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The Improbable Story of the 184 MPH Jet Train

Posted by samzenpus on from the have-jet-will-travel dept.

MatthewVD writes Almost half a century ago, New York Central Railroad engineer Don Wetzel and his team bolted two J47-19 jet engines, throttled up the engines and tore down a length of track from Butler, Indiana to Stryker, Ohio at almost 184 mph. Today, the M-497 still holds the record for America's fastest train. This is the story of how it happened.

2 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. A Century Ago by djupedal · · Score: 1, Troll

    ....there were electric trams in New York. Then, a major US corporation named GMC lobbied to have them shut down and replaced with fossil-fueled rubber tired buses.

    The result is the situation we enjoy today. Not a random act of destiny, but more an act of corporate greed, irresponsibility and old fashioned govt. graft. Welcome to America.

  2. Europeans bring lattes on their 180mph trains by Ukab+the+Great · · Score: 1, Troll

    Americans bring jet engines on their 180mph trains. Conclusion: Americans are so much more bad ass than Europeans. Now get off the track that runs through my lawn, you socialist hippie.