read the passage from the railroad builders by john moody. answer the question that follows. the railroad is sprung from the application of two fundamental ideas - one the use of a mechanical means of developing speed, the other the use of a smooth running surface to diminish friction. though these two principles are today combined, they were originally absolutely distinct. in fact there were railroads long before there were steam engines or locomotives. if we seek the real predecessor of the modern railroad track, we must go back three hundred years to the wooden rails on which were drawn the little cars used in english collieries to carry the coal from the mines to tidewater. the natural history of this invention is clear enough. the driving of large coal wagons along the public highway made deep ruts in the road, and some ingenious person began repairing the damage by laying wooden planks in the furrows. the coal wagons drove over this crude roadbed so successfully that certain proprietors started constructing special planked roadways from the mines to the river mouth. logs, forming what we now call ies,\ were placed crosswise at intervals of three or four feet, and upon these supports thin
ails,\ likewise of wood, were laid lengthwise. so effectually did this arrangement reduce friction that a single horse could now draw a great wagon filled with coal - an operation which two or three teams, lunging over muddy roads, formerly had great difficulty in performing. horses were able to pull large coal - filled wagons with ease. in early coal mines, wooden rails and small cars were used to carry coal from the mines to the oceans. the coal wagons drove over this crude roadbed so successfully that certain proprietors started constructing special planked roadways from the mines to the river mouth. the modern railway system evolved from wooden rails used to transport coal and the combination of two ideas - speed and smooth surface. what is the central idea of this passage?

Question

read the passage from the railroad builders by john moody. answer the question that follows. the railroad is sprung from the application of two fundamental ideas - one the use of a mechanical means of developing speed, the other the use of a smooth running surface to diminish friction. though these two principles are today combined, they were originally absolutely distinct. in fact there were railroads long before there were steam engines or locomotives. if we seek the real predecessor of the modern railroad track, we must go back three hundred years to the wooden rails on which were drawn the little cars used in english collieries to carry the coal from the mines to tidewater. the natural history of this invention is clear enough. the driving of large coal wagons along the public highway made deep ruts in the road, and some ingenious person began repairing the damage by laying wooden planks in the furrows. the coal wagons drove over this crude roadbed so successfully that certain proprietors started constructing special planked roadways from the mines to the river mouth. logs, forming what we now call 	ies,\ were placed crosswise at intervals of three or four feet, and upon these supports thin
ails,\ likewise of wood, were laid lengthwise. so effectually did this arrangement reduce friction that a single horse could now draw a great wagon filled with coal - an operation which two or three teams, lunging over muddy roads, formerly had great difficulty in performing. horses were able to pull large coal - filled wagons with ease. in early coal mines, wooden rails and small cars were used to carry coal from the mines to the oceans. the coal wagons drove over this crude roadbed so successfully that certain proprietors started constructing special planked roadways from the mines to the river mouth. the modern railway system evolved from wooden rails used to transport coal and the combination of two ideas - speed and smooth surface. what is the central idea of this passage?

Accepted Answer

# Brief Explanations:
The passage describes the development of railroads, starting from wooden rails used to transport coal. It emphasizes how the use of wooden rails (ties) placed cross - wise over muddy roads reduced friction, allowing horses to pull coal - filled wagons more easily. This was a key aspect in the evolution of the modern railway system.
# Answer:
The use of wooden rails (ties) to reduce friction and facilitate the pulling of coal - filled wagons.

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