Two symbols of modern times. The sleek Alweg Monorail, first of its kind in America, whisking visitors between beautiful downtown Seattle and Seattle Center, America's newest play-ground, and the 600-ft. Space Needle, another unique attraction at the Center, towering in the background like a sentinel.
MONORAIL TOUR. A thrilling and dramatic ride through the Los Angeles Home of Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Visitors will enjoy the custom-designed, electrically operated "Skyrail Tour" monorail trains. The 3,500 foot ride is a most unique method for guests to view the brewery operations that produce Budweiser, Michelob, and Busch Bavarian.
Color photo by Hubert A. Lowman
INSIDE COACH, Houstonians ride with a stewardess in attendance. The glass plastic car has room for 60, can go 60 mph. Passengers get a smooth ride and also a sensation of floating through space.
America's first hanging monorail passenger convey-ance was on display last week in Houston, Texas. While crowds took turns riding, a gasoline-powered car shuttled along a 970-foot single elevated track (above). Builders of the demonstration monorail, Monorail Inc. of Houston, say it costs less to build than a subway or standard elevated system and hope it will appeal to U.S. cities with transit problems.
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images and info provided by the LIFE Magazine / LIFE Magazine International / LIFE Magazine Atlantic ARCHIVE from the Zetu Harrys Collection
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This is a follow-up of this previous article - https://www.themistervintage.com/2022/06/skyway-houstons-first-monorail.html
AMERICA'S first monorail train is undergoing tests on a 970-foot pilot line in Houston, Tex. Hailed as one answer to America's urban transportation problem, monorails have proved fast, safe and econom-ical in European use. The 55-foot Houston train is in two parts: power units and engineer's cabin on top of the rail, and passenger coach below. The rail is a steel pipe 30 inches in diameter, supported by inverted-J towers that are 30 feet high and spaced 55 feet apart. The train rides on eight rubber-tired wheels while 16 rubber guide wheels hold it in place on the rail. Two 305-horsepower gasoline en-gines drive the unit, which some-day may achieve a speed of 250 miles per hour. The glass-fiber coach seats 60 and stands 50, is seven feet high and eight feet wide inside. A monorail line, backers say, could be built at the rate of one or two miles per week for $500,000 per mile. That's over twice the cost of a regular railroad but 140 the cost of a subway. A two-track line would cost $700,000. Chief advan-tages: it takes no right-of-way, can operate above a busy street.
On september 1956 the monorail was moved to Dallas at the State Fair, where it stayed until 1964 when it was dismantled.
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images and info provided by the Popular Mechanics Archive | Zetu Harrys Collection
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Curtiss-Wright Corp. has proposed powering high speed passenger trains with air propellers utilizing C-W's turbo-compound airplane engine. Pennsylvania Railroad is considering this project, a possible solution to the American railroads’ quest for economic and lightweight rolling stock.
The Ml-designed PDT would be a monorail slung from an overhead track. Its jointed cylindrical body lends itself perfectly to effective streamlining and propeller drive.
The PDT engine at the rear is run by remote control from the cab at the front of the train. Instrument readings are made via closed-circuit TV. The three-bladed propeller is reversible, serving as a pusher in forward “flight” and as a puller for braking and reverse. Air for engine operation and cooling is sucked in through large scoops and expelled aft through the propeller blades, contained in a ring-like shroud for efficiency and safety.
Station platforms would be enclosed in glass because slipstream blasts would be formidable, even at low speeds. As the train brakes to a halt, the station access doors open outward to form windbreaks, and an extension platform slides out against the car's side.
Passengers would step off clean, relaxed and untired from what may be the train of tomorrow.
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images and info provided by the Mechanix Illustrated ARCHIVE from the Zetu Harrys Collection
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On february 18th, 1956 the first monorail in Houston became functional. It's purpose was for demosntrations only as it was only 970 feet long. The passengers were allowed a free ride inside the fiberglass coaches. The single rail of the Skyway, as the Houston line was called, was a 30-inch pipe supported by 30-foot towers set at 50-foot intervals. At one end of the line the passengers ascend to a loading platform; at the other end the rail declines to bring the coach to the ground level. The passenger car hangs below the rail; above it ride the two 305-hp engines, the control equipment and driver's seat. The unit rides on eight pneumatic-tired wheels; 16 rubber guide wheels keep it in place on the rail. The coach has a fiberglass body and large plexyglass windows; the effect inside is light, airy and cheerful. seats along the sides accommodate 60 passengers.
On september 1956 the monorail was moved to Dallas at the State Fair, where it stayed until 1964 when it was dismantled.
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If you like what I do support the project with a coffee
