Railway Transport

Rail transport is a means of transporting of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks, known as a railway or railroad. The rails are anchored perpendicular to railroad train consists of one or more connected vehicles that run on the rails. Propulsion is commonly provided by a locomotive, that hauls a series of unpowered cars, that can carry passengers or freight. The locomotive can be powered by steam, diesel or by electricity supplied by trackside systems. Alternatively, some or all the cars can be powered, known as a multiple unit. Also, a train can be powered by horses, cables, gravity, pneumatics and gas turbines. Railed vehicles move with much less friction than rubber tires on paved roads, making trains more energy efficient, though not as efficient as ships.

Intercity trains are long-haul services connecting cities; modern high-speed rail is capable of speeds up to 350 km/h (220 mph), but this requires specially built track. Regional and commuter trains feed cities from suburbs and surrounding areas, while intra-urban transport is performed by high-capacity tramways and rapid transits, often making up the backbone of a city's public transport. Freight trains traditionally used box cars, requiring manual loading and unloading of the cargo. Since the 1960s, container trains have become the dominant solution for general freight, while large quantities of bulk are transported by dedicated trains.

2. Find English equivalents to the following word combinations:

a) by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks

b) rails are anchored perpendicular to railroad train

c) locomotive hauls a series of unpowered cars

d) locomotive can be powered by

e) a train can be powered by

f) modern high-speed rail is capable of speeds up to 350 km/h (220 mph)

g) making up the backbone of a city's public transport

h) product of transport is the transportation of the goods

i) large quantities of bulk are transported by.

3. Answer the questions:

1. What is railway or railroad?

2. What is rail transport?

3. What can locomotive be powered by?

4. What is the function of inter-city train?

5. What categories of transport do you know?

6. What is the most important role of modern railway transport?

4.Complete the sentences:

1. Rail transport is a means of transporting of passengers and goods …

2. The rails are anchored perpendicular to railroad train consists …

3. The only product of transport is the transportation of the goods…

4. Also, a train can be powered by....

5. Regional and commuter trains feed cities from suburbs and surrounding areas …