Rail freight traffic

Nowadays trains have to carry more and more freight. Currently we use several classes of freight cars. Low-bed wagons for heavy or bulky goods; sliding-wall, high-capacity wagons or open flatcars for large consignments; tank wagons for liquid products; silo wagons for granular products.

The boxcar is the most common type of covered cars. It is intended to carry all kinds of ordinary goods, which must be protected from the weather.

A special type of boxcar is a refrigerator car. It is used for hauling food products. Nowadays fresh meat, fruit, vegetables and other food products can be conveyed for long distances. The walls, floor and roof of this wagon are air-and waterproof to protect goods from the heat of the outside air.

Another type of cars is a tank car. It is intended for liquid goods. The long cylindrical tank car is filled through an opening on the top and emptied through a special device in the bottom.

Coal, ore, gravel, sand and other similar goods are transported in open-top cars. The principal types of these cars are the gondola and the hopper car. Both types are designed for mechanized loading and unloading. They are especially strong and durable.

The simplest type of cars is a flat car. It can transport rails, beams, timber, and heavy machines. It can also carry containers. There are also special freight cars for special kinds of goods for example, double-deck cars for transporting automobiles. The conveyance of automobiles by rail is more economical than by road.

5. Complete the sentences:

1. Nowadays trains have to carry …...

2. There are several classes ……..

3. There are different kinds of wagons:…….

4. High-capacity wagons or open flatcars are used for …….

5. Tank wagons are intended for …...

6. Silo wagons are for …….

7. A boxcar is intended to carry ……..

8. A refrigerator car is used for ……..

9. Liquid products are transported …….

10. Open-top wagons transport …....

11. A flat car can transport.......