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First Passenger Train
The very first passenger train ran was the Mumbles Train. The train was a carriage on track wheels that was pulled by a horse. The train travelled along Swansea Bay, Wales to Mumbles, Wales. This train was the longest running railway, it lasted until 1960, when it was taken apart.
APA Citation:The Swansea and Mumbles Railway - the world's first railway service. (n.d.). The Swansea and Mumbles Railway - the World's First Railway Service. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http:// -
Tom Thumb
The Tom Thumb train was the first steam engine train to carry passengers. The train used an engine to run instead of being pulled by a horse. The train proved skeptics wrong by being able to go up hills. This train was the first American steam locomotive to be successful. The train traveled around 12 mph. APA Citation:The History of Tom Thumb and Peter Cooper. (n.d.). The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. (n.d.). Tom-Thumb. Tom-Thumb. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://ww -
The De Witt Clinton
Mallery, Timothy J. "The History of the First Locomotives in America--by William H. Brown--1871--First Locomotive in New York--Chapter XXXIV." The History of the First Locomotives in America--by William H. Brown--1871--First Locomotive in New York--Chapter XXXIV. The Catskill Archive, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2012. http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/apchpt34.Html. -
The De Witt Clinton
The De Witt Clinton was the first train in New York. This train was the introduction of the first conductor on board. This invention was more efficient then the Tom Thumb and could carry a greater crowd. This invention led to the end of horsepower. One issue with the design was that the smoke blew back to the passengers, as the train was moving. The train was also very jerky. -
First Diesel-Electric Passenger Locomotive
APA Citation:Diesel Locomotives, Extinguishing The Fire Of The Steam Locomotive. (n.d.). Diesel Locomotives. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://www.american-rails.com/diesel-locomotives.html -
First Diesel-Electric Passenger Locomotive
This was a very important innovation for the locomotive industry. The diesel engine created energy that then started an electric generator to turn the wheels of the train. These engines were easier to care for than steam. The diesel engine was not as fast as the steam engine in its beginning but, it was a monumental invention. -
Acela Express
The Acela is a high-speed railway along the United States North East Coast. The rail can tilt in order to provide a more comfortable trip at the high speeds of 150mph. The tilt makes transportation along the curvy North East Coast much more comfortable.
APA Citation:TGVweb - Acela Express. (2012, February 1). TGVweb - Acela Express. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://www.trainweb.org/tgvpages/acela.html -
Maglev Train
Maglev trains hover along magnetic tracks. The trains hover 2-3 inches above the track. The trains travel at a high speed of 300 mph. The trains can travel at high speeds because they hover, reducing friction.These trains don’t use engines only the magnetic field of the tracks. These trains have reduced travel time immensely.
APA
Bonsor, K. (n.d.). How Maglev Trains Work. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engine-equipment/maglev-train3.htm
