Monocab as a solution for rural rail lines

Another week, another Gadgetbahn. This time one from Germany - Monocab. It's supposedly so important there is even a Wikipedia page about it.

This thing is a narrow monorail that is supposed to balance on a single traditional rail track, and has a gyroscope to keep it upright. There is capacity for half a dozen people inside, and theoretically these cabs can run at up to 70km/h.

Oh and I can just imagine a bunch of teenagers riding these thinking "let's rock it back and forth as much as we can, so we get it to fall over".

But even if you overcome that is that the problem here, just like with other Gadgetbahn ideas I analysed in a previous newsletter, is this is a solution looking for a problem.

Enough passengers? Renovate the track and run a small train.

Not enough passengers? Run a good bus.

What does this low capacity, technically complicated, rail vehicle that you cannot mix with other rail vehicles (as it does not pass regular rail crash worthiness tests) achieve that you cannot achieve with something else? Also to be able to turn these pods around, or get them onto the other rail, you are also going to have to adapt your tracks too - more cost and complexity.

The idea is bullshit. Sorry.