Buzz
Trains are among the most widely used and straightforward modes of transportation. With millions of passengers around the world relying on them daily, it’s easy to see why. Trains are much faster than cars, and unlike road travel, they are largely unaffected by traffic jams or detours. There are countless intriguing facts and stories tied to trains that many people may not be aware of.
10. The Hogwarts Express
The magical world of Harry Potter is incredibly expansive, and it’s easy to see why many of us wish it were real. With wands that can cast powerful spells and broomsticks that allow you to glide through the air, life would surely take on an entirely new and exciting rhythm. However, there is a glimpse of Hogwarts magic that exists in our world today.
The West Highland train route in Glenfinnan, Scotland, is the very same line featured in the Harry Potter movies, crossing the iconic viaduct. Moreover, the trains running through this scenic route are the same ones portrayed as the Hogwarts Express in the films. To this day, these trains continue to operate on the same tracks. Perhaps magic is real, after all.
9. The Forgotten Subway Station
Imagine arriving at a subway station, slowing down but never fully stopping to let passengers disembark. This was the reality at City Hall subway station in New York City. Opened in 1904, it was designed to be the stunning centerpiece of the city’s newly inaugurated subway system, drawing passengers with its elegant design.
For a time, this strategy worked. However, as the number of passengers dwindled and the trains were redesigned, rendering the station unsafe, City Hall station became obsolete. Despite this, the city decided to preserve it due to its architectural charm and the high cost of potential renovations.
At the close of 1945, City Hall station was permanently closed. While it is no longer safe for passengers to disembark, the No. 6 train still passes through the station slowly, allowing passengers to catch a glimpse of its once-glorious design, a time capsule of a bygone era.
8. Kamikaze Planes to Kamikaze Trains
During World War II, Japanese pilots resorted to the deadly tactic of “kamikaze” in a desperate attempt to destroy US warships. These pilots used their planes as weapons, diving directly into enemy ships to cause maximum destruction.
This unconventional and deadly approach was surprisingly effective, thanks in large part to the design of the planes. Their sleek and aerodynamic shape enabled them to soar toward their targets at such a high speed that American forces had little time to shoot them down before impact.
Miki Tadanao, the mind behind the creation of the kamikaze planes, was deeply troubled by the loss of young soldiers due to his designs. He eventually distanced himself from creating warplanes and shifted his focus to more peaceful endeavors.
Leveraging his expertise in streamlined designs, Tadanao played a key role in developing the first generation of shinkansen trains, also known as 'bullet trains.' On March 30, 1963, a trial run saw the train reach a top speed of 256 kilometers per hour (159 mph), surpassing the previous record of 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph) and earning the title of the world's fastest train. Today's bullet trains can exceed speeds of 600 kilometers per hour (373 mph).
7. Horse and Cart
In 1830, Peter Cooper aimed to persuade the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to adopt steam engines for their railways instead of relying on horse-drawn carts. To achieve this, Peter designed and built the Tom Thumb, the first American-made steam locomotive, capable of traveling along the new railways.
The day arrived for the inaugural test run of the Tom Thumb. Peter Cooper was convinced to make the journey to Ellicott’s Mills, a distance of 21 kilometers (13 miles), while his small engine pulled a cart with a few passengers aboard.
The first steam engine journey in America was a groundbreaking moment. Powered by the small but efficient Tom Thumb engine, which reached a speed of 29 kilometers per hour (18 mph), the trip to the Mills was swift. The passengers were left in awe of the engine’s capabilities.
On the return trip from the Mills, the train crossed paths with the owners of the Stockton and Stokes stagecoach company. Seizing the opportunity, the owners challenged Peter to a race, pitting their horse against his locomotive.
As the race began, the horse took an early lead while the locomotive started off slow. However, it didn’t take long before the Tom Thumb reached its top speed and surged ahead, easily overtaking the horse.
Unfortunately, the belt that powered the blower slipped off, causing the locomotive to lose its momentum. The horse quickly reclaimed the lead and won the race. Nevertheless, the performance of the locomotive impressed everyone, showcasing the superiority of steam-powered engines over traditional horse-drawn vehicles.
The introduction of the Tom Thumb and Peter’s innovative approach revolutionized travel in America. The steam engine rapidly became a pivotal invention, making long-distance travel across the country much more feasible. If it weren't for Peter Cooper and his Tom Thumb, trains might not have existed as we know them today.
6. Civil War
At a time when steam trains were crucial for transporting both passengers and goods across the nation, it became clear that they would also play a vital role in transporting soldiers and heavy artillery. When the US Civil War erupted in 1861, trains proved to be a lifeline for many. They helped move both wounded soldiers and fresh troops to and from the battlefronts.
During the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, trains were able to transport 20,000 Union soldiers over a distance of 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) in just 11 days. Sadly, railroads became prime targets and vital to the war effort, resulting in numerous acts of sabotage from both sides.
5. Horsepower Sells
The term 'horsepower' has been in use for centuries, often referring to the power of vehicles like cars and trains. But what exactly defines a horsepower, and how did this seemingly odd term come to be recognized as a legitimate unit of measurement?
