Do trains pollute the air

Answer 1

Yes, they contribute to pollution but when you factor in the tonnage of freight being pulled and figure how many trucks it would take to pull the same amount of tonnage, trains are a much better option when comparing fuel consumption and pollution output. Freight trains today are diesel electric and engineers are trained and expected to run trains with maximum fuel efficiency in mind. The metal wheels on the metal rails act like ball bearings and greatly reduce rolling resistance which improves efficiency.These all lead to the industry claim 1 ton of freight + 1 gallon of fuel = 423 miles. This is an accurate average but keep in mind they are hauling several thousand tons (ie 5k, 10k, 15k tons).These are not the black smoke belching engines of the past.There are also many electric passenger trains that do not pollute at all. Think of it this way; a bus pollutes more than a car but 50 people riding the bus results in less pollution than 50 people driving 50 cars.

Answer 2

Diesel trains make lots of black smoke. Electric trains need electricity that comes from power plants that either make lots of black smoke or smaller amounts of deadly poison.

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Diesel locomotives (not "trains") only make lots of black smoke if they are poorly maintained, just as with diesel-engine road vehicles. Similarly with the power-plants, although burning fossil fuels even properly does produce a lot of carbon dioxide.

Answer 3

yes trians pollut the air because the smoke from that trian is pulloting the air

Answer 4

If it isn't emiting lots of carbon dioxide, it can be fairly eco friendly, because many people are on the train, and not on their cars, which emits about the same amount.

Answer 5

Each train pollutes more than one car, but a train carries so many people that it keeps more than enough cars off the road to reduce the total pollution.