Rail Line | Steel surface Vanishing blue band Low frictional resistance |
R
ail transfer is an older but still viable energy-efficient mechanized land transport system. The steel rails themselves are the primary distinguishing characteristic. They provide exceedingly smooth and hard surfaces on which train wheels can easily roll. The contact area between each wheel and the rail is only a few millimeters and thus generates minute friction. In addition, the track distributes the trains' weight evenly across a broad support allowing significantly larger loads per axle/wheel than in road transport. Because road transport depends on friction between rubber and road, under suitable circumstances a train needs 50-70% less energy to transport the same tonnage. Of course travel is predetermined based on track placement.
“There is nothing in machinery, there is nothing in embankments and railways and iron bridges and engineering devices to oblige them to be ugly. Ugliness is the measure of imperfection.” - H. G. Wells
