In the 1700s, many scientists worked on steam engines. In the 1760s, a scientist in England found a way to put steam engines and wheels together. Soon people had a new type of transportation: the steam train.
In 1804, the first train engine was born in England. It travelled only about fifteen kilometres in two hours. In 1825, the first passenger railway opened.The Rocket was the most famous early engine.
During the 1830s, countries all over the world started to build railways. Fifty years later many countries had railways. People built many train stations to help passengers get on and off the trains easily.
Early trains were slow by today's standards. The Rocket had a top speed of only 45 kilometres per hour. Today's highspeed trains can travel at about 300 kilometres per hour. The fastest trains can go about 500 kilometres an hour.
Maybe trains will have no wheels in the future. Maybe they will ride on air. That would be amazing!
