Expanding on Parallel Systems

by Charles A. Turek

December 21, 2023--Shortly after my post of December 15, 2023, about single-car container trains, the developer of the technology, Parallel Systems, released the video linked here.  Before moving on to another subject, I decided it would be a good idea to bring things up to date.

The video is reported to show the ability of these single-car trains to “platoon” (a verb) into multiple car trains.  Theoretically, as reported by Parallel Systems and Trains magazine, the units can join into a “platoon” (noun) consisting of an unlimited number of units. 

Close view of platooning.

Those of you who watch the video closely will notice that it visually implies a demonstration of three containers joining into a platoon.  As far as this writer can tell, there are only two involved in the actual joining, and there is no coupling or uncoupling.  I see only a buffer of sorts between the two cars.

I saw the track switch and expected a demonstration of how a single unit can be directed on a diverging route while another continues straight ahead.  Nothing like this occurs.  Braking distance appears no greater than that of a heavy highway vehicle moving at similar speed.

While the value of single car trains is reported to be enroute sorting, the value of platooning is track clearance and train separation.  I don’t know if Parallel Systems will buy a wholesale case of headache pills for the dispatchers on the first full-fledged railroad that tries this system.

A platoon of 20 containers would have 80 axles, all of them powered.  It has not been reported whether the system will carry double-stacks, but lacking the low center of gravity of typical well cars, I doubt that there would be much resistance to tipping in such a case.  So say 80 motors to move containers easily moveable by one locomotive or ideally 10 motors in doubled tractor-trailers. 

It still doesn’t seem like much of an energy saving.

©2023 – Charles A. Turek – mistertrains@gmail.com

Video courtesy of Parallel Systems

(Charles A. Turek is a writer and novelist based in Albuquerque, NM.  After four decades working in areas of the insurance industry related to transportation, he now writes on all aspects of American railroading.  Charles is a political conservative but believes in public funding of passenger rail as a part of the federal government’s constitutionally conservative obligation to provide for defense and public infrastructure so that private enterprise may flourish.)