The 422km/h Hovertrain That Destroyed The Rail Speed Record: What Happened To Aerotrain 01 & 02?
Vložit
- čas přidán 22. 12. 2021
- The Aerotrain is a forgotten legend of French engineering: an experimental 1960s hovertrain that destroyed the world speed record for rail vehicles at the time. And in my last video, we visited the old abandoned test track where the record-breaking runs were made. But what happened to the two test vehicles themselves? Are they still around? I decided to try and hunt them down...
LINKS
Univem home page - univem-paris.com/en/
The Friends of Jean Bertin (in French) - www.jean-bertin.fr/
Retromobile Exhibition Info & Tickets - www.retromobile.com/
INSTA - / the.tim.traveller
TWIT - / thetimtraveller
FACE - / thetimtraveller
![Eminem - Houdini [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/22tVWwmTie8/mqdefault.jpg)
It's great to see that they're being kept in such good condition.
Hi Jago big fan
So many prototypes get scrapped lest they fall into unscrupulous hands or enemies in time of war.
@Jago love your channel
Funny seeing you here!
Fancy meeting you here Jago.
“Now, although they _call_ this a museum, it’s really just a group of volunteer enthusiasts with a warehouse…”
With all due respect, Tim, I’m pretty sure most vehicle-oriented museums fit that exact description (with some exceptions, obviously).
Fair point :D
the major exceptions i can think of is the USAF Museum and the train museum in the Netherlands
The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu is another fine exception.
@@-_James_- Beaulieu is great, stately home with lovely gardens, and then an 'annexe' stuffed to the gills with cars.
As we are giving examples, here two more:
The California State Railroad Museum, funded in part by the state and donations etc, volunteers welcome.
And down the road a bit, The Western Railroad Museum, funded entirely by private donations and staffed by volunteers. On operating weekends you can ride an old electric car(tram to those in foreign lands) down five and a half miles of an ex-interurban line (shameless plug) 😁
Usually when it's in a warehouse somewhere it's in awful condition, but those look GREAT! That really should be a part of some major technological museum.
Ikr? Must be some crazy-dedicated volunteers
Or perhaps a preservation society - restoring the original track. lol! Now that would be a tourist / heritage railway with a difference. :D
The only thing I can think of is that train museums don't think it's trainy enough and maybe general transport museums think it's too trainy 🤷♂
There are some political issues behind this story.
Aluminium doesn't rust, so things that are designed to be lightweight have a bit of an advantage. :-D
The problems start when they have aluminium panels and steel frames...
What I love about you is that you always take things that one step further. I've had heard of the aerotrain before on other channels, but nobody made the effort to actually find out whether these trains still exist and where they are apart from you!
Agree!
What a delight that they're actively keeping the vehicles safe. Usually those would've been scrapped decades ago. Best wishes for the holidays Tim!
As a matter of fact other Aerotrain protypes were vandalized and destroyed in the warehouses they were kept in years ago. Those two are the only ones remaining intact. No wonder the association preferred to give them to a Military installation for better protection.
After the first video I didn't even wonder what had happened to them. It was so typical for prototypes to be scrapped, I just assumed they were long gone. I'm so happy to see they're not just still around, but in amazing condition no less!
Pretty sure I see a matress in the bigger one. Wouldn't be the worst place to take a nap I guess.
@@gravit8ed the dreams one could have in there!
@@quoniam426 Too bad now everyone knows where they are !
Protected area means it’s a military zone, this whole district is the Satory Camp Army base Tim, home of the GIGN paratroopers, all the warehouse over there are military sites ;)
Ahhhhhh that would explain it :D
@@TheTimTraveller There might be something else in Versailles that might ineterest you. Another military base, full of old french subways and US army tanks, home of a giant railway crane ;)
You're not wrong. I'm in contact with them and there will hopefully be a video at some point :)
@@TheTimTraveller Perfect 😍
it mostly is the home of the S.T.A.T (which you can see on the signs) which is the French army "testing and developping armament and vehicles" thing so. The gendarmerie camp (and other military entities) are a bit further from where you were. GIGN are maybe paratroopers (for more money) but they're first and foremost Gendarmes.
