Essay on Rail Technological Change

Rail transport has been in existence for centuries. The most basic form of rail transport started in ancient Greek around 6th century BC (Lewis, 2001). However, the addition of ruts was an accidental modification of the typical roadway. The concept of public rail transport as composing of passenger trains that have schedules, move on iron rails and pulled by locomotives first came together in Liverpool and Manchester in 1830 (Lewis, 2001). Before iron began to be used, rails were cut in the rock or built of wood (Lewis, 2001). Wood is not durable hence the cost of replacing such rails would have been expensive. Around the 15th century, the technology shifted and the guide-pin hund was developed. It had a downward projecting pin that was used to engage in the slot the two planks that shaped the rails. This type of train was propelled by hand and was underground. As such the distance covered was limited.

During the 16th century, the first railway above the ground was developed in England. The mode of locomotion was either gravity or horses (Grant, 2005). Consequently, it was not highly reliable as horses could get sick or tired and thus affect transport. This technology persisted until the 17th century. Although scheduled passenger service had been introduced, the use of horses meant slow intercity transport times (Grant, 2005). Wind power was the first technology to be used as an alternative to animal or human power. The wheels used were wide, the steering apparatus primitive. A sail was incorporated but unfavourable breezes and erratic winds made the technology unreliable.

The 19th century marked an impressive change in technology in rail transport. High-pressure steam engines were used to propel vehicles on railroads (Garisson, 1999). In 1820 there were adequate iron rails. These railway lines were required to be almost level. The number and arrangement of wheels, the mode of communication and the size of the rails changed during this period. By the 1840s locomotives either used the 4-4-0 wheel arrangement or the 4-2-0 arrangement (Grant, 2005). However, the 4-4-0 arrangement which originated in the US was more agile and powerful in operation than its 4-2-0 counterparts, leading to its widespread use in England, the US and Europe. The telegraph was used to inform the crews, dispatchers, and agents of train movements and any other news pertaining to trains. However, the telephone had been introduced by the end of the 19th century (Grant, 2005). Additionally, electrification of the railway was introduced.

The 20th century saw further development in the electrification of railroads. Electric traction and electric lighting were used on heavy duty rapid transit railways (Duffy, 2003, p. xv). Long distance transmission lines were constructed. This period was also characterized by the integration of traction, signalling control and communication elements of the railway into one system (Duffy, 2003, p. xv). The 21st century involved improving speed, making rail transport safer and efficiently such as using satellite and communication systems to allow real-time tracking, monitoring, and control. Today, rail transport is faster, more reliable and relative mode of transport.

References

Duffy, M. C. (2003). Electric railways: 1880-1990. London: Institution of Electrical Engineers.

Garrison, E. G. (1999). A history of engineering and technology: Artful methods. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Grant, H. R. (2005). The railroad: The life story of a technology. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.

Lewis, M. J. T. (2001). Railways in the Greek and Roman world. In Early Railways. A selection of papers from the first International Early Railways Conference (pp. 8-19).