1 00:00:02,102 --> 00:00:04,404 - [Narrator] They're the power that delivers the goods 2 00:00:05,606 --> 00:00:08,408 and the speed that pushes physics. 3 00:00:08,542 --> 00:00:10,444 They connect oceans and move men 4 00:00:10,577 --> 00:00:12,779 deep below the earth surface. 5 00:00:12,913 --> 00:00:16,216 They're crashed for safety and built to last 6 00:00:16,350 --> 00:00:19,319 powered by diesel, electricity or steam. 7 00:00:20,587 --> 00:00:22,823 They come in all shapes and sizes. 8 00:00:22,956 --> 00:00:24,324 Some even ride on air. 9 00:00:25,926 --> 00:00:29,329 Now it's Locomotives Plus on Modern Marvels. 10 00:00:31,098 --> 00:00:33,634 (upbeat music) 11 00:00:44,411 --> 00:00:46,246 Witness the pride of France. 12 00:00:47,514 --> 00:00:50,984 The Train à Grande Vitesse, or TGV. 13 00:00:52,219 --> 00:00:54,488 Translated it means high speed train, 14 00:00:54,621 --> 00:00:55,822 but as with all trains, 15 00:00:55,956 --> 00:00:58,125 it's the locomotive that delivers the power. 16 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:03,063 And as it rips across its 1600 mile network, 17 00:01:03,196 --> 00:01:05,999 the TGV shows why it holds the title 18 00:01:06,133 --> 00:01:08,435 as the fastest locomotive on rails today. 19 00:01:09,636 --> 00:01:11,705 - If you can figure out we are running now 20 00:01:11,838 --> 00:01:14,775 at 300 kilometers per hour, 21 00:01:14,908 --> 00:01:18,912 and it seems like a dream, it's very easy. 22 00:01:19,046 --> 00:01:22,382 - [Narrator] 186 Miles per hour is the average speed 23 00:01:22,516 --> 00:01:24,251 that grows much of the TGV network. 24 00:01:26,687 --> 00:01:28,488 The high tension wires racing by 25 00:01:28,622 --> 00:01:30,157 deliver the locomotives power. 26 00:01:31,558 --> 00:01:34,695 From them 25,000 volts of electricity 27 00:01:34,828 --> 00:01:37,030 is transformed into mechanical energy, 28 00:01:37,164 --> 00:01:39,633 which is then sent to motors on the trains wheels. 29 00:01:40,901 --> 00:01:44,071 Even at speeds like this inside the TGV 30 00:01:44,204 --> 00:01:46,273 the ride is smooth and steady, 31 00:01:46,406 --> 00:01:49,443 but if the engineer spots something on the track outside, 32 00:01:49,576 --> 00:01:51,812 there's little he can do to avoid hitting it. 33 00:01:51,945 --> 00:01:53,213 - [Engineer] If you see something, 34 00:01:53,347 --> 00:01:55,582 then you will just knock it down. 35 00:01:55,716 --> 00:01:57,918 Running at 300 kilometers, 36 00:01:58,051 --> 00:02:00,988 you would need three kilometers to stop. 37 00:02:01,121 --> 00:02:04,658 So if you can see something, obviously it's too late. 38 00:02:06,626 --> 00:02:09,696 - [Narrator] In 1990, the TGV set the world speed record 39 00:02:09,830 --> 00:02:13,100 when it raced to an astounding 320 miles per hour, 40 00:02:14,267 --> 00:02:17,871 then in 2007, train officials wanted more. 41 00:02:18,005 --> 00:02:19,106 - Go small. 42 00:02:19,239 --> 00:02:20,841 - [Narrator] So after some modifications, 43 00:02:20,974 --> 00:02:24,644 a TGV locomotive was teed up for another record attempt. 44 00:02:24,778 --> 00:02:26,513 (upbeat music) 45 00:02:26,646 --> 00:02:28,448 (engineer speaking in French) 46 00:02:32,019 --> 00:02:34,755 To beat the existing 320 mile per hour record, 47 00:02:34,888 --> 00:02:39,493 the TGV would have to exceed 516 kilometers per hour. 48 00:02:39,626 --> 00:02:40,794 (dramatic music) 49 00:02:40,927 --> 00:02:42,162 (engineer speaking in French) 50 00:02:49,202 --> 00:02:51,038 (engineer speaking in French) 51 00:02:54,708 --> 00:02:56,676 (engineer speaking in French) 52 00:03:01,481 --> 00:03:03,283 (engineer speaking in French) 53 00:03:07,421 --> 00:03:09,489 (engineer speaking in French) 54 00:03:17,964 --> 00:03:21,501 (engineer speaking French) 55 00:03:26,606 --> 00:03:30,477 (people clapping and cheering) 56 00:03:31,945 --> 00:03:36,616 574 kilometers per hour equals 357 miles per hour, 57 00:03:37,417 --> 00:03:38,819 and a new world record. 58 00:03:38,952 --> 00:03:41,154 The remarkable one proved once again. 59 00:03:41,288 --> 00:03:42,622 And when it comes to speed, 60 00:03:42,756 --> 00:03:44,491 the TGV is king of the rails. 61 00:03:45,826 --> 00:03:47,494 The TGV still holds the record 62 00:03:47,627 --> 00:03:49,930 as the fastest locomotive on rails today. 63 00:03:51,398 --> 00:03:54,468 But this is what high speed locomotives used to look like. 64 00:03:55,402 --> 00:03:57,204 During the early 20th century, 65 00:03:57,337 --> 00:03:59,840 locomotives rarely hit a hundred miles per hour. 66 00:04:01,675 --> 00:04:03,009 But when it comes to looks, 67 00:04:03,143 --> 00:04:06,046 most locomotive fans agree that none have been more smoking 68 00:04:06,179 --> 00:04:08,315 than those powered by steam. 69 00:04:08,448 --> 00:04:11,017 Like this beauty built in 1924, 70 00:04:11,151 --> 00:04:13,220 the Baldwin company's number 90. 71 00:04:14,855 --> 00:04:16,590 Still running on the Strasburg railway 72 00:04:16,723 --> 00:04:18,091 in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. 73 00:04:21,061 --> 00:04:22,429 Today, it's a tourist train. 74 00:04:23,730 --> 00:04:25,599 It's still possible to climb on board 75 00:04:25,732 --> 00:04:27,234 for a ride back when locomotives 76 00:04:27,367 --> 00:04:29,136 like this helped pull America 77 00:04:29,269 --> 00:04:31,471 full steam ahead into the 20th century. 78 00:04:33,607 --> 00:04:35,442 - Now we're ready to depart. 79 00:04:35,575 --> 00:04:37,277 Now I'm gonna release the brakes 80 00:04:37,410 --> 00:04:40,847 and apply steam to the cylinders through the throttle. 81 00:04:42,749 --> 00:04:46,853 Now it's my job not to spin the wheels. 82 00:04:46,987 --> 00:04:49,322 So I want to just gradually apply power. 83 00:04:57,030 --> 00:04:58,732 - [Narrator] Applying power requires teamwork 84 00:04:58,865 --> 00:05:01,134 between the engineer and the man to his left 85 00:05:01,268 --> 00:05:03,837 shoveling coal from the tender into the boiler. 86 00:05:04,571 --> 00:05:05,572 The fireman. 87 00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:10,610 - Now the fireman has to get his fire nice and hot. 88 00:05:10,744 --> 00:05:14,381 By experience he knows when to shovel. 89 00:05:14,514 --> 00:05:17,450 It's a coordinated effort, when I need the steam 90 00:05:17,584 --> 00:05:19,853 he has to already have planned on producing. 91 00:05:21,621 --> 00:05:22,822 - In the past 92 00:05:22,956 --> 00:05:24,524 you'd burn about gosh... 93 00:05:26,159 --> 00:05:28,094 A ton and a half of coal per hour. 94 00:05:29,262 --> 00:05:32,232 A fireman would be on duty for 12 hours. 95 00:05:32,365 --> 00:05:36,102 They could burn upwards of 12 to 15 tons of coal a day 96 00:05:36,236 --> 00:05:38,705 if he's shoveling by hand from the tender. 97 00:05:38,838 --> 00:05:39,940 - [Narrator] Igniting coal in the boiler 98 00:05:40,073 --> 00:05:42,375 is the first step in producing power. 99 00:05:45,011 --> 00:05:46,413 Since our camera would be fried 100 00:05:46,546 --> 00:05:49,816 by the 2,500 degree temperature in there, 101 00:05:49,950 --> 00:05:51,918 the best way to see how a steam engine works 102 00:05:52,052 --> 00:05:55,388 is by squeezing into a typical locomotive boiler. 103 00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:56,957 This one is under repair inside 104 00:05:57,090 --> 00:05:59,693 the Strasburg Railroad mechanical shop. 105 00:05:59,826 --> 00:06:02,262 - Fireman throws the coal through the hole in the rear, 106 00:06:02,395 --> 00:06:03,530 lands in this box. 107 00:06:03,663 --> 00:06:05,765 This box is called the firebox, 108 00:06:05,899 --> 00:06:08,969 surrounding the firebox is water. 109 00:06:09,102 --> 00:06:11,171 The water's all the way around here, 110 00:06:11,304 --> 00:06:13,573 and it's normally carried up to here. 111 00:06:13,707 --> 00:06:16,109 It always has to be above the top of the firebox. 112 00:06:16,243 --> 00:06:18,078 If it's not above the top of the firebox, 113 00:06:18,211 --> 00:06:19,946 the top of the firebox will melt. 114 00:06:21,448 --> 00:06:23,984 So the heat from the fire can heat the firebox steel 115 00:06:25,085 --> 00:06:26,653 boil the water, 116 00:06:26,786 --> 00:06:29,723 create the steam that goes up into the steam space, 117 00:06:29,856 --> 00:06:31,458 goes up into the steam dome. 118 00:06:34,294 --> 00:06:36,329 - [Narrator] Within the steam dome is a throttle. 