Trains are found extensively throughout the world carrying Passengers and Freight. They are safe, economical and travel long distances in relative comfort for passengers. They are usually made strong and sturdy to withstand long usage and are heavy, weighing hundreds of tonnes. Since they travel on fixed rails, their speed is restricted mainly due to the air resistance in front of the trains. For this reason, trains that run in long pipes, where air is removed is gaining popularity as they can travel very fast when air friction is reduced or removed. But they are still experimental as many challenges still remain. (hyperloop trains)

If we can utilise the air rushing towards the train as it moves forward to our advantage, we can achieve high speeds without enclosing the entire train in a tube.

My proposal is based on giving an Aerofoil shape to the train, so that we can utilise the air rushing towards a high speed train can be used to float the train by a few mm above the tracks. With this Aerofoil shape, we have a number of advantages like:

The weight of the train is reduced as the as the air flowing over the aerofoil shape “lifts the train” and the entire train will float on a layer of air. This lift will be very small, but will effectively reduce the weight on the wheels.

Note that the wheels never lift from the rails as it is the wheels which drive the train forward. 

As the rain is suspended on a layer of air, the journey becomes smoother and quieter without any jolts, jerks or rattles. Since the weight is reduced, the energy consumption will become lower:

• The speed of the train can be increased as the wheels have minimum contact with the rails.
• The wear and tear on the train will come down due to smoother running, extending the working life and also reduce maintenance. 

This is only a proposal/concept and further studies are required to build a prototype to prove the concept.