Wiktor Wise
The history of electric trains dates back to the 19th century, with the first electric locomotive presented by Werner von Siemens in Berlin in 1879. This locomotive, powered by a generator, achieved a speed of 13 km/h and carried 90,000 passengers over four months. The world's first electric tram line opened in Lichterfelde, Berlin, Germany, in 1881, and the first electric underground line, the City and South London Railway, began operations in 1890. The development of electric trains continued with the introduction of multiple-unit train control in 1897 and the spread of electrification in the United States and Europe. Electric trains became particularly associated with dense urban traffic due to their advantages over steam locomotives, and they continue to evolve with advancements in technology, setting speed records and expanding into new regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 31 May 1879 |
| Location | Berlin, Germany |
| Inventor | Werner von Siemens |
| Locomotive type | Electric locomotive powered by a generator |
| Locomotive specifications | 2.2 kW, series-wound motor |
| Train composition | Locomotive and three cars |
| Speed | 13 km/h |
| Number of passengers carried | 90,000 |
| Track length | 300 meters |
| Electricity supply | 150 V DC through a third insulated rail |
| Power collection method | Contact roller |
| First electric tram line | Lichterfelde, Germany in 1881 |
| Subsequent developments | Volk's Electric Railway in Brighton in 1883; Mödling and Hinterbrühl Tram near Vienna, Austria in 1883 |
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What You'll Learn
- The first electric locomotive was built in 1837 by Robert Davidson
- Werner von Siemens presented the first electric passenger train in 1879
- The first public electric railway opened in 1881 near Berlin, Germany
- The first electric underground railway began operation in 1890
- Electric traction was first successfully applied in 1879
The first electric locomotive was built in 1837 by Robert Davidson
The history of electric trains can be traced back to the early 19th century. In 1835, Thomas Davenport, a blacksmith from Vermont, USA, created a small railway powered by a miniature electric motor. However, it was Robert Davidson who built the first electric locomotive in 1837.
Robert Davidson (1804-1894) was a Scottish inventor, chemist, and businessman from Aberdeen, Scotland. He was interested in the emerging electrical technologies of his time and began creating small electric motors based on his own principles. Davidson's early ventures included supplying yeast and chemicals, but his enthusiasm for electromagnetism and its potential to drive machinery led him to pursue innovative projects.
Davidson's first electric locomotive, created in 1837, was a model locomotive. He continued to experiment with electric power, and by 1839 he had designed a printing press, a turning lathe, and a four-wheeled car, all powered by his batteries and an electric motor. Driven by his passion for electromagnetism, Davidson sought to showcase his inventions to the public. He organized exhibitions in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, presenting his electrical machinery and even printing handbills for the show using his electrically-driven printing press.
Davidson's most notable contribution to electric locomotion came in 1842. He approached the directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, seeking their support for building an electromagnetic railway locomotive. With endorsement from the Royal Scottish Society for Arts, who provided him with a £15 grant, Davidson constructed the "Galvani." This full-size locomotive was a four-wheeled, 16-foot-long machine powered by Davidson's batteries. It was tested on the Edinburgh-Glasgow line in 1842 and achieved a speed of 4 mph. While it did not carry any passengers or goods, "Galvani" proved the feasibility of electric traction.
Although Robert Davidson's electric locomotive did not impress the railway companies at the time due to the high cost of the technology, he is recognized as a pioneer in electric locomotion. His work laid the foundation for subsequent developments in electric railways, with Werner von Siemens presenting the first electric passenger train in Berlin in 1879, and the world's first electric tram line opening in Lichterfelde, Germany, in 1881.
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Werner von Siemens presented the first electric passenger train in 1879
The first electric passenger train was presented by Werner von Siemens in Berlin on 31 May 1879. This was the first electric locomotive powered by a generator. Siemens, who was ennobled in 1888, had previously developed an electric generator based on the dynamo-electric principle, which he patented in 1866.
The locomotive was driven by a 2.2 kW, series-wound motor, and the train, consisting of the locomotive and three cars, reached a speed of 13 km/h. The train carried 90,000 passengers over four months on a 300-metre-long circular track. The electricity (150 V DC) was supplied through a third insulated rail between the tracks, with a contact roller used to collect the electricity.
The electric railway was presented at the Berlin Trade Exhibition, where it was a major attraction. The locomotive was built based on a design from October 1878, with axles driven via a gear transmission and an iron band used for power transmission. The train had three open passenger cars, each carrying six people.
The Siemens locomotive of 1879 was an important innovation, paving the way for the development of electric locomotion, particularly in urban areas with increasing tunnel use.
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The first public electric railway opened in 1881 near Berlin, Germany
The history of electric trains can be traced back to the 19th century, with the world's first electric railway presented by Siemens in Berlin on May 31, 1879. This innovative system was designed by German engineer Werner von Siemens and marked a significant milestone in the evolution of transportation. However, it was the opening of the first public electric railway in 1881 that truly brought electric trains to the forefront.
