what is the first car of a train called

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The car is called a motor unit. Some trains have motors in many or all of the cars. This is called a diesel multiple unit or electric multiple unit. Usually, both ends of the train have engineer’s cabins. These trains are especially popular in commuter traffic in large towns and cities.

A train is a series of rail cars coupled together and pulled by an engine known as a locomotive. The locomotive can pull or push the cars. It was originally powered by steam, but today, diesel or electric locomotives power most trains. Trains with large numbers of rail cars often require more than one locomotive.

The first steam trains were built in England in the early 19th century. Trains contain the prime mover (either locomotive or motor unit) and one or more cars. The locomotive or railway engine (usually the first car of the train) pulls the cars along the track.

Any group of rail vehicles which make up a train could be called a consist, and having a multiple-unit train is very common. Today freight trains consist of many cars, in some instances a train can have up to 180 of them, which require a massive traction effort.