Though they're not a primary mode for travelers, trains are essential. In the 200 or so years they've existed, they've been used to handle a variety of tasks and have become vital all over the globe.

WASHINGTON — The future of Metro is automatic. WMATA is working to restore automatic train operation (ATO) throughout the Metro system, and it’s nearly ready. Metro announced just a few months ago ...

Maglev bullet trains promise a future where steel wheels and clattering rails give way to smooth, floating speed. Yet the reality on today’s tracks is more nuanced, with some systems gliding entirely ...