Solar-Powered Maglev Train
It is true that high speed trains are important for long distance travel. But more importantly an efficient railway system is also required in cities for general commuters. Keeping this in mind Francisco Lupin designed a sleek concept train for Bombraider as a part of the You Rail Train Interior Design Contest and their line of Eco4 energy saving trains. This train is designed for economy commuters within the city. The train utilizes maglev technology, is powered by solar energy and is made of light weight materials, making it fast and energy efficient.
Lupin’s sleek concept focuses mainly around redesigning the interior of the trains along with an array of upgrades that extend beyond the cosmetic genre. A long bench of seats runs down the middle of the train with transparent windows from floor to ceiling. The passengers can enter and exit on either side of the eco train and can simply press a button to signal their stop. A projector displays information such as the weather, time or advertisements onto the windows on either side.
Solar panels mounted on the roof of the train provide power for its operation as well as lighting and charging stations inside for the passengers. The solar panels are mounted in such a way that they can rotate automatically in order to maximize solar access. The maglev technology makes this train fast, smooth and more energy efficient, while an automatic pilot system guides the train via computer, eliminating the need for an operator.
by Shailesh Rade
That does not look at all practical. Sideways seating would not be comfortable while accelerating to high speed (or safe while braking) and doesn’t seem like it would fit nearly as many passengers per car. As a lounge car it might be good, but as a passenger coach it would be terrible.
And when I looked at the solar panels, the first thing I thought of was the incredible amount of drag they’ll be creating when the train is going 800 km/h. It’d be better with stationary solar panels welded into the surface of the roof. If the train is to go as fast as an airplane, then it must be as sleek as one.
Besides, from my understanding the train only has to lift its own weight and handle its internal electricity use (like lighting). The actual forward motion is provided by the moving magnetic charge in the tracks, not on the train. Trains don’t even need to steer themselves; this would also be done by the tracks.
fck you man, this looks great. i think this stuff should be actually transporting people around by now. its messed up that its not!
The solar panels are meant to replace electricity as the usual source of power current maglev trains use. Still, I agree, sideways seating is terrible. What about the people who get motion sickness? Plus it looks way too public. And I imagine during midday when the sun is hottest, all that glass will just make it like a greenhouse – and if you argue there’d be aircon, I’d argue that the aircon would need to work harder to keep the entire carriage cool which means still more energy consumption.