What is Train: Definition and 649 Discussions

A train is a form of rail transport consisting of a series of connected vehicles that generally run along a railroad (or railway) track to transport passengers or cargo (also known as "freight" or "goods"). The word "train" comes from the Old French trahiner, derived from the Latin trahere meaning "to pull" or "to draw".Motive power for a train is provided by a separate locomotive or individual motors in a self-propelled multiple unit. The term "engine" is often used as an alternative to locomotive. Although historically steam propulsion dominated, the most common types of locomotive are diesel and electric, the latter supplied by overhead wires or additional rails. Trains can also be hauled by horses, pulled by engine or water-driven cable or wire winch, run downhill using gravity, or powered by pneumatics, gas turbines or electric batteries.
The track usually consists of two running rails with a fixed spacing, which may be supplemented by additional rails such as electric conducting rails ("third rail") and rack rails. Monorails and maglev guideways are also occasionally used.Passenger trains include passenger-carrying vehicles and can often be very long and fast. High-speed rail systems began expanding rapidly in the late 20th century, and this remains a major subject of further development. The term "light rail" is sometimes used to refer to a modern tram system, but it may also mean an intermediate form between a tram and a train, similar to a heavy rail rapid transit system.
Freight (goods) trains use freight cars (or wagons/trucks) to transport goods or materials (cargo). It is possible to carry passengers and freight in the same train using a mixed consist.
Rail cars and machinery that are used for the maintenance and repair of tracks, are termed "maintenance of way" equipment; these may be assembled into maintenance of way trains. Similarly, dedicated trains may be used to provide support services to stations along a train line, such as garbage or revenue collection.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. K

    A fast fly hits a train and then ?

    If a fly were flying very fast, perhaps .5c, and it struck a train, what would probably happen? A red-hot little fly hole through the train? A dent and a spray of fly plasma? A slow moving train? Something else? Ignore air resistance, and consider the train to be a series of 3cm steel...
  2. P

    Solving Bullet Train Speed Change Problem

    I need some help with this question: Two people, who are traveling on a bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto, are willing to tolerate acceleration magnitudes as large as 0.2 g. The driver wants to change speeds from 250 to 300 km hr-1 on a curved piece of track. If the radius of curvature...
  3. E

    Tangential and radial train acceleration

    Homework Statement A train slows down as it rounds a sharp horizontal turn slowing from 90.0 km/h to 50.0km/h in the 15 s that it takes to round the bend. The radius of the curve is 150 m. Compute the acceleration at the moment the train speed reaches 50km/h. Assume it continues to slow down...
  4. H

    Angular acceleration of a pendulum on an accelerating train

    If I hang a pendulum on the ceiling of an accelerating train (with an initial angular displacement), how would the angular acceleration be affected? My intuition told me that the angular acceleration of the pendulum should be affected by the acceleration of the train. But...whether the...
  5. D

    Four trains coupling - find speed of resulting train

    Three identical train cars, coupled together, are rolling east at 4 m/s. A fourth car traveling east at 6 m/s catches up with the three and couples to make a four-car train. What is the speed of the four-car train? I have no idea what to do. Please Help...thanks in advance :)
  6. H

    Acceleration of a Train Problem

    Homework Statement A train slows down as it rounds a sharp horizontal turn, slowing from 90.0 km/h to 50.0km/h in that 15.0s that it takes to round the bend. The radius of the curve is 150m. Compute the acceleration at the moment the train speed reaches 50.0 km/h. Assume that it continues...
  7. jtbell

    Don't text while driving a train

    http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/15/train.collision/index.html
  8. L

    Exploring the Application of Superconductors in Maglev Train Development

    Hello, I have a problem connecting an answer to the question Describe how superconductors and the effects of magnetic fields have been applied to develop a maglev train. I have the information on the superconductors, but i don't have the information of the maginetic field how it is applied. I...
  9. K

    Train Crash Kills 25 in LA: A Tragic Story

    http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-me-traincrash13-2008sep13,0,245095.story" Man, this is really terrible. The last time I remember something like this happening was when some guy left his car on a Metrolink track. A sorry example of physics at work :(.
  10. J

    Calculating Time and Distance in a Kinematics Train Problem

    Homework Statement A fugitive tries to hop on a freight train traveling at a constant speed of 6.0m/s. The fugitive starts from rest and accelerates at 4.0m/s^2 to his maximum speed of 8.0 m/s. How long does it take him to catch the train? What is the distance traveled to catch the train...
  11. D

    How Can You Calculate Train Displacement in the First 3.15 Seconds of Motion?

