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KB2VXA > ALL 30.10.04 12:57l 53 Lines 2378 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 30461_WT3V
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: JA1AST > earthquake/Shinkansen
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0MRW<DB0PV<DB0FSG<HB9EAS<HB9AK<K1UOL<K1UOL<WA2SNA<
KC2COJ<WT3V
Sent: 041030/0347Z @:WT3V.#CNJ.NJ.USA.NOAM #:30461 [Lakehurst] $:30461_WT3V
From: KB2VXA@WT3V.#CNJ.NJ.USA.NOAM
To : ALL@WW
Hi Anthony and readers,
Yes, I'm a rail fan and have pictures of trains old and new from all over
the world. With the exception of the Maglev in use in Germany and China
the high speed equipment is much the same but tailored for use on a
specific system. One notable example is the Eurostar or "Chunnel Train"
running from London to Paris which can operate on Diesel, 3rd rail or
overhead catenary. Our "Shinkansen" is the Amtrak Acela running from
Boston to Washington which replaced the Metroliner started by the
Pennsylvania Railroad, later Penn-Central and now Amtrak.
Having system power cut in an earthquake makes much sense because not
only does it trigger an automatic emergency stop but reduces the risk of
fire due to downed wires. No, the circuit breakers trip after the wires
hit the ground and still there is arcing momentarily. This is a good
measure in Japan and other earthquake prone areas.
Naturally it takes about 2KM for a high speed train to stop and it's
because of design, not it's weight which is much less than a freight
which takes an equivelent distance at lower speed. Friction brakes fould
quickly burn out and become useless so the dynamics (regenerative
braking) slow the train to a safe speed before the friction brakes are
applied.
Oh, one interesting thing about the Shinkansen is the changes it went
trough since the first went into service in the 1960s. They looked like
bullets so it was given that name (and of course the speed) but now some
look like creatures from a science fiction movie when viewed from certain
angles. One looks like a huge shark and another like a slipper left at
some giant's bedside. Some may laugh, but strange appearance was not what
the design engineers had in mind, it's aerodynamics. Yes, at high speed
it tends to lift off the ground like a race car so it has a built in air
foil, a gently sloping long nose.
What else can I say people, "I love the smell of Diesel in the morning,
(inhale) smells like A TRAIN!" (;->)
73 de Warren, KB2VXA@WT3V.#CNJ.NJ.USA.NOAM
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