Rail transport is the transport of passengers and goods along railways or railroads. A typical railway (or railroad) track consists of two parallel steel (or in older networks, iron) rails, generally anchored perpendicular to beams (termed sleepers (Commonwealth except Canada) or railroad ties (U.S. and Canada) of timber, concrete, or steel to maintain a consistent distance apart, or gauge. The rails and perpendicular beams are usually then placed on a foundation made of concrete or compressed earth and gravel in a bed of ballast to prevent the track from buckling (bending out of its original configuration) as the ground settles over time beneath and under the weight of the vehicles passing above. The vehicles travelling on the rails are arranged in a train; a series of individual powered or unpowered vehicles linked together, displaying markers. These vehicles (referred to, in general, as cars, carriages or wagons) move with much less friction than on rubber tires on a paved road, and the locomotive that pulls the train tends to use energy far more efficiently as a result.

General

---

Rail transport is an energy-efficient and capital-intensive means of mechanised land transport. Rails provide very smooth and hard surfaces on which the wheels of the train may roll with a minimum of friction. As an example, a typical wagon can hold up to 125 tons of freight on two four-wheel bogies (termed "trucks" in North America). Fully loaded, the contact between each wheel and the rail is the space of about one U.S. ten-cent piece. This can save energy compared with other forms of transportation, such as road transport which depends on rubber tires on pavement. Trains also have a small frontal area in relation to the load they are carrying, which cuts down on air resistance and thus energy usage. In all, under the right circumstances, a train needs 50-70% less energy to transport a given tonnage of freight (or given number of passengers), than does road transport. Furthermore, the rails and sleepers distribute the weight of the train evenly, allowing significantly greater loads per axle / wheel than in road transport, leading to less wear and tear on the permanent way. Rail transport makes highly efficient use of space: a double-track rail line can carry more passengers or freight in a given amount of time than a four-lane road.

As a result, rail transport is a major form of public transport in many countries. In Asia, for example, many millions use trains as regular transport in India, South Korea, Japan, China, and in European countries. However, outside New York City, rail transport as a form of public transit in the United States is rare. Few major U.S. cities other than New York, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia can lay claim to any significant use of local rail-based passenger transport; Amtrak is the only nationwide passenger rail system in the country. In Canada, the government-owned VIA Rail system provides a limited level of intercity service at prices that are usually higher than air travel or bus service, however Vancouver's SkyTrain light rail network receives millions of riders every year.

More on [ Rail transport ]

Kids and model railroading

Teens getting made fun of...
MilwaukeeRoad Wed, 27 Dec 2006 07:27:34 -0000
I am 13 (8th grade) and I guess I am extremely weird for modeling. I quit model railroading because I got made fun of it. I am planning a new model railroad right now but hesistating because I may get harrassed again.
Thomas Tank explodes, kids ask for more
rollingstockvid Mon, 12 Feb 2007 11:54:59 -0000
Hello, to get kids interested in trains, try this.Please enjoy a custom made Thomas Tank story with a explosive action sequence.I have been told that Kids love this twisted Thomas tale. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYsQSDFFWfg Enjoy..Leo.
Anyone have a myspace?
SD60M Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:31:01 -0000
This is the kids and teens page so this topic seems right. I have a myspace and if anyone here does my name is Kade Conner from Memphis, TN for me i talk trains with about half the friends i have on myspace and they have train related groups and im the moderator of one group called fans of the Burlington Northern and BNSF. So if anyone has a myspace send me a friend request! I would love to see your train pics and just talk trains whether i be real or model trains!
FAVORITE RAILROAD
marodude Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:26:20 -0000
My fovorie railroad is UNION PACIFIC, BURLINGTON NOTHERN, RIO GRANDE, SOUTHERN PACIFIC
2yr Old w/train addiction
HEdward Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:38:48 -0000
Every chance he gets, Kevin lines up his toy cars, trucks, and whatever he has that has wheels, into a train.  If I go to the basement, both boys follow and insist that I run the train.  The poor old Marx engine has had more miles put on it this year than in it's prior history.  If they wander off to do other things, I'm still not allowed to shut off the train or they throw a fit.  At the LHS they have 3 Thomas tables near the back of the store.  In the front window there's an HO display layout.  Kevin looked in the window, locked onto the scene and resisted going around to the door to go inside.  When inside, he gave us a hard time getting him away from the layout.  finally, we pried him away and took he and Eddie to the Thomas displays.  After twenty minutes while Mommy sat with them, Daddy was done shopping and it was time to go.  One would think we were torturing a dozen babies with the noise they made.  Back at the car, I let go of Kevin's hand for a second to open the door and he immediatly turned his attention to heading back to the store.  Good thing I've got long arms. 
Getting Kids interested in trains
grasshopper Sun, 06 Aug 2006 03:16:31 -0000
I have not figured it out yet but I am working on it. I model in HOn30, On30, and live steam. My Grandsons come on July 4th to my clubs meet and run trains with grandpa. This year things did not work out like normal. Maybe they will be hear for the narrow gauge meet. I bought them a On30 train set last Christmas. I hope their mother is keeping them interested. I got her slowly interested sitting in my lap and running trains. I got my diesel repaired and working for this year. My steamer is a little hard for their ages 7 and 9. I will report later with hopefully more info. grasshopper

Subscribe to Trains_and_Railroads RSS feed