James Watt, who owned a steam engine used to pump water from deep underground mines, sought to harness the power of steam engines to replace horses in brewery mills. His aim was to make the production of beverages more efficient and faster over time.
In order to gain approval for his idea, Watt needed to explain the steam engine’s capabilities in terms that brewers could grasp. He observed a group of horses working in Samuel Whitbread’s brewery mill and calculated that one horse could move 14,774 kilograms (32,572 lbs) a distance of 0.3 meters (1 ft) per minute.
Watt rounded this figure up to 15,000 kilograms (33,000 lbs), coining the term 'horsepower' as a result. Despite the seemingly exaggerated calculation, Watt’s reasoning successfully persuaded Whitbread that steam engines could easily replace horses in the brewery mill.
Within just one year, the steam engine boosted beverage production from 90,000 to 143,000 barrels of brew. Since then, the term 'horsepower' has been used to describe the power of all trains, cars, and various other machines, offering a simple way for the general public to understand the strength of different objects.
4. The President’s Funeral Train
George Pullman had an extremely uncomfortable overnight train journey from Buffalo to Westfield, New York. This experience led him to recognize a significant opportunity in designing more comfortable train cars. With his prior experience working on canal boats along the Erie Canal, he had a strong sense of what the ideal design would entail.
George teamed up with his close friend, Benjamin Field. In 1857, they landed a contract to create more luxurious train car accommodations. Six years later, after receiving financial assistance from a ranch owned by Benjamin's brother, Pullman constructed two train cars, the 'Springfield' and the 'Pioneer.'
In 1865, the nation was shocked by the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. His untimely death was a subject that everyone anticipated would be extensively covered in the newspapers, particularly regarding any events following his passing.
Lincoln’s body was transported through several northern cities to Springfield, Illinois, aboard a train known as the 'Lonesome Train.' As the train passed by, mourners gathered along the tracks, adding to the emotional weight of the journey. This outpouring of grief proved too much for Mrs. Lincoln to bear. By the time the train reached Chicago, she was on the verge of collapse.
Since the train was ultimately heading to Springfield, Pullman decided to offer his specially designed sleeper car, the Pioneer, to Mrs. Lincoln. He hoped the comfort of the car would help her feel better for the rest of the journey.
Word quickly spread among journalists, and the public was soon made aware of the luxurious design of Pullman’s cars. The widespread fear of uncomfortable train rides was dispelled, and it became common for every train to feature these lavish cars.
3. On Time, Every Time
We've all been in that situation. You're pressed for time and decide to catch a train to make it to your appointment. You arrive at the station, and fortune favors you—the next train to your destination will arrive in just a few minutes.
Sadly, those few minutes slip by, and the train still hasn’t shown up at the expected time. Incredible! By the time it finally arrives at the platform, it's already too late. In the US, passengers rarely even get an apology. But in Japan, there's a very different outcome to the same scenario.
What’s truly astonishing is how Japan's trains manage to maintain such punctuality. It's an exceptional rarity for a train to be delayed by even a single minute. This reliability stems from the rigorous training of train operators and the harsh consequences they face if their trains run late.
Whenever a train is delayed in Japan, an apology is broadcast on the station’s public address system. Moreover, all affected passengers are given a 'delay certificate,' which explains the reason for the delay. Passengers can present this certificate to their employers if they need to explain their tardiness at work.
2. Track Mania
Following the successful debut of steam trains in America, the number of railway tracks expanded quickly. In 1830, when Tom Thumb famously lost its race against a stallion, the US had just 37 kilometers (23 mi) of railway tracks.
Thanks to a government-backed grant, the length of the tracks surged dramatically in the ensuing years. By 1861, the US had 48,000 kilometers (30,000 mi) of track.
And it didn’t stop there.
Between 1890 and 1900, an additional 64,000 kilometers (40,000 mi) of track were laid, further connecting the rapidly growing nation. By 1916, over 402,000 kilometers (250,000 mi) of railway tracks had been spread across the United States.
To put this into perspective, you could reach the Moon from Earth if you arranged these tracks end to end. However, the peak wasn’t reached until 1930, when a staggering 692,000 kilometers (430,000 mi) of track stretched across the US.
Over time, the number of railway tracks gradually decreased as roads and highways gained traction. Cars became a preferred mode of transport, surpassing trains in popularity.
1. US Time Zones
Time is one of life’s greatest enigmas. When did it begin? When will it come to an end?
One thing is certain, though: it's all too easy to lose track of time, and before you know it, the day is over. Time zones allow large countries to understand the time differences between various regions. The US operates with nine time zones, including those for the mainland states as well as Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and Guam.
But how exactly did these time zones come into existence?
In 1883, key representatives from major US railroads convened at what became known as the General Time Convention. At precisely noon on November 18, the US Naval Observatory transmitted a telegraph signal marking high noon Eastern Time. Once the signal was sent, railway offices across the country adjusted their clocks to synchronize with it.
Since 1918, the standard time zones across the US have been legally recognized due to legislation passed by the US Congress. They officially endorsed the time zone system as a legitimate means of managing time throughout the country.
