In the past, people traveled on foot from one place to another. It became a problem when they had to travel with some of their goods, especially long distances. It was then that they introduced the idea of ​​using animals as a means of transportation. This was also not efficient as the animals often became tired and fatigued during the journey. Something had to be done and this was the beginning of a great era of ideas. “The idea of ​​driving a vehicle along a track dates back thousands of years to ancient Greece, whose tracks were worn by primitive carts moved by hand or with animals.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The first basic railways were designed using wood, but there was the problem of keeping the vehicle on the railway. After realizing that wood was not the right material for building a railway, steel was introduced and it was a total success. In the early 1700s an engineer named Devon Thomas invented a steam-powered pumping engine. This was used in the mines to pump water up and down the country. From this invention, James Watt was able to improve the engine until it was capable of powering an entire train. Watt harnessed the power of steam and increased the efficiency of steam engines. An idea is just a dream unless it is put into practice. In the early 1800s (1804-1808) Mr. Richard Trevithick, a mining engineer, put his idea into practice and turned it into reality by creating the very first locomotive, which he called "Catch Me Who Can". This invention traveled at 19km/h and ran on coal burning, it was a steam engine and the fourth locomotive to be created. From Mr. Richard's idea, between 1800 and 1900, numerous locomotive trains were born. In the golden age of rail transport, the trains that were produced were made stronger, faster and cleaner. Cleaner in the sense that electricity began to be used to power the subway instead of burning coal and damaging the environment. The first electric train was invented in 1837 by Robert Davidson, a Scottish chemist, powered by a galvanic cell. The diesel engine began operating in 1912 on the Swiss railways. It was not used for commercial reasons, although it was capable of carrying heavy loads, it was not fast enough to transport goods in a short space of time. In the early 2000s, China created a train that travels at 693.6 km/h and is used to transport people between cities. The train was powered by magnets and to this day is still being developed for something better. In South Africa, the recent rail development we have is the Gautrain, which was created in 2010, the year of the International Association Football Federation. The Gautrain travels within the Gauteng province. Use a card system instead of paying with cash; you buy a card, load it with money and then get on the train. This just goes to show where the evolution of trains comes from. This all started with just one invention and escalated to many great inventions. There are other modes of transportation but I personally think that train is the best invention among all others, the reasons will be discussed below. Traveling by train can almost seem like paradise, especially for women as it allows you to carry more luggage than compared to motor vehicles, buses and planes. With the high rate of accidents in the world, trains are still considered the safest means of transportation. Traveling by train may be slower than traveling in your own vehicle but it provides you with safety. In South Africa, the Gautrain implements the park and ride system forthose who wish to park their car and travel by train. This has a positive impact on our environment. Additionally, crime levels have dropped as most trains now use the gold card system instead of paying in cash; the chances of being robbed decrease. Rail transportation is usually convenient and reasonable, so you don't have to spend a lot of money on travel. It is family oriented, meaning that everyone can travel using a train, including families, and since it is convenient, the whole family can join the journey. During the trip you will be able to do your work, contemplate and enjoy the scenery since you will not be driving. Once you get tired, you can rest comfortably without having to interrupt your trip. The Metrorail company, i.e. Passenger Rail Agency South Africa, also has trains that travel long distances at a cheap price. They also have a first class section where they offer amenities like rooms where a person can sleep. The trains are efficient as they can carry around 2500 passengers per hour. Imagine having to transport so many people using motor vehicles. There would be air and noise pollution and traffic would be disastrous. Some trains have a regenerative braking capability that allows them to save electricity through the traction motors during braking. While on the train, you have the chance to socialize and interact with different people, who have different views on different things instead of staying isolated in your car. One could argue that traveling in your own motor vehicle is more notable because of its speed, the convenience of personal space and comfort, forgetting that they all come at an absolutely unreasonable price. Unlike a car, it's not your responsibility to maintain and repair a train, so it doesn't cost you much. Rail transport has a positive impact on our economy as it creates job opportunities. With our recent creation, the Gautrain; provides tourist services and also accommodates disabled people. The trains are equipped with non-slip surfaces and handles for people who cannot walk; provides sufficient light, signage and non-reflective surface for people with poor vision. Trains reduce traffic congestion and if more people use them daily, they can reduce air pollution as many chlorofluorocarbons will not be released into the atmosphere. Rail transport is also used to transport minerals from mines to major cities in South Africa and also helps when it comes to exchanging goods. I think critically that trains as a means of transportation are one of the best inventions discovered. It also helps street vendors earn more. As in South Africa there are people who sell their products at the station and also on the train. I literally saw cool things being sold in the train, some of the things were man made. Even though most of them sell food and drinks, they make the shoes with their own hands and then sell them. Some of these people are arrested, because the police say they have valid permits to sell their products. I definitely think it's unfair because they're trying to make a living. In short, rail transport is the most efficient mode of transport because it benefits mankind socially, economically, environmentally, financially and also protects them by making them feel safe. Rail transport makes transporting heavy goods much easier and helps reduce traffic, air and noise pollution compared to other modes of transport. It helps transport a large number of people in a short amount of time without causing accidents. It is oriented towards.