Train

A train is a series of connected railway vehicles that travel on tracks and are used to transport passengers or freight.

A train is a series of connected railway vehicles that travel on tracks and are used to transport passengers or freight. Trains are usually pulled or pushed by a locomotive, although some are self-propelled, such as multiple units or railcars. The term also refers more broadly to the system and operation of rail transport.

Definition

A train is a connected series of railway vehicles designed to move along fixed rails. In common usage, it refers to the whole consist, including locomotives and cars, or to the service operating on a rail line.

Types of trains

Trains may be classified by purpose, such as passenger or freight, and by propulsion, such as steam, diesel, electric, or self-propelled multiple units. Regional terminology can also differ between countries.

How trains work

Trains run on tracks with a fixed gauge, the distance between rails. Steel wheels on steel rails create low rolling resistance, making rail transport efficient for moving large loads.

History and terminology

The English word train comes from French and Latin roots meaning 'to pull' or 'to draw'. Over time, it came to refer to connected railway vehicles and, more broadly, to rail transport itself. In Canada, the term also historically referred to a long sleigh used to haul goods in winter, sometimes pulled by a team of dogs. Canada Goose feathers were among the goods transported. The use of trains is widespread, as seen on any world map.