The Thunderbirds aesthetics are strong on these, especially on number 2.
It also kind of reminds me of Tim Burtons Batmobile xD
It is absolutely Thunderbirds. It almost looks like a deliberate parody of Thunderbirds (or vice versa).
As was the music
Dan dare!
4:51 Thunderbirds March (trio).
3:00 Looks like something straight out of Thunderbirds
I was thinking just that. It reminds me of one of the Pod Vehicles that can go in to TB2
I think the music was hinting at stingray 😃👍
Heh - my first thought was "Supercar"...
@@Gatherersmusic thunderbirds had more or less the same kind of soundtrack.
@@sirBrouwer yeah true it's basically the same series.
3:28
The trailer it's on, if you ignore the part that hooks up to a truck/car, makes the train look like the goofiest retro-futurism show car.
That's what I first thought when I saw the thumbnail, haha :D
it would work as is in a thunderbirds production.
damn I love this channel. The fact that you were able to get "closure" from the previous story with filming the actual vehicule makes this outstanding.
Si jamais tu décides de visiter Montréal au Québec, tu me fais signe!
I just discovered this channel, and I’m damn glad I did.
Welcome 😁
Oh do you have an amazing back catalog of stuff to go through!
Just a small addition for those of us in the USA 422 Km/ph is approximately 262.22 mph that's a whole lot of miles per hour. Thanks Tim carry on.
Funnily enough we use MPH in the UK too, I think Tim is getting too acclimatised to being French 😋
@@Gatherersmusic Or he recognises most of audience comes from outside the UK and USA.
Thanks for this video Tim. I immediately put a little dot on my ‘places to visit’ map and when we were near Versailles last weekend we went there. The Univem people were there although a lot of their vehicles were on their way to Normandy. They gave us a fantastic tour, I learned some new things and was able to share some info with them in return. They also shared their box of cherries with us. They unveiled the Aèro trains and then introduced me us to Thierry Farges, thé man from the Jean Bertin foundation. He showed us his photo albums and we talked for a long time. Did you see the photo’s from when they found them? They were a total wreck! They really did an amazing job restoring them to this condition.
If anyone wants to visit, know that you will be very welcome. We were!
And the small hover transporter actually worked at the Paris motor show in Paris and it was a great succes!
je suis très touché par cette paire de vidéos, j'ai longtemps vécu à Orléans et le rail en béton le long de la N20 est culte....
il y avait, dans un hangar à Fleury les Aubrais un aérotrain très sympa, un grand, celui que l'on voit dans pas mal de vidéos de l'époque, il a été vandalisé et à disparu en fumée il y a quelques années, c'est triste.
joyeux noël à toi Tim ainsi qu'à tous.
salut et fraternité !
Merci Ronan ! Oui c'est super triste ce qui est arrivé au grand Aérotrain, je vais en parler dans la deuxième... euh... troisième épisode
Sur la N7, à l'époque, il y avait un ingénieur qui transformait des Citroën SM en leur greffant un moteur Turbodiesel. Son affaire marchait bien et ses véhicules performant. Bizarrement son atelier est aussi parti en fumée.
Il y a en France une mauvaise habitude de cramer tout ce qui sort un peu de l'ordinaire.
@@tomjoad1363 la SM RG???
j'en ai connu une quand j'étais gamin si je me souviens bien...
@@TheTimTraveller Yes the last aérotrain prototype (the closest to the production version) was able to bring 80 passengers on board, with a speed record of slightly over 400 km/h.
L'histoire derrière tout ceci, est plutôt triste. Deux des prototypes les plus avancés ont été détruits par un incendie criminel, visant à détruire et anéantir toutes chances d'un possible retour de ce concurrent.
