Railway
Operations
Extrinsic
Factors
Rail transport systems are built into the landscape, including both the
physical geography (hills, valleys, etc) and the human geography (location
of settlements). The rail transport system may in turn feedback into the
human geography.
Physical geography
The permanent way of a system must pass through the geography and geology
of its region. This may be flat or mountainous, may include obstacles
such as water and mountains. These will determine in part the intrinsic
nature of the system. The slope at which trains run needs also be calculated
correctly. In this stage, it is decided where tunnels will pass.
Human geography
Rail transport systems affect the human geography. Large cities (such
as Nairobi) may be founded by a railroad passing trough. Historically,
when a station has been built outside the town or city it is intended
to serve, that town has expanded to include the station, or buildings
(especially Inns) sprung up near the station. The existence of a station
may increase the number of commuters who live in a town or village and
so cause it to become a dormitory town.
Historical
factors
Rail transport systems are often used for purposes for which they were
not designed, but have evolved into due to changes in the human geography.
Politics can play a large part in decisions about railways, such as the
Beeching Axe. Also in the UK, building or rebuilding a railway requires
an Act of Parliament.
Intrinsic factors
Belgian NMBS/SNCB railroad workers.
Permanent way and railroad construction
Main articles: permanent way, railroad construction
The permanent way trails through the physical geography. The tracks'
geometry is limited by the physical geography.
Types of rail system
Regional rail and urban heavy rail, the most common types of rail system,
has reasonably high speeds and high axle loadings.
Light rail systems are designed for lower speeds and loadings and often
have simplified specifications.
High-speed rail is a rail system designed to withstand high speed trains.
Monorails are sometimes used instead of light rail systems for commuter
transport, etc.
Maglev is a recent development with as yet only one real implementation.
Cog railways are used to cross steep slopes on mountain railways.
Signalling
Main article: railway signalling
Railway signals are an aspect of railroad safety.
Types of vehicle
Main articles: trains, locomotives, railroad cars
Trains are pushed/pulled by one or more locomotive units. Two or more
locomotives coupled in multiple traction ("twins") are frequently
used in freight trains. Railroad cars or rolling stock consist of passenger
cars, freight cars, maintenance cars and in America cabooses. Modern passenger
trains sometimes are pushed/pulled by a tail and head unit, of which not
both need to be motorised or running. Some passenger trains, mostly commuter
trains or trains on quiet rural lines and metros consist of a multiple
unit.Freight wagons filled with limestone await unloading, at sidings
in Rugby, England
Passenger
operations
Most public transport passenger operations happen in the train station
and in the passenger car. The passenger buys a ticket, either in the station,
or on the train at an higher fare. There are two ways of validating a
ticket. In one case the passenger validates the ticket himself (by perforating
it, for instance) and this is randomly checked by a ticket controller.
A conductor checks all persons on the train, validates the ticket and
devaluates it, so it can't be used again. Some passenger cars, especially
in long distance high speed trains have a restaurant or bar. These need
to be catered. In recent times, train catering has been diminished somewhat
by vending machines in the train station or on the train.
Freight operations
Freight or cargo trains are loaded and unloaded in freight yards, by using
cranes.
Locomotive
operations
When inactive, locomotives are housed in a train depot. In engine facilities
locomotives are cleaned, repaired, etc. Decommissioned locs are sometimes
used to heat passenger cars and defrost railroad switches in winter. After
this period, locomotives (and other rail vehicles) are turned into scrap
or are left to rust in a train depot. Some end up in railway museums or
are bought by railway preservation groups.
Steam locomotives are housed in a circular train depot, a roundhouse
that surrounds a turntable.
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