Different Types Of Trains: From Steam Engines To Electric Locomotives

Train transport systems have rapidly gained popularity in different parts of the world. Rail transportation is suitable for heavy and bulky cargo as well as passengers. So, how many types of trains are available today?

Trains first entered service in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world through construction by imperial powers. Since then, they have been a popular form of transportation. Interestingly, there are numerous types of trains.

Types of trains

The design of any type of train transport system is primarily dependent on its main purpose. There are different classes of railway service in other countries that you probably don't know about. Here are the main types of rail transport services.

1. Commuter trains

Commuter rail is a passenger rail transport service. It primarily operates within a metropolitan area, connecting commuters to a central city from adjacent towns. Its rail systems are considered heavy rail, using electrified or diesel trains.

Commuter trains are an efficient mode of transport. They reduce the burden of road traffic. They also carry people through smaller surface areas and reduce air pollution.

2. Freight trains

Freight trains are made up of one or more locomotives. The locomotive provides propulsion and one or more railroad cars, also known as wagons. They are primarily used to carry cargo and not passengers.

The wagons can be used for storing various goods, from solid items to liquids and gasses. Many of the world's railway networks are used for industrial use.

3. Light rail trains

A light rail train is a form of passenger urban rail transit. It is characterised by a combination of tram and rapid transit features. They are often referred to as modern tram systems and have separate paths similar to heavy-line railways.

Light rail is less expensive and more pedestrian-friendly. However, they have a lower passenger capacity.

4. High-speed trains

High-speed rail is a type of rail network utilising trains that run faster than those of traditional rail. It uses an integrated system of specialised rolling stock and dedicated tracks. They are defined as trains that can operate at 125mph or faster.

The first successful high-speed passenger railway system was Japan's Shinkansen in 1964. It was popularly known as the bullet train. They are more environmentally friendly than aeroplanes. They also carry many passengers and use less fuel.

5. Regional trains

Regional train is a term used for passenger trains that operate between towns and cities. They operate with more stops than inter-city rail. However, unlike commuter trains, it operates beyond the limits of urban areas.

Regional trains serve more than just urban areas. They frequently connect cities to rural sections of the country in various parts of the world.

6. Passenger trains

A passenger train is used to transport people along a railroad line. They consist of unpowered passenger railroad wagons hauled by one or more locomotives. They may also be self-propelled and are known as multiple units or railcars.

A passenger train has a fixed schedule, so it often has superior track occupancy rights over other trains.

There are three types of passenger trains; long-distance trains, short-distance trains, and trains within cities.

7. Maglev trains

Maglev is a name derived from magnetic levitation. It is a system of train transportation that uses two sets of electromagnets; one set to repel the train up off the track and another set to move the elevated train ahead.

Trains that use Maglev technology have no moving parts. The train is the only moving portion. It moves along a specified guideway using magnets to manage its speed and stability.

8. Monorail trains

The word monorail originated from German engineer Eugen Langen in 1897. The term monorail is often used to describe any form of elevated rail or people mover. More accurately, the term refers to the style of the track.

A monorail is a railway in which the track consists of a single rail or a beam. Almost all monorails are designed with linear induction motors.

9. Railcar trains

The word railcar is used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach, with a driver's cab at one or both ends. It is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers to various destinations. They are also capable of hauling train carriages.

Railcar trains are frequently referred to as motor cars or railmotor coaches in technical rail usage.

10. Tram trains

A tram is a rail vehicle that travels on tramway tracks on public urban streets. Some tramways include segments on the segregated right-of-way. The tramlines operate as public transport and are called tramways.

The main difference between a railroad and a tramway system is that trams primarily run on public streets, while trains have a separate path from public roads.

Types of locomotives

Trains can be sorted into several distinct categories. They can be separated by the way their locomotives are powered. They include;

• Steam locomotives: This is a locomotive that provides the force to move itself and other vehicles by means of the expansion of steam.
• Diesel locomotives: This is a type of railway locomotive in which the power source is a diesel engine. They became the predominant choice for trains after the end of World War II.
• Electric locomotives: This is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines or on-board energy storage such as a battery or a supercapacitor.
• Combined engines: These locomotives use dual engines. They can harness the power of the electrical grid in urban areas and use diesel engines in more harsh terrains.

Final word on different types of trains

Trains are an essential part of the transport system. They are often the best mass-transit system and also help in trade. These are the different types of trains in the world. However, electric trains are only found in a few countries due to varying economic statuses.

Tuko.co.ke also shared an article on the type of houses in Kenya. It is important to understand that most Kenyan architecture in the towns and cities borrow their inspiration from European countries.

Furthermore, in different parts of the world, people have adopted style as the defining factor in the various house categories.