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In rail transport, a train is a series of connected vehicles that run along a railway track and transport people or freight. The word train comes from the Old French trahiner, derived from the Latin trahere meaning "to pull, to draw". Trains are typically pulled or pushed by locomotives (often known simply as "engines"), though some are self-propelled, such as multiple units. Passengers and cargo are carried in railroad cars, also known as wagons. Trains are designed to a certain gauge, or distance between rails. Most trains operate on steel tracks with steel wheels, the low friction of which makes them more efficient than other forms of transport.
Trains have their roots in wagonways, which used railway tracks and were powered by horses or pulled by cables. Following the invention of the steam locomotive in the United Kingdom in 1804, trains rapidly spread around the world, allowing freight and passengers to move over land faster and cheaper than ever possible before. Rapid transit and trams were first built in the late 1800s to transport large numbers of people in and around cities. Beginning in the 1920s, and accelerating following World War II, diesel and electric locomotives replaced steam as the means of motive power. Following the development of cars, trucks, and extensive networks of highways which offered greater mobility, as well as faster airplanes, trains declined in importance and market share, and many rail lines were abandoned. The spread of buses led to the closure of many rapid transit and tram systems during this time as well.
Since the 1970s, governments, environmentalists, and train advocates have promoted increased use of trains due to their greater fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to other modes of land transport. High-speed rail, first built in the 1960s, has proven competitive with cars and planes over short to medium distances. Commuter rail has grown in importance since the 1970s as an alternative to congested highways and a means to promote development, as has light rail in the 21st century. Freight trains remain important for the transport of bulk commodities such as coal and grain, as well as being a means of reducing road traffic congestion by freight trucks.
While conventional trains operate on relatively flat tracks with two rails, a number of specialized trains exist which are significantly different in their mode of operation. Monorails operate on a single rail, while funiculars and rack railways are uniquely designed to traverse steep slopes. Experimental trains such as high speed maglevs, which use magnetic levitation to float above a guideway, are under development in the 2020s and offer higher speeds than even the fastest conventional trains. Development of trains which use alternative fuels such as natural gas and hydrogen is another 21st century development.

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  1. J

    Help, 29 Year old Female looking to train to become a plumber.

    Well as the title suggests i'm looking to train to become a plumber in the Nottingham area. Having done various other jobs i have now decided to have a complete career change and would welcome any advice anyone would be able to offer me. Having trudged through the internet i am still no...
  2. Z

    Tristor thermal store banging like train!

    Hi, I have a Tristor Telford thermal store in my flat and recently, it's started it make such loud banging noises, it sounds like a car crash pr someone busy banging on the inside! It will make these noises when the system is turned off (as there is no timer) at least 4 or 5 times an hour at...
  3. U

    Tristor thermal store banging like train!

    Hi, I have a Tristor Telford thermal store in my flat and recently, it's started it make such loud banging noises, it sounds like a car crash! It will make these noises when the system is turned off (as there is no timer) at least 4 or 5 times an hour at all times of the day, when it's...
  4. P

    Barclays and Train 4 Trade Skills -0 Me 1

    I WON Guy's and they are feckin bent as a nine bob note steer clear!!! BUZZING feeling.... Now i'll probably get another defamation suit served upon me but I have defended 2 already! BEWARE of Dodgy/Rogue Training Companies!!! Night all and Up the VILLA!!
  5. H

    Hi, new to forum. Just starting to train with ERR. Any advice?

    Hello all. Imjust starting to train with ERR in order to ultimately switch careers to the plumbing industry. I initially started trainig with OLCI, which was a bit of a joke. No real guidance or help. I am hoping ERR will be very different. Anyone got any words of wisdom that could help...
  6. kris

    Great train robbery

    Watched part 1 yesterday as the executed the train robbery gaining 2 1/2 million which is equivalent to 45million in today's moneys, part 2 on just now , pretty good they pulled it off perfect but it's all catching them - the flying squad lol
  7. E

    Train to be a plumber.

