What does everyone think about this concept? I think the broad overall concept of a self-driving, battery-powered intermodal car isn't a bad one and would actually be very useful; however, Parallel Systems' design is kind of auful.
@jurgenkriebs9405
2 жыл бұрын
I would say the market is not there a train car should be as cheap as possible and to make it with propulsion will increase cost way to much. Then there is the problem that switches will not all be automated so you need a person to set the switches. I personally find dual mode is probably the best option for whole trains because operationaly thei dont change that much. And for smal chunting of 3 wagons i would use a shunter which is way more efficient and has no dead weight which gets carried around. I would say to have a different trailer with a lot of maintaining will drive up costs a lot you need special maintenance equipment just for that trailer. And i dont like how litle you talk about powersupply it is a big chalange evrything you automated needs power starts with the switch, then to reload the cars i dont have so much inside into American jards to know if that is there or not, but probably for charging 100 of batteries it is not there. There is an example from Germany where they had i think a product of a "powered intermodal train car" and they had a lot of problems and no one bought it not even the state railway sold theire 2 units. And you need a modern signaling system which is designed to handle ato(automativ train operation) and we in Europe have etcs which is suposed to can do that(mostly software chelenges i would say) and to even instal the hardware like a radio block center, the balisen is expensive (mostly compared to just leave the old signaling system theiere, signaling systems in germany are mess) and for example germany does not retrofit it a lot even though they are required by contracts for some parts of the network with other countries to do that, at least they made the progres to retrofit it when the line gets a rebuild. I am from germany so my english is not that good hope the points make sense to you i would say your video is good except for the part odf the powersuply, i think you need a bit of inside why thats a hord problem.
@rom7633
2 жыл бұрын
It's stupid because their idea is just a truck that HAS to offload to a truck anyways.
@neku2741
2 жыл бұрын
It a shittier version of current technology
@neku2741
2 жыл бұрын
@@rom7633 yes the point of truck is to go to places without rails
@Outfrost
2 жыл бұрын
Tens, hundreds of individual battery-powered bogies are, in fact, not any more environmentally friendly than 2-3 diesel locos.
@johnsamu
2 жыл бұрын
The glaring problem is that containers are NOT strong compared to railroad cars. When you see the amount of abuse a railroadcar must be able to withstand during normal use, a container with some battery powered cars would crumble instantly. Another thing is the SAFETY issue because those battery powered cars can ignite just like Tesla cars do, if they are carrying an inflammable load (which is very often the case in railtransport) it will be a major disaster. They probably just know the railroad from looking outside their carwindow, they should first learn a thing or two about rail transportation/LOGISTICS in general
@Shortline819
2 жыл бұрын
That's why I think converting a standard well car would be so much better for something like this. I assume they went with the design they went with because they wanted to make it as light as possible, but considering most lines (even poorly maintained ones) have rail heavy enough to handle your average railcar, I don't really understand it. You'd have to have a PERFECTLY maintained right of way for this to work. Agree they should get more rail experience.
@rickrickston3202
2 жыл бұрын
@@Shortline819 Lighter rail cars could mean longer range for their batteries, so that could be a reason. I'm unfamiliar with how significant of an impact poorly maintained rails would have - intuitively, the big problem would be stuff like tall grass getting in the way, which I assume anything heavier than a person would be able to steamroll through without issue. Is it really that much of a problem if the trains are lighter?
@alexhajnal107
11 ай бұрын
@@rickrickston3202 Poorly-maintained track that's common on branch lines means a lot of side-to-side rolling of the trucks. This system, at least in its current form, appears to accommodate little, if any, roll so those forces get transferred to the container. I don't think standard, unreinforced shipping containers (without a support frame) would last very long when subjected to repeated torque along their long axis. Likewise, I don't think the loads in those containers would take kindly to having their sides being repeated crushed on the first/last mile.
@johnroutledge9220
2 жыл бұрын
I don't understand the 50 car limit. The bogies all talk to each other, so if one starts moving or breaking they all move and break with it. (Hence why magnetic couplers, no significant load.) So is it a legal limit? A software limit? And even if there was some limit restricting a single platoon to 50 cars - why not link multiple platoons together?
@rickrickston3202
2 жыл бұрын
I believe it's a business case thing, rather than technical - there aren't many places that need regular delivery of more than 50 cars at a time.
@grahamturner2640
2 жыл бұрын
I wonder why they couldn’t use autonomous full train cars, instead of needing 2 independent bogies per container. It doubles the capacity, and allows for more resiliency (e.g. a bigger battery and an easier ability to charge on the go).
