Why do trains run on electricity?

Modern AC electric motors are very powerful, quiet, small and have very low maintenance requirements. Diesel engines are big, heavy, noisy, they vibrate and are relatively maintenance hungry. read more

Even diesel locomotives are actually diesel electric generators that power the traction motors. Since it is eventually electricity that powers the wheels, trains run on electricity. If solar panels are put up on the tops of all bogeys, there should enough electricity to power these traction motor of the diesel engine. read more

Electric trains use electricity to power electric motors, driving their wheels and providing locomotion. The electricity comes from one of three sources. It is either delivered via an electrified third rail beneath the train, via electrified cables above the train, or stored in batteries on board the train. read more

Trains here run on both. For example a city commuter train that has a long run underground would by necessity be electric as the carbon monoxide from the diesel would be lethal. On the other hand, long freight trains use diesel because they are heavy and traversing mountains and valleys. Sometimes they have several engines. read more