Title: Trains Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
Open Graph Title: Trains Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
X Title: Trains Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
Description: Discover fun train facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
Open Graph Description: Discover fun train facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
X Description: Discover fun train facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
Opengraph URL: https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains
Domain: www.mentalfloss.com
{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"WebSite","@id":"www.mentalfloss.com","url":"https://www.mentalfloss.com","name":"Mental Floss","description":"Discover fun train facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Mental Floss","url":"https://www.mentalfloss.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1541941289/frontier/sites/logos/mental-floss-logo-120px-height.png"}},"inLanguage":"en-US","mainEntity":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains","url":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains","name":"Trains Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss","description":"Discover fun train facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPageElement","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains#main-content","name":"Main Content","description":"Discover fun train facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity."}}}
{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.mentalfloss.com"}]}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/common-fears-only-made-sense-hundreds-years-ago","headline":"5 Common Fears That Only Made Sense Hundreds of Years Ago","description":"Despite the statistics showing your odds of survival, many people still have these phobias.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Paul Anthony Jones"},"datePublished":"2025-11-11T20:00:01Z","dateModified":"2025-11-11T20:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/common-fears-only-made-sense-hundreds-years-ago"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/why-train-tracks-are-built-on-rocks","headline":"Why Are Train Tracks Built on Rocks?","description":"The design for train tracks hasn’t changed much over the last 200 years, and jagged stones are essential to its success.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Marla Mackoul"},"datePublished":"2025-10-22T20:01:00Z","dateModified":"2025-10-22T20:01:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/why-train-tracks-are-built-on-rocks"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/why-trains-dont-have-seat-belts","headline":"The Surprising Reason Why Trains Don’t Have Seat Belts","description":"Just because seat belts make cars and planes safer doesn’t mean they’d do the same for trains, which are built differently, move differently, and, most importantly, seat their passengers differently. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Tim Brinkhof"},"datePublished":"2025-10-02T20:02:00Z","dateModified":"2025-10-02T20:02:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/why-trains-dont-have-seat-belts"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/most-romantic-train-routes-in-europe","headline":"The 10 Most Romantic Train Routes in Europe","description":"Here’s some inspiration for your next romantic excursion.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"CaLea Johnson"},"datePublished":"2025-02-13T22:01:00Z","dateModified":"2025-02-13T22:01:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/most-romantic-train-routes-in-europe"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-travel-days-to-avoid-aaa","headline":"Traveling for Thanksgiving? Avoid Driving on These Days, According to AAA","description":"Choosing the wrong time to hit the road can make your Thanksgiving a traffic nightmare. Here’s how to avoid it.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jake Rossen"},"datePublished":"2024-11-21T17:02:00Z","dateModified":"2024-11-21T17:02:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-travel-days-to-avoid-aaa"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/taking-of-pelham-one-two-three-facts","headline":"12 Thrilling Facts About ‘The Taking of Pelham One Two Three’","description":"Make a list of the greatest movies ever set in New York City, and it should include ‘The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.’ Discover more facts about the 1974 crime drama here, including how producers got the MTA to let them use real subway trains. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matthew Jackson"},"datePublished":"2024-08-07T16:02:00Z","dateModified":"2024-08-07T16:02:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/taking-of-pelham-one-two-three-facts"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/amaterasu-railway-japan-ramen-broth-fuel","headline":"This Tourist Train in Japan Is Fueled By Salvaged Ramen Broth","description":"Passengers on this open-air train are treated to the scent of ramen broth fumes.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Michele Debczak"},"datePublished":"2023-01-04T21:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-01-04T21:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/amaterasu-railway-japan-ramen-broth-fuel"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/worlds-longest-train-rides","headline":"The Longest Continuous Train Rides on Earth","description":"For an experience that's more about the journey than the destination, consider booking one of the longest continuous train rides on Earth.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Michele Debczak"},"datePublished":"2022-02-07T10:00:00Z","dateModified":"2022-02-07T10:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/worlds-longest-train-rides"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/poetry/worst-poem-ever-william-mcgonagall-tay-bridge-disaster","headline":"The Tay Bridge Disaster: William McGonagall and the Worst Poem Ever Written","description":"Is William McGonagall the best poet ever? Absolutely not. Is he the best bad poet ever? Quite possibly yes.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2021-08-18T13:30:00Z","dateModified":"2021-08-18T13:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/poetry/worst-poem-ever-william-mcgonagall-tay-bridge-disaster"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/amtrak-facts","headline":"11 Fast Facts About Amtrak","description":"Fifty years ago, Congress consolidated all of America's passenger train service into one entity: Amtrak. Here are a few facts about the nationwide rail network.