119 00:06:36,463 --> 00:06:38,898 When the engineer engages the throttle lever 120 00:06:39,032 --> 00:06:40,600 steam is released into a pipe where it 121 00:06:40,734 --> 00:06:43,003 travels to the locomotive cylinders. 122 00:06:43,136 --> 00:06:44,271 Inside the cylinders, 123 00:06:44,404 --> 00:06:46,706 the steam pushes pistons back and forth. 124 00:06:48,341 --> 00:06:50,410 The pistons drive piston rods 125 00:06:50,543 --> 00:06:52,712 that in turn drive the locomotives wheels. 126 00:06:54,381 --> 00:06:55,582 Regulating the steam pressure 127 00:06:55,715 --> 00:06:57,717 inside the boiler is critical, 128 00:06:57,851 --> 00:06:59,819 too little and the train loses momentum, 129 00:07:00,954 --> 00:07:02,722 too much and the boiler could explode. 130 00:07:04,291 --> 00:07:06,760 The steam boiler's design was inventive, 131 00:07:06,893 --> 00:07:08,795 but because coal is fed from the rear 132 00:07:08,928 --> 00:07:11,932 its form creates a problem for the engineer. 133 00:07:12,065 --> 00:07:15,468 - I can't see very well past this huge boiler 134 00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:18,638 I have to lean out so I can see the biggest perspective 135 00:07:18,772 --> 00:07:20,106 ahead of the engine. 136 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:24,077 I am constantly looking for anything that might obstruct us, 137 00:07:24,210 --> 00:07:26,946 including trees, including cattle 138 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:29,349 or anything else that might be problematic. 139 00:07:30,817 --> 00:07:32,585 - [Narrator] That's why locomotive designers invented 140 00:07:32,719 --> 00:07:33,820 the cow catcher. 141 00:07:33,954 --> 00:07:35,388 (cow bellowing) 142 00:07:35,522 --> 00:07:37,490 Okay, it doesn't exactly catch cows, 143 00:07:37,624 --> 00:07:39,826 it kind of muscles them aside. 144 00:07:41,294 --> 00:07:43,063 But the cow catcher can't shove aside the effects 145 00:07:43,196 --> 00:07:44,764 of the inevitable wear and tear 146 00:07:44,898 --> 00:07:47,334 that comes with a 100 ton locomotive 147 00:07:47,467 --> 00:07:49,769 thrashing around on two inch wide rails. 148 00:07:52,138 --> 00:07:54,441 Tires especially take a beating. 149 00:07:54,574 --> 00:07:57,143 Like a car, a locomotive tire is attached to a wheel 150 00:07:58,378 --> 00:08:00,113 except these tires are made of steel 151 00:08:01,147 --> 00:08:02,749 and changing one takes some heat. 152 00:08:04,384 --> 00:08:06,152 - The tire of the steam locomotive 153 00:08:06,286 --> 00:08:09,055 is shrunk onto the wheel. 154 00:08:09,189 --> 00:08:12,359 So in order to remove it, we put the fire ring on. 155 00:08:12,492 --> 00:08:16,096 We heat the tire up probably to four or 500 degrees 156 00:08:16,229 --> 00:08:19,265 as it gets hotter, it will expand. 157 00:08:19,399 --> 00:08:20,967 And eventually there'll be a gap 158 00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:22,569 between the tire and the wheel. 159 00:08:24,070 --> 00:08:25,872 And that tire will be able to swing 160 00:08:26,006 --> 00:08:28,341 and slip right off the wheel center. 161 00:08:30,710 --> 00:08:32,746 - [Narrator] Add a fresh steel tire to the wheel 162 00:08:32,879 --> 00:08:34,881 and it'll be ready to roll. 163 00:08:35,014 --> 00:08:36,950 Easy enough inside the mechanical shop, 164 00:08:38,151 --> 00:08:39,285 but in the old days, 165 00:08:39,419 --> 00:08:41,488 when things broke down out of on the plains, 166 00:08:41,621 --> 00:08:44,457 the engineer did double duty as the mechanic. 167 00:08:44,591 --> 00:08:48,228 - The technology was constantly breaking down. 168 00:08:48,361 --> 00:08:51,798 The engineer had to be aware of any problem arising 169 00:08:51,931 --> 00:08:54,534 by both sound and vision. 170 00:08:54,667 --> 00:08:56,169 - [Narrator] And when that vision spotted something 171 00:08:56,302 --> 00:08:59,038 on the track, it's time to sound off. 172 00:09:01,474 --> 00:09:03,743 Every time the toot of a steam locomotives whistle 173 00:09:03,877 --> 00:09:04,978 fills the air, 174 00:09:05,111 --> 00:09:07,881 it speaks in a unique yet universal language. 175 00:09:09,149 --> 00:09:11,985 - Now every engineer does his whistling 176 00:09:12,118 --> 00:09:13,920 a little bit differently. 177 00:09:14,054 --> 00:09:16,589 You'll now are crossing signal, 178 00:09:16,723 --> 00:09:21,161 two longs, a short and a long as we approach this crossing. 179 00:09:21,294 --> 00:09:24,097 (train whistling) 180 00:09:36,342 --> 00:09:37,477 - [Narrator] By the 1930s, 181 00:09:37,610 --> 00:09:40,513 the sounds of the steam locomotive began to fade 182 00:09:40,647 --> 00:09:43,349 as designers looked to new technologies. 183 00:09:43,483 --> 00:09:46,920 In 1934, Electromotive launched a line 184 00:09:47,053 --> 00:09:49,656 of diesel electric streamliner locomotives. 185 00:09:49,789 --> 00:09:52,092 That were easier to maintain and cheaper to fuel 186 00:09:52,225 --> 00:09:53,827 than the coal fed steamers. 187 00:09:56,229 --> 00:09:58,031 Today. diesel electric locomotives 188 00:09:58,164 --> 00:09:59,899 are still the industry standard. 189 00:10:00,967 --> 00:10:02,368 But what exactly does it take to build 190 00:10:02,502 --> 00:10:04,971 one of these 200 ton powerhouses? 191 00:10:09,609 --> 00:10:11,444 (upbeat music) 192 00:10:11,578 --> 00:10:13,413 For almost 100 years 193 00:10:13,546 --> 00:10:15,482 the diesel locomotive has been the backbone 194 00:10:15,615 --> 00:10:18,218 of passenger and commercial rail transportation. 195 00:10:20,553 --> 00:10:22,489 Today, there are more than 26,000 196 00:10:22,622 --> 00:10:24,557 in service around the world. 197 00:10:27,694 --> 00:10:31,097 Companies like Electromotive Diesel in London, Ontario, 198 00:10:31,231 --> 00:10:32,932 build hundreds of them every year 199 00:10:33,066 --> 00:10:34,434 for the international market. 200 00:10:35,668 --> 00:10:37,136 And everyone starts from the bottom up 201 00:10:37,270 --> 00:10:39,873 with a single steel bed plate. 202 00:10:40,006 --> 00:10:42,142 - What we see here is a domestic bed plate. 203 00:10:43,643 --> 00:10:46,246 It's approximately one and three quarter inches thick, 204 00:10:46,379 --> 00:10:49,549 70 feet long and six feet wide. 205 00:10:49,682 --> 00:10:51,985 And it weighs approximately 30,000 pounds. 206 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:55,889 - [Narrator] The bed plate begins its journey upside down 207 00:10:56,022 --> 00:10:58,057 so welders and grinders can add sills 208 00:10:58,191 --> 00:10:59,926 and cross members to the underside. 209 00:11:02,295 --> 00:11:03,496 The upside down under frame, 210 00:11:03,630 --> 00:11:05,532 eventually lands in the assembly area. 211 00:11:07,634 --> 00:11:09,168 Here some of the major components 212 00:11:09,302 --> 00:11:10,403 are lowered into place. 213 00:11:11,838 --> 00:11:14,240 - So what we see here is the compressed air tanks 214 00:11:14,374 --> 00:11:16,276 that supply the compressed air for the locomotive, 215 00:11:16,409 --> 00:11:17,710 as well as the rail cars. 216 00:11:17,844 --> 00:11:19,913 And above us, what we see 217 00:11:20,046 --> 00:11:23,049 is the loading of a 5,000 gallon fuel tank, 218 00:11:23,182 --> 00:11:25,385 which is our domestic fuel tank. 219 00:11:25,518 --> 00:11:26,686 - [Narrator] Tighten a few bolts, 220 00:11:26,819 --> 00:11:28,154 and the underside of the locomotive 221 00:11:28,288 --> 00:11:29,989 is just about locked down. 222 00:11:32,492 --> 00:11:33,760 Meanwhile, workers are assembling 223 00:11:33,893 --> 00:11:35,428 other parts throughout the plant 224 00:11:36,629 --> 00:11:38,731 like this upside down wheel assembly. 225 00:11:39,866 --> 00:11:44,003 A combination of wheels, gear, axle, and electric motor. 226 00:11:44,137 --> 00:11:45,605 This is where the electric part 227 00:11:45,738 --> 00:11:48,007 of the diesel electric locomotive comes in. 228 00:11:48,141 --> 00:11:52,545 - We got a thousand pound wheel at a 43 inch diameter. 229 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:57,483 We got an 83 tooth gear that weighs approximately 500 pounds 230 00:11:57,617 --> 00:12:00,620 with a nine and a quarter inch diameter axle sitting 231 00:12:00,753 --> 00:12:02,422 on an electric traction motor. 