BRENNAN'S MONO-RAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13905, 12 November 1908, Page 5

BRENNAN'S MONO-RAIL.

PRACTICAL TESTS. By Telegraph—Press Association Copyright, London, November ](>. Colonel Seely (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), in reply to questions in the House of Commons, said that Mr. Louis Brennan's gyroscopic mono-rail was a most interesting invention, and he would consider the possibility of enabling members to see it at work. Until it had been practically tested it was impossible to say whether it was suitable for the purpose of opening up British areas in Africa. Mr. Louis iirennan, who, while a resident of Melbourne, invented the Brennan torpedo, which lie sold to the British Government, has adapted the principle of the gyroscope to mono-rail traction. His; ear is balanced upon a single row of wheels, and is dependent, for the maintenance of its equilibrium upon two gyroscopes, or ilywheels, which rotate in the same plane, but in opposite directions, on axes parallel to the axes of the road wheels mid at right angles to tho tail. Expert opinion is divided as to tlx* practicability of the involution. Sir William White, however, who was director of naval construction to the British Admiralty for many years, is of .opinion that tho invention would bo exceedingly useful in the opening up of new countries, and also in war time, , ft- is claimed that Mr. Brennan's invention will make possible railway travelling at the rate of 300 miles an hour.