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This article is about trackless trains. For road trains that carry freight see road train, for other trains see train (disambiguation).
A
trackless train, also known as a
land train or
road train, is a series of connected road vehicles, used for transporting groups of people short distances. Trackless trains are often, but not always, shaped like a
railway train. They don't run on
rails.
The term land train or road train is common in
Europe, where such a vehicle may also be known as a
Dotto train after the name of a leading manufacturer. In
North America the term trackless train is more common, and the terms
tram or
parking lot tram may also be used.
A trackless train usually consists of a
gasoline or
electric engine-powered tractor unit pulling a number of small, articulated
trailers or carriages in the manner of a railroad train. The carriages are usually open-sided, but doors add a safety restraint, and may be covered over with plastic in inclement weather. There are various sizes and designs available, and depending on the design, each trailer may seat between 6 and 20 persons.
Uses
Trackless trains are often used for the
transport of tourists instead of buses in beach resorts, at amusement parks and zoos, or for sight-seeing along scenic routes. The
National Railway Museum runs a trackless train between its
York museum and
York Minster. In the
Swiss town of
Gruyères, a trackless train is the only vehicle allowed in the
pedestrianised streets. In some places, hiring of trackless trains for special events is possible.
A particularly heavy user of trackless trains has been the
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts where they're used to move guests between the outlying parking areas and the entrance plaza, hence the name parking lot tram. Disney and other
movie studio themed parks also use trackless trains on their studio backlot tours.
Steering mechanism
When the trackless train turns, the tractor pulls the first car's front wheels into the turn. Cross links from the car's front wheels steer the rear wheels in the opposite direction, so that they follow the arc of the turn. A tow bar from the rear of the first car pulls the front wheels of the second car into the turn in the same way. With all the wheels following the same arc, the train moves as if it were on rails. Airport baggage trains use the same mechanism. If the rear wheels didn't steer, they'd track toward the inside of the turning circle. The train could still turn, but less smoothly, and with a much greater turning radius.
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