– How do trains stay on the track?

Question

I’ve googled it but just can’t seem to grasp it. How do they stay on as well as they do at such high speeds, with so few incidents of crashing or derailing? Especially when anything could be lying across the track waiting to get lodged in the wheels.

I hear so often that trains are so safe, but I don’t think I can get over my anxiety with them until I understand *why* they’re safe.

In: 29

Answer 1

Trains’ wheels are slightly cone shaped, so that they are always aiming toward the middle of the track. They each have a lip inside, too, so the tracks act like bumpers on a bowling lane.