerM88]

Curious droid amazing us again with his good content and lovely colorful shirts.

[@andie_pants]

Can we take a moment to appreciate the versatility of the word "bogey"? It's: 1) Humphrey Bogart's nickname 2) an unfortunate golf score 3) the man who haunts your nightmares (alternately here in the US: "boogeyman". Our version sounds much more fun.) 4) one's opponent in an aerial dogfight 5) the thing that holds train wheels

[@overkill1340]

#4 is an unidentified aircraft. Your opponent would be a bandit.

[@andie_pants]

... and thanks to the Slow Mo Guys, I also know it's what I in Ohio would call a booger. You call your nebulous bad guy essentially... booger-man? That's badass.

[@andie_pants]

@@overkill1340 Right on. I'm just going off what Hollywood has taught me. :-P

[@ufx808]

It's also the name given to that little hard something that one finds up one's nose. Well it is in the UK, anyway.

[@andie_pants]

@@ufx808 Haha! Thanks to Dan from The Slow Mo Guys I also knew that one, but forgot it. Sending you a "Cheers, mate!" from Ohio. :-)

[@johnjephcote7636]

Do not forget the George Bennie 'Railplane' suspended from an (over-engineered) overhead gantry at Milngarvie above the railway line? It had a pusher airscrew and was built by Wm.Beardmore. There are some short films of the inventor and the Beardmore works and its short test runs, one above a very smoke-emitting tank engine.

[@papabits5721]

Canadian National Railway played around with a turbine powered engine, I remember my dad taking us to see it.

[@Grasomat]

Shynen = Scheinen Sheenen = Schienen

[@pwmiles56]

Brilliant! I well remember a ride on the Shinkansen in 1979, station staff enforcing the 1 minute platform stops (Japanese style). How about a monorail video, e.g. the famous Brennan?

[@kingnotail3838]

You know you're an uber-nerd when you recognise the engines from the B-36 bomber ;D

[@WestCoastWheelman]

Six turning four burning!

[@josephroberts7597]

I'd say you were well read....

[@ettvanligtkonto]

The look of those engine pods are pretty iconic.

[@maf421]

I live just a few miles where the NYC jet car was tested. Absolutely flat, straight trackage with crossings only every mile or so, and towns every five miles. (Sidefact: Most of these towns only exist because they were refuel / station stops when the railroad was originally built) Plus it was surrounded by mostly fields of corn and soybeans in season.

[@rox3815]

In the late 1940s, the British electrical engineer Eric Laithwaite, a professor at Imperial College London, developed the first full-size working model of the linear induction motor. He became professor of heavy electrical engineering at Imperial College in 1964, where he continued his successful development of the linear motor.[5] Since linear motors do not require physical contact between the vehicle and guideway, they became a common fixture on advanced transportation systems in the 1960s and '70s. Laithwaite joined one such project, the Tracked Hovercraft, although the project was cancelled in 1973.[6] The linear motor was naturally suited to use with maglev systems as well. In the early 1970s, Laithwaite discovered a new arrangement of magnets, the magnetic river, that allowed a single linear motor to produce both lift and forward thrust, allowing a maglev system to be built with a single set of magnets. Working at the British Rail Research Division in Derby, along with teams at several civil engineering firms, the "transverse-flux" system was developed into a working system.

[@ZemplinTemplar]

Another great video. Here's another suggestion for a future video: Man-powered aircraft experimentation and records. Aircraft like the SUMPAC, AeroVironment's Gossamer series, the MIT Light Eagle and Daedalus, and others.

[@sprint955st]

Agreed. The record for crossing the English Channel human powered flight is 42 years old, time it was broken, surely?

[@johnpsymqepdfq8492]

Good video. A note about the NYC Jet RDC car. If you look at 8m:58s in the video, you'll notice the track wasn't welded. I vaguely recall reading that the track used was "resurfaced" for the test, but was standard jointed track. I also vaguely recall reading that Al Perlman was in the car during the record test run.

