Tram: Difference between revisions

Tram vehicles are usually lighter and shorter than [[Main line (railway)|main line]] and [[rapid transit]] trains. Today, most trams use electrical power, usually fed by a [[Pantograph (transport)|pantograph]] sliding on an [[overhead line]]; older systems may use a [[trolley pole]] or a [[bow collector]]. In some cases, a [[contact shoe]] on a [[third rail]] is used. If necessary, they may have dual power systems—electricity in city streets and diesel in more rural environments. Occasionally, trams also carry [[freight (rail)|freight]]. Some trams, known as [[tram-train]]s, may have segments that run on mainline railway tracks, similar to [[interurban]] systems. The differences between these modes of rail transport are often indistinct and a given system may combine multiple features.[[File:Melbourne Tram E-Class 6007.jpg|thumb|[[E-class Melbourne tram|Melbourne E-Class Tram]]. The [[Trams in Melbourne|Melbourne tram network]] is the largest in the world, with {{convert|250|km|mi|abbr=on}} of track.]]One of the advantages over earlier forms of transit was the low [[rolling resistance]] of metal wheels on [[steel]] rails, allowing the trams to haul a greater load for a given effort. Another factor which contributed to the rise of trams was the high [[total cost of ownership]] of horses. Electric trams largely replaced animal power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Improvements in other vehicles such as [[bus]]es led to decline of trams in the mid 20th century. However, trams have seen resurgence insince recentthe years1990s.