Ok on se doute forcément que le coupable a été engagé, et était lié de loin ou de près au TGV, qui ne voyait pas d'un bon œil l'aérotrain.
Ils avaient clairement peur du génie de Jean Bertin, et de son projet, et ce malgré l'abandon du projet de l'aérotrain par le gouvernement français. Ils ont quand-même mené cette action criminel afin de brûler l'aérotrain, malgré le fait qu'ils avaient déjà gagné les faveurs du gouvernement. Cela montre vraiment à quel point ils ne se sentaient pas en paix.
D'ailleurs, vous pourrez ajouter dans votre prochaine vidéo sur l'aérotrain, que le TGV a fortement bénéficié de l'appui du président Giscard d'Estaing, dont la femme était bizarrement lié/issue de la famille Alstom, société ayant créée le TGV. Si le président Pompidou n'était pas mort soudainement, l'aérotrain aurait été une réalité en France.
@@tomjoad1363 Plutôt de cramer tout ce qui a tendance à faire de l'ombre, à ceux déjà bien implanté et gavés par les aides gouvernementales ?
Les mêmes personnes qui sont souvent des proches des différents présidents ou hauts fonctionnaires politiques ?
Two larger experimental units were tested 1969 to 1977 on a longer test track Saran to Ruan that was intended to become part of a possible later line Paris to Orléans.
Aérotrain I80 HV (an 80-seater built 1969 with a propeller and modified in 1974 with a jet engine), stored in Chevilly after the tests ended in 1977, was unfortunately destroyed in a fire 1992.
Aérotrain S44 (a suburban version with linear motor also of 1969) was destroyed by fire 1991 in Gometz-la-Ville.
SNCF was not part of the project. But the threat of competition by a new system led them to develop a high speed train on wheels and rails that was compatible to the existing network.
As the high speed tests of 1955 had destroyed several pantographs, at first a gas turbine train was tested (TGV 001) until the project was developed further into the electric TGV that we have today, with the first high speed line LGV Sud-Est built 1976 to 1981.
I was about to leave a comment about those tao other Aérotrain. I thought someone kept I80 HV wreck?
@@mathieudizangremel7259 I would be interested in what remains of it!
So the rule is "old hovertrains spontaneously combust"? That is not good.
@@uncinarynin one tiny piece of about 10 by 10 cm’s, that’s all.
And some photo’s. The friends of Jean Bertin have it in their collection.
The fastest way for Geoff to find a tea shop.
I always appreciate that your videos are short when you have less to say on a subject. It makes me feel confident that your longer videos will be just as succinct and thus packed full of fun and interest. I only found your channel this past year and every time i see a new video i feel absolutely blessed. Merry Christmas Tim!
This video put such a massive smile on my face, thank you Tim! So good to see such important vehicles carefully looked-after, even if they are waaay out in Versailles rather than pride-of-place in a Paris museum.
That's amazing. Science fiction vehicles from my childhood complete with matching soundtrack about science fiction vehicles from my childhood.
Thank you for blessing us with another one of your amazing videos this evening!
OHHHHH, that was one of the greatest reveals in a youtube video, holy shit I love it :D
How wonderful to see it still preserved! Ps Loved the "Stingray" theme.
Don't know what made me smile more, the wonderfull subject, the fact that those wonderfull Aerotrains were still in one piece or those Barry Gray covers :)
Ah, rocket-powered hover-trains! Brilliant!
I came for the things and places: I stayed for your warm humour and those wonderful compositions and renditions!
Thank you, Tim!
Excellent follow up to the last video. Merry Christmas to you and everyone on here. Look forward to seeing more in 2022
The end of life of Jean Bertin is really sad. This genius felt into a grave depression after his projects were cancelled by the French government (the SNCF pushing for its TGV.) He had no more funds and died few weeks after.
So sad. I've been reading as little about him online and even in photographs, he goes from a dashing, smartly dressed gentleman to having a very melancholic distant look in his eyes.
Those individual pods look identical to what they are suggesting now, 50 years later, as an alternative transport system.
