In 2012, Elon Musk hinted at the idea of a super fast rail system. This was named Hyperloop, and by 2013, it was a concept that was made public. Using atmospheric-pressure differences, creating low resistance, thus making it faster than the average train. Sitting on magnets, friction is low and the nudge of large, fan-based, engines, are enough to build a higher speed. This grand plan would mean travelling great distances in very little time, bringing the world’s population, closer together.
What has happened to this?
There are always whispers about, but the overall concept is still at the drawing board. Many other rail units have used the name, Hyperloop, but none of them match the complexity of this. With Space X, Tesla and X needing Musk’s attention, I imagine that this is a small project by their standards. I wonder if we shall ever see this progress? There’s a real sense of ‘futuristic’ about it. How many sci-fi films have fast moving trains in their cities and across their landscapes?
In the public’s eye, there is a sense that Hyperloop is a dead concept, put to the side in favour of other outcomes. Whether Musk does continue this research and design, or it is left to another dreamer, I hope it won’t be too long before it shows up. So many rail-based transport ideas have been lost to time, ones that promise many features, but I am sure that one will arrive, one day.
