What is the difference between a monorail and a train

It is typically elevated, but they can also run at grade, below grade or in subway tunnels. The term monorail can also be used to refer to any people mover that travels along such a railway. Monorails are mostly used in airport transfers and medium capacity metros. Vehicles travelling along such rails are wider than the guide way and either straddle the narrow way or are suspended from it. They are quite similar to light rail vehicles and can be either staffed or unstaffed. Monorails are often separated from traffic and pedestrians.

They do not use pantographs and are both supported and guided via interaction with the same single beam. They can be articulated single units, individual rigid vehicles or multiple units coupled into trains.

Sometimes the same transit agency even runs multiple technologies. On its own this last point isn't enough to explain monorails' unpopularity. But combined with other problems, this further narrows the already small set of circumstances where monorails might be the best choice. There is a narrow set of circumstances where monorails are the most sensible option. If the technical details align, that is when you have a mostly elevated line that doesn't need many switches, and there's not a strong incentive to match an agency's equipment, then the positives of monorails can outweigh the negatives.

But if you're Wuppertal, Germany and you want to run a train line over a river where children play, go to town. First, a primer on why people like monorails A lot of people simply like monorails because they look good. It's just that they usually aren't enough to overcome monorails' three big disadvantages: 1. Monorails are all-el or bust It's true that elevated monorails can be less expensive than elevated standard rails.

Switching monorail tracks is hard In any large transit system, trains sometimes have to switch tracks. But take a look at a monorail, and how the train itself wraps around the monorail track: Seattle monorail by the author. Transit agencies like maintenance simplicity Even with those two big shortcomings, monorails can still be useful on individual lines that need to be fully elevated.

The bottom line There is a narrow set of circumstances where monorails are the most sensible option. Get daily updates via email Sign Up. GGWash is supported by our members, corporate supporters, and foundations. This is a Maglev Monorail. It shares the same attributes of conventional monorails in that the train wraps around the track.

However, propulsion and lift are provided by powerful magnets. See our Maglev Monorail Page for further information. They run on conventional steel dual rails on a massive wide beam. It's basically a modern version of the old elevated trains of Chicago and New York. To the untrained eye, it may look like a monorail, but it's conventional rail.

Several manufacturers build people movers like this one Miami that are essentially automated buses. Many can be found at airports. In comparison to monorails, the tracks are gigantic.