Exploring the Use of Rubber Tires on Trains: A Historical Overview

In this article, Juan Manuel Grijalvo delves into the intriguing world of experimental locomotives that incorporate rubber tires. These unique locomotives, as opposed to traditional steel-wheeled trains, offer certain advantages in specific situations. While steel wheels on rails are optimal for flat terrains due to minimal rolling resistance, rubber tires show their merit when it comes to starting from a halt or climbing steep gradients. Grijalvo highlights the Michelin ‘Micheline’ vehicles, which were an early example of such rubber-tired trains, particularly useful on lines with low traffic. He also discusses the use of rubber tires in metro systems, such as the Paris Metro, and how these systems have been adopted in countries like Japan. These rubber-tired vehicles have benefits like better acceleration, braking, and noise reduction, making them suitable for urban environments. While Grijalvo acknowledges the potential of these technologies, he briefly touches on vehicles designed to operate both on roads and rail tracks, a concept that is more removed from traditional railway engineering. The article is a fascinating look into how tire technology has shaped rail transportation over the years.