232 00:12:03,890 --> 00:12:05,858 - [Narrator] Put three wheel assemblies together 233 00:12:05,992 --> 00:12:07,393 and you've got a bogie. 234 00:12:07,527 --> 00:12:10,063 And this bogie is about to take its first spin 235 00:12:10,196 --> 00:12:12,432 up and over until it's right side up. 236 00:12:14,634 --> 00:12:16,402 Then it's off to final assembly 237 00:12:16,536 --> 00:12:19,405 where the under frame is taking a twirl of its own. 238 00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:22,041 Set the under frame on top of the set of wheels, 239 00:12:22,175 --> 00:12:23,776 lower the cab into place 240 00:12:23,910 --> 00:12:26,846 and all this loco needs is some motive. 241 00:12:27,380 --> 00:12:29,415 Yep, this is the diesel part. 242 00:12:29,549 --> 00:12:31,284 - What we see here is a diesel engine 243 00:12:31,417 --> 00:12:34,120 that we use on one of our locomotives. 244 00:12:34,254 --> 00:12:36,356 Compared to a normal car engine, 245 00:12:36,489 --> 00:12:38,658 a car engine runs around four to six cylinders 246 00:12:38,791 --> 00:12:40,260 roughly about this size 247 00:12:40,393 --> 00:12:42,462 compared to the cylinders that we use here 248 00:12:42,595 --> 00:12:44,397 and we use 16 of them. 249 00:12:44,530 --> 00:12:45,598 When we talk about this engine, 250 00:12:45,732 --> 00:12:48,067 it weighs approximately 40,000 pounds 251 00:12:48,201 --> 00:12:49,435 compared to a local car engine, 252 00:12:49,569 --> 00:12:51,571 which is much less than that obviously. 253 00:12:51,704 --> 00:12:55,041 Also a local car engine would take around 200 horsepower 254 00:12:55,174 --> 00:12:57,110 whereas this guy right here, our workhorse 255 00:12:57,243 --> 00:12:59,979 runs around 4,300 horsepower. 256 00:13:00,113 --> 00:13:02,715 From-- From here, we use the overhead cranes 257 00:13:02,849 --> 00:13:04,584 to remove the engine off the stand 258 00:13:04,717 --> 00:13:06,919 and deck it onto one of our units. 259 00:13:08,288 --> 00:13:10,356 - [Narrator] On board, mechanics hook up the engine 260 00:13:10,490 --> 00:13:11,824 to an eight ton alternator. 261 00:13:13,893 --> 00:13:16,562 And the diesel electric locomotive is ready to rumble. 262 00:13:17,730 --> 00:13:19,732 And when it does, here's how it'll work. 263 00:13:21,701 --> 00:13:23,569 The diesel engine sends mechanical 264 00:13:23,703 --> 00:13:25,038 power to the alternator. 265 00:13:25,171 --> 00:13:27,774 The alternator transforms that power into electricity. 266 00:13:28,908 --> 00:13:30,209 The electricity is then sent 267 00:13:30,343 --> 00:13:33,212 to the electric traction motors on each wheel assembly. 268 00:13:34,247 --> 00:13:35,915 The motors turn the wheels, 269 00:13:36,049 --> 00:13:38,584 which apply power to the tracks. 270 00:13:38,718 --> 00:13:40,219 In the locomotive business 271 00:13:40,353 --> 00:13:43,256 power on the track is measured in tractive effort. 272 00:13:44,157 --> 00:13:45,191 The more traction that can be applied 273 00:13:45,324 --> 00:13:46,893 between wheel and rail, 274 00:13:47,026 --> 00:13:48,995 the more pulling power on the locomotive. 275 00:13:50,463 --> 00:13:53,032 Central detractive effort is managing friction. 276 00:13:54,500 --> 00:13:56,536 And the secret lies in the simplest of substances. 277 00:13:58,004 --> 00:13:59,839 - What we want here is, we wanna have good friction 278 00:13:59,972 --> 00:14:02,008 on the surface of the wheel, 279 00:14:02,141 --> 00:14:04,210 where it contacts the actual rail. 280 00:14:04,344 --> 00:14:06,312 So how we increase the frictional force 281 00:14:06,446 --> 00:14:07,914 between these two surfaces 282 00:14:08,047 --> 00:14:09,549 is we use this nozzle 283 00:14:09,682 --> 00:14:13,920 and we actually pour sand into this area. 284 00:14:14,053 --> 00:14:16,689 What that does is it increases the frictional force, 285 00:14:16,823 --> 00:14:18,291 thus allowing more tractive effort 286 00:14:18,424 --> 00:14:20,259 to be placed on the rail. 287 00:14:20,393 --> 00:14:21,994 - [Narrator] While the sand increases friction 288 00:14:22,128 --> 00:14:23,429 to the bottom of the wheel, 289 00:14:24,797 --> 00:14:27,533 just inches away the wheel flange gets a rub 290 00:14:27,667 --> 00:14:30,336 with a clever little device that decreases friction. 291 00:14:31,571 --> 00:14:33,573 - Here's the frictional force that we don't want 292 00:14:33,706 --> 00:14:36,142 that's between this surface of the wheel 293 00:14:36,275 --> 00:14:38,344 and the inner surface of the rail. 294 00:14:38,478 --> 00:14:40,513 So what we've done to counteract that 295 00:14:40,646 --> 00:14:42,415 is we have this flange lube dispenser 296 00:14:42,548 --> 00:14:44,817 that has a graphite based lubricant 297 00:14:44,951 --> 00:14:47,453 that makes contact with this surface. 298 00:14:47,587 --> 00:14:50,423 What it does is it applies it as the wheel turns 299 00:14:50,556 --> 00:14:52,325 and thus reduces the frictional force 300 00:14:52,458 --> 00:14:56,095 between this surface of the wheel and the rail itself. 301 00:14:56,229 --> 00:14:58,564 - [Narrator] After all the steel is secured, 302 00:14:58,698 --> 00:15:01,634 the bogies are bolted and the engine and motors are mounted. 303 00:15:03,169 --> 00:15:04,437 They make up one of the largest 304 00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:06,072 great locomotives in the world. 305 00:15:08,141 --> 00:15:11,344 - Here we are next to a completed domestic locomotive. 306 00:15:11,477 --> 00:15:14,547 The locomotive is 75 feet long, 307 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:18,151 16 feet high and 10 feet wide. 308 00:15:18,284 --> 00:15:23,022 The locomotive itself weighs 425,000 pounds. 309 00:15:23,156 --> 00:15:25,892 It's really the workhorse out there in the industry. 310 00:15:27,393 --> 00:15:30,696 - [Narrator] Before each of its workhorses is turned loose. 311 00:15:30,830 --> 00:15:33,366 It gets ridden hard out on the test track. 312 00:15:33,499 --> 00:15:35,134 - So there's full throttle eight. 313 00:15:35,268 --> 00:15:37,170 You see the tractive effort build up 314 00:15:38,871 --> 00:15:42,175 and I should get about around 4,500 horsepower. 315 00:15:42,308 --> 00:15:43,810 This is good. 316 00:15:43,943 --> 00:15:45,111 This is a good engine. 317 00:15:45,244 --> 00:15:46,913 It'll pull like crazy. 318 00:15:47,046 --> 00:15:48,347 - [Narrator] Crazy? 319 00:15:48,481 --> 00:15:49,549 How's this for crazy? 320 00:15:51,984 --> 00:15:54,954 Nothing like a header to find a locomotives weak spot. 321 00:16:01,594 --> 00:16:02,929 This is TTCI. 322 00:16:05,097 --> 00:16:06,299 The Technology Testing Center 323 00:16:06,432 --> 00:16:07,900 outside Pueblo, Colorado. 324 00:16:10,570 --> 00:16:12,572 The place where the Federal Railroad Administration 325 00:16:12,705 --> 00:16:14,307 conducts research. 326 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:16,709 And locomotive manufacturers send technicians 327 00:16:16,843 --> 00:16:18,778 to test their latest designs 328 00:16:18,911 --> 00:16:20,279 by watching train wrecks 329 00:16:20,413 --> 00:16:23,716 and studying the effects for safety and future development. 330 00:16:23,850 --> 00:16:26,686 - One of the things that we do here at TTCI 331 00:16:26,819 --> 00:16:28,588 is to conduct crash tests. 332 00:16:28,721 --> 00:16:31,023 That's one of the abilities that we have 333 00:16:31,157 --> 00:16:32,692 at an isolated site like that. 334 00:16:32,825 --> 00:16:35,728 And we've done that right on the tracks right behind me. 335 00:16:35,862 --> 00:16:37,063 - [Narrator] In the real world, 336 00:16:37,196 --> 00:16:39,532 locomotive crashes like this are rare. 337 00:16:40,433 --> 00:16:42,134 By studying crash test video 338 00:16:42,268 --> 00:16:45,304 manufacturers like Electro Motive Diesel or EMD, 339 00:16:45,438 --> 00:16:48,508 are able to develop ways to reduce the risks. 340 00:16:48,641 --> 00:16:50,643 Even during the mother of all crashes, 341 00:16:50,776 --> 00:16:53,379 a head-on between two locomotives. 342 00:16:53,512 --> 00:16:54,514 - For head-on collisions, 343 00:16:54,647 --> 00:16:56,983 we've developed an anti-climber. 344 00:16:57,116 --> 00:17:00,453 This whole structure is the anti-climber. 