Electric monorail could link rural Ireland and Germany, engineer says

An electric monorail system using gyroscopic technology could potentially connect rural communities in Ireland and Germany by repurposing disused railway tracks, according to an analysis by engineer Thorsten Försterling. The system aims to provide reliable mobility for residents who lack car access. The Monocab project features small, autonomous, battery-electric cabins that balance on a single rail, allowing vehicles to pass each other on existing tracks. It originated from efforts to preserve a historic railway line in Lippe, Germany, and builds on a 1909 design by Castlebar-born engineer Louis Brennan. The system is designed to complement existing transport, not replace it, and aligns with the European Commission's "Right to Stay" strategy launched in May 2026. However, Monocab remains under development, with technical, economic, and regulatory challenges still to be addressed before passenger services can begin.