Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-05-17
TO RUN CARS ON SINGLE RAIL.
Invention Of an English Engineer is Being
Discussed Throughout the Scientific
World

] lnNentIOn oI an EU9NSO Engineer IS Bell9
Discussed Throughout the Scientific
World.
Louis Brennan, an engineer who nven-
ted the Brennan torpedo, which is con-
trolled by the British war department,
gave recently before the Royal Society in
London a demonstration Of a mono-rail
railway which is being discussed through
out the scientific world. 1t is balanced on
the principle of the gyroscope.
What the people saw at the dem
onstration was as follows: A min
iature railway car or locomotive standing
entirely above a single rail with appar-
emily nothing to balance it, ran about
the hall, turned sharp corners at high
speed, crossed a single strand of wire
cable i'm lieu of a bridge and climbed
heavy inclines-all with perfect stability.
1t was sometimes loaded sometimes
empty
There was no attempt to balance the
load; the vehicle did mat itself instantly
and automatically. Every attempt to un-
balance it resulted in a paradox. If the
load were piled all upon one side it
seemed inevitable that the vehicle would
sag. if indeed 1t did not topple over.
But no, the overloaded side automatic
ally rose in proportion to the burden and
the empty side was depressed.
The inventors own description of the
result of his labors is simple enough to
anyone's comprehension He said:
THE characteristic feature of this sys-
tenn of transport is that each vehicle is
capable of maintaining its balance upon
an ordinary rail laid upon sleepers on the
ground, whether it is still or moving in
either direction at any ate of speed, not
withstanding that the centre of gravity is
several feet above the rail and that wind
pressure, shifting of load, centrifugal ac-
ton or any combination of these forces
may tend to upset it.
Automatic stability mechanism Of ex-
IRENE simplicity carried by the vehicle
| itself endows it with its power.
The mechanism consists essentially
of two tlywheels rotated by electric mo-
| tors in opposite drec lions at very high
velocity and mounted so that their gy-
| rostatic action and stored up energy can
be utilized. These fywheels are mounted
| on high-class bearings and are placed in
exhausted cases, so that both air and
journal friction is reduced to a minimum
and, consequently. the power required to
friction is reduced to a minimum. and,
to keep them in rapid motion is very
small"
The cars can take sharp curves or go
over rails laid on uneven ground without
the slightest danger Of leaving the track
Routes may be constructed rapidly. this
feature becoming important in army
movements. \ single iron hawser across
river is the only bridge necessary. II
the hawser sways, the stability of the
train is not affected The strongest wind
cannot blow off the cars.
Further, a higher speed than IS at
present attained is possible. even three
times as much, owing to smooth running
and the absence of lateral oscillation.
American engineers are very skeptical
about the practicablity of the invention.
They do not believe that the gyroscope
equilibrium theory could be applied to
| heavy trains