by HighAndMightyColor
Hi guys, new member here with his very first post. I have always been interested in engineering history and sometimes ask oddly specific questions in order to expand upon things that people tend to not consciously think about.
In this thread, I just want to confirm if my understanding of the historical development of the railway is mostly correct. Please note that I am not implying that all civilizations followed the phases in the exact order; however, I do believe that my outline below is the ultimate logic that describes the emergent advantages of the locomotive.
Phase 1: Railroads from Mines
It seems that most engineering historians agree that railroads were developed because they were practically required in mines. But why railroads instead of other, marvelously efficient weight-distributing machines such as the wheelbarrow? There are two distinct reasons I can think of:
1. Tunneling through rocks requires tremendous amounts of energy; therefore, feasible mines tend to be narrow in space and steep slopes are ubiquitous. Imagine the inconvenience created when one accidentally tipped wheelbarrows inside the scarce exit tunnels. On the other hand, rail type systems (whether wooden railings or grooves on the ground), are much more stable. With the peace of mind, the greater stability ensures that one can pull the mine carts remotely via rope or with relatively untrained animals.
2. Underground structures tend to accumulate water and wheelbarrows can get easily stuck in the mud. With rails (whether wooden railings or grooved, flat stones), the weight on the wheels is more evenly distributed and the mine carts essentially became 'unsinkable'.
Phase 2: Outside the Mines
Transferring raw materials from mine carts to wagons was/is an inefficient process. By extending the guidance system of the railway beyond the mines, one can more confidently distribute the heavy materials to the countryside using the same, relatively untrained animals.
Phase 3: Make Way for the Powerful Engines
Beginning with the steam engine, locomotives can transport large quantities of material and people at high speed. The high speed would be for naught, however, if it could not be predictable. Even before computers, train schedules are more easily accounted for than cars on roads.
Have I missed any other distinct, pertinent reasons that made rail so historically indispensable? Is there anything that I have listed that, while true, could be considered more myth than reality?
In this thread, I just want to confirm if my understanding of the historical development of the railway is mostly correct. Please note that I am not implying that all civilizations followed the phases in the exact order; however, I do believe that my outline below is the ultimate logic that describes the emergent advantages of the locomotive.
Phase 1: Railroads from Mines
It seems that most engineering historians agree that railroads were developed because they were practically required in mines. But why railroads instead of other, marvelously efficient weight-distributing machines such as the wheelbarrow? There are two distinct reasons I can think of:
1. Tunneling through rocks requires tremendous amounts of energy; therefore, feasible mines tend to be narrow in space and steep slopes are ubiquitous. Imagine the inconvenience created when one accidentally tipped wheelbarrows inside the scarce exit tunnels. On the other hand, rail type systems (whether wooden railings or grooves on the ground), are much more stable. With the peace of mind, the greater stability ensures that one can pull the mine carts remotely via rope or with relatively untrained animals.
2. Underground structures tend to accumulate water and wheelbarrows can get easily stuck in the mud. With rails (whether wooden railings or grooved, flat stones), the weight on the wheels is more evenly distributed and the mine carts essentially became 'unsinkable'.
Phase 2: Outside the Mines
Transferring raw materials from mine carts to wagons was/is an inefficient process. By extending the guidance system of the railway beyond the mines, one can more confidently distribute the heavy materials to the countryside using the same, relatively untrained animals.
Phase 3: Make Way for the Powerful Engines
Beginning with the steam engine, locomotives can transport large quantities of material and people at high speed. The high speed would be for naught, however, if it could not be predictable. Even before computers, train schedules are more easily accounted for than cars on roads.
Have I missed any other distinct, pertinent reasons that made rail so historically indispensable? Is there anything that I have listed that, while true, could be considered more myth than reality?