Railroad Parts: History for Kids

From America to Europe trains history and technology has advanced over several hundred years. One of the oldest forms of transportation, but yet to kids a new fast and rare mode of transportation. Kids can fill their yearning of knowledge for these powerful machines while building their imagination through the following history and facts.

Rail Road History

Railroads were initially made up of wooden rails dating back to Germany in the 1550’s. The railroads were called Wagonways, in which carts pulled by horses was the mode of transportation for the Wagonways. In 17^th century wooden rails were replaced with iron, thus creating the tramways.

• Steve’s Railroad History
• History Timeline
• Story of Railroads and Maps
• Age of Steam
• Railroad Terms Glossary

Train History

Railroads took a critical turn in history in the 1800’s when carts on the tramways were replaced with steam locomotives. 

• The Train Era
• Railway History
• Orphan Train
• Steam Engine

Train Parts

Trains are made up of many parts that have a specific task. Not all trains are created equal and require the same mechanics to function. Trains are made up of many parts that have a specific task. Not all trains are created equal and require the same mechanics to function. Locomotives can use steam, diesel, electric, or hydrogen as its mode of energy. Air brakes are used in modern trains by using compressed air. Below are a variety of trains and their internal and external workings.

• Maglev Trains
• The Locomotive
• Steam Locomotive

What is an Engineer?

An engineer operates a train or locomotive. The engineer not only makes sure the train gets from one destination to another, the engineer must also direct speed and all mechanical function. The following resources provide detail information on what s expected of engineers.

• Locomotive Engineer
• Train Engineer
• Rail Transportation Career
• For Kids-Careers

Riding the Rail Road

 When you think of riding the rails, you may think of spacious rail cars. In the first trains box cars were small and crowded. Sometimes people would ride the rails, hopping on to moving trains. Some trains were passenger or freight trains moving goods. People of all ages hopped the trains to find work, romance or adventure. Riding the rails was dangerous, not only because of jumping on or off of moving trains, but because of the cruelty by the bulls (guards).

• Riding the Rails
• Teenagers-Riding the Rails
• The American History Project
• The Great Depression

Train Facts

Fun interesting facts that will ignite children’s imaginations and deepen their knowledge of trains. From the steepest train to the heaviest, kids are bound to expand their love of trains.

• The steepest train fitted with cogwheels is located in Switzerland.
• Railway with the longest straight away is 301 miles long.
• There was rush hour traffic on the Oregon -California trail.
• Great Britain has over 40,000 bridges on the rail system.
• Italy has the only railway that climbs a top a volcano.
• In the 1800’s trains moves at peak speeds of 25mph.
• The fastest train in the world is the TGV trains of France, traveling at 322 mph.
• Central Station has the largest platform in the world.
• The first railway in America was used in 1826.
• The heaviest train weighs more than 27,000 elephants.