Why Trains Can Pull More Weight Than Any Machine on Earth

Описание: Trains can pull weights that would destroy trucks, tanks, and almost any other machine on land — sometimes miles of freight cars weighing thousands of tons. But how is that even possible?

In this episode of Steam, Steel & Speed, we break down the real reason trains are the kings of heavy hauling — and it’s not just horsepower. The secret is physics: steel wheels rolling on steel rails create extremely low rolling resistance, meaning trains waste far less energy fighting friction than vehicles on roads. That’s why a locomotive can move a load so heavy it seems impossible.

But there’s a catch — trains aren’t limited by engine power first… they’re limited by traction. We’ll explain the real battle happening at the wheel-rail contact point, how adhesion works, why wheels slip, and why locomotives use sanding systems to grip the rail when conditions get tough.

By the end of this video, you’ll understand:
✅ why trains pull such extreme weight
✅ the difference between horsepower and tractive effort
✅ why steel-on-steel is more efficient than rubber tires
✅ what limits trains from pulling even more
✅ how modern railroads haul impossible loads every day

So here’s the question:
If trains are this efficient… what’s the heaviest load you’ve ever seen one pull?
Drop it in the comments below.