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Karin Crompton"},"datePublished":"2021-06-14T12:00:00Z","dateModified":"2021-06-14T12:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/amtrak-facts"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/smart-shopping/win-royal-scotsman-train-ride-scottish-highlands-omaze","headline":"Travel Through the Scottish Highlands in a Luxury Train While Supporting a Charity","description":"Travel through the Scottish Highlands on the Royal Scotsman train with Omaze’s latest sweepstakes, aimed at raising funds for Black Voters Matter.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Elaine Selna"},"datePublished":"2021-03-25T16:30:00Z","dateModified":"2021-12-20T20:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/smart-shopping/win-royal-scotsman-train-ride-scottish-highlands-omaze"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/google-maps-update-coronavirus-restrictions","headline":"New Google Maps Feature Will Alert You to Coronavirus Restrictions","description":"The Google Maps app will help you find out if your train will likely be too crowded for social distancing.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2020-06-11T15:30:00Z","dateModified":"2020-06-11T15:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/google-maps-update-coronavirus-restrictions"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/train-trip-hits-every-corner-america-week-less-1000","headline":"This Train Trip Hits Every Corner of America in a Week for Less Than $1000","description":"Instead of taking a traditional vacation, make the most of your travel time by visiting every corner of America by train in just seven days.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Michele Debczak"},"datePublished":"2020-02-10T13:00:00Z","dateModified":"2020-02-10T13:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/train-trip-hits-every-corner-america-week-less-1000"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/art/artists/philip-ashforth-coppola-new-york-city-subway-artist","headline":"Meet the Artist Who Has Been Sketching New York City Subway Stations for 40 Years","description":"Get to know Philip Ashforth Coppola, an artist who has been sketching under-appreciated details in New York City subway stations for more than four decades.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Claudia Dimuro"},"datePublished":"2019-10-14T18:00:00Z","dateModified":"2019-10-14T18:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/art/artists/philip-ashforth-coppola-new-york-city-subway-artist"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/when-east-meets-west-last-spike-transcontinental-railroad","headline":"When East Meets West: The Last Spike of the Transcontinental Railroad","description":"It was 150 years ago today—on May 10, 1869—that \"The Last Spike\" was driven into America's first transcontinental railroad. The spike was made of gold, so anyone could tell it was important, but there was plenty more to get excited about.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"David Clark"},"datePublished":"2019-05-10T09:30:00Z","dateModified":"2019-05-10T09:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/when-east-meets-west-last-spike-transcontinental-railroad"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/jose-cuervo-tequila-train-mexico","headline":"All Aboard! Mexico Is Now Home to an All-You-Can-Drink Tequila Train","description":"Chug-a-lug: There's bottomless tequila (and snacks) aboard the Jose Cuervo Express from Guadalajara to Tequila.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Emily Petsko"},"datePublished":"2019-02-14T03:00:00Z","dateModified":"2019-02-14T03:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/jose-cuervo-tequila-train-mexico"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/architecture/why-grand-central-terminal-ceiling-has-one-black-spot","headline":"A Clue on the Ceiling of Grand Central Terminal Shows How Dirty It Was 30 Years Ago","description":"It was left there on purpose in the 1990s.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Michele Debczak"},"datePublished":"2019-02-03T16:00:00Z","dateModified":"2019-02-03T16:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/architecture/why-grand-central-terminal-ceiling-has-one-black-spot"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/presidents/presidential-funeral-trains-brief-history-george-hw-bush","headline":"A Brief History of Presidential Funeral Trains","description":"President Bush's funeral has revived an old tradition.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lucas Reilly"},"datePublished":"2018-12-06T11:30:00Z","dateModified":"2018-12-06T11:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/presidents/presidential-funeral-trains-brief-history-george-hw-bush"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/legend-silverpilen-stockholm-ghost-train","headline":"The Legend—and Truth—of Silverpilen, Stockholm's Spooky Ghost Train","description":"Once you board the Silver Arrow, you never get off.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"AbNorman"},"datePublished":"2018-10-16T09:30:00Z","dateModified":"2018-10-16T09:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/legend-silverpilen-stockholm-ghost-train"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/signalman-jack-baboon-worked-railroad-south-africa","headline":"Signalman Jack: The Baboon Who Worked for the Railroad—and Never Made a Mistake","description":"He was paid 20 cents a day and half a bottle of beer weekly.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lucas Reilly"},"datePublished":"2018-10-11T17:00:00Z","dateModified":"2018-10-11T17:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/signalman-jack-baboon-worked-railroad-south-africa"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/jobs/secrets-subway-conductors","headline":"10 Secrets of Subway Conductors","description":"They hate delays more than you do.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Michele Debczak"},"datePublished":"2018-09-07T12:00:00Z","dateModified":"2018-09-07T12:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/jobs/secrets-subway-conductors"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/handy-london-underground-map-shows-trains-moving-real-time","headline":"This Handy London Underground Map Shows Trains Moving in Real Time","description":"Birmingham programmer Matthew Somerville just blessed Londoners with an amazingly helpful tool.