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| A '''train''' is either the combination of ]s and attached ]s or a ] (or occasionally a single powered coach, called a railcar) that runs on a ]. Special kinds of trains running on corresponding special 'railways' are ], ], ] and ]. Trains are for ] or for freight. Multi-purpose trains, hauling both passengers and freight, have become rare in many countries. | |||
| A '''train''', in its most common current usage, is the collective word for ]s and attached ]s that run on a ]. A passenger | |||
| train may consist of one or several locomotives, and one or more cars or carriages. | A passenger train may consist of one or several locomotives, and one or more cars or carriages. | ||
| (Trains consisting of a single locomotive and one carriage | |||
| are rare, but do exist!) | |||
| Alternatively, a train may consist entirely of passenger | Alternatively, a train may consist entirely of passenger | ||
| carrying coaches, some or all of which are powered. | carrying coaches, some or all of which are powered (multiple unit). | ||
| ⚫ | Freight trains comprise wagons or trucks rather than carriages. | ||
| Where such trains consist of a single vehicle, | |||
| the term railcar is sometimes used. | |||
| Locomotives and powered coaches may have a ] or ]s. In the latter case they can use electrified railroads only. Current may be supplied by ] or, if there are no level crossings, a third rail. Funiculars do not have an engine within the vehicle, but in the station. | |||
| ⚫ | Freight trains comprise wagons or trucks rather than carriages. |
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| Passenger trains travel between ]; the distance between stations may vary from 1 km to much more. | |||
| Long-distance trains, sometimes crossing several countries, may have a ] car; they may also have ]s, but not in the case of ], these arrive at their destination before the night falls (very long distance trains such as those on the ] are not high speed). | |||
| For trains connecting cities we can distinguish intercity trains, which do not halt at small stations, and trains that serve all stations (and sometimes an intermediate kind, see also ]). | |||
| ⚫ | For shorter distances many cities have networks of ]s, serving the city and its suburbs. Some carriages may be laid out to have more standing room than seats or to facilitate the carrying of prams, cycles or wheelchairs. Some countries have some double-decked passenger trains for use in conurbations. | ||
| Large cities often have an ] system, also called underground, subway or tube. The trains are electrically powered, usually by third rail, and their railroads are separate from other traffic, without level crossings. Usually they run in tunnels in the center and on elevated structures in the outer parts of the city. They can accelerate and decelerate faster than long-distance trains. | |||
| A light one- or two-car rail vehicle running through the streets is not called a train but a ] or streetcar, but the distinction is not strict. | |||
| The term ] is sometimes used for a modern tram, but it may also mean an intermediate form between a tram and a train, similar to metro except that it may have level crossings. These are often protected with crossing gates. | |||
| The term '''rapid transit''' is used for public transport such as commuter trains, metro and light-rail. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ===History=== | |||
| One type of train is the ], also called a subway, metro, or tube, used as ] in several cities. Many cities also have networks of commuter trains, passenger trains that serve the city and its suburbs. The ] is also a kind of train, albeit a relatively small one. | |||
| Trains were first utilized during the beginning of the ], and have been used since to carry heavy loads over land (''see ]''). | Trains were first utilized during the beginning of the ], and have been used since to carry heavy loads over land (''see ]''). | ||
| Famous train routes include the ] and the ]. | |||
| See also: ] | |||
| ---- | ---- | ||
Revision as of 11:07, 13 November 2002
A train is either the combination of locomotives and attached cars or a multiple unit (or occasionally a single powered coach, called a railcar) that runs on a railway. Special kinds of trains running on corresponding special 'railways' are monorail, rubber-tired underground, funicular and cog railway. Trains are for public transport or for freight. Multi-purpose trains, hauling both passengers and freight, have become rare in many countries.
A passenger train may consist of one or several locomotives, and one or more cars or carriages. Alternatively, a train may consist entirely of passenger carrying coaches, some or all of which are powered (multiple unit). Freight trains comprise wagons or trucks rather than carriages.
Locomotives and powered coaches may have a diesel engine or electric motors. In the latter case they can use electrified railroads only. Current may be supplied by overhead wires or, if there are no level crossings, a third rail. Funiculars do not have an engine within the vehicle, but in the station.
Passenger trains travel between stations; the distance between stations may vary from 1 km to much more.
Long-distance trains, sometimes crossing several countries, may have a dining car; they may also have sleeping cars, but not in the case of high speed rail, these arrive at their destination before the night falls (very long distance trains such as those on the Trans-Siberian railway are not high speed).
For trains connecting cities we can distinguish intercity trains, which do not halt at small stations, and trains that serve all stations (and sometimes an intermediate kind, see also limited-stop).
For shorter distances many cities have networks of commuter trains, serving the city and its suburbs. Some carriages may be laid out to have more standing room than seats or to facilitate the carrying of prams, cycles or wheelchairs. Some countries have some double-decked passenger trains for use in conurbations.
Large cities often have an metro system, also called underground, subway or tube. The trains are electrically powered, usually by third rail, and their railroads are separate from other traffic, without level crossings. Usually they run in tunnels in the center and on elevated structures in the outer parts of the city. They can accelerate and decelerate faster than long-distance trains.
A light one- or two-car rail vehicle running through the streets is not called a train but a tram or streetcar, but the distinction is not strict.
The term light rail is sometimes used for a modern tram, but it may also mean an intermediate form between a tram and a train, similar to metro except that it may have level crossings. These are often protected with crossing gates.
The term rapid transit is used for public transport such as commuter trains, metro and light-rail.
History
Trains were first utilized during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, and have been used since to carry heavy loads over land (see rail transport).
Famous train routes include the Orient Express and the Trans-Siberian railway.
A caravan of wagons, mules or other forms of transport is also called a train.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word train comes from French roots that mean "to drag or draw". Thus, the word also refers to the trailing part of a bride's dress, as well as to a powder train leading to an explosive. The verb to train, meaning "to educate", embodies the idea of drawing the student along.