The US Army's earth-shaking, off-road land trains (thedrive.com)

Article summary

The US Army developed a series of massive land trains in the 1950s to transport supplies to remote areas in the Arctic. The trains, designed by R.G. LeTourneau, were capable of hauling hundreds of tons of cargo over long distances and were used to construct the DEW Line, a series of radar stations in the Arctic. The land trains were eventually replaced by heavy-lift helicopters, which were more efficient and cost-effective. The remains of some of the land trains can still be seen today, including one that is visible on Google Maps.

Main themes

• land trains
• Arctic transportation
• Cold War technology
• innovation and experimentation
• nuclear power
• logistics and supply chain management

What commenters say

• The article's claim that 500 tons of materials were needed to construct the DEW Line is likely an underestimate, with some commenters suggesting that the actual amount was much higher.
• The development of heavy-lift helicopters made the land trains obsolete, but some commenters argue that there is still a need for such vehicles in certain situations.
• The article's mention of nuclear-powered aircraft sparked a discussion about the feasibility and safety of such technology.
• Some commenters expressed a desire for more innovative and ambitious projects, such as nuclear-powered aircraft and land trains, to be pursued.
• The use of satellite imagery in the article is notable, with some commenters pointing out that the imagery is not actually taken from satellites, but rather from airplanes.
• The land trains' design and capabilities are impressive, but some commenters question their practicality and effectiveness.
• The article's discussion of the land trains' history and development is interesting, but some commenters feel that it glosses over the technical and logistical challenges involved.
• The idea of a modern, high-tech version of the land train, such as a Tesla-powered vehicle, is an intriguing one, but its feasibility and potential applications are unclear.