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#Laithwaite and others did it with a #linearInductionMotor, electrically pushing along the rail. (As a side effect of that, you can have #MagneticLevitation and have it at no energy cost. (It is fun, but disappointing though). Other technologies exist, avoid them.
(#Steam) #piston engines; #electric motors (and for completeness a person on a bicycle) have the best characteristic for a vehicle: maximum #torque from standstill. #InternalCombustion, not. (Watch an electric car pull away)