Atmospheric railway facts for kids
An atmospheric railway is a special type of train system. Instead of a traditional engine, it uses air pressure to move its cars. Think of it like a giant vacuum cleaner pushing or pulling the train! This clever idea uses a part called a piston. A piston is a moving part that fits snugly inside a tube. This piston is connected to the train car. When air pressure changes inside the tube, it pushes the piston, which then moves the train.
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How Atmospheric Railways Work
Atmospheric railways use the power of air. Imagine a long tube or pipe running along the railway track. Inside this tube, a piston is attached to the train. Powerful pumps remove air from one side of the piston, creating a vacuum. The normal air pressure on the other side then pushes the piston, moving the train forward. It's a smart way to get trains moving without heavy engines.
A Look Back at History
Atmospheric railways were first tried out a long time ago, in the early days of trains. This was in the 1800s, in places like England and France. People thought this new way of moving trains was very exciting!
Why They Were Used
In those early days, train engines (called locomotives) weren't very powerful. They struggled to pull heavy trains, especially up hills. Atmospheric railways were a good solution for going downhill or on flat ground. They could even reach fast speeds, sometimes up to 160 kilometers per hour!
Challenges and Problems
Even though they were fast, these early atmospheric railways had some big problems.
- High Costs: Keeping them running was very expensive.
- Maintenance Issues: The tubes and pistons needed a lot of repairs.
- Air Leaks: It was hard to keep the tubes perfectly sealed. Air often leaked in, which made the system less powerful.
- Connection Problems: The way the piston connected to the train often broke down.
Because of these issues, most of these early atmospheric railways were only used for a short time. They were replaced by more powerful steam locomotives.
Modern Atmospheric Railways
Even though the old systems didn't last, the idea of using air pressure for transport didn't disappear! Today, you can still find modern versions of atmospheric railways.
Aeromovel in Brazil
In the late 20th century, a new type of atmospheric railway called the Aeromovel was developed. It's used at the airport in Porto Alegre, Brazil. This system is a modern way to move people quickly and efficiently around the airport.
Theme Park Fun in Indonesia
There's also a fun example in Indonesia! A theme park there has a circular atmospheric railway that's about 3.2 kilometers long. It's a unique ride that shows how this old idea can still be used for new and exciting purposes today.
Images for kids
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Aeromovel train on the test line in Porto Alegre in the 1980s. The girder under the train forms an air duct. The vehicle is connected to a propulsion plate in the duct which is then driven by air pressure.
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Arriving at Kingstown on the Dalkey Atmospheric Railway in 1844
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Illustration from A Treatise on the Adaptation of Atmospheric Pressure to the Purposes of Locomotion on Railways, Samuda
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A section of the SDR's atmospheric railway pipe at Didcot Railway Centre
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Croydon Museum, Atmospheric Railway Pipe, 1845-47
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Aeromovel guideway section and bogie.
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Aeromovel APM at Salgado Filho International Airport
See also
In Spanish: Ferrocarril atmosférico para niños
