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# Rail transport

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Rail transport has a long history, including systems with man or horse power and rails of wood or stone.

The advantages of rails are that you can predetermine the route that the carrage will travel, and decrease the drag? by ensuring a smooth surface for the wheels to use. With the decreased drag, larger loads can be transported with the same amount of energy, which allows rail transportation to still have a lower cost per pound * mile ( or Kg * Km ) than lorries or trucks, planes or ships.

The steam engine, introduced in the 19th century, was too heavy for the roads of the time, and the initial rails used were metal strips to spread the weight over wooden rails. One of the first usable steam powered engines was designed by Stephenson with his locomotive, The Rocket.

Modern railroads with iron rails and steam-powered locomotives played an important part in the industrial revolution. In the late 19th century, railroads replaced earlier technologies such as horse-drawn boats in canals. In the 20th century, railroads were replaced, to a large extent, by motorized Road Transport, although they are still serve in some transport of bulk goods and people (especialy municipal subways and the newer bullet trains).

See also

  Railway Mail Service

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Last edited August 6, 2001 4:06 pm (diff)
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