    I try my best to solve this problem but couldn't ...here is the question 1.the train starting rest leaves a station with a constant acceleration.at the end of 5.34 s,it is moving at 15.549m/s. what is the train displacement in the first 3.15 s of motion?answer in units of meter. I try in...
  12. S

    Distance and time between 2 train stations

    Homework Statement A light-rail train going from one station to the next on a straight section of track accelerates from rest at 2.27 m/s2 for 15.7 s/ It then proceeds at constant speed for 1346 m before slowing down at 2.2 m/s2 until it stops at the station. What is the distance between the...
  13. J

    Researching Physics of Maglev Train Systems

    Hi, I was wondering if i could gt anyhelp with some research i was doing? I'm looking at the Maglev train systems used in Japan, and some of the developing ideas in the USA and Germany. What i was wondering is if anybody would be able to help me compile a list of all the physics concepts...
  14. R

    Simple Train Acceleration after elapsed time question

    As a train accelerates away from a station, it reaches a speed of 4.6 m/s in 5.2 s. If the train's acceleration remains constant, what is its speed after an additional 6.0s has elapsed? I know I should be able to do this,but nothing I try works.If anyone could just point me the right way...
  15. M

    Max Subway Speed & Time b/w Stations, Avg Max Speed w/Stops

    Homework Statement (a) If the maximum acceleration that is tolerable for passengers in a subway train is 1.54 m/s2 and subway stations are located 816 m apart, what is the maximum speed a subway train can attain between stations? (b) What is the travel time between stations? (c) If a subway...
  16. J

    When and Where is the Signal Received on a Relativistic Train?

    Homework Statement A train moves past a tower at a speed of 0.78c. The train has a rest length of L' = 450m. When the front of the train passes the tower, the clocks in the tower and in the front of the train are synchronized to t=t'=0s. The instant that the back of the train passes the...
  17. A

    Fluence of Neutrons from Isotropic Pt Source for Train Passengers

    An isotropic point source of neutrons emits 10E8 fast neutrons per second. It is 3m horizontally away from a train track. A train goes by at 60 miles per hour. Ignoring scattering and attenuation, what is the fluence (i.e. neutrons per meter square) of neutrons that would strike a pasenger at...
  18. F

    News Bush is leaving a fiscal train wreck for the next president

    Maybe the US government has a "no-bad-news-allowed" policy just like the Enron execs had. Or maybe the Bush government is leaving a huge fiscal train wreck (I think that's actually a technical term) for the next president on purpose. I think everyone knows how partisan they are. Check it out...
  19. Z

    Maglev Train by 10 kilometer Permanent magnets

    I want know that can we build a long Permanent magnet for a Maglev way ? Please say that its possible ? (i attached one picture , with that you can understand that what is my question and what is a long Maglev way by a Permanent magnet)
  20. D

    When Were Two Trains Closest Together?

    Homework Statement A train leaves the station at 10:00 and travels due south at a speed of 60 km/h. Another train has been heading due west at 45 km/h and reaches the same station at 11:00. At what time were the two trains closest together? Homework Equations c^{2}=a^{2}+b^{2}The Attempt at a...
  21. C

    Circular motion of a subway train

    Homework Statement A subway train rounds an unbanked curve at 67 km/h. An unused strap makes an angle of 15 degrees to the vertical. What is the radius of the turn. The book answer is 132 m. Homework Equations F = ma = mv^2/r The Attempt at a Solution A...
  22. F

    Solving the Paradox of Length Contraction on a Train

    There's one of the paradoxes with SR that I've never actually seen an answer for. There is a man on a train traveling at a velocity where length contraction starts to matter. Say, .3c. There are some dirty bandits that have rigged up a trap door system in a mountain up ahead on the tracks...
  23. T

    Relativistic Lightning on Train Problem

    Homework Statement Suppose the two lightning bolts shown in the figure 37.5a in the txtbook are simultaneous to an observer on the train. Show that they are not simultaneous to an observer on the ground. (Relevant Diagram Attached) Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution...
  24. O

