Author: Sponplague

Video explaining Hyperloop One   Last week, I went to see the new multi-star Agatha Christie vehicle, Murder on the Orient Express. It was very enjoyable, but it reminded me, in an irritating way, of parts of our 2010 manifesto: “Ukip will encourage a return to the glamour, grace and style of the railway companies of the past through its railway policies. Ukip seeks a return to ‘Pullman’ trains where justified, with appropriate branding such as ‘Great Western Railway’, one of the most successful British brands ever.” Supporting the tourist industry and heritage railway lines is great, of course, but I also want us to be at the cutting edge of technology and recapture something of Harold Wilson’s “white heat” enthusiasm. Take Hyperloop for example. The video above shows the proof of concept, but in essence, it’s a magnetically propelled bullet in a low-pressure tube. And its fast! London to Edinburgh in 50 minutes! This is the brainchild of Elon Musk, of SpaceX fame, now also backed by Sir Richard Branson – a noted proponent of space tourism. This is working technology (see here for proof), unlike say, carbon capture, and although at Trevithick “catch-me-who-can” stage, it’s going to revolutionise transport. The best news is that British research is playing a key part – through a team at Edinburgh University . And then there’s the future of mining – not…