The USA probably got a preview of China’s approach to hydrail when the Jade Rabbit landed on the moon. The US Department of Defense landed a hydrail locomotive on America’s national railroad network back in 2009. Compared will Apollo 11, it cost only chump change and got media coverage in proportion. Ever heard of it?

So here’s a futurist’s projection: Look for China to unveil a fleet of hydrail trains, scattered around the country near wind farms (they have most in the world) and near hydroelectric facilities (they also have the world’s largest hydro array).

China’s emerging rail fleet will be powered by zero-carbon renewable energy, producing no air pollution and bleeding no energy cash outside the Central Kingdom. What’s learned about hydrail manufacturing and fleet operations will quickly appear in European, Middle Eastern, African and South American markets.

Before long, solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar thermal electric plants will power China’s urban rail systems cleanly. With the exception of existing high-speed rail routes, depreciated over several decades, the vast Chinese network of regional freight and commuter trains will see hydrail replacing equipment as existing traction equipment wears out -- or gets replaced sooner to eliminate uneconomical pockets of “old tech” in the new hydrail network.