    Exponential Fourier Series for Pulse Train

    Homework Statement I need help finding the exponential Fourier series for the pulse train below. http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1184/20080427091409ev5.jpg Homework Equations p_T(t)=\sum_{n=-\infty}^{\infty}{D_n e^{j2nt} D_n=\frac{1}{T_0}\int_{T_0}^{}{x(t)e^{-j2nt}dt}The Attempt at a...
  25. DocZaius

    Understanding Special Relativity: The Train Example

    Hi. I am learning special relativity and have decided to take Einstein's train example to practice some calculations. I have given the train speed v=1/4c and have decided on distances that make the side observer's space and time calculations straightforward. I have calculated everything using...
  26. Q

    What is the speed of the train based on sound wave frequency changes?

    Homework Statement A train whistle sounds. As the train approaches, a stationary observer near the track hears the whistle at a frequency of 500 hertz. As the train recedes the observer hears the whistle at a frequency of 450 hertz. what is the speed of the train? v (sound) = 343 m/s...
  27. M

    Train Question: Max Acceleration 0.756m/s^2

    1.A passenger train is traveling at 25m/s around a circular curve of 1000 m radius. if the maximum total acceleration is not to exceed g/10, determine the maximum rate at which the speed may be decreased. Take g = 9.81 m/s^2. Answer is 0.756 m/s^2, but what steps do i take to find the answer?
  28. G

    Fly hitting a train physics problem

    If a train is traveling 100mph in one direction and a fly is traveling 5mph the opposite, and the fly hits the train what speed is the fly traveling at the point of impact?
  29. K

    Angular Speed of a drive train

    1. The figure below shows the drive train of a bicycle that has wheels 67.3 cm in diameter and pedal cranks 17.5 cm long. The cyclist pedals at a steady angular rate of 76.5 rev/min. The chain engages with a front sprocket 15.2 cm in diameter and a rear sprocket 7.25 cm in diameter. 2. v...
  30. F

    RL and CR circuit pulse train response

    i'm having a LOT of trouble understanding pulse train response in RL and CR circuits... could someone please recommend a good reading over the internet... i understand LR and RC response fairly better... and use the snapshot idea to get voltage equations etc... but its very confusing and i...
  31. L

    Calculating Total Distance Covered by a Subway Train in 84 Seconds

    A subway train starts from rest at a station and accelerates at a rate of 1.60m/s2 for 14.0s. It runs at a constant speed for 70.0s and slows down at a rate of 3.50m/s2 until it stops at the next station. Find the total distance covered. I have no idea what to do for this problem.
  32. E

    Solving the Two-Car Train Acceleration Problem

    Hi ! can anyone help me ? A train locomotive is pulling two cars of the same mass behind it. Show that the tension in the coupling between the locomotive and the first car is twice that between the first car and the second car, for any nonzero accelerationv of the train . thanks
  33. M

    Bird & Train: Solving the Mystery

    this questions has been bugging me for a long time now: Imagine you are in a train, in a compartment, sitting there. Then suddenly you see outside of the window a bird that flies exactly at the speed of the train. It gets closer and closer, until it flies into the compartment through an open...
  34. J

    How Does Momentum Affect Motion in Different Scenarios?

    i have no idea at all how to do these. someone help please 1. On a hot summer afternoon, Keith and Nate are out fishing in their rowboat when they decide to jump into the water and go for a swim. Keith, whose mass is 65.0 kg, jumps straight off the front of the boat with a speed of 2.00 m\s...
  35. S

    How Long and Fast Does a Diesel Train Accelerate to Cover 6km?

    Homework Statement A deisel train accelerates uniformly from rest to reach 60km/hr in 6 minutes, after which the speed remains constant. Calculate the total time taken to travel 6km and the acceleration. Homework Equations s= ut v= u+at s=ut + 0.5*at^2 The Attempt at a Solution I'm not sure...
  36. P

    Does Playing the Violin on a Moving Train Demonstrate the Doppler Effect?

    suppose i am moving in a train and at the same time playing a violin .Is the dopller effect/formulae applicable for me
  37. K

    What is the Momentum of a 15 Ton Train Traveling at a Speed of 46.6 m/s?

