Abstract: A multiple track rail transportation system provides cars having a greater than standard width to span adjacent parallel tracks, and apparatus providing for such cars to ride on standard wheel trucks on each of the parallel tracks. Laterally spaced apart and coupled conventional engines may be used to pull such cars, and interconnection between the laterally spaced apart locomotives is provided to enable the train to be operated by a single crew in the cab of one locomotive. Alternatively, a single locomotive spanning the two adjacent parallel tracks may be used. Couplings are provided to enable conventional cars to be coupled to the wider cars and/or engine as needed. The system provides gains in efficiency over relatively narrow trains limited by a single track, allowing shorter trains to still carry the same amount of cargo and/or passengers, and moreover allows wider loads to be carried without disassembly or transfer to smaller cars.