Rolling stock facts for kids

Rolling stock refers to all the vehicles that travel on a railway track. Think of it as everything that moves on the rails! This includes vehicles that have their own engines, like locomotives, and vehicles that are pulled along, like passenger cars or freight cars.

What is Rolling Stock?

Rolling stock is a broad term for any vehicle used on a railway. It's different from the railway tracks themselves or the stations. These vehicles are designed to carry people, goods, or even help maintain the tracks.

Types of Rolling Stock

There are many different kinds of rolling stock, each with a special job.

Locomotives: The Powerhouses

Steam and diesel locomotives working together.

An Electric locomotive pulling a train.

Locomotives are like the engines of the train. They provide the power to pull other cars.

• Steam locomotives: These are older types that use steam created by burning coal or wood.
• Diesel locomotives: These use a diesel engine, similar to a truck engine, to power the train.
• Electric locomotives: These get their power from overhead electric lines or a third rail. They are often used in areas with a lot of train traffic.

Passenger Cars: For People

A modern passenger car where people can sit comfortably.

Passenger cars are designed to carry people. They can be very simple or very luxurious, with different types of seating, sleeping areas, or even dining cars.

• Coaches: These are standard passenger cars with seats.
• Sleeping cars: These have beds for overnight journeys.
• Dining cars: These offer food and drinks to passengers.

Multiple Units: Self-Powered Passenger Trains

A Diesel multiple unit (DMU) train.

An Electric multiple unit (EMU) train.

Some passenger trains are made up of several cars that each have their own engine or motor. These are called multiple units.

• Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs): These trains run on diesel fuel and are common on smaller lines.
• Electric Multiple Units (EMUs): These trains run on electricity and are often used for commuter services in cities.
• Railcars: A Railcar is a single passenger car that can run by itself, like a small train.

Freight Cars: For Goods

Hopper cars are used to carry loose materials like grain or coal.

Articulated well cars carrying intermodal containers.

European covered goods wagons protecting cargo from weather.

Freight cars (also called wagons or goods wagons) are used to transport all sorts of items.

• Boxcars: These are enclosed cars used for general goods.
• Tank cars: These carry liquids like oil or chemicals.
• Hopper cars: These have sloped bottoms to easily unload loose materials like coal, grain, or gravel.
• Flatcars: These are open, flat cars used for large or oddly shaped items.
• Well cars: These have a low center section to carry large shipping containers.

Images for kids

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  Variety of rolling stock in a rail yard

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  Steam and diesel locomotives

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  Electric locomotive

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  Diesel multiple unit (DMU)

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  Electric multiple unit (EMU)

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  Railcar

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  Passenger car or coach

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  Hopper car, one of many types of revenue freight cars

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  Articulated well cars with intermodal containers

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  European covered goods wagons

See also

In Spanish: Material rodante para niños