Magnetic Attraction

[matacaster]

Years ago, triang and hornby produced model engines which had magnetised wheels which enabled them to go round curves faster without derailing. Could an electromagnetic feature on engines and even maybe coaches enable higher speeds on curved conventional track. I do realise that such technology might make a huge mess of much existing signalling, but could maybe be overcome.

 

[yoyothehobo]

I suppose a lot of it is with passenger comfort, if you are going round an unbanked curve at 125mph, i think it would be quite an unpleasant experience compared to leaning in towards the centre of the curve.

 

[30907]

Years ago, triang and hornby produced model engines which had magnetised wheels which enabled them to go round curves faster without derailing. Could an electromagnetic feature on engines and even maybe coaches enable higher speeds on curved conventional track. I do realise that such technology might make a huge mess of much existing signalling, but could maybe be overcome.

Magnadhesion IIRC - I recall the claimed advantages as being pulling power rather than curving, though I presume the latter was a spin-off (as it were). But the coaches obeyed the laws of centrifugal force...
Some trams have magnetic (emergency) track brakes for a related reason.

 

[edwin_m]

As suggested above, curving speed is limited by passenger comfort - it would become dangerous for passengers inside the train long before there was any risk of overturning.