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  "description": "Another week, another Gadgetbahn. This time one from Germany - Monocab. It's supposedly so important there is even a Wikipedia page about it.\n\nThis thing is a narrow monorail that is supposed to balance on a single traditional rail track, and has a gyroscope to keep it upright. There is capacity for half a dozen people inside, and theoretically these cabs can run at up to 70km/h.\n\nOh and I can just imagine a bunch of teenagers riding these thinking \"let's rock it back and forth as much as we can",
  "path": "/monocab-as-a-solution-for-rural-rail-lines/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-10T11:55:35.000Z",
  "site": "https://jonworth.eu",
  "tags": [
    "a Wikipedia page about it",
    "I analysed in a previous newsletter"
  ],
  "textContent": "Another week, another Gadgetbahn. This time one from Germany - Monocab. It's supposedly so important there is even a Wikipedia page about it.\n\nThis thing is a narrow monorail that is supposed to balance on a single traditional rail track, and has a gyroscope to keep it upright. There is capacity for half a dozen people inside, and theoretically these cabs can run at up to 70km/h.\n\nOh and I can just imagine a bunch of teenagers riding these thinking \"_let's rock it back and forth as much as we can, so we get it to fall over_ \".\n\nBut even if you overcome that is that the problem here, just like with other Gadgetbahn ideas I analysed in a previous newsletter, is this is a solution looking for a problem.\n\nEnough passengers? Renovate the track and run a small train.\n\nNot enough passengers? Run a good bus.\n\nWhat does this low capacity, technically complicated, rail vehicle that you cannot mix with other rail vehicles (as it does not pass regular rail crash worthiness tests) achieve that you cannot achieve with something else? Also to be able to turn these pods around, or get them onto the other rail, you are also going to have to adapt your tracks too - more cost and complexity.\n\nThe idea is bullshit. Sorry.",
  "title": "Monocab as a solution for rural rail lines",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-10T13:55:35.493Z"
}