What is the difference between electric train and other trains?

Question

What is the difference between electric train and other trains?

Answer 1

The primary difference is electric trains depend on energy from outside whereas other types run on stored energy such as oil, coal, or wood.

Electric trains require power from an outside source (usually pulled from the electric grid) that's usually supplied via overhead wires or a 3rd rail (3rd rail is usually in subway systems) and returns via the metal track rails.  The power is sent to "traction-motors" on the axles to turn the wheels.

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_lo...

Diesel (also referred to as Diesel-Electric) use diesel-oil to power a engine which turns a generator, making very high voltage electricity.  This is then sent to "traction-motors" on the axles to turn the wheels.

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_loco...

Steam engines burn coal, wood, or oil to heat a boiler partially filled with water to generate steam pressure.  The pressure is then piped to large pistons on either side which push the wheels via connecting rods.

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locom...

Some high-speed trains use magnets to suspend and propel the trains along, slightly above the track.  This could be considered electric depending on how you look at it.

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev_trai...

There are a couple other less-common types of trains, mostly experimental that combine various elements from the above types.

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotive

Answer 2

I'm guessing you mean an electric train like most city suburban systems. These run on either overhead cables, with a contact on the train sitting against it, or a 3rd rail on the ground, with a brush or wheel to pick up the electricity.

'Other' trains these days are generally diesel powered. These are generally used for freight or intercity(cross country) routes.

Answer 3

One is, the others are not.

Answer 4

well, one of them is electric and the other one isnt. so i guess your answer is in your question :|

Answer 5

The type of energy used to move.

Examples:

- Electric (you already mentioned this one)

- Diesel / Electric (also known as a hybrid locomotive)

- Steam and Diesel Hybrid

- Diesel

- Steam (with a boiler - coal typically used)

and the most basic...

- Pulled by Horses

- Rope-Hauled

- Gravity Powered

Answer 6

Not all that related to the question but an interesting thought anyway.

Don’t be fooled by the alleged pollution free image of an electric trains or electric cars.

While we can see the pollution coming from diesel, steam engine and from our cars - trucks,  don’t forget that for an electric train to work there is a power station somewhere and that’s where the Electric Trains pollution is been generated.  

Sure it may be 100km from you but as sure as the sun rises each day that pollution does ride the winds.   There is no such thing as a safe place to pollute.

That said, when it comes to trains v cars. Per person per Km a train is less damaging to the  environment.    

Answer 7

one is electric one is diesel

Answer 8

sory i have a doubt on ya question,    wat does other trains stands for is it the coal train or a magnet one?

if its a coal one then answer is simple electric trains works on electricity and coal is use for coal one............

sory plz dont mind

Answer 9

DIESEL?

Answer 10

The primary difference these days is that an 'electric' train colllects the electricity from the trackside, either by means of a pantograph on an overhead line, or from the third rail by means of a 'collector' shoe. The majority of diesel trains/locomotives use the diesel engine to generate electricity which is then used to power the electrical traction motors. There are/have been diesel hydraulic and diesel-mechanical trains/locomotives but, by and large, these are very much in the minority and/or obsolete.

Incidentally the answer which suggests that electric trains are mainly for city use is totally wrong.Many countries have inter-city electric networks, using the overhead method of current collection.