[Dan40]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Well, if that's the case, then energy recovery is already feasible to some degree.

You figure the weight of the empty train/cars go up and down the hill, so the available potential energy is that of the load mass x elevation. If in the process of changing potential energy to mechanical to electrical to mechanical, the loss of energy to mechanical friction/elctrical conduction, etc, is significantly less than that of the potential energy, then I would think there is a possiblity of it working. I think you would have to have two parallel rail systems, or at least a bypass area, so the trains coming down and going up could be operating at the same time, to be able to transfer the electrical power generated efficiently.

I guess anything is possible if you throw enough of money at it.

Our Governments at all levels have throughly disproved that theory!!