The following projects all involve ideas that originally came from science-fiction tales. However, many of the projects remain within the realm of possibility and some are on their way to reality. Stories that once made people dream are now sending engineers, contractors and lawyers to their respective tools to formulate proposals.
Railroads, which operate on standard gauge tracks, with set car sizes and turning radii, are not prone to major design changes. But Robert Pulliam has brought some fresh thinking to bear on this venerable transportation mode. For the past decade he has been presenting his concept for a “tubular rail” system that would eliminate rails.