Electric railroad

Electric railroad, fast, quiet, non-polluting, electrically powered, high-speed railway system including passenger and freight trains, subways, and elevated systems. Electricity is received by the train through an overhead wire (catenary) or electrified third rail. A framework (pantograph) atop the train conducts electricity from the catenary to a propulsion system moving the train, or a metal device (shoe) slides along an electrified third rail conducting electricity to the propulsion system. Only 1% of U.S. track is electrified, but electric railroads are common in Europe and Japan.

See also: Railroad.