Explore 50 Essential Parts of a Train: Names, Functions & Diagram

A train is a series of connected vehicles that run along a railway track and transport people or freight. Locomotive helps to pull or push the train. Nowadays, the train is an easy, fast, and affordable way of transportation. From the invention of the train to the present day, various innovations have made it faster. Today, we can see high-speed trains, which transport people and freight from one place to another. To make it more efficient, various parts of a train are manufactured and assembled precisely. So many companies, such as Siemens, Alstom, and more, manufacture the train. So, in this article, we will see all the train parts, functions, and their names.

Parts of a Train Diagram

Parts of a Train, Names, Functions & Diagram

Train Parts Names

Diesel Engine
Fuel Tank
Turbocharger
Alternator
Auxiliary Alternator
Truck/ Bogie
Air Conditioner
Couplers
Brakes
Air Compressor
Air Reservoirs
Cab
Control Station
Coach
Carriage
Boxcar
Compartment

Communication Cord
Gear Box
Drive Shaft
Drawbar
Rectifiers/Inverters
Batteries
Air Intake
Radiator
Ventilators
Motor Blower
Water Tank
Toilet & Toilet Tank
Pilot
Wheel
Side Footboard
Fluid Coupling
Locomotive

Wagon
Sand Box
Windows
Headlights
Horn
Buffet
Dining
Dining Car
Funnel
Corridor
Couchette
Luggage Rack
Strap
Observation Car
Roof

Parts of a Train

Diesel Engine

The function of the diesel engine is to generate power from the combustion of the diesel in the combustion chamber to drive the train.

The diesel engine is big and has various systems and arrangements to increase efficiency. Generally, it is present in the front carriage of the train.

Fuel Tank

It is a metallic tank that stores and supplies fuel to the engine to generate power. The tank consists of a thousand gallons of diesel. It is necessary to have more diesel for the long journey.

Turbocharger

A turbocharger is a forced induction device powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine to produce more power for a given displacement.

Alternator

The alternator’s function is to generate AC electricity to drive the train’s traction motors. Input rotational power comes to the alternator through the engine drive shaft to develop the electricity.

Auxiliary Alternator

Its function is to generate electricity, which we can use on the train to operate fans, lights, and charging ports.

Truck/ Bogie

Bogie is a chassis or framework that carries a wheelset attached to a vehicle—a modular subassembly of wheels and axles. Bogies range from one axle to four or multiple axles.

Two-axle bogies are the most famous due to their adequate performance in the curve tracks and their ability to handle heavy loads. Its alternate name is the truck.

Air Conditioner

The air conditioner is necessary to maintain the temperature in the different compartments like 2-tier & 3-tier. It consists of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and more. AC is available in fixed carriages only.

Couplers

A coupler is a mechanism generally placed at each end of a railway vehicle that connects them to form a train. Designing these types of coupling is a complicated and challenging job.

Countries like India, South America & Europe mainly use chain and buffer couplers. In contrast, the rest of the world uses knuckle couplers.

Brakes

As we know, the railway is a robust and large steel structure that is essential for stopping at the stations. However, with the conventional braking system, it is not possible.

Hence, an air braking system is the best option. It uses compressed air as the operating medium. A braking system is available on the many train wheels. Air hoses supply the compressed air to each wheel for effective operation.

Air Compressor

The Air compressor compresses the air and supplies it to the brakes. It drives the power from the alternator to operate. A reciprocating compressor is the best choice for locomotive applications.

Air Reservoirs

An air reservoir is a highly thick metal storage device that sustains the high pressure and temperature of the air after compression. A compressed air storage system is necessary to operate the air brakes. Without it, we cannot use the brakes on the locomotive or trains.

Cab

The cab is the train operator’s cabin from where he controls and operates the train. We get all types of controlling devices in a cabin to manage all operations on the train.

Control Station

The control station is the dashboard where we can see all the levers and buttons to control the train.

Coach

Coach is the general category like general, seater, sleeper, 2-tier AC, or 3-tier AC carriages. One coach forms multiple carriages.

