In the 1840s, British engineers developed atmospheric railways that featured a large-dia...

In the 1840s, British engineers developed atmospheric railways that featured a large-diameter tube located between the tracks and stretching the entire length of the railroad. Pistons attached by struts to the rail cars moved inside the tube. As shown in Fig. P7.9D, piston motion was achieved by maintaining a vacuum ahead of the piston while the atmosphere was allowed to act behind it. Although several such railways came into use, limitations of the technology then available eventually ended this mode of transportation. Investigate the feasibility of combining the atmospheric railway concept with today’s technology to develop rail service for commuting within urban areas. Write a report including at least three references.