    Homework Statement What speed must a 15 metric ton train travel to have a momentum of 700,000 kg(m/s)? Homework Equations Momentum = mass X velocity change in momentum = mass(Finalvelocity - initialvelocity) The Attempt at a Solution I though you did it like this... 15...
  38. C

    High speed train sounding horn - Doppler effect

    A high speed train is traveling at a speed of 41 m/s when the engineer sounds the 416 Hz warning horn. The speed of sound is 345 m/s. What is the frequency of the sound as perceived by a person standing on at the crossing when the train is leaving? I used the equation: f0=fs/(1-vs/v) f0=416...
  39. C

    Velocity and acceleration of a person and train

    Homework Statement A person is standing on top floor anywhere along a measuring tape that runs from point A to point B. There is a train on the ground level directly below that floor. The distance between the top floor and the level of the train is 4.95 m. Train is going from Photogate A (a...
  40. P

    Einstein's Train Thought Experiment: Exploring Lack of Simultaneity

    why we do not observe any “lack of simultaneity” when we substitute sound signals for the light flashes in the “thought experiment” with a train moving past a platform (Einstein's lightning strike-train "thought experiment")? this has troubled me for 5hours now. i don't know whether it is too...
  41. P

    What is the New Speed of a 15,500kg Train?

    A 10,500kg railroad car travels alone on a level, frictionless track with a constant speed of 15.0 m/s. An additional 5,000kg load is dropped from a tower onto the car. What will then be its new speed? 2. Homework Equations Momentum of conservation: m1i+m2i=(m1+m2)vf 3. The...
  42. S

    How to Determine the Empirical Formula from Combustion Analysis Data?

    Homework Statement When 2.66 grams of a compound containing only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen is burned completely, 4.50 grams of CO2 and 1.10 grams of H2O are produced. What is the empirical formula of the compound? Answer Options: C5H6O4 C5H6O5 C5H12O5 C4H6O3 C4H8O3 C3H4O3 C4H4O5...
  43. D

    Velocity of fly relative to train tracks

    Homework Statement A train is moving eastward at 60.0mi/hr. A waiter is walking westward at 2.0mi/hr. A fly is crawling north across the waiter at 3.0mi/hr. What is the velocity of the fly relative to the tracks? The Attempt at a Solution I don't understand what it means by the fly...
  44. D

    Can Puddle Derail a Train? Physics Experts Needed

    I need some physics experts to help settle a debate between me and a coworker. Would it be possible for a large enough puddle to derail a passenger train? Obviously if you tried to drive a train through a lake it would derail, but could there ever be enough water from heavy rainfall to do the...
  45. K

    How Fast Was the Freight Car Moving Before Hitting the Springs?

    Homework Statement A 8000 kg freight car rolls along rails with negligible friction. The car is brought to rest by a combination of two coiled springs as illustrated in the figure below. Both springs are described by Hooke's law with k1 = 1600 N/m and k2 = 3000 N/m. After the first spring...
  46. S

    Constant acceleration of train

    Homework Statement Liz rushes down onto a subway platform to find her train already departing. She stops and watches the cars go by. Each car is 8.60m long. The first moves past her in 1.50 s and the second in 1.10 s. Find the constant acceleration of the train. Homework Equations...
  47. MathematicalPhysicist

    The runner on the train paradox.

    the setting: A train travels at high speed. A runner on the train sprints towards the back of the train with the same speed (wrt to the train). as the train moves forward (wrt the earth). therefore the runner doesn't move wrt to earh. The paradox: the runner's clock runs slower than compared...
  48. D

    Can a Man Jump in a Moving Train and Land on the Same Spot?

    if a man is standing on a point "A" inside a train moving at a very high speed then he jumped . will he land on the same point A?
  49. A

    How Fast is the Car When It Passes the Train?

    1. Homework Statement A train is moving parallel and adjacent to a highway with a constant speed of 33 m/s. Initially a car is 32 m behind the train, traveling in the same direction as the train at 47 m/s and accelerating at 4 m/s^2. What is the speed of the car just as it passes the train...
  50. S

    Train Collision Stopping distance Problem

    Homework Statement Two trains, one traveling at 74.00 km/h and the other at 148.00 km/h, are headed toward one another along a straight, level track. When they are 938 m apart, each engineer sees the other's train and applies the brakes. The brakes decelerate each train at the rate of 1.0...
Back
Top