A '''railway''' (US: '''railroad''') is a form of [[transport]] in which a locomotive engine pulls freight or passenger cars on [[railway track|steel rails]] along fixed routes, with complex signals and controls to ensure safety. The railway was the dominant form of transportation from the 1840s until the mid-20th century. In the U.S. its passenger role was overwhelmed by automobiles (as well as buses and later airplanes) by the 1920s. Its freight roles were overwhelmed by trucks (and also pipleines and air freight). American railways in the 21st century have limied passenger service, and freight service is doimated by long trains going long distances carrying coal, wheat or containers (most of which arrived by ship).
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A '''railway''' (US: '''railroad''') is a form of [[transport]] in which a locomotive engine pulls freight or passenger cars on [[railway track|steel rails]] along fixed routes, with complex signals and controls to ensure safety. The railway was the dominant form of transportation from the 1840s until the mid-20th century. In the U.S. its passenger role was overwhelmed by automobiles (as well as buses and later airplanes) by the 1920s. Its freight roles were overwhelmed by [[truck]]s (and also pipleines and air freight). American railways in the [[21st century]] have limited passenger service, and freight service is dominated by long [[train]]s going long distances carrying [[coal]], [[wheat]] or containers (most of which arrived by ship).