Public Transportation
Transportation
Transportation
Check out our simple readings on public transportation to boost your English skills and learn about buses, trains, and how people travel in cities.
1
Chapter
Train
Read a short passage about a long vehicle that runs on tracks, often used to carry people or goods over land.
Trains are a type of public transportation. They run on tracks. Trains carry people and things. They go from one place to another. Trains have been used for a long time. They have an interesting history.
Horses pulled the first trains. This was before engines were made. Early trains were made of wood. They were not very fast. They were used to move coal and heavy stuff. They moved from mines to factories.
In 1804, a man named Richard Trevithick made the first steam train. It was called the Penydarren locomotive. This train was faster than horse-pulled trains. It could carry heavy loads. It did not get tired like horses. Steam trains became very popular.
The first passenger train ran in 1825. It was called the Stockton and Darlington Railway. It was in England. It carried people and coal. This was the start of trains being used to carry people.
In 1829, a famous train called the Rocket was built. George Stephenson made it. This train was very fast for its time. It could go at a speed of 47 kilometers per hour. The Rocket showed people that trains were a good way to travel.
Trains have changed a lot since then. Today, we have electric trains and high-speed trains. Some high-speed trains can go up to 320 kilometers per hour. These trains are very fast and comfortable. They connect big cities. They help people travel quickly.
Trains are also important for moving things. Freight trains can carry a lot of heavy items. They carry stuff like cars, coal, and food. They help businesses. They move products from factories to stores.
Fun fact : The longest train ride in the world is on the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia. It is over 9,000 kilometers long. It takes about seven days to complete!