Double-stack rail transport

Imagine you have a toy train set with two levels of tracks, one on top of the other. Double-stack rail transport is kind of like this toy train set, but much much bigger.

On real railroads, trains can carry huge and heavy containers called "intermodal containers" that are used to transport all sorts of goods, from clothes and shoes to electronics and furniture. Before double-stack rail transport was invented, these containers could only be stacked one on top of the other on a train. But double-stack transport allows the containers to be stacked two high!

This is possible because railroads have made special modifications to their tracks, tunnels and bridges to accommodate the larger size of double-stacked trains. These trains have a second level of tracks built above the normal ones, which can carry more containers in the same amount of space.

Why is this important? By carrying more containers per train, double-stack transport can help reduce the number of trucks needed to deliver goods across the country. This means less pollution from trucks and fewer traffic accidents, which can make our world a little cleaner and safer.

So, double-stack rail transport is like a big toy train set that carries more containers in less space, helping to reduce pollution and make transportation a little more efficient.