Atmospheric railway
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An atmospheric railway uses differential air pressure to provide power for propulsion of a railway vehicle. A static power source can transmit motive power to the vehicle in this way, avoiding the nec
An Aeromovel train in Porto Alegre. The girder under the train forms an air duct. The vehicle is connected to a propulsion plate in the duct which is then driven by air pressure.
Arriving at Kingstown on the Dalkey Atmospheric Railway in 1844
Saint Germain piston carriage
Jolly-sailor station on the London and Croydon Railway in 1845, showing the pumping station, and the locomotive-less train
Vactrain
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A vactrain is a proposed type of high-speed transport system where vehicles travel through partially evacuated tubes or tunnels. By operating in a partial vacuum, air resistance is drastically reduced
Atmospheric railway
…Steam catapult – used for launching aircraft from ships: the arrangement of seal and traveller is similar, although positive pressure is used. Vactrain – a futuristic concept in which vehicles travel in an evacuated tube, to minimise air resistance; the suggested propulsion system is not atmospheric…
An image of a proposed implementation of the Hyperloop system