The Energy Train

[freebeard]

When I read about the guy in Nevada that electrified a run of conventional railroad on a 6% grade and found it was more efficient than pumped hydro storage; I imagined a rack railroad up the side of a volcanic cinder cone (lot's of those in the PNW). With 2nd-hand light rail rolling stock.

But here's someone that went all sci-fi — with a toroidal underground hyperloop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu7S5fEjOCI

Well maybe you could do it with 55-gallon drums in PVC pipe?

[jakobnev]

I'd be tempted to close the ring to get the centrifugal forces off the suspension system.

Like a centerless flywheel.

[freebeard]

I had the same thought; but decided since the whole thing is buried in the ground it's not going anywhere.

I notice Elon Musk is also talking about boring tunnels.