VII Прочитайте текст и ответьте на во письменно.
Turbo trains
A turbo train is a high-speed passenger train powered by a gas-turbine engine similar to that used in jet aircraft. Unlike conventional trains, the turbo variety does not have a separate locomotive. Its turbine power unit is small enough to be built into a passenger car.
A typical turbo train consists of several coaches with power units located in each of the end cars. The cars are constructed of aluminum that reduces weight and minimizes the power required for high-speed locomotion. A pendulous banking suspension system enables the turbo train to travel around corners safely and smoothly at speeds 30 to 40% faster than other types of trains. With such a suspension system, a car is suspended above its center of gravity so as to swing freely from a special frame, which causes the train to bank inward rather than outward around curves under centrifugal force.
The turbo train were designed during the early 1960’s at the United Aircraft Corporation. They were first prodeced at the Sikorsky Aircraft Division. These American-built turbo trains operated in the 1970’s between Boston and New York City and also provided the rail service between Montreal and Toronto. French models were built later and were operating in New York State in the 1980’s.
The success of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed electrical trains and the sharp rise of fuel prices in the 1970’s caused a serious decline in the use of turbo trains.
Во к тексту:
1. What is a turbo train?
2. When was it firstly designed and by whom?
3. What makes the turbo train different from conventional trains?
4. What does the turbo train look like?
5. What is the turbo train constructed of? What makes it so unusual?