In addition to flying cars that are similar to airplanes in function,
many works of science fiction also dealt with cars that, while still
travelling on the ground, floated a foot or so above it without
ever touching the ground.

In the PRC, there have now been tests of cars - rather than trains -
that use magnetic levitation, and achieve speeds of up to 140
miles per hour.

https://www.techspot.com/news/95951-magnetic-levitation-maglev-car-tests-reach-140mph.html

John Savard

Quadibloc wrote:
> In addition to flying cars that are similar to airplanes in function,
> many works of science fiction also dealt with cars that, while still
> travelling on the ground, floated a foot or so above it without
> ever touching the ground.
>
> In the PRC, there have now been tests of cars - rather than trains -
> that use magnetic levitation, and achieve speeds of up to 140
> miles per hour.
>
> https://www.techspot.com/news/95951-magnetic-levitation-maglev-car-tests-reach-140mph.html

Well, a flying railcar, anyway.
I must admit, I don't know the comparison of cost or frequency of repair for rail vs. roadway,
but installation costs must be lower for road, given that compacted dirt can be used while
experimenting with new or little-used routes. With an even more expensive magnetic rail
installed underneath, would they even run routes to places that have people dribbling into them
on individual railcars rather than trains of them?

--
-Jack

On Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 11:12:32 PM UTC-5, Quadibloc wrote:
> In addition to flying cars that are similar to airplanes in function,
> many works of science fiction also dealt with cars that, while still
> travelling on the ground, floated a foot or so above it without
> ever touching the ground.
>
> In the PRC, there have now been tests of cars - rather than trains -
> that use magnetic levitation, and achieve speeds of up to 140
> miles per hour.
>
> https://www.techspot.com/news/95951-magnetic-levitation-maglev-car-tests-reach-140mph.html
>
"Where we're going we don't need roads."

Peter Wezeman
anti-social Darwinist

On Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 11:12:32 PM UTC-5, Quadibloc wrote:
> In addition to flying cars that are similar to airplanes in function,
> many works of science fiction also dealt with cars that, while still
> travelling on the ground, floated a foot or so above it without
> ever touching the ground.
>
> In the PRC, there have now been tests of cars - rather than trains -
> that use magnetic levitation, and achieve speeds of up to 140
> miles per hour.
>
> https://www.techspot.com/news/95951-magnetic-levitation-maglev-car-tests-reach-140mph.html
>
Have they published any information about the energy consumption of the
levitation and propulsion systems?

Peter Wezeman
anti-social Darwinist

"peterwezeman@hotmail.com" <peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:0df32361-99ad-4ec2-8360-167d078370b5n@googlegroups.com:

> On Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 11:12:32 PM UTC-5, Quadibloc
> wrote:
>> In addition to flying cars that are similar to airplanes in
>> function, many works of science fiction also dealt with cars
>> that, while still travelling on the ground, floated a foot or
>> so above it without ever touching the ground.
>>
>> In the PRC, there have now been tests of cars - rather than
>> trains - that use magnetic levitation, and achieve speeds of up
>> to 140 miles per hour.
>>
>> https://www.techspot.com/news/95951-magnetic-levitation-maglev-c
>> ar-tests-reach-140mph.html
>>
> Have they published any information about the energy consumption
> of the levitation and propulsion systems?
>
That would be the main reason such projects have gone nowhere in the
past.

--
Terry Austin

"Terry Austin: like the polio vaccine, only with more asshole."
-- David Bilek

Jesus forgives sinners, not criminals.

On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:13:59 PM UTC-6, Jibini Kula Tumbili Kujisalimisha wrote:
> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:0df32361-99ad-4ec2...@googlegroups.com:

> > Have they published any information about the energy consumption
> > of the levitation and propulsion systems?

> That would be the main reason such projects have gone nowhere in the
> past.

Yes. I mean, there was the Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner. And
ground effect vehicles have been useful in some military applications, and
for filming in swampland locations and stuff like that. But this other kind
of car without wheels, even though Arthur C. Clarke's _Profiles of the
Future_ started off with enthusiasm for it, also didn't go anywhere much
because of its enormous energy consumption.

Eventually, science may make energy scarcity a non-issue, but that is not
the case at present.

John Savard

On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:14:24 AM UTC+1, Quadibloc wrote:
> On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:13:59 PM UTC-6, Jibini Kula Tumbili Kujisalimisha wrote:
> > "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> > news:0df32361-99ad-4ec2...@googlegroups.com:
> > > Have they published any information about the energy consumption
> > > of the levitation and propulsion systems?
>
> > That would be the main reason such projects have gone nowhere in the
> > past.
> Yes. I mean, there was the Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner. And
> ground effect vehicles have been useful in some military applications, and
> for filming in swampland locations and stuff like that. But this other kind
> of car without wheels, even though Arthur C. Clarke's _Profiles of the
> Future_ started off with enthusiasm for it, also didn't go anywhere much
> because of its enormous energy consumption.
>
> Eventually, science may make energy scarcity a non-issue, but that is not
> the case at present.
>
> John Savard
Hovercraft are also noisy, which is a problem for the military. It may be easier to sneak up on somebody with a tank than with a hovercraft.

Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> wrote in
news:c1067d2f-b1ef-46ba-9e2a-9e62c1b751d8n@googlegroups.com:

> On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:13:59 PM UTC-6, Jibini Kula
> Tumbili Kujisalimisha wrote:
>> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote in
>> news:0df32361-99ad-4ec2...@googlegroups.com:
>
>> > Have they published any information about the energy
>> > consumption of the levitation and propulsion systems?
>
>> That would be the main reason such projects have gone nowhere
>> in the past.
>
> Yes. I mean, there was the Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner.
> And ground effect vehicles have been useful in some military
> applications, and for filming in swampland locations and stuff
> like that. But this other kind of car without wheels, even
> though Arthur C. Clarke's _Profiles of the Future_ started off
> with enthusiasm for it, also didn't go anywhere much because of
> its enormous energy consumption.
>
> Eventually, science may make energy scarcity a non-issue, but
> that is not the case at present.
>
There were some prototypes build for various "trackless" trains,
more or less maglev, decades ago. They all functioned in a
technical sense, and achieved amazing speeds given how short the
test tracks were. But they all suffered from the same practical
problems: They used a *lot* of electricity (to the point where they
were more expensive than traditional trains), and as Andrew notes,
they were *loud* (though the true maglev one wasn't nearly as bad).

--
Terry Austin

Proof that Alan Baker is a liar and a fool, and even stupider than
Lynn:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration

"Terry Austin: like the polio vaccine, only with more asshole."
-- David Bilek

Jesus forgives sinners, not criminals.

On 9/16/2022 9:22 PM, Andrew McDowell wrote:
> On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:14:24 AM UTC+1, Quadibloc wrote:
>> On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:13:59 PM UTC-6, Jibini Kula Tumbili Kujisalimisha wrote:
>>> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote in
>>> news:0df32361-99ad-4ec2...@googlegroups.com:
>>>> Have they published any information about the energy consumption
>>>> of the levitation and propulsion systems?
>>
>>> That would be the main reason such projects have gone nowhere in the
>>> past.
>> Yes. I mean, there was the Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner. And
>> ground effect vehicles have been useful in some military applications, and
>> for filming in swampland locations and stuff like that. But this other kind
>> of car without wheels, even though Arthur C. Clarke's _Profiles of the
>> Future_ started off with enthusiasm for it, also didn't go anywhere much
>> because of its enormous energy consumption.
>>
>> Eventually, science may make energy scarcity a non-issue, but that is not
>> the case at present.
>>
>> John Savard
> Hovercraft are also noisy, which is a problem for the military. It may be easier to sneak up on somebody with a tank than with a hovercraft.

The obvious answer to that is ... a HOVERTANK!! :D

--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.

On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 6:12:48 PM UTC+1, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
> On 9/16/2022 9:22 PM, Andrew McDowell wrote:
> > On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:14:24 AM UTC+1, Quadibloc wrote:
> >> On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:13:59 PM UTC-6, Jibini Kula Tumbili Kujisalimisha wrote:
> >>> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> >>> news:0df32361-99ad-4ec2...@googlegroups.com:
> >>>> Have they published any information about the energy consumption
> >>>> of the levitation and propulsion systems?
> >>
> >>> That would be the main reason such projects have gone nowhere in the
> >>> past.
> >> Yes. I mean, there was the Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner. And
> >> ground effect vehicles have been useful in some military applications, and
> >> for filming in swampland locations and stuff like that. But this other kind
> >> of car without wheels, even though Arthur C. Clarke's _Profiles of the
> >> Future_ started off with enthusiasm for it, also didn't go anywhere much
> >> because of its enormous energy consumption.
> >>
> >> Eventually, science may make energy scarcity a non-issue, but that is not
> >> the case at present.
> >>
> >> John Savard
> > Hovercraft are also noisy, which is a problem for the military. It may be easier to sneak up on somebody with a tank than with a hovercraft.
> The obvious answer to that is ... a HOVERTANK!! :D
>
> --
> I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
> dirty old man.
That is what Hammer's Slammers use (David Drake). A web search finds a pdf which has fleshed this out to a 170 ton tank with 8 (fusion powered) fans for lift and a top speed of 120kph for the full M2 tank and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammerverse confirms my memory of metal - largely iridium - armour - not complex composites like Chobham armour, although it is defending against a different threat.

