M-497 Black Beetle
Encyclopedia
The M-497 was an experimental jet-powered locomotive test bed of the New York Central Railroad
corporation, developed and tested in 1966 in the United States of America. Two second-hand General Electric J47-19
jet engine
s (designed as boosters for the Convair B-36
intercontinental bomber) were mounted atop an existing Budd Rail Diesel Car
(an RDC-3, part coach, part baggage and mail configuration) body which had received a streamlined front cowling
. The construct was then successfully sent on test runs over the existing tracks between Butler, Indiana
and Stryker, Ohio
(the line was chosen for its arrow-straight layout and good condition-, but otherwise unmodified track). The car reached a speed of 183.68 mph (295.54 km/h), still the light-rail speed record for the United States.
Even with this spectacular performance (and even though it had been built relatively cheaply, using existing parts), the project was not considered viable commercially. The railroad gathered valuable test data regarding the stresses of high-speed rail travel on conventional equipment and tracks then existing in America. The data was largely ignored, as the NYC was headed for merger with its arch rival Pennsylvania Railroad
. The PRR was already heavily involved in the USDOT-funded Metroliner project. After jet engine removal, the rail car returned to normal service and was scrapped in 1984.
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
corporation, developed and tested in 1966 in the United States of America. Two second-hand General Electric J47-19
General Electric J47
|-Specifications :-Nuclear-powered version – The X39:In the 1950s, interest in the development of nuclear-powered aircraft led GE to experiment with two nuclear-powered gas turbine designs, one based on the J47, and another new and much larger engine called the X211.The design based on the J47...
jet engine
Jet engine
A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
s (designed as boosters for the Convair B-36
Convair B-36
The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" was a strategic bomber built by Convair and operated solely by the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 was the largest mass-produced piston engine aircraft ever made. It had the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft ever built , although there have...
intercontinental bomber) were mounted atop an existing Budd Rail Diesel Car
Budd Rail Diesel Car
The Budd Rail Diesel Car, RDC or Buddliner is a self-propelled diesel multiple unit railcar. In the period 1949–62, 398 RDCs were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States...
(an RDC-3, part coach, part baggage and mail configuration) body which had received a streamlined front cowling
Cowling
A cowling is the covering of a vehicle's engine, most often found on automobiles and aircraft.A cowling may be used:* for drag reduction* for engine cooling by directing airflow* as an air intake for jet engines* for decorative purposes...
. The construct was then successfully sent on test runs over the existing tracks between Butler, Indiana
Butler, Indiana
Butler is a city in DeKalb County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,684 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Butler is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
and Stryker, Ohio
Stryker, Ohio
Stryker is a village in Williams County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,406 at the 2000 census.-History:Stryker is the oldest settlement in Williams County...
(the line was chosen for its arrow-straight layout and good condition-, but otherwise unmodified track). The car reached a speed of 183.68 mph (295.54 km/h), still the light-rail speed record for the United States.
Even with this spectacular performance (and even though it had been built relatively cheaply, using existing parts), the project was not considered viable commercially. The railroad gathered valuable test data regarding the stresses of high-speed rail travel on conventional equipment and tracks then existing in America. The data was largely ignored, as the NYC was headed for merger with its arch rival Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
. The PRR was already heavily involved in the USDOT-funded Metroliner project. After jet engine removal, the rail car returned to normal service and was scrapped in 1984.
