Page 262 - DK Children's Encyclopedia
P. 262
Trains SEE ALSO
▸ ▸ Asia p.29
▸ ▸ Engines p.92
Trains are vehicles that move along tracks. The first trains ▸ ▸ Inventions
were powered by steam, but modern trains use diesel, pp.136–137
electricity, or even magnets. They are a fast way for ▸ ▸ Magnets p.151
passengers to travel and for goods to be transported. ▸ ▸ Trade p.257
▸ ▸ Transportation
pp.258–259
There are three Each train can
types of seating, carry more than
the most luxurious 900 passengers
being “Gran Class.” in 12 cars. Bullet train
The Shinkansen is also known
as a bullet train. It travels long
The driver uses levers
and computer screens distances between Japanese
to control the train. cities at speeds of up to
199 mph (320 kph).
The nose is
angled so the
train can move
Shinkansen
faster through
the air.
The world’s
longest train had Shinkansen trains
eight engines operate on special
and 682 cars! high-speed tracks.
In the cab, coal is fed into a fire.
This heats water in a boiler to
create steam that powers the train.
Underground
trains
Many cities have
underground trains
known as subway, or
metro, systems.
Aerolite, 1902 The large, powered wheel Avoiding the busy
is called the driving wheel. traffic above, these
trains can quickly move
Steam engine people around a city.
The earliest trains used steam for power. Water was
heated by a coal fire in the engine. The first working The Paris metro
train, Stephenson’s Rocket, was built in 1829.
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