Interesting Facts About Trains

From prehistoric causeways to high-speed bullet trains that zip past in seconds, rail travel has come a long way. For as long as we’ve needed to get from A to B, trains have been right there with us - carrying people and goods across countries and continents. Today, the world of train travel is more exciting than ever. So, whether you’re a dedicated trainspotter or a casual leisure traveller, hop aboard with CrossCountry as we share some of our favourite and most fascinating facts about trains. 

Fastest Train in the World

The fastest train in the world was decided in 2015 when Japan’s L0 Series Maglev set a new world speed record, reaching an astonishing 375mph (603 km/h). Though still in the prototype stage, the train is undergoing extensive testing on the Yamanashi test track, with the first section expected to open for commercial use by 2027. 

Unlike traditional trains, maglev trains use magnetic levitation to float above the tracks, eliminating friction. Powerful magnets lift and propel the train, enabling ultra-fast, smooth, and quiet travel without the need for wheels. 

The fastest train in commercial operation is the Shanghai Maglev, with a maximum cruising speed of 186mph (300 km/h). The train carries passengers from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the outskirts of central Pudong, a distance of just over eighteen miles, taking around eight minutes. 

Longest Rail Journey in the World

The longest rail journey in the world is in Russia, as are most of the longest journeys, due to the sheer size of the country. It starts in Moscow and takes passengers all the way to Vladivostok, a city in the East. 

Spanning 5,771 miles (9,290 km) and crossing eight time zones, the journey includes 140 stops and takes a full week if done in one go. This massive stretch of track is called the Trans-Siberian Railroad, and it winds through the Ural Mountains, along the shores of Lake Baikal and adjacent to the borders of Mongolia and China. 

First Railway in the World

The Stockton and Darlington Railway was the first railway in the world to transport passengers using steam traction. The engines were originally intended to be pulled by horses, but when the English engineer George Stephenson learnt that using steam would greatly increase the load the engine was able to pull, the Stockton and Darlington Railway was born. 

The first engine completed its journey from Darlington to Stockton in 1825, carrying 450 excited passengers. It’s hard to imagine the mix of awe and fear those passengers must have felt on that day. Although steam locomotives had existed for over two decades, none had displayed such speed and strength before. 

First Train in the World

Early Trains and Railways

Narrowing down the first train in the world isn’t an easy endeavour. Trains, in one form or another, have been around since ancient times. Visit the Somerset Levels, and you'll find a fascinating example: a prehistoric trackway where vehicles were once guided along limestone rails to keep them on course. This early system was used to move heavy loads, such as boats, with pinpoint efficiency. 

Early rail systems began in Europe around the 1500s. The Reisszug funicular railway in Austria used wooden rails, hemp ropes, and humans or animals to haul goods uphill. Miners in central Europe also used wooden wagonways with horse-drawn carts. Over time, these systems evolved: wooden tracks became iron rails, and innovations like flanged wheels and edge rails set the stage for the advent of steam engines. 

The First Steam Locomotives

The first full-scale working railway steam locomotive was built in 1804 through the ingenuity of Richard Trevithick, a Cornish engineer. The locomotive pulled carriages along the tramway of the Pennydarren Ironworks in South Wales. However, due to its weight, the contraption caused damage to the tracks, meaning the technology wasn’t widely adopted. 

There were several iterations over the following years. The Salamanca was more successful, having been built for the Middleton Railway in Leeds in 1812. It used cog wheels to mesh with teeth cast in the track. 

Then, in 1813, Puffing Billy was built by Christopher Blackett and William Hedley for the Wylam Colliery Railway. This was the first train to successfully run on tracks through adhesion only without any special gear systems, and you can still see it today at the Science Museum in London. 

Another early locomotive was George Stephenson’s Blücher, built in 1814 for the Killingworth Colliery. It used flanged wheels for better guidance along the rails. Stephenson would go on to develop the Rocket in 1829, which was able to reach speeds of up to 30 mph. 

First Electric Train in the World

The electric railway is much older than you might think. The first electric train was unveiled at the Berlin Industrial Exposition in May 1879 – paving the way for the railway we know today. The train was presented by Siemens & Halske, and it carried six passengers in each of its three carriages along a 300m track. Visitors were entranced as they’d never seen such a thrilling innovation – a train pulled along, not by steam or horses, but by the novel power of electricity. 

Longest Train in the World

The record for the longest train in the world was broken by the BHP Iron Ore in 2001. The train measured a whopping 4.5 miles long and was made up of 682 wagons. It transported thousands of tonnes of iron ore from the Yandi Mine to Port Hedland, both in Western Australia. The behemoth took eight engines to run and covered a distance of 171 miles (275 km). 

The record for the longest passenger train in the world goes to Nederlandse Spoorwegen. In 1989, they utilised 60 carriages to create a train 1602 metres long. The train ran from Kijfhoek, a rail yard near Rotterdam, to the city of Eindhoven. 

Longest Train Tunnel in the World

The longest train tunnel in the world is the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland. It stretches 35.5 miles (57 km) beneath the beautiful Swiss Alps, opening in 2016 with the aim of improving travel efficiency through the mountains. Today, high-speed trains can zip through this region in no time, cutting down journey times and reducing the need for freight transport by road. 

Most Luxurious Train in the World

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is, without a doubt, the most luxurious train in the world. Harking back to the 1920s, the carriage oozes opulence with handmade furniture that you can sink into, marble bathrooms, and champagne whenever you fancy. There are lots of routes to choose from, including Venice and Paris, but the destination doesn’t matter as much as the five-star experience you’ll get on this journey. 

If you’re planning a trip, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.