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A rail transport system is often complicated. It should not be viewed as just "trains and rails", but includes several components each of which is as necessary as the next. These components can be classified into two main group, extrinsic factors and intrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors involve the geography and history of the geography of a system, whereas intrinsic factors tend to be of a more technical nature.
Background
Each transport system represents a contribution to a country's infrastructure, and as such must make economic sense or eventually close. From this, each will have a particular role or roles to perform. These may change with time but they will affect the specifications of each particular system.
Extrinsic factors
Rail transport systems are built into the geography, including both the geography (hills, valleys, etc) and the human geography (location of settlements). The rail transport system may in turn feedback into the human geography.
Landscape geography
The permanent way of a system must pass through the geology of its region. This may be flat or mountainous, may include obstacles such as water. These will determine in part the intrinsic nature of the system.
Human geography
Rail transport systems affect the human geography. Large cities (such as Nairobi) may be founded by a system. Historically, when a station has been built outside the town or city it is intended to serve, that town has expanded to include the station, or buildings (especially Inns) sprung up near the station. The existence of a station may increase the number of commuters who live in a town or village and so cause it to become a Dormitory town.
Historical factors
Rail transport systems are often used for purposes for which they were not designed, but have evolved into due to changes in the human geography. Politics can play a large part in decisions about railways, such as the Beeching Axe. Also in the UK, building or rebuilding a railway requires an Act of Parliament.
Intrinsic factors
Permanent way
main article: permanent way
The permanent way is pushed through the physical geography.
Types of system
The most common type of rail system is heavy rail which has reasonably high speeds and high axle loadings.
Light rail systems are designed for lower speeds and loadings and often have simplified specifications.
High-speed rail is a system with high speed.
Monorails are sometimes used instead of light rail systems for commuter transport, etc.
Maglev is a recent development with as yet only one real implementation.
Signalling
main article: railway signalling
Types of vehicle
main article: rail vehicle
rolling stock, multiple unit, locomotive.
Passenger operations
 An electric multiple unit pulling into Tile Hill station; Coventry, England train station
Freight operations
 Freight wagons filled with limestone await unloading, at sidings in Rugby, England marshalling yard, hump yard
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