@manngaiho1012
2 жыл бұрын
I am not very well in touch with railway transit other than hearing about it in the "Well There's Your Problem" podcasts. But I believe the fundamental problem with Parallel System and their current product is a case of 1.) advertising for a "wrong" application of a good tool. Along with what i coin 2.) "Too much future" syndrome that plagues railroad history 1.) As you have stated, mainline applications for these rail-pods are just not economically feasible. However "Last mile" transport and switching jobs are perfect fits for such vehicles in my opinion, and they may make these operations much cheaper by removing labour and gas costs, making smaller and lighter moves cheaper. However on what i can gather there isnt much of that urban rail freight business left in NA. Americans opted for giant complexs in the middle of nowhere where land is cheaper. Hopefully these railcars have enough range to bridge that gap. If not, maybe they can find a spot on the international market? 2.) Magnetic coupling, autonomy, the lack of a connecting piece between bogies. All these are very fitting for engineers coming from an aerospace background (All about that weight reduction). It sells that "Future" vibe very well dispute being much less than practical when you take it out of the vacuum of space and into the operations we see on the field. If they really want those Class 1 railroad contracts the folks at Parallel Systems has to communicate with them and ensure that these problems are worked out before hand. Seeing that no reasonable Class 1 would go all in with such a system on all their main lines means they will have to come in contact with other rolling stock. and compatibility is needed. (coupling, well cars, maybe some towing capacity)
@rickrickston3202
2 жыл бұрын
I believe they're targeting the middle between true "last-mile" and cross-country delivery, i.e. short to medium distance freight such as between cities. To my understanding, those are still carried by trucks, but could readily be served by rail if the trains were more flexible. Regarding weight savings - they might be trying to extend the range of their batteries? Lower weight = lower power requirements = longer range. Regarding coupling - as long as they're not in the middle of an existing train, I think they could integrate with existing trains by either staying at the front of the train and being pushed by a locomototive (with an appropriate adaptor) or staying at the very end and being pulled (again, with an appropriate coupler adaptor). Reportedly, Parallel Systems is already in contact with Class 1 railroads and a bunch of short-line companies, so they seem to be hitting the right points there.
@TecSanento
2 жыл бұрын
But couldn’t you theoretical make a continuous train out of these and take capacity utilisation to 100% ?
@rickrickston3202
2 жыл бұрын
I believe there's an IEEE spectrum interview where the CEO mentions that they are going to face the challenges you've mentioned with dispatching, and they want to automate some aspects of dispatching (ideally all of them, but they're starting with their side, where they automatically send messages to the dispatcher of a shortline). Also, to my understanding the bounding factors on rail capacity isn't the rails themselves, but rather due to inefficiencies in signalling/resource allocation between trains, and if Parallel can put more instrumentation on their cars, then they might be able to make up for the losses in having more, smaller trains by using the rails more efficiently.
@jeffmilroy9345
2 жыл бұрын
They may be on the right scent. A pod-type road train can offer advantages of both road routing flexibility and train crew/fuel efficiency. My UP mainline-adjacent, 1/2 mile of abandoned double wide rail bed is waiting to demo the concept. Right off the old Nachusa / Nelson, Illinois cutoff.
@Shortline819
2 жыл бұрын
Update: A lot of people have posted some real great comments and I want to respond to them. Unfortunately I am very busy this week and do not have the time. I'll do so when my schedule clears up. (Not having time is the same reason there won't be any new videos for a few weeks unless something REALLY whacky happens.)
@TecSanento
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you For the first real attempt to Consider this a real product, even though it's not yet. All the other videos are just bashing on this, and as you said, the concept might be great And the product itself, Could be subject to change.
@wilfred8326
Жыл бұрын
I can already see a problem with thier "bogies" What 🤔 happens when all of the platoons head -> loaded but there are no Rail bound loads to go
@georgebenson6036
Жыл бұрын
There was a system called the Iron Highway some years ago. The story I got was that CSX bought the rights to it and then would not allow anyone to build it. Are you familiar?
@Shortline819
Жыл бұрын
Was Iron Highway the concept of putting tractors with their trailers on TOFC flats? I remember seeing a picture in a mid-90s issue of Trains Magazine. Interesting concept that I need to do more reading up on.
@MusikCassette
Жыл бұрын
make it a bogie, that you can plug in existing rail cars give it the capability to connect to the electric system of the rest of the train, so that overhead connection can be used where ever possible and you have a useful product.
@snoopyloopy
2 жыл бұрын
i think the biggest issue people have with this is that it will suck up so much air in so many rooms that could be better devoted to stuff that is actually useful. i don't see a single use case where it actually has the potential to be a real improvement over existing operations because either there's little benefit into making the trains smaller or because in the places where it might make sense to do so, the capital expenditure to make the line work with the autonomous pods is WAY more expensive than running the branch with a regular crew. then let's not even start on the fiasco of grade crossings given that these things don't seem to have horns and quiet zones are not quite as prolific as some people might want them to be.
