Building Giant Model Trains in California Vineyards: Meet the Vector System

Summary

Max Schlinger, an 89-year old retired engineer, has been obsessed with trains since he was a kid. Schlinger created the Vector System, a giant train set in his Mendocino, California vineyard that uses magnets to run along a vacuum tube. Unlike the Victorian-era Atmospheric Railway that failed due to the absence of high-strength magnets, the Vector relies on them to transport passengers and freight. The train system operates by applying pressure behind or vacuum in front of the thrust carriage to move down the track. The use of vacuum power instead of engines allows the train to ascend hills and go up to 10 percent grade. Despite requiring a lot of money and political wrangling, Schlinger, the true disruptor, dreams of seeing his system become a reality one day.

How did the idea for the Vector System come about?
How does the Vector System work?
How is the Vector System powered?
What advantages does the Vector System have over traditional trains?
Why isn’t the Vector System more widespread?
What are the challenges of bringing the Vector System to life?
What does the future hold for the Vector System?

How did the idea for the Vector System come about?

Schlinger’s love for trains started at a young age. As a child, he played with electric trains and even had an electric train set in the attic of his house. He later became a professional engineer, and his love for trains never faded. Schlinger wanted to create a modern version of the Victorian-era Atmospheric Railway, which never succeeded due to the lack of high-strength magnets. Thus, Schlinger came up with the idea of the Vector System.

How does the Vector System work?

The Vector System has two parts: the interior part that is inside the power tube, and the exterior that consists of a thrust carriage and a passenger carriage. The passenger carriage is magnetically coupled to the thrust carriage, and the latter is inserted into the thrust tube. The thrust carriage moves down the tube, and as a result, the entire train moves forward. The train moves by applying pressure behind or vacuum in front of the thrust carriage through a powerful vacuum pump.

How is the Vector System powered?

The Vector System uses a vacuum pump with an electrical power source, which enables the train to be powered by renewable energy. By using vacuum power instead of engine power, the train is light enough to tackle hills that a normal train would not be able to climb. Furthermore, the system allows for atmospheric braking, which ensures the safe descent of trains down steep gradients.

What advantages does the Vector System have over traditional trains?

One of the advantages of the Vector System is its ability to climb steep grades. The high-strength magnets allow the train to climb grades up to 10 percent, which is impossible for traditional trains. The Vector System is also able to go down these steep grades using atmospheric braking. The train’s reliance on vacuum power instead of an engine means that it is lightweight and environmentally friendly, with the ability to run on renewable energy.

Why isn’t the Vector System more widespread?

Schlinger believes that other people are skeptical about unconventional train systems and are more tied into traditional trains. Currently, high-speed trains are the norm, which are also built according to traditional gauge railway systems. This reluctance to embrace innovative systems could be contributing to the slow adoption of the Vector System.

What are the challenges of bringing the Vector System to life?

Schlinger acknowledges that bringing the Vector System to life will require immense political and financial investment. The construction of a scale model of the Vector System received funding from private donations, but scaling up the concept for commercial operations will be more expensive.

What does the future hold for the Vector System?

Schlinger is committed to seeing the Vector System become a reality, even if it takes a while. He has no intention of slowing down and wants to keep working on the project until it comes to fruition. Although the process will be challenging and will require political and financial backing, Schlinger believes that the Vector System’s better solution will ultimately prevail.

Conclusion:

Max Schlinger’s love for trains has led to the creation of the Vector System, a modern twist on the Victorian-era Atmospheric Railway, that relies on magnets and vacuum power to transport passengers and cargo. While the Vector System has many advantages over traditional trains, it faces multiple challenges in terms of funding and adoption. Despite this, Schlinger remains optimistic that the Vector System will eventually become a reality, a reminder that changing the status quo always requires persistence, vision, and an unwavering commitment to innovation.