Trackless train

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"Land train" redirects here. For interconnected heavy-goods highway vehicles, see Road train. For interconnected rubber-tired public-transport vehicles, see rubber-tyred tram. For vehicles that could travel over almost any terrain, see Overland train.
A trackless train for tourists in Tenerife

A trackless train — or tram (

railway train
. Similar vehicles may be used for transport of freight or baggage for short distances, such as at a factory or airport. Often depending on use, land train may or may not be
steam trains
.

Terminology

Trackless train or land train are descriptive terms for the

rubber tired road-going vehicles to distinguish them from rail mounted trains.[1] Parking lot tram is a common name in the US, reflecting its use in parking lot
transport.

The lack of a widely accepted generic name for trackless trains often leads to them being called

trams, people movers or road trains. Due to cultural terminology differences, trackless train, tram and parking lot tram usages occur in North America, while land train and road train are used in Europe
.

Technology

Van-hauled trackless train at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, England

A trackless train usually consists of a

railway train. The tractor unit can be powered by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor
.

Carriages may seat between 6 and 40 persons, and can be roofed or not, featuring open or closed sides and various levels of interior comfort such as padded seats. If open, depending on climate they may feature plastic or fiberglass corrugated panels overhead, to divert rain and provide some measure of shade. Alternative designs may use a cloth awning overhead for similar purposes.

Carriages usually contain latchable doors or chains to act as safety measures to prevent exit while in motion. Carriages and tractor false bodies are constructed in either

suspension
.

As in a regular road vehicle, the tractor unit is steered through the front wheels by a

braking
.

Public uses

A trackless train service for tourists in the city of York, England

Trackless trains are often used for the transport of tourists instead of other

pedestrianized streets.[4] A similar train is also used to move students between the train station and the faculties in the Outer Alcalá de Henares University
Campus.

Trackless trains are also used in shopping malls to entertain children while their parents are shopping. Trackless trains used for this purpose are commonly smaller and have less power.

A larger and faster form of trackless tram is the

rubber-tyred tram used as a public transport alternative to conventional light rail, tram and bus.[5][1]

In some countries in

carriages
, these trackless trains can often carry only 38 passengers.

Private/Theme Park uses

Trackless trains are also often operated for the exclusive use of customers of resorts or

theme parks also use trackless trains on their studio backlot tours. Purdue University has the Boilermaker Special
as its mascot.

Appearance

While some trackless trains are functional or modern in appearance, many are often constructed with false

fifth wheel coupled trailer buses
may also be similarly decorated.

Airport baggage trains

Mechanized baggage trains−trams, used at airport terminals, have steering mechanisms similar to those on longer trackless trains, although the tractor units are commonly designed to be frequently detached from the baggage carts, to be used for other purposes. Individual baggage carts are also quickly detachable for parking in loading−unloading areas. Airport baggage trains are often also much longer than the passenger type.

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9789390014026
    .
  2. ^ "Bridlington land train service extended for an extra week until Sunday, November 7". Bridlington Free Press. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  3. ISSN 0161-7370
    .
  4. New Indian Express
    . 30 September 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  5. ISBN 9783030380779
    .
  6. ^ "Metro Goldwyn Mayer's 'Trackless Train' visiting Benalla". 1928. Retrieved 24 November 2021.

External links

Media related to Trackless trains at Wikimedia Commons

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