Some ideas for more usefull trains.

[tonberrytoby]

Accumulator Trains are in fact fairly common.
They are generally used as maintenance vehicles for subways or mines.
http://www.muenchnerubahn.de/bild/gross/8952_9999_1.jpg

In the 40s there were even some designs of Trains that used a diesel engine most of the time, but could turn on an accumulator driven electrical engine to get up some steep hills, or to accelerate. Like Hybrid cars today.


The problem with all this discussion is:
Trains are useless in this game.

If you want do do a belt delivery you need to do 4 passes. 1 Belt for each raw material and electric poles.

If you want do do a rail delivery system, you need 4 passes. Poles, A railway line, a second line or waiting spots, rail signals.
But with trains you have to build a station about as large as the rest of your base, you have your trains eaten by creepers, you use up lots of coal and you need to research extra stuff.
No matter what your problem is, building rail in this game is never the right solution.

[MF-]

Accumulator Trains are in fact fairly common.
They are generally used as maintenance vehicles for subways or mines.
http://www.muenchnerubahn.de/bild/gross/8952_9999_1.jpg

Quick note: that thing is likely rather light and carries no actual cargo.