345 00:17:00,586 --> 00:17:03,122 It is designed to resist a strong 346 00:17:03,256 --> 00:17:05,291 upward force here and here 347 00:17:05,424 --> 00:17:07,526 and keep the coupler from coming up over 348 00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:08,861 the main structure here 349 00:17:08,995 --> 00:17:11,063 and the other car going into the cab. 350 00:17:12,298 --> 00:17:13,299 - [Narrator] When two locomotives 351 00:17:13,432 --> 00:17:15,167 without the anti-climber collide head-on 352 00:17:15,301 --> 00:17:18,638 the locomotive with more momentum can slide straight up 353 00:17:18,771 --> 00:17:20,006 and into the other's cab. 354 00:17:22,875 --> 00:17:25,077 But if one locomotive has an anti-climber, 355 00:17:26,579 --> 00:17:27,780 the coupler from other locomotive 356 00:17:27,914 --> 00:17:29,015 catches underneath it. 357 00:17:30,149 --> 00:17:32,985 Stopping upward motion and diverting the energy laterally. 358 00:17:37,123 --> 00:17:40,259 The EMD anti-climber first used in 1989 359 00:17:40,393 --> 00:17:43,462 is now the industry standard. 360 00:17:43,596 --> 00:17:45,898 - The crash worthiness of the locomotives 361 00:17:46,032 --> 00:17:49,368 used in North America is the best it's ever been 362 00:17:49,502 --> 00:17:52,705 largely as a result of the kinds of tests that we do here, 363 00:17:52,838 --> 00:17:55,508 the activities of people like EMD. 364 00:17:55,641 --> 00:17:59,578 And applying that information into the design of their cab. 365 00:17:59,712 --> 00:18:01,580 - [Narrator] Out on the TTCI test track, 366 00:18:03,082 --> 00:18:05,918 EMD engineers are evaluating their newest design element. 367 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:09,522 What they call the isolated cab. 368 00:18:10,756 --> 00:18:13,459 Their goal is to have the quietest cab in the business. 369 00:18:14,927 --> 00:18:16,629 - We are trying to control the working environment 370 00:18:16,762 --> 00:18:18,898 where the whole purposes to keep the noise down 371 00:18:19,031 --> 00:18:21,968 inside the cab from the 4500 horsepower 372 00:18:22,101 --> 00:18:24,770 that's just 20 feet behind us. 373 00:18:24,904 --> 00:18:26,539 - [Narrator] EMD has tried to reduce the noise 374 00:18:26,672 --> 00:18:28,341 and vibration inside the cab 375 00:18:28,474 --> 00:18:31,377 by separating it from the engine compartment. 376 00:18:31,510 --> 00:18:33,045 To record the decimal level, 377 00:18:33,179 --> 00:18:34,647 technicians have hung microphones 378 00:18:34,780 --> 00:18:36,349 at ear level throughout the cab. 379 00:18:38,250 --> 00:18:40,453 The target is 80 decibels or less. 380 00:18:41,654 --> 00:18:43,356 Then it's time to open up the throttle 381 00:18:43,489 --> 00:18:45,191 to see if the isolated mounts work. 382 00:18:46,993 --> 00:18:48,761 Even at full throttle, 383 00:18:48,894 --> 00:18:51,831 the sound level barely exceeds 75 decibels. 384 00:18:53,065 --> 00:18:54,500 About the same as a normal conversation 385 00:18:54,634 --> 00:18:58,304 between two people and a victory for the EMD designers. 386 00:19:00,139 --> 00:19:01,407 And while they're here, 387 00:19:01,540 --> 00:19:03,776 the crew is also of collecting ride quality data 388 00:19:03,909 --> 00:19:05,644 by testing the cab for vibration. 389 00:19:07,079 --> 00:19:10,149 - The whole cab has a number of sensors all over in the cab. 390 00:19:10,282 --> 00:19:11,917 One of which is right here, 391 00:19:12,051 --> 00:19:16,322 where we measure the cab seat-based vibration 392 00:19:16,455 --> 00:19:17,623 in all three directions, 393 00:19:17,757 --> 00:19:20,359 up and down, fore and aft, side to side. 394 00:19:21,527 --> 00:19:22,662 - [Narrator] Technicians record the data 395 00:19:22,795 --> 00:19:24,764 in a test car behind the locomotive. 396 00:19:25,965 --> 00:19:28,300 Later EMD will use the data to develop 397 00:19:28,434 --> 00:19:30,636 even more ways to improve its locomotives 398 00:19:30,770 --> 00:19:33,272 and keep its operating engineers safe. 399 00:19:35,207 --> 00:19:37,276 In another area of the test facility, 400 00:19:37,410 --> 00:19:40,946 TTCI offers locomotive makers a way to look through steel. 401 00:19:42,815 --> 00:19:45,317 With its automated cracked wheel detection system. 402 00:19:46,619 --> 00:19:47,953 The system uses sound waves 403 00:19:48,087 --> 00:19:50,389 to take a snapshot of a locomotive's wheels 404 00:19:50,523 --> 00:19:53,292 as they pass through an ultrasonic sensor. 405 00:19:53,426 --> 00:19:54,527 - Right now, 406 00:19:54,660 --> 00:19:56,328 this first wheel is gonna be picked up 407 00:19:56,462 --> 00:19:57,730 by this inspection site. 408 00:19:57,863 --> 00:20:00,700 It's gonna follow it all the way through, 409 00:20:00,833 --> 00:20:03,402 once it follows it through, it's gonna reset itself, 410 00:20:03,536 --> 00:20:06,072 set up for the next wheel that comes through. 411 00:20:06,205 --> 00:20:07,506 It'll pick it up, 412 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:10,342 it'll send ultrasonic energy up through the wheel 413 00:20:10,476 --> 00:20:12,344 and inspect the wheel for cracks. 414 00:20:12,478 --> 00:20:15,081 And then that information will be transmitted 415 00:20:15,214 --> 00:20:17,149 into our computer bungalow. 416 00:20:17,283 --> 00:20:18,617 - [Narrator] Inside the bungalow 417 00:20:18,751 --> 00:20:21,554 the results appear on a computer screen in real time. 418 00:20:21,687 --> 00:20:24,090 Each rectangular box represents a wheel, 419 00:20:24,223 --> 00:20:26,225 the lines reveal some type of flaw. 420 00:20:26,358 --> 00:20:27,693 - Right here, you're showing 421 00:20:27,827 --> 00:20:30,129 some thermal cracks in the locomotive wheel. 422 00:20:30,262 --> 00:20:32,198 Here you're showing the horizontal crack. 423 00:20:32,331 --> 00:20:35,768 So then it triggers the maintenance crew 424 00:20:35,901 --> 00:20:38,637 on what they need to do in order to correct that. 425 00:20:38,771 --> 00:20:40,673 - [Narrator] Whereas TTCI exists 426 00:20:40,806 --> 00:20:42,641 to help find a locomotives flaws. 427 00:20:45,111 --> 00:20:46,512 A network of service stations 428 00:20:46,645 --> 00:20:50,049 across the United States stands ready to fix them. 429 00:20:50,182 --> 00:20:52,685 One of the best is the CSX Maintenance Facility 430 00:20:52,818 --> 00:20:53,986 in Waycross, Georgia. 431 00:20:55,454 --> 00:20:58,257 CSX Transportation runs 20,000 miles 432 00:20:58,390 --> 00:21:00,893 of track in the United States. 433 00:21:01,026 --> 00:21:03,429 Every day, thousands of CSX locomotives 434 00:21:03,562 --> 00:21:06,098 traverse the country hauling freight. 435 00:21:06,232 --> 00:21:09,235 Keeping them operational is crucial to the bottom line. 436 00:21:10,436 --> 00:21:12,505 - Time is money and these locomotives 437 00:21:12,638 --> 00:21:15,074 cost about $2 million a piece. 438 00:21:15,207 --> 00:21:18,911 And if they're sitting, we're not utilizing that asset. 439 00:21:19,044 --> 00:21:21,914 We can service as many as 12 at one time. 440 00:21:22,047 --> 00:21:24,416 This is simply a service station for locomotive. 441 00:21:25,918 --> 00:21:27,620 - [Narrator] And this service station is built for speed. 442 00:21:29,121 --> 00:21:31,557 It's kind of like a NASCAR pit stop for locomotives. 443 00:21:33,459 --> 00:21:35,161 The moment a locomotive pulls in 444 00:21:35,294 --> 00:21:37,830 a team of workers moves into place. 445 00:21:37,963 --> 00:21:40,633 The aim is to get it in and out in under an hour. 446 00:21:42,101 --> 00:21:43,235 - And this is where it starts here 447 00:21:43,369 --> 00:21:44,770 at the Locomotive Services Center, 448 00:21:44,904 --> 00:21:47,406 we'll service anywhere from 75 to a hundred locomotive 449 00:21:47,540 --> 00:21:49,108 in this facility per day. 450 00:21:49,241 --> 00:21:50,709 Here's where the sand will be going in. 451 00:21:50,843 --> 00:21:53,479 It'll be coming in through a funnel that he'll put in. 452 00:21:53,612 --> 00:21:55,214 Here, we have a gentleman that's gonna be changing 453 00:21:55,347 --> 00:21:56,749 a flange lube stick, 454 00:21:56,882 --> 00:21:58,684 to help with the flange wear. 455 00:21:58,818 --> 00:22:00,519 We're going in the curves on the track. 456 00:22:00,653 --> 00:22:03,489 Here, the gentleman's checking the oil and the water, 457 00:22:03,622 --> 00:22:06,292 gonna make sure everything is in good running repair 458 00:22:06,425 --> 00:22:07,793 with the diesel engine. 