Power car

A power car is a railroad vehicle that is closely related to the locomotive. What differentiates the two is their construction or their use. A true locomotive can be physically separated from its train and does nothing but provide propulsion (and electricity for passenger trains). A power car, on the other hand, is frequently an integral part of its train. Some of its interior space may be used for holding passengers or cargo. Power cars are limited to passenger trains as their relative lack of versatility makes them unsuitable for hauling freight. Nearly all high speed trains use power cars, frequently at both ends. An example of these are the Acela trainsets in use by Amtrak; which are built by Bombardier in Canada using technology licensed from France's Alstom, the twenty Acela trainsets operate between Washington, D.C. and Boston, Massachusetts, each trainset consists of six passenger cars and two power cars. Another traditional example would be the older Intercity 125, made for and used by British Rail and several subsequent privatised bodies like Virgin Trains.

Multiple units (diesel or electric) usually have a mix of power cars and trailers, often with one of each in a pair which can be coupled to other pairs to form a larger train.

5. Answer the questions.

1. How could a steam locomotive be controlled?

2. How many carriages can autotrains have?

3. How are they controlled?

4. What is CargoSprinter?

5. Where was it built?

6. What does the unit include?

7. What is its maximum speed?

8. When was the first CargoSprinter introduced to Australia?

9. What is a power car?

10. What trains use power cars?

6. Translate the following sentences, paying attention to the Perfect Passive:

1. Most long distance trains in Japan had been operated by locomotives until the 1950s, but by utilizing and enhancing the technology of short distance urban MU trains. 2. Locomotive type trains have been regarded as slow and inefficient, and their use has significantly decreased in Japan. 3. The driver’s cab has been carried forward to ensure better vision of the truck in front, is provided with thermal and sound insulations and is separated from the engine compartment by the high-tension chamber. 4. In Northern Ireland the majority services have been operated by diesel multiple units since the mid-1950s. 5. The forces have been measured at axle box level.

7. Read the following text. Give the name to the text. Make a plan and retell the text.

In France, the cost of construction (which was €10 million/km (US$15.1 million/km) for LGV Est - an extension to the French high-speed rail network, connecting currently Vaires-sur-Marne (near Paris) and Baudrecourt (near Metz and Nancy), and later Vaires-sur-Marne and Vendenheim (near Strasbourg) is minimised by adopting steeper grades rather than building tunnels and viaducts. However, in mountainous Switzerland, tunnels are inevitable. Because the lines are dedicated to passengers, gradients of 3.5%, rather than the previous maximum of 1–1.5% for mixed traffic, are used. Possibly more expensive land is acquired in order to build straighter lines which minimize line construction as well as operating and maintenance costs. In other countries high-speed rail was built without those economies so that the railway can also support other traffic, such as freight. Experience has shown however, that trains of significantly different speeds cause massive decreases of line capacity. As a result, mixed-traffic lines are usually reserved for high-speed passenger trains during the daytime, while freight trains go at night. In some cases, night-time high-speed trains are even diverted to lower speed lines in favour of freight traffic.