UAC TurboTrain
The United Aircraft Corporation developed the TurboTrain to accelerate the only partially electrified section of the Northeast Corridor between New York City and Boston. Each power car had slots for a maximum of seven turbines, each with 400 hp, five of which were actually used. In the tunnels in New York City, electricity could also be collected via the third rail. As with Talgo, the cars were hung on single-axle Jakobs bogies with passive tilting technology. The train was certified for 120 mph and reached 100 mph in service. A speed of 170.8 mph was reached on a test run. Two trains were ordered by New Haven and later came to Amtrak. Five more went to Canadian National and later came to VIA Rail. Although they significantly reduced travel times, they had many teething problems that could only be partially remedied. Amtrak only used the trains until 1976 and VIA until 1982.
Technical data
General
- Built
- 1967-1968
- Manufacturers
- United Aircraft Corporation, Montreal Locomotive Works
- Wheel arrangement
- B-1-1-1-1-1-1-B
- Gauge
- 1,435 mm (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and weights
- Length
- 131.27 m
- Length loco
- 22.33 m
- Empty mass
- 168.3 t
Power plant
- Engine
- Pratt & Whitney Canada ST6
- Engine type
- 10x gas turbine
Power
- Power source
- gas turbine-electric + electric - DC
- Indicated power
- 2,983 kW (4,056 PS)
- Top speed
- 193 km/h