Rail Transport (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what rail transport is, its history, advantages, disadvantages and other characteristics. Also, types of railways.

What is rail transport?

When we talk about rail transport, trains or railways, we are referring to a type of guided land transport on a railway trackthat is, a predetermined channel composed of a material support, such as steel rails or, in modern versions, electromagnetic suspension.

Rail transport is, since its appearance in modern times, one of the main solutions built by humans for the land movement of both passengers and goods, forever revolutionizing the idea of transportation in society.

It consists of a chain of vehicles that move on wheels on a railpulled by a locomotive at the head, in which some type of process of obtaining energy is carried out, thus converted into movement.

History of railway transport

railway transport train history steam engine — The first trains derived from the invention of the steam engine.

As well as other technologies derived from the steam engine, The train is a consequence of the Industrial Revolution of the 18th centurywhich meant a change in what was considered science and technology. That is, the limits of what could be done to make the world a place more in line with human desires and needs were expanded.

However, there are important antecedents, even in ancient times. We know of a three-kilometer-long system that, using a row of boats on platforms, allowed transit through the Isthmus of Corinth in the 6th century BC. C. This system was known as the Diolkos path and operated for 600 years.

Other similar models emerged during the Middle Ages, but were not really relevant until In 1769 the steam train appeared. The first attempt at a locomotive using this recent technology was the work of Richard Trevithick in 1804, successfully hauling a train in Merthyr Tydfil, United Kingdom.

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In 1839 the first intercity train line between Liverpool and Manchester openedin England, and in the United States the first railway network with individual lines, between Baltimore and Ohio. Since then, railway lines and their modern versions, such as subway lines, have expanded and diversified in numerous regions of the planet.

Features of rail transport

The current railway line is usually not very similar to the initial versions that expanded, thanks to the burning of organic fuels such as diesel, throughout the world.

Although tests were carried out in the 19th century for its electrification, it is considered current electric trains are the result of the 20th centuryand the modern versions that have been automated and improved since 1970, to obtain high-speed trains today.

Typically, A railway line is made up of a set of stationstraveled by a train, whether passenger, freight or mixed. In any case, these tracks can be one-way or have double tracks, that is, round trips, although trains can move in only one direction at a time.

The locomotive is always at the head of the trainwhich gives movement to the convoy of wagons or containers. The latter go next, connected to each other in a long row. Trains can only travel the predetermined path along the tracks.

Advantages of rail transport

rail transport train advantages cargo — Rail transport can move enormous amounts of cargo.

Rail transport has a significant number of comparative advantages over other forms of land transport, such as:

They reach high speeds and transport a large amount of cargo. Whether material or passenger, well, to a certain extent, a train can have as many cars as it can drag. The more there are, however, the lower the maximum speed it will reach and the less stability it will have along the way.
Generates a lower ecological impact. Especially after electric trains have been developed. Coal or diesel versions, on the other hand, generate harmful gases that they send into the atmosphere.
Allows massive movements. Since the traction force of the locomotive is facilitated by the permanence of the train on the rails, making it less difficult for it to move large amounts of weight. In addition, it allows the movement of both passengers and goods.
It allows you to make scales and unify very distant points. As long as the terrain allows the layout of tracks. Since its inception, the train has been associated with progress and the unification of distant places.

Disadvantages of rail transport

Just as it has a good side, rail transport has the following disadvantages:

It can only go where there are roads. So you will need a prior investment to open paths for you. Furthermore, a failure in the track at any height along the route means the interruption of transportation in its entirety.
It has a lower frequency of traffic. Depending on the track and the railway circuit, it is possible that a train takes much longer than other forms of transport to reach a specific point on the network, which is why you generally have to wait for it, and once you miss it, you will not be able to catch it. reach a new passage through the station.
There is a possibility of serious incidents. Since a failure on the tracks can lead to crashes or derailments, which, given the magnitude of its cargo, can translate into tragedies (fatal accidents).

Types of railways

railway transport train magnetic levitation — The magnetic levitation train does not use conventional wheels but electromagnetism.

There are different ways of classifying trains, either by their model, by their way of producing energy (electric, steam, etc.), or simply by the length of their route (long distance, short distance, etc.). .). For the purposes of rail transport it is preferable to distinguish between:

Railway. The train itself, composed of a locomotive and a cargo or passenger body. It can be of three types, depending on its nature:
- Regional or local train. Those used for short distances at low speeds, such as those used for public transportation or the transportation of goods, using some fossil fuel, such as diesel or gasoil.
- High speed train. Modern and generally electric versions of conventional trains, which reach high speeds while traveling on rails made of semiconductor materials.
- Magnetic levitation train. The latest trend in trains points to the use of the forces of electromagnetism to keep the entire body of the train in the air, floating.
Underground or Metro. A type of city train that fulfills the exclusive role of passenger transportation, crossing cities along a route of numerous stations.
Tram. Sort of an urban version of the train, which runs on the surface of the city, like a mix of railway and subway.
Funicular. Sort of like a tram dragged by cables on mountainous or unstable terrain, and whose car or container hangs from the thread.