459 00:22:07,927 --> 00:22:10,830 Here we are adding the fuel to the locomotive. 460 00:22:10,963 --> 00:22:12,631 The locomotive fuel tank will hold anywhere 461 00:22:12,765 --> 00:22:16,468 from about 1500 gallons up to 4500 gallons. 462 00:22:17,570 --> 00:22:18,971 At this facility, we will pump 463 00:22:19,104 --> 00:22:21,941 about a hundred thousand gallons of diesel fuel a day. 464 00:22:24,310 --> 00:22:27,379 - [Narrator] As workers handled the basics from above, 465 00:22:27,513 --> 00:22:29,515 others are busy in the service pit below. 466 00:22:31,350 --> 00:22:32,651 - As they're working up above, 467 00:22:32,785 --> 00:22:36,222 they're also gonna be changing brake shoes down below. 468 00:22:36,355 --> 00:22:38,190 Warren is gonna be pulling this brake shoe out 469 00:22:38,324 --> 00:22:41,193 and gonna be replacing it with the new brake shoe. 470 00:22:41,327 --> 00:22:43,162 He has to remove the brake key, 471 00:22:43,295 --> 00:22:44,597 take the old brake shoe out, 472 00:22:44,730 --> 00:22:46,465 replace it with the new brake shoe 473 00:22:46,599 --> 00:22:47,967 and then drop the brake key back in 474 00:22:48,100 --> 00:22:49,768 that holds the brake shoe in place. 475 00:22:50,870 --> 00:22:52,438 And it's ready to go. 476 00:22:52,571 --> 00:22:54,039 Here we have a worn brake shoe 477 00:22:54,173 --> 00:22:56,475 that is in need of being replaced. 478 00:22:56,609 --> 00:22:57,443 Here we have a new brake shoe 479 00:22:57,576 --> 00:22:59,144 that we will put in its place. 480 00:22:59,278 --> 00:23:00,312 The new brake shoe should last 481 00:23:00,446 --> 00:23:01,547 approximately three to four weeks, 482 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,382 depending on the amount of traffic 483 00:23:03,515 --> 00:23:06,018 the locomotive is involved in. 484 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:09,388 - [Narrator] Of course there are times 485 00:23:09,521 --> 00:23:11,423 when some heavy lifting is required. 486 00:23:11,557 --> 00:23:12,691 For those cases, 487 00:23:12,825 --> 00:23:14,994 locomotives make a trip to the back shop 488 00:23:15,127 --> 00:23:16,495 where mechanics carry out everything 489 00:23:16,629 --> 00:23:19,598 from cosmetic repair to complete engine rebuilds. 490 00:23:20,799 --> 00:23:22,868 - We do lots of of accident damage 491 00:23:23,002 --> 00:23:24,770 that could be crossing accidents 492 00:23:24,904 --> 00:23:27,906 that happened out on the line of road. 493 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:29,975 We change main alternators 494 00:23:30,109 --> 00:23:32,978 and we just do lots and lots of work. 495 00:23:33,112 --> 00:23:35,881 More or less rebuild the locomotive in that area. 496 00:23:37,816 --> 00:23:39,251 - [Narrator] Once most locomotives are clear 497 00:23:39,385 --> 00:23:40,519 to return to action, 498 00:23:42,488 --> 00:23:43,889 they get a final sprucing up 499 00:23:44,023 --> 00:23:46,258 with a quick shower in the CSX wash. 500 00:23:47,660 --> 00:23:50,129 - It gets a lot of the road trim off of 'em 501 00:23:50,262 --> 00:23:51,964 because after all CSX, 502 00:23:52,097 --> 00:23:53,565 that's what's on the side of the locomotives. 503 00:23:53,699 --> 00:23:55,000 We're proud of our company 504 00:23:55,134 --> 00:23:57,436 and we certainly wanna look good in the public's eye. 505 00:24:01,206 --> 00:24:03,442 (upbeat music) 506 00:24:04,710 --> 00:24:07,279 Unlike the little engine that thought it could, 507 00:24:07,413 --> 00:24:10,115 these mini locomotives along the Panama canal 508 00:24:10,249 --> 00:24:11,150 know they can. 509 00:24:13,585 --> 00:24:16,021 Nearly 14,000 times a year, 510 00:24:16,155 --> 00:24:17,990 they slowly and steadily guide ships 511 00:24:18,123 --> 00:24:19,425 through the three locks 512 00:24:19,558 --> 00:24:21,994 that connect the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. 513 00:24:26,365 --> 00:24:29,234 Here size matters less than precision. 514 00:24:29,368 --> 00:24:31,904 The locomotives measure just 13 feet high, 515 00:24:32,037 --> 00:24:35,274 10 feet wide and 35 feet long. 516 00:24:35,407 --> 00:24:36,442 But there's nothing small 517 00:24:36,575 --> 00:24:38,444 about the economic stakes of their mission. 518 00:24:39,812 --> 00:24:42,381 The toll that is charged depends on the size of the ship. 519 00:24:44,283 --> 00:24:46,618 The average for cargo and container vessels 520 00:24:46,752 --> 00:24:49,488 is about $450,000, 521 00:24:49,621 --> 00:24:51,790 but some fees can go as high as one million. 522 00:24:52,858 --> 00:24:53,759 At these prices, 523 00:24:53,892 --> 00:24:55,427 the nearly 40 shipping companies 524 00:24:55,561 --> 00:24:57,930 that send vessels through the canal every day 525 00:24:58,063 --> 00:24:59,965 expect to do it safely and efficiently. 526 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:04,870 Like this 70,000 ton Panamanian cargo ship 527 00:25:05,004 --> 00:25:06,905 coming in from the Pacific. 528 00:25:07,039 --> 00:25:08,374 - The chamber is very small for-- 529 00:25:08,507 --> 00:25:11,377 For this ship and it's a slow operation. 530 00:25:11,510 --> 00:25:13,012 And the locomotives are very critical 531 00:25:13,145 --> 00:25:14,947 for handling a ship of this size. 532 00:25:16,315 --> 00:25:18,417 - [Narrator] As the ship approaches the lock's mouth, 533 00:25:18,550 --> 00:25:20,853 eight locomotives, four on the Starboard side, 534 00:25:20,986 --> 00:25:23,722 four to the port, move into position. 535 00:25:25,524 --> 00:25:28,260 The ship is 106 feet wide, 536 00:25:28,394 --> 00:25:30,295 a lock chamber is just 110. 537 00:25:32,097 --> 00:25:33,699 And for the next half mile, 538 00:25:33,832 --> 00:25:35,667 the little locos will be guiding this ship 539 00:25:35,801 --> 00:25:37,002 to the end of the lock. 540 00:25:38,871 --> 00:25:40,305 The carefully choreographed journey 541 00:25:40,439 --> 00:25:43,342 begins as canal ship personnel throw a line 542 00:25:43,475 --> 00:25:46,745 to grab two steel cables attached to hydraulic winches 543 00:25:46,879 --> 00:25:48,747 on the side of the locomotives. 544 00:25:48,881 --> 00:25:50,082 - The idea is to get the cables 545 00:25:50,215 --> 00:25:52,951 of the locomotives onto the ship. 546 00:25:53,085 --> 00:25:55,788 As you can see, there are two locomotives 547 00:25:55,921 --> 00:25:58,323 taking care of the bowel of this ship. 548 00:25:58,457 --> 00:26:01,226 Then we gonna see two more taking care 549 00:26:01,360 --> 00:26:03,162 of the back of the ship, the stern. 550 00:26:04,596 --> 00:26:05,998 - [Narrator] All eight locomotives 551 00:26:06,131 --> 00:26:07,099 are under the direction 552 00:26:07,232 --> 00:26:08,967 of a especially trained pilot aboard the ship, 553 00:26:09,101 --> 00:26:10,669 who works for the canal. 554 00:26:10,803 --> 00:26:13,072 His first command to the locomotive operators 555 00:26:13,205 --> 00:26:14,840 is to pull their cables tight 556 00:26:14,973 --> 00:26:16,442 until the ship is securely tethered 557 00:26:16,575 --> 00:26:17,843 in the center of the lock. 558 00:26:19,244 --> 00:26:21,747 Then it ships, and locomotives ahoy 559 00:26:22,714 --> 00:26:24,783 as the pilot gradually powers a ship forward 560 00:26:24,950 --> 00:26:26,251 while directing the locomotives 561 00:26:26,385 --> 00:26:28,053 to move in unison with it. 562 00:26:30,689 --> 00:26:32,991 From here on it's all about keeping the sides of the ship 563 00:26:33,125 --> 00:26:37,129 steel hull off the cement walls that line the lock. 564 00:26:37,262 --> 00:26:40,632 - As you can see, the ship is very close to the wall. 565 00:26:40,766 --> 00:26:42,534 The same thing is happening on the other side. 566 00:26:42,668 --> 00:26:45,571 So they should be able to coordinate with the pilot 567 00:26:45,704 --> 00:26:48,474 to keep the ship as most in the center as they can. 568 00:26:48,607 --> 00:26:50,642 There's only two feet on each side. 569 00:26:50,776 --> 00:26:54,246 Any little mistake you can rub the ship against the wall 570 00:26:54,379 --> 00:26:55,447 and cause that damage. 