Rail transport
With the invention of rail transport, water transport lost its importance, as rail transport offered great opportunities.
It appeared in the beginning of the 19th century when the first locomotive was invented in 1804. And by the middle of this century it became the most important means of transport of industrial countries of that time. By the end of 19th century the total length of all railroads was over one million kilometres. Railroads united the inner industrial regions with sea ports. Along the railroads, the new cities appeared.
But after the World War 2, the railway has lost its significance and importance. It couldn't stand the competition with cars in the sphere of cargo transportation, the competition with planes in passenger transportation at long distances and the competition with personal cars at short distance.
But this means of transport didn't disappear at all, as the majority of people thought during 50-60s. Till nowadays railway transport has a lot of advantages. For example, rail roads have high vehicle capacity, solidity and speed.
Nowadays trains carry a lot of kinds of cargo. But the usual goods are agricultural equipment and machines.
Nowadays the USA has the longest railway. But the densest railway system is in Germany.
The modern world demands changes in the transport system. So from the end of the 20th century, railway was updated a lot. At first it developed in Japan and now develops a lot in Europe. The new system of high-speed railroads was created; some trains could gain the speed of 300 kilometres per hour. Such railroads became serious competitors of planes at short distances.
Underground plays an important role as the mean of public transport. Till nowadays the role of suburban railway can't be substituted by anything.
One of the greatest advantages of such means of transport is that the electrical ones don't pollute the air and are ecological. The most electrified rail transport is in Switzerland – more than 85%.
Trams are also used in big cities as public transport. Nowadays rail transport obtained the function of public transport.
One of the greatest benefits of rail transport is severe time-table, comfortable way of travelling, and the absence of traffic jams. Thanks to underground people have the possibility to get to their houses quickly avoiding the problems with parking and traffic jams.
Trains consist of locomotive and carriages that have different sizes and forms in dependence on the cargo it carries. If it is a passenger carriage it may also vary depending on the class.
It is hard to imagine the modern world without railway transport, as it is one of the most important transports nowadays. It has developed a lot and a great number of new carriages with all modern conveniences appeared. Conductors will help you if you need something and will propose you a cup of tea or coffee.