@TecSanento
2 жыл бұрын
I do think those magnetic couplers are only meant to be a signaling device for the carriage. Is that there is another one nearby to attach to or stay away from.
@stevewoodall1801
2 жыл бұрын
The long(er) haul usage can probably iron out the issues, but it will be at the terminal destination that this will fall apart. Short haul truckers will have NO interest in maintaining the power trucks, keeping a charge fully to cross an entire movement would probably require an employee at the destination, and routing empties back to port is a 'not for profit' endeavor. Safety might also be the largest stumbling block - there's more to maintain and repair than just doing it...like how to get payed for it on route?
@rolfchristensen8350
8 ай бұрын
I put this up there with Roadrailer snd Genset switchers. I would have thought a CargoSprinter idea as triaed in Europe might be a better wsy to go. Just as an aside fo they have swinglift trucks in America, we use them heaps in NZ does awsy with expensive crans in tranship yards.
@JerzeyBoy
2 жыл бұрын
Can we just take a moment to look at Swiss railway systems and there motive power? I mean The Milwaukee Road Electrified there lines in the rockies in the northern US and that was a 100 years ago. (Edit: Don't know why spellchecker put Sweden instead of Switzerland?)
@Shortline819
2 жыл бұрын
Swedish locomotives have been modified for American use in the past. (AEM-7s.) I am also a big Milwaukee Road fan.
@patrickevans6712
2 жыл бұрын
Along certain sections of track they can build a third rail to recharge the batteries to keep them charged without having to stop, just like a water pan in the old days. Yes, I know. That idea is either very brilliant or very dumb. 😐
@TheWizardGamez
2 жыл бұрын
cut out the battery and have a permanent third rail
@TheWizardGamez
2 жыл бұрын
something that confuses me is that the pods are not connected. like the point of intermodal is so that you have a SINGLE STANDARD. thus why have the disconnected pods? IDK seems cool, just flawed as is. Hopefully we get more market adoption of rail warehouse adoption
@wilfred8326
Жыл бұрын
Intermodal Containers Aren't Standard. There are Quadcons(4= One 20 Ft Container) Tricons (3= One 20 Ft Container), a 20 Ft, 40 ft, and 53 Ft.
@alexhajnal107
11 ай бұрын
@@wilfred8326 40 foot and larger containers have corner castings that are 40 feet apart. If one insists on having a pod then making it 40 foot long (perhaps with provision 20 foot containers) would be simpler and more reliable.
@thetrainguy1
2 жыл бұрын
I think your idea of how to make it make sense. Works. I think running it long haul won't make sense... But it needs to be able to be coupled to a mainline train. The end result will be a intermodal trains becoming road switchers.
@cobraspottedwolf8791
2 жыл бұрын
Kootenai river northern Montana
@Shortline819
2 жыл бұрын
Did I mispronounce it?
@cobraspottedwolf8791
2 жыл бұрын
@@Shortline819 yeah. It's ku tuh knee. And you said Minnesota
@Shortline819
2 жыл бұрын
@@cobraspottedwolf8791 Ah sorry. I ment Montana.
@lpdirv
2 жыл бұрын
It doesn’t seem to be a great implementation, but there is room for innovation. Trains and the rail system, as it exists currently, is embarrassingly low tech and inefficient. There is so much room for increased efficiency.
@hadrienboulch6757
2 жыл бұрын
Rail is the most efficient form of land transportation, what in god's name are you on about? The only innovation it needed is already implemented in actual countries with actual rail infrastructure like Japan and Switzerland. Nobody needs to reinvent the train by putting batteries on it, or making it into a "pod" or putting it in a tube and sucking all the air out.
@lpdirv
2 жыл бұрын
@@hadrienboulch6757 most efficient from an energy perspective. Not from a time or flexibility perspective. Rail in NA is hopelessly outdated in the non bulk cary. Safety is also sorely lacking compared to other modes of transport. Funny thing is, rail in NA has such an advantage over trucks, but just cant get their act together. Hybridization of the NA rail system is such an easy move. Wabtec is showing some real promise. Self shunting well cars would be a good start. If each car had its own auxiliary drive and battery they could be run in a hybrid mode using regen for braking and acceleration reducing the fuel costs significantly. Its worth looking at. And how about Using LNG. That is the way ships are moving to reduce costs. What i have found though, in working with rail companies and employees, is a real lack of innovation. Their loss.
@garysharp6866
2 жыл бұрын
I love this idea! I think most of the naysayers just don't want to see change. Change happens.
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