They are not a great solution as the problem then and now is that you cannot move many people on individual pods on the same rail. The solution for that is something called trains.
The hyperloop is over 100 years old technology and yet Richard Branson got scammed into putting millions into it. Sorry I went way off course waffling.
Trains! I did it again!
I gasped out loud and my mouth dropped open at the sight of each of these vehicles!! I sometimes enjoy running along the original track site that runs south west from where you visited the remains of the track, it has been turned into a greenway cycle path that runs from there all the way to Bonnelles. I got a bit teary eyed watching this!!
I love the "Thunderbirds-y" music, Tim! Great fun!
Amazing! So glad you were able to find the original trains. And also find that little autonomous pod (let’s hope it will be displayed and that you can ride in it come February!).
4:09. Did anyone else notice the little bear? It looks very clean and new … wondering what it’s story may be? 😊
Another great film Tim. We were driving through France about 10 years ago and spotted a concrete stucture that went on for miles. It was the track for these trains. It had gaps where new roads had been built but there was miles of it.
Thanks for your films this year made under trying circumstances😎😎
If the footage and history didn't already sell the video, then the music would make it a commercial success regardless. Thank you for the video! Happy holidays!
Oh, I'm so glad volunteers are keeping history alive.
God! It took me forever to recall the name of the song when the Aerotrain was unveiled. Stingray!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful treasure of history. I live in the US, so the likelihood of getting to see all these great places and bits of history is very small. I genuinely look forward to these little adventures. Happy Holidays!
This is in remarkably fine condition. That's wonderful.
Merry Christmas Tim! Thank you for all the great videos this year, can't wait for more next year!
That is an amazing collection of well maintained vehicles! I'm amazed those experimental trains are still in such superb condition!! Compliments to all the volunteers that keep history alive!
Love the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson Thunderbirds/Stingray music. You’re the most underrated channel on CZcams.
It was nice of you to give a shout out to those who will be working on the holidays-great touch!
Dear Tim, Thank you for your lovely videos that sprinkle a bit of Frenchness into my life every now and then - you are providing an uplifting public service in times of the pandemic!
As for this video, what an icing of the cake of the last episodes, my engineering heart wept with joy!
All the best and we’ll see you on the other side of Noël!
Amazing work. Bravo. I did not know these two survived since the other ones "accidentally" burned. Happy Christmas to you
The world is a happier, more intriguing place when narrated by M. Traveller and seen through his viewfinder. And this was a delightful way to finish for the holiday.
Sincere thanks for the priceless hours of entertainment; Joyeux Noël!
This is one of the best channels out there, every episode is something interesting, no fluff, lovely eclectic topics with relevance to anyone interested in a bit of history. Great stuff. Thanks a lot
Love the music you chose.. So appropriate. And these machines look just like when they were built. Brilliant.
Thanks for tracking down this interesting piece of experimental transport history and sharing it with us, almost like a piece of science fiction!
Thanks for another great video Tim Traveller
Merry Christmas Tim! Thank you for what you do!
Love your content! Hope 2022 is better so you can get back to making more of these kinds of videos. Thanks so much for keeping those of us who can't travel entertained. Happy New Year Tim!
Awesome stuff - Merry Christmas Tim & all the best for 2022
Thanks for the great videos this year Tim. Have a good Christmas.
Happy festivities, Tim, and thanks for the videos this year.
Great video, Tim. And a very merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
Both these groups deserve high praise indeed. It is one thing to see footage of these vehicles, but another entirely to see them in all their glory!
Good bit of history in one warehouse. Happy Christmas Tim ~>
Thanks Tim! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Thank you for all your videos, All the best for 2022
Thank you Tim, and Merry Christmas!
It's so cool that you managed to find these. Thanks for making this video and have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
Well done as always, Tim! Always fun and informative. Thank you for all the wonderful discoveries you share.
Just want to say thanks for all the videos you make. They've helped keep the sprits up around here for the past, ugh, years. Hope you have a merry Christmas and I'm looking forward to next year's videos.
