this post was submitted on 17 May 2024
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[–] BirdyBoogleBop@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

The crane is the part I don't get. Is it a stationary crane? Is that not more work than just putting a track switch in place instead?

[–] MrFloppy@feddit.de 3 points 6 months ago

It's only for the alpha-test vehicles. The crane does not touch the rails, it's a security issue for testing e.g. min power gyro

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 6 months ago

The problem is that the wheels have flanges on both sides, so I don't think switches work.

The best solution would be a loop connecting the rails at each end, but that's obviously not compatible with running regular freight trains since it would need to be switchless.

Thus presumably they need to be externally flipped around and moved, for which I'd guess a crane like those used for moving containers on and off trains is ideal.

With a crane they could also easily move the vehicles to a storage area so freight trains can pass through.