[@colbeausabre8842]

New York Central's "Black Beetle" It was never intended to be a prototype, it was strictly to see how fast a conventional train could go on conventional track. "The construct was then successfully sent on test runs over the existing tracks between Butler, Indiana, and Stryker, Ohio.. The line had been chosen for its arrow-straight layout and good condition, but otherwise unmodified track. On July 23, 1966, the car reached a speed of 183.68 mph (295.6 km/h), an American rail speed record that still stands today. Even with this spectacular performance, and even though it had been built relatively cheaply, using existing parts, the project was not considered viable commercially. The railroad gathered valuable test data regarding the stresses of high-speed rail travel on conventional equipment and tracks then existing in America"

[@jacquesblaque7728]

About the "continuously-welded rail" for the NYC jet-RDC, if you look at both tracks at 8:50, you'll see both tracks are jointed rail, so NO. Reportedly small sections of the route were welded rail. Turbojet efficiency is NOT determined by platform speed, but by power output: as power is reduced from permissible peak, efficiency drops much more rapidly. This project was not intended as a prototype of anything, rather an experiment to assess usability of these tracks for high speeds. Al Perlman was aboard. Facts still matter HTH.

[@TioDeive]

Everyday with a new Curious Droid video is a good day! Thank you!.

[@mr.mendez515]

one of favorites videos!! thanks

[@fonitronik]

To whom it may concern, Schienenzeppelin is spoken more like "sheenen" than like "shinen".

[@stephenirwin2761]

Nicely done, as usual, Paul!

[@lukeearthcrawler896]

Unacceptable noise levels seems to be one of those problems we somehow need to rediscover every decade or so. Today, the issue is with drone delivery of mail packages. Imagine having thousands or tens of thousands of these whizzing around neighborhoods. But hey.. I'm sure this time beating the air into submission like a helicopter does will turn out differently.

[@ironcito1101]

We do have billions of explosion-powered vehicles that make it very noisy near a highway or busy street, so sometimes we tolerate the noise. As far as the future of deliveries, though, I see something like electric self-driving scooters being better than flying drones, at least in the vast majority of situations.

[@lukeearthcrawler896]

@@ironcito1101 Yes, we do... and all these billion vehicles have mufflers. Imagine NYC streets with cars w/o mufflers. Have you seen a helicopter with a muffler? Yeah... me neither. As someone said: Helicopters do not fly. They beat the air into submission". Guess what? So are drones... especially if they have to lift heavy packages and a a hefty battery pack. But I agree with you regarding scooters. These are the way to go: they're actually quiet, reliable and if they make them with swappable battery packs like our 40V Ryobi power tools, that would definitely work.

[@ironcito1101]

@@lukeearthcrawler896 If it came down to cheap, fast, noisy drones or expensive, slow, inconvenient (but quiet) deliveries, we'd tolerate the noise. Noise is not the only factor, is what I'm saying. That's why we tolerate noisy cars, aircraft, sledgehammers and whatnot, and we'd tolerate drones if they were the best option, altough I don't think they will.

[@DaveNarn]

Jet + Train is awesome. Wile E Coyote couldn't have come up with a better idea.

[@railfanningstuff8333]

That opening line was an awesome movie

[@kiggi__]

another awsome video, love these short informative technology videos

[@robertkerr4199]

Cars have been designed using all the same technologies tried in other forms of transport. Prior to the model T, steam powered cars were top sellers... diesel, steam, nuclear... even turbines and jets have all been tried in cars

[@marcfreimann9270]

Allways very interesting! Thx

[@frankgulla2335]

Thank you for the nice and concise history of aero-jet railroads.

[@maxart3392]

It surprises me a bit that you haven't even mentioned the French "Turbotrain", which was developed in the 1960s and powered by helicopter turbo engines. Apart from the fact that it paved the way for the TGV project, it was actually a successful design and those trains were in service for years, actually until recently, mainly on the non electirfied lines, such as Paris - Cherbourg or Lyon - Bordeaux. I remember travelling on one back in 1977 from Caen to Paris. And it was fast, certainly faster than diesel powered trains.

