Trains: The History And Their Environments Role

by Sandy Maseko

In 1825 the first locomotive was successful in its attempt to safely transport people from two points in England. The popularity of this mode of transportation quickly made its way to the United States in 1830. It wasn’t long before the industrial revolution was born since trains could be used to transport materials faster and easier than ever before. By 1833 there were 380 miles of railroad tracks in the United States. Today there are more than 300,000 miles of track around the United States.

Repairs on trains that were done were the result of the United States government needing to repair them in order to move men and supplies during World War I. Even so, the growth of the railroad is significantly slowed forever around 1940. The Great Depression has made it difficult for the railroads to survive. There is also competition now with automobiles being manufactured.

Yet the railroad industry sees renewed life in the late 1950’s when the retired steam powered locomotives and replace them with diesel engines. In 1970 the United States government steps in again to take control of Amtrak. They still oversee it today but most of the miles of track that they operate on belong to other railway companies.

The environments role

The biggest concern with trains and the environment is the amount of pollution they create. Designs have come a long way on train engines in order to reduce the amount of pollution they release. Many railway companies also continue to plant new trees in the areas along the train tracks. These trees help to remove the amount of carbon monoxide in the air. You may have seen pretty flower gardens next to train crossings and they are there to help the environment as well as to give you something nice to enjoy as you drive by.

Trains consume large amounts of natural resources that can’t be replaced. This is a concern because so many trains are in operation each day. Alternatives for creating the necessary energy are being evaluated. Some of the commuter trains in many cities operate on electricity instead of diesel fuel. While this helps reduce the amount of pollution in the air, it still depletes the natural resources we have available.

Railway companies are often accused of wasting materials that have to be dealt with. But the steel they use for the railroad tracks and trains is recycled. And they also reuse up to 60% of the ballast that is placed underneath the railway tracks.

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