Railways

Railways are a system of transportation that uses steel rails and wheeled rolling stock to move passengers and freight. A network includes tracks, stations, signaling, power supply, and rolling stock such as locomotives and carriages. Power has transitioned from steam to diesel and electric traction, with experimental forms in development.

Rail transport emerged in the late 18th and 19th centuries with mine railways and steam-powered locomotives. The first intercity lines, such as the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (1830), popularized long-distance travel and trade. Over the 19th and 20th centuries networks expanded globally, with electrification, dieselization, and greater standardization of gauge and signaling.

Track infrastructure consists of rails on sleepers with ballast, gauges chosen regionally. Electrification uses overhead lines or third rails. Signaling and traffic control coordinate movements, supported by stations, depots, and yards. Operations rely on timetables, safety rules, maintenance schedules, and rolling stock management to ensure reliability and capacity.

Rail services include passenger, freight, urban rapid transit, and high-speed networks. Rolling stock ranges from light trains and freight wagons to long-distance electric locomotives and high-speed units. Advances combine energy efficiency, regenerative braking, and digital signaling to increase capacity and reduce travel times.

Railways contribute to economic development by enabling efficient mass transit and low-emission freight. They face financing, aging infrastructure, interoperability, and safety challenges, while modernization and decarbonization continue to shape future growth.