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How does streamlining speed up trains? Whenever an object moves through the air, it meets wind resistance. This creates a force, called drag, which slows it down. A pointed or rounded object creates less drag than an angular one. For this reason, fast cars and trains are designed with a rounded front, called streamlining. One of the world's most famous streamlined trains was the Twentieth Century Limited, which ran between New York and Chicago in the 1930s. Ten streamlined locomotives were built for the Twentieth Century Limited. They could haul the 1,000-ton train at over 100 mph (160 kph).   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: Science and Technology Chapter: Railways