Schienenzeppelin

Schienenzeppelin
Schienenzeppelin at Erkrath-Hochdahl steep ramp
Rear view, showing the two-bladed propeller
Manufacturer	Franz Kruckenberg
Built at	Hannover-Leinhausen (DR)
Constructed	1929
Scrapped	1939
Number built	1
Capacity	40 people
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminum
Car length	25.85 m (84 ft 9+3⁄4 in)
Height	2.8 m (9 ft 2+1⁄4 in)
Maximum speed	230.2 km/h (143.0 mph)
Weight	20.3 t (20.0 long tons; 22.4 short tons)
Prime mover(s)	BMW VI
Engine type	Water-cooled V12 petrol aircraft engine
Cylinder count	12
Cylinder size	right bank: 160 mm × 190 mm (6.30 in × 7.48 in) left bank: 160 mm × 199 mm (6.30 in × 7.83 in)
Power output	600 hp (450 kW)
Transmission	Compressed air[1] (driving a propeller)
UIC classification	2
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Schienenzeppelin (German: [ˈʃiːnənˌtsɛpəliːn]) or rail zeppelin was an experimental railcar which resembled a Zeppelin airship in appearance. It was designed and developed by the German aircraft engineer Franz Kruckenberg in 1929. Propulsion was by means of a pusher propeller located at the rear: it accelerated the railcar to 230.2 km/h (143 mph) setting the land speed record for a petrol powered rail vehicle. Only a single example was ever built, which due to safety concerns remained out of service and was finally dismantled in 1939.