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The Bennie Railplane, 1930, (1933). Creator: Unknown
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The Bennie Railplane, 1930, (1933). Creator: Unknown
The Bennie Railplane, 1930, (1933). The George Bennie railplane is an astounding device by which existing railways could be speeded up for passenger traffic. Stream-lined cylindrical cars driven by air-screws fore and aft are suspended from a steel girder. The Railplane was a high-level electrically powered suspended monorail system, brainchild of Scottish inventor George Bennie, and designed by engineer Hugh Fraser. A prototype was installed over an LNER siding to Burnbrae Dyeworks at Milngavie, near Glasgow, in 1930, however Bennie was never able to get sufficient financial backing to develop the idea further. From " The Pageant of the Century". [Odhams Press Ltd, 1933]
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Media ID 19297109
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Henry E Henry E White Henry Ewhite Innovation Monorail Odhams Press Ltd Overhead Position Propeller Propellers Public Transport Rail Rail Transport Railways Track Train White Elephant White Henry E Metaphor Overhead Railway
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The Bennie Railplane - A Visionary Transportation Solution Ahead of Its Time
EDITORS COMMENTS
. This print showcases the remarkable Bennie Railplane, a groundbreaking invention from 1930 that aimed to revolutionize railway systems for passenger traffic. Designed by Scottish inventor George Bennie and engineer Hugh Fraser, this high-level suspended monorail system featured streamlined cylindrical cars propelled by air-screws at both ends. Suspended gracefully from a sturdy steel girder, the railplane promised to enhance existing railways with increased speed and efficiency. Installed as a prototype over an LNER siding to Burnbrae Dyeworks in Milngavie near Glasgow, this innovative concept unfortunately faced financial obstacles that prevented its further development. Despite never reaching its full potential, the Bennie Railplane remains an enduring symbol of ingenuity and forward-thinking design. In this photograph, expertly captured by an unknown creator, we witness the sleek elegance of the railplane against a backdrop of industrial infrastructure. The propellers on each car hint at their ability to propel passengers swiftly along tracks elevated above ground level—an impressive metaphor for progress and technological advancement. As we delve into history's archives through "The Pageant of the Century" published by Odhams Press Ltd in 1933, let us marvel at George Bennie's visionary creation—a testament to human innovation even if it ultimately became known as a 'white elephant. ' This image serves as a reminder that sometimes ideas ahead of their time pave the way for future breakthroughs in transportation technology.
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