TL 8+ transit

[coliver988]

Hyperloop mockup via You-Tube

https://youtu.be/-zSWagCyWio

Found it here which has a bit more blurby stuff: https://www.engadget.com/virgin-hyperloop-2021-concept-video-140000961.html

 

[Proneutron]

Not practical nor econ competitive vs. other transit. But neat video.

 

[coliver988]

Not practical nor econ competitive vs. other transit. But neat video.

We'll see - thing goes 500+ MPH so about the same speed as a plane and cheaper to operate once the infrastructure is in place. Sort of like a space elevator: a lot of stuff to get it there but then really cheap. In theory.

But mostly I just like the video, and may use that for a tube system for games I run if the players want to see what a mid-tech transit system may look like.

 

[kilemall]

A national tube train system featured prominently in the deleted bank heist scene from Escape From New York.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsLT-zRWWdQ

 

[Proneutron]

We'll see - thing goes 500+ MPH so about the same speed as a plane and cheaper to operate once the infrastructure is in place. Sort of like a space elevator: a lot of stuff to get it there but then really cheap. In theory.

No. not cheaper to operate nor maintain than 1000 planes. You don't maintain every mm of airspace planes fly in. ZERO route flexibility too. FAR more dangerous. Etc., etc.

 

[aramis]

No. not cheaper to operate nor maintain than 1000 planes. You don't maintain every mm of airspace planes fly in. ZERO route flexibility too. FAR more dangerous. Etc., etc.

Less dangerous by far, actually. A maglev fail simply drops onto the rail and uses the channel as a brake. It's a known design feature.

Given that the rails are in tubes, you don't have to worry about cattle nor cars...

Unlike airlines, it can connect to stations in the city centers. Probably a spur run to the airports, too.

Much of the cost of air cargo is actually paying for the maintenance; A&Ps are bloody expensive. Fuel is bigger, but maintenance is expensive

The maintenance will exceed that of standard rail... but it's not competing against the breakbulk nor containers... at least not at first.

 

[Proneutron]

Less dangerous by far, actually. A maglev fail simply drops onto the rail and uses the channel as a brake.

Until ACTUAL experience in real world that statement is conjecture. What happens at 500 mph when a large lateral earthquake happens? What happens if the tube is damaged just ahead of the vehicle? Being on the ground means more potential danger at those speeds. UNARGUABLE in reality. But that doesn't matter as the cost/passenger mile is insanely higher than flight. And as already stated, route flexibility is almost nil and anyone who has paid attention to travel and airline changes because of destination/volume changes that happen within a decade knows, that alone makes it a non-viable option.

 

[coliver988]

Just some quick searches for planes vs hyperloops. As it is all, as per Proneuton, conjecture until it actually happens, I do like to get a wide swath of opinions as I am not a mechanical or any type of engineer so any conjecture on my part has no basis in the actual reality of the system.

Regardless, I just think it is cool and some of my worlds do have cross-country tube systems just because it is a SF trope I happen to like. The post was only intended as an inspiration to what could be. I just liked the imagery for Traveller and my games.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/02/hyperloop-versus-airplanes-whats-safer.html

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/aug/04/hyperloop-planet-environment-elon-musk-sustainable-transport

https://www.wearefinn.com/topics/posts/is-hyperloop-a-competitor-to-aviation-the-jury-is-out/

 

[Proneutron]

Regardless, I just think it is cool and some of my worlds do have cross-country tube systems just because it is a SF trope I happen to like.

I too love it for that. Especially on airless worlds for some reason.

 

[Condottiere]

Because of possible sabotage and acts of God, rail, road and air transportation systems have more leeway.

 

[BackworldTraveller]

On medium-big asteroids, hyperloop becomes the transport of choice for distance. Vacuum tubes are easy to build. And as everything needs a corridor, train corridors are likely. If you are 200km into a rock, hyperloop ore transport looks a good option. Passengers are an extra.

 

[Condottiere]

I'm not sure if that makes it more of an elevator, but you can go through the centre of the asteroid.

 

[coliver988]

and it would be handy in dust storm prone worlds (Youtube of TX dust storm); more scenery for a tainted atmosphere!)

https://youtu.be/q61yFTZohcs

 

[coliver988]

and faster than this (moon transit in real time youtube; sorry, these things just keep popping up in my news feed and I find them interesting at least, and possibly mood setting)

Source is denoised, repaired, graded & retimed for this film.
Based on JAXA / NHK Kaguya Orbiter archive

https://youtu.be/ctqXSOJuaRE

 

[Straybow]

Less dangerous by far, actually. A maglev fail simply drops onto the rail and uses the channel as a brake. It's a known design feature.

Yes, at 100 kph or so. At 1000 kph it would be catastrophic.

Much of the cost of air cargo is actually paying for the maintenance; A&Ps are bloody expensive. Fuel is bigger, but maintenance is expensive

Yes. With hyperloop, you now have to maintain 1000s of vacuum pumps on each line, in addition to the engines on the trains. Not cheaper.

 

[aramis]

Yes, at 100 kph or so. At 1000 kph it would be catastrophic.

Yes. With hyperloop, you now have to maintain 1000s of vacuum pumps on each line, in addition to the engines on the trains. Not cheaper.

No engines on the trains, Straybow. The track does the work, not the train.

 

[coliver988]

PVTM Railbus (from Spacecraft 2000 to 2100, Stewart Crowley). While I own the book, this image is online. If it crosses copyright issues, let me know or please delete! This sucker ran under the earth to various continents.