It depends by what you mean "back then". In the Indian times people would use almost anything for transportation and trading. So that might help you. The also could have used trains for hearding animals.
It was used to fuel their steam engines, which was their method of locomotion back then.
Diesel trains are used for freight and sometimes they're used for passenger trains.
Passenger trains are used to transport passengers.
Yes Most trains are symmetrical, they have no "front" and "back".
steam engine trains.
Travel was slow back then. People used horses and buggies. Trains were also available to some. Boats could also be used.
Japanese Trains
Coal is still used in many steam engines today. Coal is not used on diesel trains or electric trains simply because it is not fuel for them. Electric trains and diesel trains are the most common trains in use, and not trains capable of using coal, because they are more efficent and much less costly to maintain.
All trains are noisy. Underground trains sound noisier because the tunnel reflects the noise back.
Depending on the time period, they used trains over land, and ships over water.
why commuters don't used the trains
What type of coal do they use in trains?