"The history of rail transport began in the BCE times."
A study of the development of trains over time, including important figures and key events in their history.
Steam locomotives: Understanding the development and use of steam engines in trains.
Railways pioneers: Significant people in train history who helped shape the industry, such as George Stephenson.
Railroad construction: How railways were built and designed, including the tools and materials used.
Train stations: The history and architecture of railroad stations, including their development and significance.
Train routes: Popular rail lines and their significance in the history of train travel.
Train accidents and disasters: Examining the causes and effects of notable accidents that occurred on railways.
Train technology: The various technologies that have been used in trains, including brakes, signaling systems, and propulsion.
Train transportation of goods and people: How trains were used to transport both goods and people in the past and present.
Train art and culture: The important role trains have played in popular culture, including art and literature.
Train companies and railroads: Overview of important rail companies throughout history and their significance.
Train travel: How traveling by train has evolved over time, from luxury to more cost-effective modes of transport.
Train museums and memorials: Areas of study for enthusiasts interested in learning about the history and legacy of trains.
Train routes and networks: Exploring the different routes and the networks created that helped connect distant places.
Train preservation: Understanding the importance of preserving the history of trains and railway infrastructure.
Train legislation and regulations: How different countries and governments have regulated train travel and related matters.
Steam trains: The earliest type of train powered by a steam engine, widely used in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Diesel trains: Trains powered by diesel engines, which began to replace steam trains in the mid-20th century.
Electric trains: Trains powered by electricity, either through overhead wires or third rails, which became more common in the latter half of the 20th century.
High-speed trains: Trains designed to travel at speeds greater than conventional trains, typically used for long-distance passenger travel.
Monorails: Trains that run on a single rail, typically elevated, commonly used for short-distance transportation.
Maglev trains: Trains that use magnetic levitation to eliminate friction and increase speed, commonly used in Japan and China.
Freight trains: Trains used to transport cargo, typically over longer distances than passenger trains.
Subway trains: Trains used in urban areas, typically with shorter distances between stations, and frequently underground.
Light rail trains: A train system that combines characteristics of a traditional passenger train and a tram, used for mid-distance urban transport.
Funicular trains: Trains that run on a steep incline using a cable or other mechanism to pull the cars uphill.
Heritage trains: Preserved historical trains typically used for tourism purposes, often harkening back to an earlier era of rail travel.
Bullet trains: High-speed trains originating in Japan, featuring sleek lines, high speeds, and advanced technology.
Commuter trains: Trains typically used by commuters traveling to and from a major city during peak hours.
Bi-modal trains: Trains that can run on both electrified and non-electrified tracks.
Articulated trains: Trains with multiple units linked together by flexible couplings, designed to increase passenger capacity.
Rack railways: Unique trains that use a toothed rack to climb steep hills or mountains.
Automated trains: Trains that operate largely without human intervention, used for rapid transit in cities.
Ultra-long trains: Trains that can carry hundreds of cargo containers or freight cars, requiring multiple locomotives to pull them.
Tourist trains: Trains that are designed for tourists, often running on scenic routes or using vintage equipment.
Hybrid trains: A train system that combines different types of propulsion, such as electric and diesel, to be more efficient and reliable.
"It can be divided into several discrete periods defined by the principal means of track material and motive power used." Note: It seems that the given paragraph does not provide specific quotes to answer the remaining questions. However, I will provide the questions below.
Please note that for questions 3-20, no specific quotes can be provided due to their absence in the given paragraph.