History of Trains

Trains are a vital part of transportation as we know it today. From passenger to cargo, trains have been helping us reach our destinations for centuries. But how did the train journey start? Who exactly invented this machine?
Efficient transport of people and goods was an issue many inventors have been tackling over the millennia, ever since the first modern civilizations began spreading from the Middle East to North Africa.
While transportation did not develop much before the introduction of industrial manufacturing and electricity, after that, inventors birthed one of the most vital industries in modern human civilization - the train industry. Here, we explore who invented the train and how this idea came into being. Richard Trevithick, a British mining engineer and inventor, built the first train in 1804. The train was powered by a steam engine with a large flywheel to even the piston rod action, giving the world the first machine that could carry a large number of people and goods. An efficient way of transport was researched by many inventors over centuries and even millennia. And many inventions like the introduction of electricity and industrial manufacturing led to the development of the train industry.
However, the birth of the train was not done over a short period nor by one person. Instead, it is an outcome of efforts made by numerous people over many centuries. That said, it may be easy to pinpoint the person who invented the train. However, going back to discover the exact people who gave the basic idea of train transportation, which led to the construction of the first train, is trickier.
While lacking in terms of steam, gas, and electrical power, and not functioning to their full potential, many examples of primitive trains can be traced back to the past much before the introduction of the modern train.
In ancient times, wagonways were used to carry people and goods, and they were pulled by bulls or horses. While wagonways were safe and fast for that time, inventors wanted more. They wanted automated locomotives to efficiently carry goods and people.
In 1698, Thomas Savery invented the steam engine. However, the first steam engine was low-powered, so it could not be used for powering trains. Then, in 1763, James Watt developed a crankshaft that converted steam power to achieve circular motion. His invention led to the creation of steam-powered locomotives and steamships.
Not long after, English inventor Mathew Murray became the first person to build a locomotive powered by steam. Following Mathew, Richard Trevithick showcased the trains series.
Over the years, trains have evolved in numerous ways. And they will continue to develop with new technological advancements.
In the first half of the 19th century, the steam-powered locomotive gradually gained popularity with Richard Trevithick’s locomotive innovations.
George Stephenson, famous as the father of railways, constructed the first railway from Liverpool to Manchester. He also built many experimental locomotives.
Werner von Siemens, the founder of Siemens, demonstrated the electric passenger train in 1879. Not long after, in 1881, Siemens created the world’s first electric tram line. In the following decade, there was an increase in the need to control pollution, which together with alternating current developments helped electric trains thrive.
After the introduction of the diesel engine, research on how diesel could benefit the railways was conducted. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was discovered that the diesel engine had a greater power-to-rate ratio and was highly efficient. After 1945, diesel engines made steam locomotives rare in developed countries. After the diesel engine replaced the steam-powered railway system, innovators started to explore more efficient rail propulsion methods. And through experiments, it was concluded that of all systems, diesel-electric should be standard. In addition, diesel-electric systems developed even more during the second half of the 20th century up until now.