    Don't it's a freaking horror show. Become a gas oil or renewables installer. Went to a heating custard with a leak, it was the close coupled cistern. What a mess. Needed new syphon and new float. 1st thing rusted wing nuts with overflow and cold supply in the way. Then due to the stupid...
  8. I

    Should i train to be a plumber with OLCI?

    Hello to you all! I am thinking of doing an all intensive course with OLCI so i can become a plumber. So far they are quoting me £5995 which includes: C&G 6035-02 NVQ Level 2 Diploma in plumbing As an incentive they will include 4 additional green/renewable modules on top for free...
  9. R

    Train me

    Friends I want firstly to know whether I can, as a plumber, put the wire in for an electric shower and also an extractor fan. If not, do you get sparkys to do this for you? If so, can anyone please teach me? I'm willing to travel (probably). Thanks Rct
  10. B

    New to the forum, looking to train to become a plumber.

    Hi all, As per the title really, looking to begin training to become a plumber. Just wondering if I've left it a bit late as i've been told you cant be an apprentice after the age of 25, (i'm 23 now) No idea if that's true or not. I've found a local college that does night courses once a...
  11. D

    Train tickets

    2 Train tickets, Skipton/Leeds to london. Depart 2nd Aug. Return 5th Aug. Can be used just Leeds to London £60 ono Pm for more info Cheers steve
  12. I

    train 4 trade skills

    Has anyone else bone the Domestic renewable resource engineering course? and if so are you as psd off as i am. ive just received the paper version of the pre attendance test after failing the on-line test 3 time's with no feed back, no idea what the pass rate is or where i went wrong.:willy_nilly:
  13. P

    ARCHIVE Fast track plumbing/Gas Safe training with Trainatrade TRAIN A TRADE

    Hi everyone, just thought I would give you a heads up that Trade Qualified Ltd have gone in to liquidation, for those who do not already know. They have 197 student creditors, owed approx. £4500 each. These fast rack companies are no good, and just take your money, give you very poor and...
  14. A

    Train for trade skills

    greetings my name is anna-Rose. I have been doing the advanced plumbing course with train for trade skills and came accross your web site when I wanted to log into the student part of the site last week and could not. please can any one tell me if there is any current information on this course...
  15. D

    Train 4Trade Skills, good or bad?

    Hi all, I would like any feedback on the above, I started with a course in Jan & had nothing but problems with them not returning calls well 99.5% of the time & waiting for the books/sections to come, 2 moths for this thus far & 6 week for last section, dam poor service I think & can anyone...
  16. JCplumb

    Here we go again....

    Looks like the media are going to push another few thousand unlucky hopefuls into our already-over populated workforce :( MSN thinks the 2nd best paid job for non-qualified people is plumber...
  17. T

    Train 4 Trade Skills

    Hi, I'm currently doing my Level 2 6189 plumbing course with T4TS. I have so far completed 14 modules and will be attending my first two weeks practical training in a week or so. Does anyone know how many modules there are to be completed in total? Is there anyone who has completed the course...
  18. R

    Train 4 Trade Skills 3D Virtual world Scenario 3!!!

    Hello, calling all T4TS students...Can anyone help me with scenario 3 the soundness testing? Many thanks Jason.
  19. Z

    Is it a bad time to train to be a Plumber?

    Hi, first thanks for reading. I'm 26 and looking for a trade, like a lot of people I think Plumbers are in such demand they can choose their own hours and write their own cheques but I've been reading a lot of comments (some on this site) about an over saturation in the market going back to...
  20. D

    Looking for Portfolio Placement

    Hi my name is Dhanish, Im doing a Gas Safe course and have done a couple of months building my porftfolio for evidence of all my jobs. I have done many services, safety checks and am in need of installs. These installs could include Boilers, Fires, Cookers, Water Heaters, mainly boilers. I am...
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