3D model of the modular train (electric version). The modular train is a vehicle that is composed of a locomotive and railroad cars, themselves made up of modules that are suitable for driving on rails of any gauge, and for both trams or trains (the latter being generally heavier, note the different profile of the last rail -which is standard for trams-). When the vehicle arrives to the train station on the last section of rail (so before a different rail begins), people or cargo needs to be manually moved to a new modular train that is composed of different bogies and a different top section. Although in most cases 2 complete modular trains need to be present (one on each different type of rail), the components of both modular trains are the same which should make the trains much less costly to obtain. In some cases (e.g. in the case of changing from a wider to a smaller rail), it is however possible to simply move the entire top section of the railroad car unto the bogey of a wider rail (e.g. using a crane which attaches to the top rings of the railroad car's frame). Note thate although this approach is less economical than using some type of trains (which can run on 2 different rails of roughly the same gauge) on specific trajectories, it is much more versatile as by changing the entire bogey, rails of any gauge and type (train, tram, rack-and-pinion rail, ...) can be used. Also, besides the components (which are identical for all versions of the modular train and can be thus mass-produced cheaply), the vehicle is also made very light and simple in design.
The modular train (locomotive and railroad cars) consists of 3 major components:
* the top section (can be taken off using a crane by lifting it using the the rings). The frame of this (yellowish in the model) is attached securely to the middle section below it using large nuts/bolts (yellow in model)
* the middle section (basically a metal plate that attaches on the nuts/bolts of the suspension on the bogies
* the suspension of the bogies and the bogies themselves
The modular train is fitted with bogies of which the right and left wheels can spin at different speeds (which helps in taking bends). This is achieved using a single differential and the use of chains. This is a major difference with conventional bogeys currently used in trains. The bogeys have a rigid frame (non-steerable)
On the locomotive and railroad car's, a door is present at the back which is opened using a motor. The hatch is opened/closed using a lever in the locomotive.
The modular train can be used for the transport of both people and cargo. Due to the ability of the vehicle to run on almost any type of rail, we can, in essence 'connect' rails of different gauges and types together, hereby improving transport.
The electric version is fitted with a pantograph and a rectifier; the IC-version is fitted with a hybrid-electric motor (IC motor 2). In both versions, the motors powering the bogies are mounted inside the bogies and motors are present in both the locomotive bogies aswell as the railroad car's bogies. This improves the traction and the ability of the train to climb steep hills. On the bogies of the locomotive and railroad cars of both the EM and IC version of the modular train, electromagnetic brakes are present. Unlike (hydraulic or pneumatic) disc brakes, electromagnetic brakes do not use rubber pads to slow down the rotation speed of the wheels, and are thus much safer. The electromagnetic bra