[@chrisnorman1183]

Almost 1 Million subs, lets get it done everybody!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Excellent...Thanks Paul...

[@lemdixon01]

I've also seen prototype trains with jet engines not for population, but the turbine to generate electricity to power the electric motors on the wheels.

[@johnpsymqepdfq8492]

The French TGV001 was turbine powered:, search for "turbine tgv" if the link doesn't show up. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TGV_001#:~:text=The%20TGV%20001%20was%20an,program%20on%20high%20rail%20speeds.

[@LambChopRides]

Really enjoyed that sir 👍

[@kenhelmers2603]

Very cool! Thank you

[@deathpacito_8273]

its SCHIENENzeppelin, not Scheinen.... ie, not ei

[@sorenweisshartmann]

Really interesting video. Thanks

[@Pedritox0953]

Love your videos!!

[@Mishn0]

The engine pod used on the "Black Beetle" was also the same as the inboard engine pods on the B-47. That's where the B-36s got them from.

[@arnepianocanada]

Congratulations from 🇨🇦 Canada on the fine program - your excellent voice and clarity of speech enhancing it.

[@Dzaen2]

great video man, thank you

[@Tsagan]

Aerotrains in the title but doesn't talk about the French Aerotrains :( And it's the coolest one, it's hovering and everything

[@benespection]

Came here to say the same thing - The Aérotrains were jet engine based monorails on elevated rails - totally cool concept :) it's strange, I was waiting all video to see this come up.. What's weird is I even think I remember seeing a Curious Droid video featuring the french aérotrain experiments but maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me - it would totally be in the style of this channel though.

[@WhitzWolf92]

@@benespection I was thinking the same thing, but I think I'm getting wires crossed with a Mustard video.

[@NPJGlobal]

Paul, please make a video about the legendary french aerotrain!

[@colbeausabre8842]

It sucked

[@A.Lifecraft]

What could have been mentioned here is the german Trans Europa Express (TEE) type 601 . Directly deriving from Kruckenberg principles, some trains where later converted to type 602, which, allowing for additional carts, where equipped with turboshaft engines, doubling overall power from 1620kW to 3234kW. Gasturbine engines where considered unreliable and did never receive as much research and development as diesel engines did in germany. When type 602 went out of service in 1979, the ICE, Germanys competitor to Frances TGV and Japans Shinkansen was already in development using asynchronous electric motors.

[@jock364]

Have you forgotten the Bennie Railplane in Milngavie, Scotland?

[@francisboyle1739]

Not only propeller driven but a monorail to boot!

[@creepingjesus5106]

I used to work nearby the site of it, I'd have loved to see it in action. Even the (early 90s) some of the concrete footings for the pylons were hiding in the grass by the Allander Sports Centre!

[@gabrielleraul488]

Came here for the shirt, not disappointed! ❤️

[@barry-cq4xg]

Really interesting video - well explained and succinct.

[@stridermt2k]

Great stuff thanks!

[@warhead_beast7661]

We still have a Schienenzeppelin in the Dresdener Verkehrsmusem in Dresden, Saxony. It is in not a good shape tho but it still exists

[@CuriousDroid]

Maybe its second prototype but good to know that something may have survived.

[@warhead_beast7661]

@@CuriousDroid sadly i mixed something up, it is the DR 137 155 also made by Kruckenberg but its not the Schienenzeppelin

[@bradleyokane]

Always educational to watch your content Paul, thank you 👍

[@CuriousDroid]

Much appreciated

[@Neb_Raska]

Another fantastic video.

[@paulhaynes8045]

Excellent! More trains please.

[@Nebarus]

Now a video please about the tries to power planes with ship paddle wheels :)

[@Billhatestheinternet]

Union Pacific did in fact use a locomotive for a few years (mainline use) powered by a gas/jet turbine. It was done mainly due in desperation to the sudden loss in sheer power to the super steam locomotives UP was known for (and general retirement nationwide of steam) such as the 4-6-6-4 Challenger and 4-8-8-4 Big Boy. Again, due to noise (747-100 takeoff equivalent), fuel usage, and sheer heat produced (it exhausted through the top; resulting in a bridge superstructure being compromised), it was retired (unknown if any survive).

