GM Aerotrain

[roxyguy]

General Motors made this in the fifties. I was a complete flop for various reasons. Always thought they looked cool.

 

I have a the original varney model from the fifties. Con-cor have done a fabulous version recently aswell.

 

Here's a video of the model.

 

[DiveController]

General Motors made this in the fifties. I was a complete flop for various reasons. Always thought they looked cool.

 

I have a the original varney model from the fifties. Con-cor have done a fabulous version recently aswell.

 

Here's a video of the model.

 

So why did it flop?

Know anything about the Air Suspension system mentioned?

[UP6936]

It flopped for a number of reasons. Firstly, the coaches were two axle bus bodies, so had a harsh ride. Secondly, the loco was underpowered, as it was essentially a switching loco in a casing. In addition, the casing made maintenance difficult

[roxyguy]

That's right. It was underpowered and had suspension issues. In terms of its looks its a bit of a marmite character - love or hate it.

 

I love it. It combines design elements from classic american car design and sci-fi of the time.

[Weshty]

I have this loco on the front of one of my old books from the 70's, always thought it looked amazing. I'm a tad underwhelmed to realise it's the lovechild of a Ford Capri and a 121, with the performance of neither.

[minister_for_hardship]

Used get 2nd hand childrens' picture books of railways of the world as a kid, one had a pic of one of those as the 'way of the future' so to speak.

 

The books were so old I thought places like Ceylon and Rhodesia still existed...and one book had a full colour pic of a GNRI VS on the Enterprise!

[roxyguy]

it's the lovechild of a Ford Capri and a 121, with the performance of neither.