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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 and/or electric motors. The diesel engine drives a generator which provides power for electric motors (diesel-electric). For straight electric trains, 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.

Passenger trains usually have emergency brake handles that the public can operate. Abuse is fined.

Large cities often have a 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.

See also high speed rail, tilting train, trains in the Netherlands, trains in Germany

External link:

• Locomotives & Trainsets by Frans van den Hurk

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.

Train accidents in history

• 1962 Harmelen train disaster, mun. Woerden, Netherlands http://danger-ahead.railfan.net/accidents/harmelen/home.html
• 1963 - The Great Train Robbery of 1963 (not related to the films below)
• 1977 Granville railway disaster
• 1998 Eschede train disaster
• 2000 Kaprun disaster.

Model railways

Toy trains have been popular with children since railroads were first built. In the 20th century, the hobby of model railroading, which attempts a more accurate depiction of railroad equipment and operation, gained popularity. Toy train collecting is also popular.

Fictional trains

• Hogwarts Express (Harry Potter)
• Taggart Comet (Atlas Shrugged)
• The Great Train Robbery -- first feature film to tell a story, also describes a more modern film with the same title.
• Starlight Express (Andrew Lloyd Webber) -- Musical about an old steam engine being replaced by an electrical engine

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.