Electric multi-mode drive system and method for operating the same, a track and a vehicle for use in such a drive system

A multi-mode drive system comprising a vehicle and a track, said track running from a first station to a second station remote from said first station, said first and second station arranged for at least one of boarding and de-boarding of said vehicle, said vehicle comprising an on-board rechargeable electrical energy storage device, wherein said vehicle and a first part of said track at said first and second station are arranged operating an electric Linear Doubly Fed Motor, LDFM, for launching said vehicle for moving along said track and charging said on-board energy storage device of said vehicle, and wherein said vehicle and a second part of said track between said first and second station are arranged operating a further electric motor different from an LDFM for at least one of accelerating, coasting and restarting movement of said vehicle for moving along said track after launching;

• wherein said vehicle and said second part of said track are arranged operating said further electric motor comprising an electric Linear Synchronous Reluctance Motor, LSRelM;
• and
• wherein said vehicle comprises an on-board electric coil and converter assembly, said second part of said track comprises a structure of alternating segments having different magnetic properties extending along a length of said second part of said track, and said on-board electric coil and converter assembly and said segments arranged comprising said LSRelM.