On May 12, 1881, the first public electric railway commenced operations in Lichterfelde, near Berlin, Germany. This pioneering endeavour was the brainchild of Werner von Siemens, who had previously showcased the potential of electric railways during the Berlin Trades Exhibition in 1879. The Lichterfelde tramway, also known as the Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway and Berlin Straßenbahn, represented a significant advancement in transportation technology.
The Lichterfelde electric tramway spanned a distance of 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) and operated on 100V current. It could carry 26 passengers at a speed of 48 kilometres per hour (30 miles per hour). The inaugural test run took place on May 12, and public service commenced four days later on May 16. This historic event paved the way for the widespread adoption of electric trams and trains, revolutionising urban transportation and offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative to steam-powered locomotives.
The success of the first public electric railway in Lichterfelde sparked a wave of similar endeavours worldwide. In 1883, just two years after the Lichterfelde tramway opened, Volk's Electric Railway commenced operations in Brighton, England. Around the same time, the Mödling and Hinterbrühl Tram near Vienna, Austria, became the first in the world to be powered by an overhead line. These early adoptions demonstrated the growing recognition of electric tramways as a viable and preferable mode of transport.
The introduction of the first public electric railway in 1881 near Berlin, Germany, played a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation. It served as a catalyst for the expansion of electric tram and train systems, not only in Europe but also globally. As cities grappled with the noxious smoke produced by steam locomotives, electric locomotion emerged as a welcome solution, particularly in urban areas with increasing tunnel usage. The Lichterfelde tramway set a precedent for the electrification of railways, leading to the gradual phase-out of steam-powered trains and the improvement of air quality in municipalities.
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The first electric underground railway began operation in 1890
The history of the London Underground began in the 19th century with the construction of the Metropolitan Railway, the world's first underground railway, in 1863. The Metropolitan Railway initially used gas-lit wooden carriages hauled by steam locomotives.
The first deep-level tube line, the City and South London Railway, opened in 1890 with electric trains. This was the first electric underground railway, and it is now part of the Northern line. The trains on this line were electric locomotives built by Mather and Platt. The City and South London Railway was prompted to use electric trains by a clause in its enabling act prohibiting the use of steam power.
The use of electricity was preferable to steam power because smoke from steam locomotives was noxious, and municipalities were increasingly banning their use. The adoption of electric trains also meant that tunnels could be dug deeper underground, as they would not need to vent smoke.
The opening of the City and South London Railway marked a shift towards the electrification of railways. The District and Metropolitan Railways electrified the underground sections of their lines by 1907. The first electric passenger train was presented by Werner von Siemens in Berlin in 1879. The world's first electric tram line opened in Lichterfelde near Berlin, Germany, in 1881.
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Electric traction was first successfully applied in 1879
The first successful application of electric traction was in 1879, when an electric locomotive was exhibited in Berlin. Werner von Siemens, a German engineer, designed and presented the world's first electric train at the Berlin Trades Exhibition, which took place from May 31 to September 30, 1879. The locomotive was driven by a 2.2 kW, series-wound motor, and the train, consisting of the locomotive and three cars, reached a speed of 13 km/h.
The train operated on a 300-meter-long (980-foot) circular track, carrying 90,000 passengers over four months. The electricity (150 V DC) was supplied through a third insulated rail between the tracks and collected by a contact roller. This innovation marked a significant milestone in the history of transportation, paving the way for further development and the eventual widespread use of electric traction in railroads.
The world's first electric tram line opened in Lichterfelde, near Berlin, Germany, in 1881. It was constructed by Werner von Siemens and ran on 100V current, carrying 26 passengers at a speed of 48 km/h (30 mph). This development further solidified the importance and potential of electric traction for transportation systems.
While the Berlin Trades Exhibition showcased the first practical electric railway, earlier attempts at electric locomotion are worth noting. Robert Davidson, a Scottish inventor, is credited with building the first known electric locomotive in 1837. Davidson, a chemist and dyer, presented his electrical inventions to the public through exhibitions in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. His Galvani of 1842 was a four-wheeled, battery-powered locomotive that was tested on the Edinburgh-Glasgow line, achieving a speed of 4 mph. However, the batteries were not rechargeable, and the locomotive was not deemed practical by the railway company.
The successful application of electric traction in 1879 by Werner von Siemens marked a pivotal moment in the history of transportation. It not only demonstrated the potential of electric power for railways but also laid the foundation for the subsequent advancements and widespread adoption of electric traction in the years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric train was invented in 1879 and was presented by Werner von Siemens in Berlin.
The first electric train was invented by Werner von Siemens.
The train, consisting of a locomotive and three cars, reached a speed of 13 km/h.
