All aboard the roller-coaster train?

[jopsuk]

Japanese firm proposes a new light rail system using Roller Coaster technology
Summary:
The idea is that even a small hill and a shallow gradient can allow trains to coast suprisingly long distances. With no traction equipment the cars can be lightweight and the track can be very low-profile with lightweight support structures.

I think it's crazy, anyone else got any thoughts?

 

[Tomonthetrain]

Japanese firm proposes a new light rail system using Roller Coaster technology
Summary:
The idea is that even a small hill and a shallow gradient can allow trains to coast suprisingly long distances. With no traction equipment the cars can be lightweight and the track can be very low-profile with lightweight support structures.

I think it's crazy, anyone else got any thoughts?

When I looked at this thread initially, I thought it would be another Pacer bashing one lot. It does look quite interesting tbh

 

[fgwrich]

Japanese firm proposes a new light rail system using Roller Coaster technology
Summary:
The idea is that even a small hill and a shallow gradient can allow trains to coast suprisingly long distances. With no traction equipment the cars can be lightweight and the track can be very low-profile with lightweight support structures.

I think it's crazy, anyone else got any thoughts?

To be fair though, i do think it's got the potential to be rather good idea although i can't see many places here in the UK where it could be implemented. As for the technology / idea, it's hardly a new thing though as one of the London Underground lines were built to a similar principle - Central London Railway?