There’s a lot of misinformation out there about Elon Musk’s Hyperloop. With headlines like “Elon Musk Unveils Plans for Hyperloop High-Speed Train” from the New York Times, it’s easy to assume it’s a train. It’s not. Here are a few reasons why it’s definately not a train.
First of all, what is the definition of a train?
“a connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive” – Merriam webster Dictionary
A connected line. That’s the key. The origin of the word “train” itself is from the anglo-french “trainer”, which is a verb for “to drag”. Trains are self-propelled, and always, by definition have multiple cars, normally pulled by the first.
What Technical Reasons Make The Hyperloop not a train?
The Hyperloop, in contrast, is only a single car. Each car is fully independent, and is powered by a mix of interior and exterior airflow manipulation (using giant fans, and air compressors). The real motion comes directly from the tunnel, rather than just the car itself. In addition, there are no wheels.
Now, how does Elon Musk consider trains and Hyperloop different?
He asks:
“Is there truly a new mode of transport – a fifth mode after planes, trains, cars
and boats – that … is practical to implement?”
And then he later answers his own question, with the hyperloop. Compared to trains, the hyperloop is:
Safer
• Faster
• Lower cost
• More convenient
• Immune to weather
• Sustainably self-powering
• Resistant to Earthquakes
• Not disruptive to those along the route