Professor Eric Laithwaite (who looked as if the name Branestawm might fit better) introduced the idea of Magnetic Levitation as a transport system in the 1950s. In 1984, with a great fuss, a Maglev link was installed between Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station. Arriving at the train station one day we took the opportunity just to go on a round trip to try it out. However just before it got us back on the return trip it 'conked out' and we had to get out and walk the rest of the way on foot.
On my travels as a BCS examiner today I revisited the station and found that the MagLev had proved so unreliable that it had been taken out of service, replaced by a bus service for several years and now has been reincarnated as a Doppelmayr Cable Liner Shuttle.
More information:
Then Now
2 comments:
How long was I in Birmingham and I never knew any of that!? :o)
You were on the Maglev with us when it broke down and we had to walk back along the track, we had Auntie Una with us too.
Love Mum xxx
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