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In 1814, an English engineer called George
Stephenson invented a steam locomotive.
It pulled coal up a hill. It travelled at six
kilometres an hour. It was the best locomotive
of the time. George Stephenson designed the
first train line of passengers in 1830. It
transported people from Manchester to
Liverpool. George and his son, Robert
Stephenson, designed a famous locomotive for the line. It was called Stephenson’s
Rocket. -
In the 1850s, steam locomotives were more comfortable.
They had heating, lighting and toilets.
Some long-distance trains were very luxurious.
They had bedrooms and restaurants. -
In 1863, the “Metropolitan” was the first railway built
under the streets of London. People used it a lot. But
the underground railway was smelly and dirty, because of
the smoke from the steam locomotive. -
In 1879, Werner Von Siemens invented the first electric
train with passengers. -
In 1930, electric trains were very
popular. They used electric motors to drive the wheels.
They were cleaner and faster than steam locomotives. -
Today, in the 21 st century, trains are longer, faster and more comfortable than in the
past. There are high-speed trains that travel at more than 400 kilometres an hour.
That’s very fast!