Alternative history transportation idea

[kettel]

Why are we stuck to the good old proven by decades transportation systems? If you were a transport tycoon in the 1950's (which the most of you actualy are in your games) wouldn't you be interested in trying new and exciting things, even if they weren't looking very promising? I would.
In fact, there were a lot of projects that did have a real chance to become a part of nowdays life. Here are a few of good examples.
GM Aerotrain - promised to open new horizons.

Fairey Rotodyne - amazing hybrid of a helicopter and an airplane.

Schienenzeppelin - superfast train of early 1930's driven by an airplane propeller.

Mil Mi-12 - the largest helicopeter ever built.

A-90 Orlyonok - a soviet built ekranoplan.

What do you think about this Swiss passenger trailer truck?

If TTD had seaports I'd suggest the Spruce Goose.

These were actually built and operated. But how many other exciting projects were proposed? A LOT! Just start digging and you'll find enormous amount of intriguing stuff from jet trains to nuclear powered airships.

That would be great if someone added those marvelous designs in the game.

[Wotan]

It could actually be fun to have some of those experimental engines in the game.

This thread reminds me of one of the most insane ideas in the history of rail transport: the Breitspurbahn - one of Hitler's megalomaniac pet projects. Super-sized trains with a track width of 3 metres. The cars were supposed to be in two stories and great enough for being fitted with cinemas.

Because of the war the idea never left the drawing board.

[andythenorth]

Nice thread, got to mention RG LeTourneau, inventor of some of the largest and most bizarre (and occasionally successful) wheeled vehicles ever:

Google Books extract

Overland Train

Google image search RG LeTourneau for more...

[Slye_Fox]

Land trains are still in use in australia.

[Matt_E]

Another similar thread

[kettel]

Well, it's not eaxactly the same... I was talking about actually built and working vehicles, not concepts.
But it quite well illustrates my idea: start looking and you'll find lots of interesting stuff
Now, when you found it, get inspired with it and (find people who will) add it to the game!

[jbr]

I totally love this idea, and I have been working on some grfs to that effect. Specifically, I have been making air vehicles for the 19th century (all based on real ones that were actually built but were not commercially successful). Although my primary goal in this was to make vehicles for play in the 1800's, I would love to experiment with some cool ideas like these. I really like those land trains and that propeller driven one.

Also, since it seems newgrf_ports will be in trunk before 7.0, seaplanes will become a possibility very soon. I think it would be awesome to add a Spruce Goose.

[athanasios]

Wouldn't it be nice to add vehicles that look odd and didn't make it into production into toyland climate?

[jbr]

Interesting idea, but I'd still make them available everywhere. Toyland gives me a headache. I wish we could add vehicles after 2044.
Hmm... I seem to remember that rule being for TTDP, does anyone know if that rule applies to OTTD as well?

[Zephyris]

Vehicles with introduction late than 2050 never appear in openttd unless vehicles never expire is switched on...

[ostlandr]

Toyland? Why toyland when we have the wonderful Toyland-to-Mars conversion? With Newindustries we can get rid of the old Toyland industries, and start from scratch (or just use the ECS vectors.)

I like the idea of either Martian colonists starting with almost nothing (retro-engineered 18th century tech) and building up from there, or else native Martians having their own unique rail, road and air vehicles. A lot of the existing sprites could be re-used, like some of the odd late-game aircraft, monorails, etc.

Wouldn't it be nice to add vehicles that look odd and didn't make it into production into toyland climate?