2Trains have been a crucial part of the world's transportation infrastructure since the 1800s. They made travel so much easier, faster, and cheaper that vacations, which had previously been accessible only to the very wealthy, suddenly became feasible for lower-class families. Although cars and airplanes replaced the majority of train travel over time, trains are once again becoming competitive as tracks are upgraded to accommodate incredibly fast locomotives. Engaging sidebars and full-color photographs augment the informative text, and detailed graphic organizers illustrate complex concepts for visual learners. A list of websites also provides a jumping-off point for further individual research into the fascinating world of trains.