571 00:26:57,216 --> 00:26:58,584 - [Narrator] Top speed for these locomotives 572 00:26:58,717 --> 00:27:00,052 is 10 miles per hour, 573 00:27:00,185 --> 00:27:03,589 but with a ship this size and so little room for error, 574 00:27:03,722 --> 00:27:06,458 they crawl along at about three miles per hour. 575 00:27:08,794 --> 00:27:11,230 Even at this speed, mistakes are costly. 576 00:27:11,363 --> 00:27:13,966 So to minimize any confusion between ship captain 577 00:27:14,099 --> 00:27:15,734 and locomotive operator, 578 00:27:15,868 --> 00:27:19,505 there are no conversations, just orders and action. 579 00:27:20,606 --> 00:27:22,474 - The operator listens to the orders 580 00:27:22,608 --> 00:27:24,443 from the pilot via radio. 581 00:27:24,576 --> 00:27:27,012 And every time he hear a command has to ring the bell 582 00:27:27,146 --> 00:27:29,515 to acknowledge that he received their order. 583 00:27:29,648 --> 00:27:32,351 He operate a locomotive basically, two main functions. 584 00:27:32,484 --> 00:27:35,854 Traction, with this hand he's moving the traction control 585 00:27:35,988 --> 00:27:37,322 and on the left, 586 00:27:37,456 --> 00:27:40,259 he has the controls for the cables-- Of two cables. 587 00:27:40,392 --> 00:27:42,294 One control for each cable. 588 00:27:42,427 --> 00:27:44,296 He's holding the ship in the center 589 00:27:44,429 --> 00:27:46,532 together with his partner on the other side. 590 00:27:47,733 --> 00:27:49,601 Asking number one center to coil. 591 00:27:49,735 --> 00:27:50,869 They don't have to do anything here, 592 00:27:51,003 --> 00:27:52,604 just keep the cables tight. 593 00:27:52,738 --> 00:27:54,473 Keep moving ahead now a little bit. 594 00:27:57,009 --> 00:27:59,278 - [Narrator] While the ship remains under its own power, 595 00:27:59,411 --> 00:28:01,880 the locomotives are propelled with electricity 596 00:28:02,014 --> 00:28:04,983 via a shoe that's connected to the rails. 597 00:28:05,150 --> 00:28:07,986 The rails are energized with 480 volts, 598 00:28:08,120 --> 00:28:09,221 in the middle of the track 599 00:28:09,354 --> 00:28:12,357 a steel gear pulls the locomotive along. 600 00:28:12,491 --> 00:28:14,459 The electricity comes from below 601 00:28:14,593 --> 00:28:16,895 inside a specialty designed power station 602 00:28:17,029 --> 00:28:18,931 that runs the length of the track. 603 00:28:19,064 --> 00:28:20,866 - We are inside of the machinery tunnel, 604 00:28:20,999 --> 00:28:23,068 right underneath of the locomotive tracks 605 00:28:23,202 --> 00:28:25,837 that runs all along the lock walls. 606 00:28:25,971 --> 00:28:29,374 And here is where the locomotive get the power from. 607 00:28:31,543 --> 00:28:33,845 This is a transformer that brings the voltage down 608 00:28:33,979 --> 00:28:36,682 from 2,400 volts down to 480. 609 00:28:36,815 --> 00:28:39,418 The lo-- The power is required by the locomotive. 610 00:28:39,551 --> 00:28:41,787 These are the main breakers for the power 611 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:44,456 that is fed to the locomotive above us. 612 00:28:44,590 --> 00:28:46,291 - [Narrator] Up above the Panamanian ship 613 00:28:46,425 --> 00:28:48,060 is now inside the lock chamber. 614 00:28:49,494 --> 00:28:51,797 As the lock fills with water and the ship rises, 615 00:28:51,930 --> 00:28:54,600 it's steady as she goes for the locomotive operators. 616 00:28:56,134 --> 00:28:57,236 - During this time, 617 00:28:57,369 --> 00:28:58,704 the locomotives just have to keep the ship 618 00:28:58,837 --> 00:29:00,772 in the position with the cables tight. 619 00:29:00,906 --> 00:29:03,408 That way we would avoid the hitting the walls 620 00:29:03,542 --> 00:29:05,177 and we keep the ship safe. 621 00:29:06,345 --> 00:29:08,347 - [Narrator] Keeping a 140 million pound ship 622 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:11,283 centered in the lock requires some tension. 623 00:29:11,416 --> 00:29:13,485 Most of it is focused in the cables. 624 00:29:15,320 --> 00:29:17,823 The cables are routinely tested to withstand twice 625 00:29:17,956 --> 00:29:20,626 the amount of stress they'll ever need out on the lock. 626 00:29:23,262 --> 00:29:24,730 For the locomotive engineers, 627 00:29:24,863 --> 00:29:27,766 stress comes from the one thing they all fear, 628 00:29:27,899 --> 00:29:28,900 a dip in the drink. 629 00:29:30,736 --> 00:29:31,837 - The cables are very tight, 630 00:29:31,970 --> 00:29:34,239 so the locomotives are pulling very strong. 631 00:29:34,373 --> 00:29:37,075 To avoid the locomotive overturn into the water 632 00:29:37,209 --> 00:29:38,510 we have the safety width. 633 00:29:38,644 --> 00:29:40,045 That's what we use the safety width, 634 00:29:40,178 --> 00:29:42,414 they're attached to this piece of track. 635 00:29:42,547 --> 00:29:45,284 So the locomotives is always secure to the track, 636 00:29:45,417 --> 00:29:47,552 no matter how much force they put on the cables, 637 00:29:47,686 --> 00:29:49,721 they will always stay on the track. 638 00:29:50,956 --> 00:29:52,491 - [Narrator] Of the hundreds of thousands of passages 639 00:29:52,624 --> 00:29:54,493 during the canal's history, 640 00:29:54,626 --> 00:29:58,196 just one locomotive has been pulled sideways into the canal, 641 00:29:58,330 --> 00:29:59,898 and that was due to human error. 642 00:30:01,366 --> 00:30:03,335 A closer look reveals the virtually accident proof 643 00:30:03,468 --> 00:30:04,369 safeguarding system. 644 00:30:05,437 --> 00:30:06,838 - Here we are underneath the locomotive 645 00:30:06,972 --> 00:30:08,340 in the maintenance pit. 646 00:30:08,473 --> 00:30:10,042 Here we can find the safety wheels, 647 00:30:10,175 --> 00:30:12,010 these are the ones that prevent the locomotive 648 00:30:12,144 --> 00:30:14,713 from tilting and going into the water. 649 00:30:14,846 --> 00:30:16,782 - [Narrator] The gates of the lock are open. 650 00:30:18,483 --> 00:30:19,685 Like countless ships before it, 651 00:30:19,818 --> 00:30:21,953 the cargo carrier is about to leave 652 00:30:22,087 --> 00:30:24,222 its tight squeeze here for the open waters 653 00:30:24,356 --> 00:30:25,390 of the Pacific ocean. 654 00:30:27,292 --> 00:30:29,561 - The ship is ready to get out of the locks. 655 00:30:29,695 --> 00:30:31,797 We're reaching the end of the sidewalk. 656 00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:34,833 (foreign language over intercom) 657 00:30:34,966 --> 00:30:38,603 Just asked number threes to release the wires and cast up. 658 00:30:38,737 --> 00:30:40,505 So he's gonna cast up the number three, 659 00:30:40,639 --> 00:30:41,873 the guy's in front of us. 660 00:30:42,974 --> 00:30:46,311 He just ask four side to cast up. 661 00:30:46,445 --> 00:30:48,914 He's gonna release the wires and cast off. 662 00:30:49,047 --> 00:30:50,482 He's giving the signals. (bell dinging) 663 00:30:50,615 --> 00:30:52,651 So the deck hands can release the cable 664 00:30:52,784 --> 00:30:54,486 from the bit on the ship. 665 00:30:55,587 --> 00:30:56,988 They're gonna let go in time. 666 00:30:58,690 --> 00:30:59,691 And here they go. 667 00:31:01,226 --> 00:31:02,761 Okay, so we're off the ship. 668 00:31:04,463 --> 00:31:06,631 - [Narrator] 45 Minutes after it entered the lock, 669 00:31:06,765 --> 00:31:09,501 another vessel has completed safe passage. 670 00:31:09,634 --> 00:31:11,269 For the little canal locomotives 671 00:31:12,738 --> 00:31:15,440 a long line of customers is waiting at the locks entrance. 672 00:31:17,976 --> 00:31:20,312 But if you enter one of these locomotives, 673 00:31:20,445 --> 00:31:23,281 you'll need to take an elevator to get to it, 674 00:31:23,415 --> 00:31:25,650 more than 1000 feet underground. 675 00:31:30,188 --> 00:31:31,890 More than 1000 feet underground 676 00:31:33,392 --> 00:31:35,827 inside the Bailey Mine in Southwestern, Pennsylvania. 677 00:31:37,062 --> 00:31:39,331 A fleet of some of the most unusual locomotives 678 00:31:39,464 --> 00:31:41,933 is busy ferrying miners and equipment 679 00:31:42,033 --> 00:31:43,635 through a labyrinth of tunnels 680 00:31:43,769 --> 00:31:45,437 that spans hundreds of miles. 681 00:31:46,471 --> 00:31:48,340 For decades the fleet was powered 682 00:31:48,473 --> 00:31:50,108 by three different sources, 683 00:31:50,242 --> 00:31:54,079 external electrical, battery and diesel. 684 00:31:56,515 --> 00:31:58,216 The electric locomotives were attached 685 00:31:58,350 --> 00:31:59,951 to an overhead trolley line 686 00:32:00,085 --> 00:32:01,720 and its obvious limitations. 