Why do circuit breakers go up for on and down for off?

The people who know what they are doing don't seem to have an issue.

As I said, the people who know don't have an issue.

Maybe it's a case of the people who don't should stay well away from things they know naught about.

Metal wheels on metal tracks equals reduced friction (rolling resistance). You sure don't sound like you've ever done any engineering since most engineering niceties have you knackered!

You've noticed! I had thought you were living in the 16th century.

The small contact area and the great mass of a train is what does the trick.

Ever thought about why roads tend to go over hills and railways tend to go straight through? It's all about efficiency and is one of the reasons why motorways, freeways and the like tend to also run the most level path practicable.

Loco wheels most certainly do have springs. Just because you can't see them doesn'nt mean they aren't there - somewhere. Without springs you would be cracking wheels, axles and frames all too frequently. Also, without springs, you wouldn't be able to keep the loco on the track.

For your edification;

The driving axles on locos tend to be *equalised*.

Depends on where in the USA you were. Otherwise these wouldn't have been needed.

Why is it I can envisage you doing just that? If people want me to wear a mask, I oblige and I keep one in my pocket just for that purpose. It's called manners. You may not have heard of such a concept where you come from.

Pretty much the same here. I was discharged from hospital 2 days ago, my

Most assuredly. I wear the mask out of consideration for others.

I'd have said *pig ignorant* but dumb will suffice.

That settles it - you have never studied engineering - in any form.

A sealed environment where clearances are controlled, lubrication is assured and contaminants excluded, not a problem. Now, think how that differs from the cogs in a rack railway system. And that's just for starters.

Nah, there'd be the smell of woodsmoke and the fire brigade would be called.

Ever heard of *friction*? Possibly a new concept for you?

You think a lot of things, most of them quite fanciful.

Stairs? There's no stairs! Those pesky passengers on top have to climb up to their seats. That's why there's always a big rush at the doors - first in, best dressed on the lower seats.

Take it up with

On some lines, you don't want the really big engine, you want the really slow engine :-)

Yeah, tell that moron who turned his car into a tin can because he cut off a fully loaded tractor-trailer (80,000 pounds) that "it stops in a safe distance". Even with NHSTA requiring e-stop in 250 feet ... well, that's 250 feet after the e-stop is hit. General recommendations for safety are to give trucks AT LEAST 500' stopping distance.

Good thing that train is confined to that 56.5" little "rail way" thing then innit? Really easy to not get clobbered by one -- just stay off the tracks!

As an aside, 30 cars is pretty short. Probably a local run for businesses directly served by the railroad. Your standard inter-city run is going to be more like 90-100 cars (possibly a bit longer), and weighing in somewhere around 350-400 times a tractor-trailer.

I dunno about you, but I'm certainly happy to "only" see two of those a day (plus probably 2 more at night, but never went to check them out), instead of the 1400-1600 trucks that'd otherwise be required.