How Much Do You Know About Electric Trains?

1. What are the disadvantages of electric trains?

High operating costs

Slow

Expensive infrastructure

Breakdown often

The only disadvantage to electric is the costs for installing the infrastructure. Once installed the operating costs are much lower than current diesel trains. Europe uses mostly electric for this reason. However, the railways are privately owned in the US and most companies (outside of the trains in the northeast) don't want to pay to add the electric rails to the tracks.

Explanation

The only disadvantage to electric is the costs for installing the infrastructure. Once installed the operating costs are much lower than current diesel trains. Europe uses mostly electric for this reason. However, the railways are privately owned in the US and most companies (outside of the trains in the northeast) don't want to pay to add the electric rails to the tracks.

2. Which infrastructure development in urban areas in the late 1800s help electric trains' popularity grow?

Narrow bridges

Hilly terrain

Tunnels

Sewage systems

The gases left lingering the tunnels from steam engines limited their use in cities.

Explanation

The gases left lingering the tunnels from steam engines limited their use in cities.

3. How many cars did Werner von Siemen's locomotive haul in 1879?

3

5

4

1

The electric train engine was able to haul 3 passenger cars, and carried a total of 90,000 people during the 4 months of its operation.

Explanation

The electric train engine was able to haul 3 passenger cars, and carried a total of 90,000 people during the 4 months of its operation.

4. Werner von Siemens invented the first electric passenger train in Berlin in what year?

1806

1837

1879

1888

The train was powered by a 2.2 kW, series-wound motor, and carried passengers around a 300m (984 ft.) circular track.

Explanation

The train was powered by a 2.2 kW, series-wound motor, and carried passengers around a 300m (984 ft.) circular track.

5. Where do electric trains get their power? (select all that apply)

Overhead cables

Battery or supercapacitor

Gasoline engine

Coal

Third rail

Electric trains can get their power from overhead cables, which provide electricity through a system of wires and contact lines. They can also be powered by a battery or supercapacitor, which store electrical energy and allow the train to operate without the need for constant connection to an external power source. Another option is the third rail, which is an additional rail placed alongside the tracks and carries the electrical current needed to power the train. Gasoline engine and coal are not sources of power for electric trains.

Explanation

Electric trains can get their power from overhead cables, which provide electricity through a system of wires and contact lines. They can also be powered by a battery or supercapacitor, which store electrical energy and allow the train to operate without the need for constant connection to an external power source. Another option is the third rail, which is an additional rail placed alongside the tracks and carries the electrical current needed to power the train. Gasoline engine and coal are not sources of power for electric trains.

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6. How fast could the first passenger electric train travel?

13 km/h, 8.1 mph

20 hm/h, 12.5mph

22 km/h, 13.7 mph

11 km/h, 6.8 mph

The fastest Steam trains were already going 125.6 km/h (78 mph) at this time so electric trains still had some work to do.

Explanation

The fastest Steam trains were already going 125.6 km/h (78 mph) at this time so electric trains still had some work to do.

7. Which country currently has the fasted electric train in the World?

Japan

China

Germany

India

The Fuxing Hao travels at 400km/h, 249 mph and carries passengers from Beijing the Shanghai in 5 hours.

Explanation

The Fuxing Hao travels at 400km/h, 249 mph and carries passengers from Beijing the Shanghai in 5 hours.

8. Who built the first known electric train in 1837, running on DC battery current?

Werner von Siemens

Robert Davidson

Richard Trevithick

Rudolf Diesel

Davidsons built 2 different electric trains, the latter of which moved at 4 mph for 1.5 miles. The limited storage of the batteries kept his invention from picking up speed.

Explanation

Davidsons built 2 different electric trains, the latter of which moved at 4 mph for 1.5 miles. The limited storage of the batteries kept his invention from picking up speed.

9. The US caught onto the electric trend late. What year did the first electric trolleys appear in Richmond, Virginia?

1883

1888

1895

1902

It took 5 years after the first railway opened in Europe for the US to adopt electric transport. The equipment was designed by Frank J. Sprague.

Explanation

It took 5 years after the first railway opened in Europe for the US to adopt electric transport. The equipment was designed by Frank J. Sprague.

10. What are advantages of the electric train over diesel or steam?

Quieter

Less air pollution

Less rail maintenance

Regenerative braking

Electric trains are way more efficient and can store the kinetic energy they use to brake and use it again later; this makes them ideal for passengers with many stops. Which an engine and mechanical parts the rails require less maintenance than diesel as well.

Explanation

Electric trains are way more efficient and can store the kinetic energy they use to brake and use it again later; this makes them ideal for passengers with many stops. Which an engine and mechanical parts the rails require less maintenance than diesel as well.

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