Carriage

A carriage is one of the separate sections of a train that carries passengers. It has seats, windows, and doors on both sides for entry.

Boxcar

Boxcars are big rectangular-shaped boxes that come with sliding doors on the sides. Its primary use is to carry large loads of products like grain, paper, flour, beverages, and other goods and protect them from harsh weather.

Insulated boxcars are insulated from all sides to maintain the inside temperature. These are specially designed for carrying and storing products like vegetables, fresh foods, frozen foods, seafood, poultry, meat, dairy foods, and beverages.

Compartment

Compartments are the sections inside the carriage. Each compartment is made of top, middle, and down seats, depending on the type of train.

Communication Cord

The communication cord is an emergency handle available in every train compartment to use in emergency conditions. Pulling this cord to deliver the signal to the train operator about the emergency is necessary.

Gear Box

The gearbox function is to multiply the torque and speed per the requirement. The power generated by the engine is high. It is necessary to control it and divert to the train wheel as required. So, the gearbox helps to manipulate the speed through the various gear arrangements.

Drive Shaft

It transfers the power from the engine to the compressor, alternator, and radiator fans for their work.

Drawbar

It is for attaching two passenger cars.

Rectifiers/Inverters

Inverters convert the electricity from AC to DC or vice versa.

Batteries

It stores the electricity in chemical form to operate or start the diesel engine. It charges automatically when the train runs on the track.

Air Intake

Air intake allows the air to pass around the radiator tubes to cool the coolant. When air enters the air intake, it passes through the various filters to the radiator tubes. In the filter, the temperature of the air is regulated.

Radiator

The radiator’s function is to cool the cooling fluid passing through the radiator tubes. When cooling fluid passes to the engine sides, it absorbs the heat and becomes hot. To reduce the temperature, it again passes to the radiator coils. This cycle repeats every time.

Ventilators

These are the fans around the traction motors to cool them.

Motor Blower

As the name suggests, it blows air over the traction motors to keep them cool. This motor blower mechanism and construction are more complex for the new locomotives.

Water Tank

It stores the cold water and supplies it in the locomotive washrooms. It is filled before the train departs from its first station.

Toilet & Toilet Tank

It is used to collect human waste while traveling by train. A toilet is present between the two carriages. Human waste is gathered in the tank, and at the station, it is removed for the next journey.

Pilot

A pilot is at the front of the locomotive to remove the obstacles from the track while the train is running.

Wheel

These are the round, metallic, and tapered shapes that drive the train on the track.

Side Footboard

These are the ladders on the side of the train to climb to the top. During maintenance, it is allowed to climb on the train.

Fluid Coupling

The fluid coupling transmits the power from the engine to the drive shaft. It consists of a stator, rotor, and casing.

Locomotive

The locomotive is the front portion of the train with an engine to produce energy for running the train on the track.

Wagon

These are the large open containers for storing and carrying the goods.

Sand Box

It is a box to contain sand, which can provide good adhesion to the locomotive in bad rail conditions.

Windows

Windows are used to provide ventilation to the passengers. We can open them whenever we require, and these are usually sliding windows that slide up and down.

Headlights

These are at the front of the train to illuminate the track and get proper visibility while driving.

Horn

It warns or gives an alert to the people who are standing in the station, road crossing, and on track. It improves the safety of the people.

Buffet

It is a part of a train where you can buy food and drinks.

Dining

It is a space for eating food and drinking beverages.

Dining Car

It is a separate carriage that contains all the food, kitchen, and other food-related products. It is a restaurant on the train.

Funnel

The funnel is a tube on the top of the engine section to pass the smoke into the atmosphere. In the old train, we can find the funnels.

Corridor

It is the passage inside the coach to walk.

Couchette

It is a bed on the wall of the train that can swing down to sleep.

Luggage Rack

It is a shelf in the carriage to store the bags securely.

Strap

These objects hang from the train ceiling for holding through the hand.

Observation Car

It is present at the end of the train for observation purposes.

Roof

It is the top of the carriage to protect the passengers from bad weather conditions, rain, sun, and more.