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Rail transport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2807 words) |
 | The rails and perpendicular beams are usually then placed on a foundation made of concrete or compressed earth and gravel in a bed of ballast to prevent the track from buckling (bending out of its original configuration) as the ground settles over time beneath and under the weight of the vehicles passing above. |
| Rail transport is an energy-efficient and capital-intensive means of mechanised land transport. |
| Rail lines that carry little traffic are often built as single track, to be used by trains in both directions; "passing sidings", which consist of short stretches of double track, are provided along the line to allow trains to pass one another, and to travel in opposite directions. |
| Article about "Rail transport" in the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (1159 words) |
| Rail transport is one of the most energy efficient means of mechanised land transport known. |
| Rail transport is also one of the safest modes of transport, and also makes a highly efficient use of space: a double tracked rail line can carry more passengers or freight in a given amount of time, than a four-laned road. |
| In the late 18th century, iron rails began to be employed: British civil engineer William Jessop designed edge rails to be used with flanged wheels for use on a scheme in Loughborough, Leicestershire (in 1789 and subsequently opened an iron-works to produce more rails). |
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