Grumman TACRV

The Grumman TACRV, short for Tracked Air Cushion Research Vehicle, was an American test vehicle for air-cushion rail travel, driven by three jet engines. Grumman Aerospace Corporation began development in March 1970 as part of a government project to find out whether air-cushion technology could replace conventional rail transport. It was conceived as a hovertrain similar to the French Aerotrain, floating on a cushion of air in a concrete U-shaped guideway. The idea was to build such lines in the central reservations of United States highways, with trains of three or four cars covering New York to Los Angeles in about 18 hours. The vehicle was also to evaluate ride dynamics, noise, braking and comfort. Three Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofans provided both thrust and the cushion air. A linear motor was planned but its track was never built on the 35 km test line. The vehicle reached up to 482 km/h and could carry 4 to 8 tonnes of freight. Its drawbacks were high fuel use, heavy noise and the need to slow to 144 km/h for safe curves. The only prototype is displayed at the Pueblo Railway Museum in Colorado.