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The advantages of rails are that you can predetermine the route that the carrage will travel, and decrease the frictional 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. |
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The advantages of rails are that you can predetermine the route that the carrage will travel, and decrease the frictional 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. A further advantage is provided by the loadspreading capability, especially of steel rails, allowing significantly greater loads per axle/wheel than in road transport. |
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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, which was able to pull a train of two or three lightweight carrages. |
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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 George Stephenson with his locomotive, The Rocket, which was able to pull a train of two or three lightweight carrages. |
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