According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, 28,360 cases of ‘railway accidents’ were reported in 2014, showing a decrease of 9.2% compared to 2013 (31,236 cases). Over 25,000 people died and 3,882 were injured in railway accidents in 2014. The majority of railway accidents (61.6%) was due to fall from trains or collision with people on the tracks (17,480 out of 28,360 cases). Maharashtra reported the maximum such cases, accounting for 42.5% of total cases of fall from train or collision of trains with people.A total of 469 cases of railway accidents occurred due to mechanical defects like poor design, track faults, bridge/tunnel faults during 2014.
- The modern age of trains begun in early 1800s after the initial patent of James Watt for stationary steam engine expired.
- Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet train) is a well known example of a high speed passenger rail system.
- Maglev trains can reach speeds of over 550 km/h, but by the year 2020 they will most probably come close to 800 km/h.
- Monorails feature a single rail and are often elevated above ground.
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Video of Japan’s Maglev Train