[@override7486]

Looks like something straight from the Fallout series. Sick.

[@PlaidHiker]

Thank you this is great

[@RaimoKangasniemi]

Abakovsky, dying in 1921, was not - if I pathetically nitpick - a Soviet, as Soviet Union was established in 1922. Very interesting video!

[@sparty94]

very cool vid. i didn't know about any of these trains.

[@PanPuchacki]

As always very interesting subject.

[@rundata]

I clicked this expecting to hear Simon bloody whistler again Thanks for an awesome chunk of history dude!

[@ODBZapper]

I'm hoping this leads to a followup video on the Aerotrain concepts icluding the TACRV, LIMRV and UTACV

[@cmuller1441]

You completely missed the French monorail from the 70's. The hyperloop of that time... en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A9rotrain

[@Cartoonman154]

Even though the concept of 'Hyperloop' is nearly a hundred years old by Robert Goddard.

[@paulhaynes8045]

Indeed - that's what I expected this video to be about! I think we tried developing something similar in the UK too, but I can't remember the details (and might be making this up!).

[@handyandyaus]

More train videos please Paul!

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

I love the creativity of these engineers. It wasn't meant to be, but it certainly is cool.

[@thegalli]

Thanks for another great one Paul

[@Lucky32Luke]

I am glad I have subscribed to Magellan about a year ago to make my 9 year old to watch science and technology (instead of playing Minecraft). Without it, I feel I would just raise another Elon Musk fan. (Without our vast history in engineering and science every idea seems to be a new one until you find that it has been invented, thought out, engineered and tried and failed before.) Thanks to you and other YT technology minded people I can show that not every idea is genuinely new, in fact many of them has been stolen or redesigned old idea with a shiny new computer generated coating. Great video as always, even if I was fortunate to watch many Magellan documentary this is a really good work and many details you have been added to it giving a greater perspective. Keep up the good work!

[@kaviramgolam]

Sheldon Cooper has been busy writing letters to curious droid for this episode!

[@terrypitt-brooke8367]

Loved the video, as always, but you forgot the Canadian (and American) entry: the Turbo that ran on VIA Canada's Toronto-Montreal corridor. They were powered by Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6 engines.

[@johnpsymqepdfq8492]

However, the various versions of these trains didn't use the thrust from the Jet Engine to propel the vehicle. In the Turbo Train (and similar ones) the jet’s central shaft basically drove a hydraulic transmission which then turned the wheels. The rail cars in this video were pushed by the propeller or the jet’s thrust (the wheels were just along for the ride, so to speak).

[@terrypitt-brooke8367]

@@johnpsymqepdfq8492 Very true!

[@grandicellichannel]

Great Paul, I always love them! But what about the french Paris-Orleans Aerotrain?

[@BilgePump]

I like the propeller driven one. It’s by far the coolest idea. Yea baby Yea! 🇩🇪

[@colbeausabre8842]

It sucks for oh, so many reasons

[@nimbly1693]

With the fact that around 60-65% of the English speakers in the world are in the United States, I appreciate you including miles in your description.

[@alastairward2774]

He does talk a lot about obsolete stuff.

[@mattjones1992]

He’s English. You know us English still use miles right?

[@deanwaring6100]

Thank you 👍👍😁

[@cleonwallace6040]

Love it very useful

[@markusjuenemann]

"ie" is to be pronounced in german like "ee" in english. Think of "Sheenantsappalin". Besides that: A really good video, as always.

[@PrecisionEngineeredJank]

Sheenen-tseppaleen in my opinion but yes. Scheinenzeppelin would be something more "stealthy" haha

[@79iGEL]

@@PrecisionEngineeredJank Shining zeppelin 😉 I guess, Paul confused the pronunciation of ie with ei, in which case it would have been impressive for a none native speaker.