On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 2:03:31 PM UTC-4, mcdow...@sky.com wrote:
> On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 6:12:48 PM UTC+1, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
> > On 9/16/2022 9:22 PM, Andrew McDowell wrote:
> > > On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:14:24 AM UTC+1, Quadibloc wrote:
> > >> On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:13:59 PM UTC-6, Jibini Kula Tumbili Kujisalimisha wrote:
> > >>> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> > >>> news:0df32361-99ad-4ec2...@googlegroups.com:
> > >>>> Have they published any information about the energy consumption
> > >>>> of the levitation and propulsion systems?
> > >>
> > >>> That would be the main reason such projects have gone nowhere in the
> > >>> past.
> > >> Yes. I mean, there was the Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner. And
> > >> ground effect vehicles have been useful in some military applications, and
> > >> for filming in swampland locations and stuff like that. But this other kind
> > >> of car without wheels, even though Arthur C. Clarke's _Profiles of the
> > >> Future_ started off with enthusiasm for it, also didn't go anywhere much
> > >> because of its enormous energy consumption.
> > >>
> > >> Eventually, science may make energy scarcity a non-issue, but that is not
> > >> the case at present.
> > >>
> > >> John Savard
> > > Hovercraft are also noisy, which is a problem for the military. It may be easier to sneak up on somebody with a tank than with a hovercraft.
> > The obvious answer to that is ... a HOVERTANK!! :D
> >
> > --
> > I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
> > dirty old man.
> That is what Hammer's Slammers use (David Drake). A web search finds a pdf which has fleshed this out to a 170 ton tank with 8 (fusion powered) fans for lift and a top speed of 120kph for the full M2 tank and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammerverse confirms my memory of metal - largely iridium - armour - not complex composites like Chobham armour, although it is defending against a different threat.

Oh, a little one.

Back in the 70s, I was a frequent passenger on Hoverlloyd's SR.N4 across the English Channel:
320 tons
130 kph
Carried 60 cars, plus 418 passengers.

Pt

Andrew McDowell wrote:

>Hovercraft are also noisy, which is a problem for the military. It
>may be easier to sneak up on somebody with a tank than with a
>hovercraft.

And sometimes full of eels.

Brian

"pete...@gmail.com" <petertrei@gmail.com> wrote in
news:b31ee7c8-3646-4dc6-80e7-2d8c3f8006aen@googlegroups.com:

> On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 2:03:31 PM UTC-4,
> mcdow...@sky.com wrote:
>> On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 6:12:48 PM UTC+1,
>> Dimensional Traveler
> wrote:
>> > On 9/16/2022 9:22 PM, Andrew McDowell wrote:
>> > > On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:14:24 AM UTC+1,
>> > > Quadibloc wrote:
>
>> > >> On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:13:59 PM UTC-6, Jibini
>> > >> Kula Tumbi
> li Kujisalimisha wrote:
>> > >>> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote in
>> > >>> news:0df32361-99ad-4ec2...@googlegroups.com:
>> > >>>> Have they published any information about the energy
>> > >>>> consumption
>
>> > >>>> of the levitation and propulsion systems?
>> > >>
>> > >>> That would be the main reason such projects have gone
>> > >>> nowhere in th
> e
>> > >>> past.
>> > >> Yes. I mean, there was the Hoover Constellation vacuum
>> > >> cleaner. And
>
>> > >> ground effect vehicles have been useful in some military
>> > >> application
> s, and
>> > >> for filming in swampland locations and stuff like that.
>> > >> But this oth
> er kind
>> > >> of car without wheels, even though Arthur C. Clarke's
>> > >> _Profiles of t
> he
>> > >> Future_ started off with enthusiasm for it, also didn't go
>> > >> anywhere
> much
>> > >> because of its enormous energy consumption.
>> > >>
>> > >> Eventually, science may make energy scarcity a non-issue,
>> > >> but that i
> s not
>> > >> the case at present.
>> > >>
>> > >> John Savard
>> > > Hovercraft are also noisy, which is a problem for the
>> > > military. It ma
> y be easier to sneak up on somebody with a tank than with a
> hovercraft.
>> > The obvious answer to that is ... a HOVERTANK!! :D
>> >
>> > --
>> > I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to
>> > be a crank
> y
>> > dirty old man.
>> That is what Hammer's Slammers use (David Drake). A web search
>> finds a pd
> f which has fleshed this out to a 170 ton tank with 8 (fusion
> powered) fans for lift and a top speed of 120kph for the full M2
> tank and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammerverse confirms my
> memory of metal - largely iridium - armour - not complex
> composites like Chobham armour, although it is defending against
> a different threat.
>
> Oh, a little one.
>
> Back in the 70s, I was a frequent passenger on Hoverlloyd's
> SR.N4 across the English Channel: 320 tons
> 130 kph
> Carried 60 cars, plus 418 passengers.
>
But did not mount any powerguns. Which is probably just as well.

--
Terry Austin

"Terry Austin: like the polio vaccine, only with more asshole."
-- David Bilek

Jesus forgives sinners, not criminals.