Bennie Railplane

The George Bennie Rail Plane was a rail-based transport network, which was developed by Scottish engineer and inventor George Bennie ( 1891-1957 ). The vehicle moved hanging on a rail, the leadership was assumed by both the rail as well as an additional guide rail below the vehicle. The drive was carried out by means of air screws at the front and rear of the vehicle.

The system is not a monorail, because in addition to the mounting rail, a separate guide rail is used.

George Bennie wanted to offer his invention a secure, fast passenger, who could not yet be realized with the former railway engineering:

• Separation of the rapid movement of people from the slow freight
• Drive and brake independent of the friction between wheel and rail
• Tracking, which is not affected by sinus run.

The inventor built in Milngavie, near Glasgow, a 120 -meter test track on an industrial track of the LNER to validate the concept. The line was opened on 8 July 1930 and presented to the press. There were plans for Rail Plane routes between Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as between Southport and Blackpool. These projects were not supported because no funding was found. 1937 George Bennie was bankrupt and the system was not pursued further. The test section was canceled in 1956.