I absolutely loved the first unveiling! A gorgeous machine with the perfect music! :D
Great to see these machines are still being cared for! Happy Christmas Tim.
Thanks for all the fantastic content this year, have a great Christmas.
Thank you for doing that insane work of digging up all those marvels of (transportation) history. Keep up the good work. Have a merry christmas and all the best for 2022!!!
i wish you a merry christmas Tim and also a happy new year. and also wonderfull new exploring videos into 2022
thanks Tim for all the enjoyment you have us this year. Best wishes to you and yours!
👍👌👏 Oh WOW! Simply fantastic! Why aren't these extraordinary devices stars in a big railway museum???
Thanks a lot for searching, finding, recording, editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards luck and health.
Have a lovely Christmas Tim, and thanks for your videos until now, they’re always a treat for me
Thank you for tacking them down and good to see the rest of the museum! Happy New Year!
Your cheery "Hello" makes my day! It is always the best part! Joking, but I do like it. Anyway, thanks for this - I wondered what had happened to the vehicles. Merry Christmas too.
Oh this is marvelous! I got a big ol' grin when the covers came off. They're in incredible condition!
Wonderful video! Perfect little treat for the holidays. Hope you have a nice break and look forward to videos in the new year.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for all your fantastic videos this past year, here’s to 2022!
Have a great Christmas too! And thanks for all the videos!
When your rendition of the Stingray theme started playing it put a very big smile on my face, if you ever released an album of your theme tune covers I for one would be very interested!
Merry Xmas Matey. You've helped keep me sane this year. Thank you Sir. Cheers. Love from Liverpool. X
Have a great Christmas Tim and thanks for all the joy you've brought us this year!
Utterly spiffing, as ever.
Thank you Tim.
Felicitations of the season to you & yours ... and everyone else here too !
🤶🎄🎅🌲🎅🎄🤶
thank you for going trough the troubles to find and film those wonderfull machines... they are stuningly beautifull
Such a beautiful design! I loved that 1960s future/Gerry Anderson look. Bravo for finding them.
And I loved the Stingray music in the video as well!
Thanks for the video Tim, and Happy Christmas to all!
Great to see your dedication to pursue the story a bit more to get as close to the tangible remains as possible. Happy holidays!
Just when you think you couldn't love a YT channel more than you do already..............thanks for a great year Tim - Happy Christmas and all the best to you and yours mate !
Great find. Merry Christmas Tim!
Your videos are interesting, enlightening and entertaining. Thank you for making them, and Happy Christmas.
Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year Tim and viewers!
Also, thanks for still making videos of interesting subjects in these trying times. They help keep the mind distracted.
The autonomous vehicle reminded me a lot of the cabs they rode around in on Westworld season 3.
They remind me of the autonomous shuttles you find at some airports. Not sure but at stanstead maybe? Or was it gatwick? or heathrow?
Loving all the Gerry Anderson music in this series :)
Merry Christmas sir, happy holiday AND thank you for all the wonderful videos.
can't wait for you to show the other track this year
Thank you Tim, and a very happy Christmas to you.
I do not recall EVER seeing a vehicle of any kind.
That has an amazing-looking part, everywhere you look.
Incredible.
Thank you (and to the volunteer) for making this video.
Merry Christmas Timothy!!!
☮
Thank you for all the insanity and hilariousness and mad effort you put into your channel. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year, Tim!. Cheers!
Thanks very much for all your videos of 2021
This was fantastic! I always enjoy your videos. Have a happy holiday! :)
Oh my goodness, that is just so cool! What a great end of year video, thank you. Merry Christmas.
Tim, the most laid-back person on Earth. No stress, never ❤️
Best wishes, Tim, thanks for the videos.
Yet another great Video. Happy Christmas and looking forward to all your brilliant content in 2022. Stay Safe !
Cheers Gary 👍🏻
Thanks Tim. Merry Christmas!