AE Technical Details

* See also TechnicalDrawings
* See also Transportation_Systems
* see also Expanded_Atlantic_Express_System
* See also Transportation_Stuff In Rapture
* See also Atlantic_Express_(game_level)
* See also Atlantic_Express
* See also Mk1 and Mk2 specs
The Atlantic Express Train System
Move details here from Atlantic_Express page
--- --- --- --- --- 
Rack and Pinion ( Cogwheel-driven propulsion on a track 'rack' )
The trains are fitted with one or more cog wheels or pinions that mesh with this rack rail.
The traincar's weight would sit on the rack rail to help maintain its grip and guides would keep the cog engaged on the rack.
Mk1 - Two opposing wheels 'squeeze' upon the Center-Hung rail 
Mk2 - A Retaining Lip on the 'rail' would keep the Side-Hung geared friction wheels on the Side-Hung track rail.
--- --- ---
Powerful Propulsion
The Ocean water offers alot of resistance to the Traincars movement ( even with Streamlining ). The AE trains also are HEAVY ( have alot of Mass ) because the thick metal hull has to withstand the deep water pressure. The car has to be heavy enough to NOT float ( SEE water displacement Real_Physics#Buoyancy ). The traincar is made of inch thick Steel plate with heavy reinforcing ribbing inside. That weight has to be accelerated and decelerated when the car moves - the force being provided by the rotating cog engaged the track rack.
--- --- --- 
Simpler than any real Submarine, but more complex than your typical Train ( serving as a self-contained vehicle with environmental systems and drive unit ).
--- --- ---
Example of a design of Drivewheels which would have cogwheels engaging a toothed 'rack' on the hanging track. Battery powered electric motors would drive the wheels ( and heavy batteries located in the lowest portion of the Traincar hull to provide stability. )
--- --- ---
Real railroad locomotives used Leading and Trailing 'trucks' (sets of wheels) to assist in guiding/steering/holding the locomotives straight UPON the track at higher speeds ( AND while running backwards ).
One of the first things I noticed about the BioShock 'artists' Atlantic Express traincar design was that that pitiful wheelbase would spell doom if ever used for such a mechanism the game artist(s) 'designed'. 
An AE concept picture has the traincar with a far longer 'wheelbase' to spread and stabilize the hanging support. 
--- --- ---
Atlantic Express Station :
This looks to have been modeled after a Beaux Art style station ( ala Grand Central Station NYC ), but those small Lattice Beam type girders could only hold up an 'above Surface' type roof, and NOT ALL that very heavy water pressing down on such a structure within Rapture. ( They would have to be far stronger. )
Thick solid beams (pillars) of steel would need to be used and be larger and closer together -- and that for holding up a ceiling under the water pressure of only a 600 foot depth ( which is where I've place the base level of Rapture ).
More common would be solid thick concrete pillars ( which work as well as steel in compression ).
--- --- ---
--- --- --- --- ---
.
.