Hi Mike
On (15 Oct 97) MIKE ROSS wrote to Alec Cameron...
 MR> Okay, spilling rim filled coffee cups is not the issue. The smooth
 MR> computer controlled acceleration from 0 to 70 mph.....//....
So you wanna be technical- I'd prefer to be tactile. All the current trains
here whether loco hauled, multiple unit, or UK HST type are smoothly
accelerated and I put that down not to the control system but to conventional
tight couplers and heavy vehicle mass. Lethargic power to weight ratio maybe?
.....//......and the smoothness of
 MR> the ride on inflated rubber radial tires (not steel rails) is the issue.
Our track here is continous welded and neatly ground. Rubber tyres would be
great to cut the audible racket of clicketty clack and
trackswitches/crossings.   But as our passenger stock is mostly 
irconditioned
with double glazing, noise is no longer a factor.
Car suspensions are air bag types with lotsa rubber pads, so the car body
wafts along more like a ferryboat or airliner in calm air.
My guess, is that pneumatic rubber wheels would be best appreciated on
un- welded track, non airconditioned cars with substantial acceleration and
braking forces. Which probably means, elderly city tube railways.
An Aust railway, is experimenting with road transportable locos. A weird 
ame,
for a highway truck prime mover, adapted to haul light freight trains on
branch lines. Can anyone tell me of any impressive achievements in that 
ield?
I am told that the prime mover will happily move alone on public roads, but
has auxiliary flanged wheels to guide it on the tracks
 MR> Now stop leaning on firm young female bodies under pretext of high
 MR> G-forces! :-)
That can Make An Old Man Very Happy!  Cheers......ALEC
... ........Genealogists do it yesterday
--- PPoint 1.92
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