Boynton bicycle railway system

A visionary engineering pamphlet introduces the Boynton Bicycle Railway System, a bold attempt to reshape rail travel by borrowing the balance and efficiency of a bicycle. The text explains how a lightweight, bamboo‑inspired carriage, built from veneer and steel, can carry ten times its own weight while gliding along a single rail at speeds well beyond conventional trains. Detailed diagrams describe the double‑flanged wheels, the guiding overhead beam, and the way the vehicle leans into curves to counter centrifugal force, promising smoother, safer rides with far less friction and wear.

The author, a New York officer and inventor, cites real‑world tests on Long Island where a six‑ton electric car reached 60 mph on a modest stretch of track, and a 30‑pound bicycle hauled a rider for over 500 miles in a single day. By reducing the vehicle’s profile and eliminating the need for twin rails, the system claims to cut costs while offering express‑train speeds that could reach ninety miles per hour. The early chapters blend technical description with enthusiastic speculation about how this single‑rail approach might revolutionize both passenger and freight transport.