687 00:32:03,588 --> 00:32:08,460 - This is a very old battery trolley unit, it's powered-- 688 00:32:08,593 --> 00:32:11,196 It gets all its power from the overhead trolley line. 689 00:32:12,664 --> 00:32:15,600 That technology's been used in the mines for decades. 690 00:32:15,734 --> 00:32:17,569 The problem with the older technology is 691 00:32:17,702 --> 00:32:21,106 he has to be underneath this to operate. 692 00:32:21,239 --> 00:32:23,642 When he goes away from a trolley line, he's dead. 693 00:32:25,110 --> 00:32:26,912 - [Narrator] Another drawback to the outdated trolley line 694 00:32:27,045 --> 00:32:29,848 is the 300 volts hanging from above. 695 00:32:29,981 --> 00:32:31,850 Just waiting to take a bite out of anyone 696 00:32:32,017 --> 00:32:34,085 who accidentally touches it. 697 00:32:34,219 --> 00:32:37,222 Power outages create yet another problem. 698 00:32:37,355 --> 00:32:40,492 - If you have any power problems or anything drops out, 699 00:32:40,625 --> 00:32:43,762 then that that piece of equipment that has no use. 700 00:32:43,895 --> 00:32:45,230 I mean, any power problem in the mine, 701 00:32:45,363 --> 00:32:47,632 or if you had to get out, you would have none. 702 00:32:47,766 --> 00:32:49,601 - [Narrator] The mine's battery powered locomotives 703 00:32:49,734 --> 00:32:52,204 eliminated the need for an overhead trolley line. 704 00:32:53,638 --> 00:32:56,408 But locomotive batteries don't keep going and going. 705 00:32:57,309 --> 00:32:58,343 - You have to actually take it 706 00:32:58,476 --> 00:33:00,145 into a charging station and charge it. 707 00:33:00,278 --> 00:33:03,181 So you're losing the use of your piece of equipment 708 00:33:03,315 --> 00:33:05,650 while you're actually charging it. 709 00:33:07,018 --> 00:33:08,553 - [Narrator] Everything considered the power source 710 00:33:08,687 --> 00:33:11,590 that most miners prefer may surprise you. 711 00:33:11,723 --> 00:33:12,958 Diesel. 712 00:33:13,091 --> 00:33:14,726 - Diesel's much safer. 713 00:33:14,860 --> 00:33:17,295 You no longer have the hazards of any short circuits 714 00:33:17,429 --> 00:33:20,232 in your coal mine, and the potential for mine fires. 715 00:33:20,365 --> 00:33:22,901 With diesel you're totally in control. 716 00:33:23,001 --> 00:33:25,170 I expect to have Bailey Mine converted 717 00:33:25,303 --> 00:33:26,972 entirely 100% to diesel, 718 00:33:27,105 --> 00:33:28,740 because I do believe diesel is the future 719 00:33:28,874 --> 00:33:32,544 for track mounted equipment in the coal mine. 720 00:33:32,677 --> 00:33:35,680 - [Narrator] In fact, that's exactly what happened. 721 00:33:35,814 --> 00:33:39,317 Today, the Bailey Mines fleet is run solely on diesel power. 722 00:33:41,119 --> 00:33:44,055 Wondering how Bailey's Mines coexist deep underground 723 00:33:44,189 --> 00:33:46,157 with a herd of diesel burning locomotives 724 00:33:46,291 --> 00:33:48,159 spewing out exhaust? 725 00:33:48,293 --> 00:33:49,628 Brookville equipment corporation 726 00:33:49,761 --> 00:33:51,263 in Brookville, Pennsylvania 727 00:33:51,396 --> 00:33:55,100 has been building underground diesel locomotives since 1980. 728 00:33:55,867 --> 00:33:58,203 And they have the answer to the diesel question. 729 00:33:59,504 --> 00:34:00,906 - A lot needs to go into the safety 730 00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:03,108 and the health of the people working in that environment. 731 00:34:03,241 --> 00:34:06,478 This is 170 horsepower diesel engine 732 00:34:06,611 --> 00:34:09,581 it's MSHA approved for underground use. 733 00:34:09,714 --> 00:34:11,516 The engine manufacturer has to take it through 734 00:34:11,650 --> 00:34:14,486 a series of tests where they measure 735 00:34:14,619 --> 00:34:17,722 the particulates and they give it a certification. 736 00:34:17,856 --> 00:34:19,024 - [Narrator] Brookville has also installed 737 00:34:19,157 --> 00:34:21,359 a state of the art filtering system. 738 00:34:21,493 --> 00:34:23,295 Sure to keep miners breathing easy. 739 00:34:24,796 --> 00:34:27,332 - To run the diesel engines underground in a coal mine, 740 00:34:27,465 --> 00:34:29,668 you have to have an additional exhaust treatment system. 741 00:34:29,801 --> 00:34:30,835 The exhaust comes out, 742 00:34:30,969 --> 00:34:33,004 goes through a catalyst which breaks apart 743 00:34:33,138 --> 00:34:34,773 the diesel particulate matter. 744 00:34:34,906 --> 00:34:38,376 The exhaust gas comes up into this filter housing 745 00:34:38,510 --> 00:34:40,946 where a replaceable paper filter element 746 00:34:41,079 --> 00:34:46,051 is used to capture approximately 95% of the diesel soot 747 00:34:47,252 --> 00:34:48,586 that is emitted it from the engine. 748 00:34:48,720 --> 00:34:50,755 And that's why we don't smell diesel engine in here. 749 00:34:50,889 --> 00:34:52,223 Diesel fuel. 750 00:34:52,357 --> 00:34:54,125 You put it in the box that the new one comes in 751 00:34:54,259 --> 00:34:56,995 and it's acceptable in any landfill. 752 00:34:59,264 --> 00:35:01,733 - [Narrator] For a typical Brook build diesel locomotive, 753 00:35:01,866 --> 00:35:05,704 nearly 2000 parts are cut, drilled, forged, and assembled. 754 00:35:07,906 --> 00:35:10,375 While the dominiative frames get built separately. 755 00:35:12,310 --> 00:35:14,012 - Engine sits in the front here, 756 00:35:14,145 --> 00:35:15,747 transmission in the center. 757 00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:18,083 You can see the two wheel wells and these are-- 758 00:35:18,216 --> 00:35:21,219 These are grids for airflow 759 00:35:21,353 --> 00:35:23,788 and the operator compartment up front. 760 00:35:23,922 --> 00:35:26,725 These are 23 ton locomotives. 761 00:35:28,226 --> 00:35:29,494 - [Narrator] Down in the Bailey Mine, 762 00:35:29,628 --> 00:35:31,496 Brookville diesel powered personnel carrier 763 00:35:31,630 --> 00:35:33,498 is filling up for the morning commute. 764 00:35:35,700 --> 00:35:37,002 - You can see the men in here 765 00:35:37,135 --> 00:35:38,737 they're getting ready for their shift to begin. 766 00:35:38,870 --> 00:35:40,038 You see the operator station, 767 00:35:40,171 --> 00:35:43,308 this vehicle he has all the controls 768 00:35:43,441 --> 00:35:44,509 that tell 'em full functions 769 00:35:44,642 --> 00:35:47,078 of the engine to break and throttle. 770 00:35:47,212 --> 00:35:48,580 These guys gotta go to work. 771 00:35:50,015 --> 00:35:53,385 As they can go 10 to 12 miles an hour on good track, 772 00:35:53,518 --> 00:35:55,220 a whole lot faster than walking. 773 00:35:57,255 --> 00:35:58,289 - [Narrator] Every day, 774 00:35:58,423 --> 00:36:00,492 80 different underground vehicles travel 775 00:36:00,625 --> 00:36:01,593 throughout the mine. 776 00:36:02,827 --> 00:36:04,729 But what happens if one of them derails? 777 00:36:05,997 --> 00:36:07,666 Brookville's got that covered too. 778 00:36:08,867 --> 00:36:10,969 Now operators can get things back on track 779 00:36:11,870 --> 00:36:12,904 with the Rail Walker. 780 00:36:15,073 --> 00:36:17,642 - The old way is using a hand jack 781 00:36:17,776 --> 00:36:19,010 or a railroad jack, 782 00:36:20,445 --> 00:36:23,381 very labor intensive and relatively dangerous. 783 00:36:24,482 --> 00:36:27,385 The new way is hydraulically. 784 00:36:27,519 --> 00:36:30,221 So what we did, we hydraulically lifted the locomotive 785 00:36:30,355 --> 00:36:32,023 by putting a foot down on the ground, 786 00:36:32,157 --> 00:36:34,926 raising the locomotive and moving it sideways, 787 00:36:35,060 --> 00:36:36,828 position it back over the rail. 788 00:36:36,961 --> 00:36:38,696 It's moving back into position. 789 00:36:38,830 --> 00:36:43,234 The wheels being lowered gently in a controlled manner 790 00:36:43,368 --> 00:36:45,236 back down on the rail. 791 00:36:45,370 --> 00:36:47,439 - [Narrator] With innovations like the Rail Walker 792 00:36:47,572 --> 00:36:49,441 and the clean burning diesel engine. 793 00:36:50,675 --> 00:36:52,377 Miners can move around safely and efficiently 794 00:36:52,510 --> 00:36:54,279 over a thousand feet underground. 795 00:36:59,484 --> 00:37:00,919 Here's a game changer, 796 00:37:01,052 --> 00:37:04,289 in July, 2021, Chinese engineers showcased 797 00:37:04,422 --> 00:37:06,057 what could one day be 798 00:37:06,191 --> 00:37:07,959 the world's fastest locomotive. 