The RDC had a hydraulic torque converter.  I'm not exactly sure   
   what that was, and if it was the same as a conventional   
   automatic transmission used on motor vehicles.   
      
   (Curiously, it was very successful in this application,   
   when other mechanical drives in trains were not.  Probably   
   because Budd chose a proven design.)   
      
   Anyway, some modern cars use what's called a CVT.  No   
   gears, but bands.   
      
   Anyone familiar with this?   
      
   Is it similar to the approach used on the RDC?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)