When i use indusrialcraft i try to use railcraft too and recently they added cart linking so you can make cart trains but the only engine is the powered mine cart that lacks control i suggest using generators and circuits and levers to make controllable ones like so:
= Mine cart
the recipe is like all mine carts just stick above mine cart but that cart runs on fuel only but is controllable this one will also use EU's:
the generator can burn any fuel normally but also run off batteries and maybe liked power storage carts
also other generators may be used like solar, geothermal, water, wind (generate EU's from speed) and, nuclear they can run of their respective fuel and batteries or linked power carts
the controllable just needs to be a simple GUI with the fuel with a start/stop button and a reverse button
yes this probably belongs over at railcraft but I started here and will post it over there
Thanks for the great mod and check out youareminecraft.com