799 00:37:10,095 --> 00:37:11,763 A bullet train that is designed 800 00:37:11,896 --> 00:37:15,300 to reach speeds of almost 375 miles per hour. 801 00:37:17,235 --> 00:37:19,370 It's only a prototype for now, 802 00:37:19,504 --> 00:37:21,840 but the technology is called Maglev. 803 00:37:23,274 --> 00:37:25,410 And it already powers one of the fastest trains 804 00:37:25,543 --> 00:37:26,611 in the world. 805 00:37:26,744 --> 00:37:29,948 A 19 mile long ride that connects the airport 806 00:37:30,081 --> 00:37:33,418 in Shanghai, China to the city's Metro system. 807 00:37:33,551 --> 00:37:36,387 Its speeds at 267 miles per hour. 808 00:37:38,089 --> 00:37:41,359 But unlike France's fastest train the TGV, 809 00:37:41,493 --> 00:37:44,329 this one isn't a traditional locomotive. 810 00:37:46,965 --> 00:37:49,200 An engine doesn't power the Maglev 811 00:37:50,969 --> 00:37:52,971 it's powered by the track. 812 00:37:53,104 --> 00:37:54,472 Paradoxically, 813 00:37:54,606 --> 00:37:57,709 the Maglev train never even comes in contact with it. 814 00:37:57,842 --> 00:38:00,678 - It's basically riding on a cushion of air 815 00:38:00,812 --> 00:38:04,449 it's propelled by invisible magnetic forces. 816 00:38:04,582 --> 00:38:08,319 The locomotive, if you will, is magnetically levitated, 817 00:38:08,453 --> 00:38:10,155 propelled and guided. 818 00:38:10,288 --> 00:38:11,823 - [Narrator] On General Atomics test track 819 00:38:11,956 --> 00:38:14,092 in San Diego, California. 820 00:38:14,225 --> 00:38:16,427 Engineers built a prototype system 821 00:38:16,561 --> 00:38:18,897 designed around the same basic law of physics 822 00:38:19,831 --> 00:38:21,533 as the Maglev systems in Asia. 823 00:38:22,967 --> 00:38:24,302 Take some magnets, 824 00:38:24,435 --> 00:38:29,073 make a special track, apply power, and it's up, up and away. 825 00:38:31,042 --> 00:38:33,378 The Maglev track or guide-way is lined 826 00:38:33,511 --> 00:38:35,346 with a cluster of electric power cables, 827 00:38:35,480 --> 00:38:39,484 called a linear synchronous motor or LSM. 828 00:38:39,617 --> 00:38:41,886 The train carriage is joined with a set of magnets 829 00:38:42,020 --> 00:38:43,521 that wrap around the track. 830 00:38:44,722 --> 00:38:46,925 When the linear synchronous motor is energized, 831 00:38:47,058 --> 00:38:49,561 it generates a moving magnetic field 832 00:38:49,694 --> 00:38:50,929 creating a magnetic wave 833 00:38:51,062 --> 00:38:53,298 that pulls the train carriage forward, 834 00:38:53,431 --> 00:38:56,501 to increase speed more power is added to the LSM. 835 00:38:58,236 --> 00:38:59,871 As the carriage moves forward, 836 00:39:00,004 --> 00:39:02,607 the electricity shuts down behind it. 837 00:39:02,740 --> 00:39:05,410 That leaves the issue of levitation. 838 00:39:05,543 --> 00:39:08,279 - Let me tell you about how the levitation system works. 839 00:39:08,413 --> 00:39:11,082 We get levitation by virtue of currents 840 00:39:11,216 --> 00:39:13,251 that are induced in this track. 841 00:39:13,384 --> 00:39:16,921 The magnets are, in this wraparound structure, 842 00:39:17,055 --> 00:39:19,123 they're inside these cans 843 00:39:19,257 --> 00:39:23,728 and we use a set of magnets for levitation. 844 00:39:23,862 --> 00:39:25,630 - [Narrator] For the levitation to occur 845 00:39:25,763 --> 00:39:27,465 the magnets are aligned in a formation 846 00:39:27,599 --> 00:39:29,400 called the Halbach array. 847 00:39:30,935 --> 00:39:33,004 - The way the levitation system here 848 00:39:33,137 --> 00:39:34,839 is going to work is that 849 00:39:34,973 --> 00:39:39,143 these arrows indicate the polarity of the magnets. 850 00:39:39,277 --> 00:39:42,647 That basic configuration is nothing more 851 00:39:42,780 --> 00:39:46,718 than each of these magnets is rotated by 45 degrees. 852 00:39:46,851 --> 00:39:50,588 What it winds up doing is it produces a sign wave 853 00:39:50,722 --> 00:39:52,523 that is focused on the track, 854 00:39:52,657 --> 00:39:54,058 it goes in through here, 855 00:39:54,192 --> 00:39:55,693 it returns off here. 856 00:39:55,827 --> 00:39:58,296 It hugs the backside and comes out 857 00:39:58,429 --> 00:40:01,666 and it tends to focus the magnetic field 858 00:40:01,799 --> 00:40:04,035 on the track where you want it. 859 00:40:04,168 --> 00:40:05,336 - [Narrator] In layman's terms, 860 00:40:05,470 --> 00:40:06,838 what that means is that the wheels 861 00:40:06,971 --> 00:40:08,640 are going to lift off the track. 862 00:40:09,941 --> 00:40:12,076 All the magnets need is some forward motion. 863 00:40:13,478 --> 00:40:15,647 On the track, the electric cables provide it, 864 00:40:16,881 --> 00:40:19,217 and here the spinning wheel induces the power. 865 00:40:20,752 --> 00:40:22,787 - And actually what you're seeing right now 866 00:40:22,920 --> 00:40:25,323 is that basic principle of levitation 867 00:40:25,456 --> 00:40:27,992 we're levitated to well over an inch 868 00:40:28,126 --> 00:40:30,762 and the levitation force is maintained 869 00:40:30,895 --> 00:40:33,398 as long as there's forward motion. 870 00:40:33,531 --> 00:40:36,634 When we're coming into a station and we're slowing down, 871 00:40:36,768 --> 00:40:40,872 then we're going to gradually get less and less 872 00:40:41,005 --> 00:40:44,542 of an air gap until we're almost at the station here. 873 00:40:44,676 --> 00:40:47,645 As we come in, we're just about now landing 874 00:40:47,779 --> 00:40:50,448 on the wheels and we come to a stop. 875 00:40:50,581 --> 00:40:51,883 - [Narrator] Build up enough speed 876 00:40:52,016 --> 00:40:54,452 and it's time for the landing wheels to lift off. 877 00:40:55,687 --> 00:40:56,921 - When the speed of the vehicle 878 00:40:57,055 --> 00:41:00,091 reaches approximately 10 miles per hour, 879 00:41:00,224 --> 00:41:02,760 enough current is induced in the track 880 00:41:02,894 --> 00:41:06,964 that it produces levitation of the entire structure, 881 00:41:07,098 --> 00:41:11,102 including the magnets, as well as the wheels here. 882 00:41:12,603 --> 00:41:14,439 - [Narrator] By levitating the carriage above the track, 883 00:41:14,572 --> 00:41:16,274 you've got a frictionless system. 884 00:41:16,407 --> 00:41:18,209 That's the key to generating speeds 885 00:41:18,343 --> 00:41:20,378 up to 350 miles per hour. 886 00:41:21,479 --> 00:41:23,114 Like the Maglev's in Asia, 887 00:41:23,247 --> 00:41:26,150 the proposed system would require its own dedicated track. 888 00:41:27,885 --> 00:41:30,621 The separate track is also one of Maglev's advantages, 889 00:41:32,023 --> 00:41:33,257 no rail crossings. 890 00:41:35,259 --> 00:41:37,662 There's also no need for an engineer. 891 00:41:37,795 --> 00:41:39,931 The system is completely automated, 892 00:41:40,064 --> 00:41:41,599 run from a control room 893 00:41:41,733 --> 00:41:44,435 where all operators have to do is program the motor 894 00:41:44,569 --> 00:41:47,572 to induce the right amount of power ahead of the carriage. 895 00:41:47,705 --> 00:41:49,707 But the General Atomics proposed system 896 00:41:49,841 --> 00:41:53,644 has one major difference from the high speed Asian versions. 897 00:41:53,778 --> 00:41:57,348 - We're focusing our technology on lower speed operation, 898 00:41:57,482 --> 00:42:00,385 urban systems up to about hundred miles per hour. 899 00:42:00,518 --> 00:42:02,587 We feel that there is a real market 900 00:42:02,720 --> 00:42:05,823 for alleviating much of the congestion 901 00:42:05,957 --> 00:42:08,826 that we find in many of our cities. 902 00:42:09,827 --> 00:42:10,962 - [Narrator] As of today, 903 00:42:11,095 --> 00:42:12,630 the United States has not yet built 904 00:42:12,764 --> 00:42:14,599 any commercial Maglev trains, 905 00:42:15,833 --> 00:42:17,502 but Japan may soon replace China 906 00:42:17,635 --> 00:42:19,303 for the new world's record holder. 907 00:42:20,571 --> 00:42:23,107 A Maglev train running 178 miles 908 00:42:23,241 --> 00:42:25,777 between the cities of Tokyo and Nagoya 909 00:42:25,910 --> 00:42:28,446 is planned to open in 2027. 910 00:42:28,579 --> 00:42:32,984 Achieving maximum speeds of 314 miles per hour. 911 00:42:34,385 --> 00:42:37,255 Magnets, they're the future of the locomotive.