TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

A vehicle drive system in which the vehicle is driven by a moving cable in a high speed portion of the system and by a rotating screw in a variable speed portion of the system. A spread groove configuration of the screw cooperating with a rotatable follower wheel supported by a spring-loaded arm pivotally mounted on the vehicle provides a smooth drive transition at the interface between the cable drive and the screw drive. A guide rail with a variable contour extending along the pathway of the system is engaged by fore and aft guide rollers on the vehicle for maintaining the position of the vehicle on the pathway and, in addition, actuating a cable clamping and releasing apparatus on the vehicle in the transition portion of the system. The guide rail also maintains the position of the vehicle at the turnaround where adjacent vehicles are connected at the radially inner corners of the vehicle.