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Madeline Raynor"},"datePublished":"2018-08-27T09:45:00Z","dateModified":"2018-08-27T09:45:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/handy-london-underground-map-shows-trains-moving-real-time"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/restaurants/why-do-so-many-diners-look-like-train-cars","headline":"Why Do So Many Diners Look Like Train Cars?","description":"Diners were the original pop-up stores.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jake Rossen"},"datePublished":"2018-08-08T15:00:00Z","dateModified":"2018-08-08T15:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/restaurants/why-do-so-many-diners-look-like-train-cars"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/need-ride-alaska-route-you-can-simply-flag-down-train","headline":"Need a Ride? On This Alaska Route, You Can Simply Flag Down a Train","description":"Alaska Railroad's Hurricane Turn route is one of the last of its kind in America.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Shaunacy Ferro"},"datePublished":"2018-06-25T01:00:00Z","dateModified":"2018-06-25T01:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains/need-ride-alaska-route-you-can-simply-flag-down-train"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/cars-trucks/most-popular-car-year-born","headline":"The Most Popular Car the Year You Were Born","description":"This was the vehicle people were driving all over America's roadways the year you came into the world.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-11-05T19:00:04Z","dateModified":"2026-11-05T19:00:04Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/cars-trucks/most-popular-car-year-born"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/weather/thanksgiving-weather-forecast-2026-map","headline":"Snow Showers or Sun? The 2026 Thanksgiving Weather Forecast, Mapped","description":"Will snow delay your Thanksgiving travel? Check out the 2026 Farmers' Almanac weather forecast map breakdown for every region in the U.S.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jenny Cohen"},"datePublished":"2026-11-04T17:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-11-04T17:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/weather/thanksgiving-weather-forecast-2026-map"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/cities/most-walkable-cities-in-us-canada-map","headline":"The Most Walkable Cities in the U.S. and Canada, Mapped","description":"Wondering if you can ditch your car? A new ranking from Walk Score reveals the most (and least) walkable cities across the United States and Canada.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jenny Cohen"},"datePublished":"2026-10-24T12:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-10-24T12:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/cities/most-walkable-cities-in-us-canada-map"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/cost-of-living-by-state-2026-map","headline":"The Cost of Living in Each State for 2026, Mapped","description":"Discover the most and least expensive places to live in the U.S. in 2026. From Hawaii's high housing costs to Oklahoma's low expenses, see where your state ranks.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jenny Cohen"},"datePublished":"2026-09-21T14:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-09-21T14:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/cost-of-living-by-state-2026-map"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/live-smarter/money/how-much-gallon-gas-cost-year-born","headline":"How Much Did a Gallon of Gas Cost the Year You Were Born?","description":"Ever wondered how much a gallon of gas cost the year you were born? Take a nostalgic drive through historic fuel prices from the 1950s to today.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Nitya Rao"},"datePublished":"2026-09-19T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-09-19T00:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/live-smarter/money/how-much-gallon-gas-cost-year-born"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/hidden-world-trade-center-hallway","headline":"The World Trade Center Remnant Hiding in Plain Sight Beneath NYC","description":"Discover the last remaining section of the original World Trade Center subway concourse—a forgotten 1970s corridor preserved inside NYC's modern Oculus hub.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Nitya Rao"},"datePublished":"2026-09-11T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-09-11T00:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/hidden-world-trade-center-hallway"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/planes-airports/airport-security-before-9-11","headline":"What Airport Security Was Really Like Before 9/11","description":"The lack of restrictions travelers faced before September 11, 2001, seems almost unbelievable today. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-09-10T20:00:03Z","dateModified":"2026-09-10T20:00:04Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/planes-airports/airport-security-before-9-11"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/states/loudest-quietest-states-america-ranked","headline":"The Loudest (and Quietest) States in America, Ranked","description":"Find out whether your state is louder—or quieter—than most of the country.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-08-31T20:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-08-31T20:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/states/loudest-quietest-states-america-ranked"}}
| fb:app_id | 350309542584520 |
| fb:pages | 10974002364 |
| og:site_name | Mental Floss |
| og:image:width | 1440 |
| og:image:height | 810 |
| twitter:url | https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/trains |
| twitter:card | summary_large_image |
| twitter:image:width | 1440 |
| twitter:image:height | 810 |
| theme-color | #000000 |
| og:type | website |
| og:image | https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1541941289/frontier/sites/logos/mental-floss-logo-120px-height.png |
| twitter:image | https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1541941289/frontier/sites/logos/mental-floss-logo-120px-height.png |
Links:
Viewport: width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0
Robots: max-image-preview:large