Elevated train idea could solve Boston's winter transit woes
To increase passenger volume, cars would run above and below the lines, and to address those harsh Boston winters the tracks would be heated to prevent accumulation of ice and snow.

Jacob-Innovations

Jacob-Innovations
BOSTON — Transit designer Emil Jacob has thought up an elevated network of electric train cars, which he says could replace the entire Massachussetts Bay Transportation Authority for a little more than the Authority’s projected $2.02 billion operating budget for 2016, Wired reports.
Jacob promises the electric motor in each 40-foot train car would need just the “the equivalent of about three golf carts” of energy and would travel at 50 to 100 mph depending on the use case. The cars themselves would be made of aluminum, composites, and fiber glass, Jacob says. A series of archways running over the streets would support the narrow tracks, which look more like cables than they do rail lines, the report said.
To increase passenger volume, cars would run above and below the lines, and to address those harsh Boston winters the tracks would be heated to prevent accumulation of ice and snow, according to Wired.
For the full story, click here.
(View an animation of the elevated cTrain in action)
More Rail

Amtrak, CN Reach Agreements to Strengthen Passenger Rail Service, Safety
The agreement resolves a more than decade-long proceeding before the Surface Transportation Board concerning the terms and conditions for Amtrak services, such as the City of New Orleans, Illini/Saluki, and Wolverine.
Read More →
New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record
Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.
Read More →
Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges
The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.
Read More →
Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement
Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips
With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.
Read More →
Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations
Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.
Read More →
Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard
The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.
Read More →
Chicago Leaders Unveil Plans for O’Hare Airport Express Train
The privately developed project would offer a 15-minute trip between downtown and O’Hare’s Terminal 2, with trains operating every 15 minutes on a dedicated track. The service would use battery-electric trains and three existing freight rail rights-of-way.
Read More →