How chemistry keeps trains on track

From 1604, when Huntingdon Beaumont built a wagonway with wooden wheels and wooden rails in Nottingham, to Shanghai’s maglev train, science has always gone hand-in-hand with railway development. Read this article to discover the pivotal role chemists play in the industry, including developing rail materials, engine lubricants, stopping corrosion and dealing with leaves on the line. Use this everyday chemistry context to teach thermite reactions or when investigating the reactivity of different metals.