Train

A train is a form of rail transport consisting of a series of vehicles that usually runs along a rail track to transport cargo or passengers. Motive power is provided by a separate locomotive or individual motors in self-propelled multiple units. Although historically steam propulsion dominated, the most common modern forms are diesel and electric locomotives, the latter supplied by overhead wires or additional rails. Other energy sources include horses, engine or water-driven rope or wire winch, gravity, pneumatics, batteries, and gas turbines. Train tracks usually consist of two running rails, sometimes supplemented by additional rails such as electric conducting rails and rack rails, with a limited number of monorails and maglev guideways in the mix. The word 'train' comes from the Old French trahiner, from the Latin trahere 'pull, draw'.

There are various types of trains that are designed for particular purposes. A train may consist of a combination of one or more locomotives and attached railroad cars, or a self-propelled multiple unit (or occasionally a single or articulated powered coach, called a railcar). The first trains were rope-hauled, gravity powered or pulled by horses. From the early 19th century almost all were powered by steam locomotives. From the 1910s onwards the steam locomotives began to be replaced by less labor-intensive and cleaner (but more complex and expensive) diesel locomotives and electric locomotives, while at about the same time self-propelled multiple unit vehicles of either power system became much more common in passenger service.

Train (disambiguation)

A train is a connected series of vehicles that move along a track to transport freight or passengers.

Train(s) may also refer to:

Transport

Science and technology

Trains (magazine)

Trains is a monthly US magazine dedicated to trains and railroads, and is one of the two flagship publications of Kalmbach Publishing. The magazine is read both by railroad enthusiasts, commonly referred to as railfans, and those within the railroad industry.

History and profile

The magazine was founded in 1940 by Al C. Kalmbach, and is based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It is the largest and oldest North American consumer magazine on rail transportation. Primarily, Trains covers the railroad happenings in the United States and Canada, and sometimes Mexico. However, there are articles on subjects on railroading around the world on occasion.

The current editor is Jim Wrinn, formerly of the Charlotte Observer. The magazine also includes a column from International Herald Tribune reporter Don Phillips, previously the transportation writer for the Washington Post. Well-known past editors include David P. Morgan and J. David Ingles, the former having served as editor-in-chief from 1953 to 1987, being succeeded by Ingles upon retirement.