There’s a magical sense of wonder watching a steam locomotive glide through the countryside with the smoke billowing and whistle echoing. Since the first appearance of the iron horse in a movie in 1856, cinema goers and TV watchers have enjoyed the adventure of the rails.
Families have built cherished memories together with characters from Thomas the Tank Engine™ movies to the animated holiday classic the Polar Express for decades.
Whether your family is gearing up for a day trip to the railroad or you want to enjoy the wonders of trains on the big or small screen, this helpful guide will give you a snapshot of the top movies about trains and train tv shows in pop culture. We’ll also take a special peek at Strasburg Rail Road’s cameos in popular films.
The Most Popular Trains in Movies
Few movie settings capture the excitement, history, and nostalgia of Americana like trains. In fact, trains were among the first set pieces ever put on film, dating all the way back to the 1800s.
In 1896, the short clip Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat was so realistic that audiences jumped from their seats as the locomotive approached. That moment marked the beginning of cinema’s passion for the rails—a relationship that continues to inspire filmmakers more than a century later. Since then, Hollywood has continued to make trains a symbol of adventure and wonder.
For cinema fans of action and suspense, the Runaway Train (1985) movie delivers a tense adventure as passengers struggle to survive aboard an out-of-control locomotive in Alaska’s wilderness. In Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Agatha Christie’s iconic Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, solves a mysterious whodunit aboard the luxurious, long-distance passenger train.
The Polar Express (2004) continues the legacy of iconic trains as a beloved holiday classic. The animated masterpiece whisks audiences away to a magical location at the North Pole.
Together, these movies remind us that trains in films are far more than a method of transportation—they’re engines for the imagination.
The Best Train TV Shows
Television has featured the wonder of trains for every generation, from little conductors to adult rail fans. Animated favorites like Chuggington and Dinosaur Train introduce future engineers to the world of locomotives with adorable characters and unforgettable lessons.
Chuggington follows a group of trainee engines learning timeless lessons about teamwork, problem-solving, and friendship. Dinosaur Train combines the best of trains and dinosaurs in a whimsical storyline set on a prehistoric railway that teaches science, curiosity, and kindness along the way.
Adult audiences can also experience the heart-pounding adventure and drama of trains. The post-apocalyptic thriller Snowpiercer is set in a frozen world where survivors must fight for survival aboard a never-ending train ride
Travel documentaries like Mighty Trains and Great Rail Journeys spotlight real-world locomotives that cross some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet.
Whether live-action or animated, train TV shows capture the raw excitement of rail travel.
Visiting the Island of Sodor: Thomas the Tank Engine Movies and Shows
Few fictional worlds have invited viewers behind the curtain to experience the magic of the rails quite like Thomas the Tank Engine. For more than 80 years, the charming blue engine has delighted children and parents alike with heartwarming stories of friendship, cooperation, and kindness. Thomas and his iconic friends—like Percy, James, and Gordon—have become true cultural icons on the long-running Thomas the Tank Engine TV show.
Many fans don’t realize there’s a real-world connection between Thomas and historic steam trains like the Strasburg Rail Road. In 2000, Strasburg Rail Road appeared on the big screen in the feature-length movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad.
The film featured Strasburg’s Locomotive No. 475, a restored Norfolk & Western steam engine, along with a train car repainted as part of the fictional “Indian Valley Railroad.” Several of Strasburg’s historic passenger cars were also included in the production.
Fast-forward to today, and the partnership between Strasburg and Thomas & Friends continues the tradition through Day Out With Thomas events every summer. During these special weekends, families can ride a full-sized, steam-powered Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy themed activities across the station grounds.
For families who’ve grown up watching Thomas the Tank Engine movies, visiting Strasburg is like stepping into the Island of Sodor itself—complete with real steam, whistles, and adventure.
The Story of Strasburg Rail Road in Films and Television
While many railroads preserve the past, few have actually been stars on the silver screen. Our historic locomotives have served as set pieces for iconic Hollywood movies that needed the look and sound of genuine railways.
Over the decades, Strasburg’s locomotives, passenger cars, and countryside scenery have been featured in several movies and shows:
- Hello, Dolly! (1969): Filmmakers featured Strasburg Rail Road’s 1896 Pullman open-air car, Coach Car No. 68 as the Hello Dolly! train in the iconic musical starring Barbra Streisand.
- I Heard the Bells (2022): This historical drama from Sight & Sound Films includes several sequences filmed at Strasburg Rail Road. The movie tells the story of 19th-century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the writing of his iconic poem, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”
- Wild Wild West (1999): The blockbuster starring Will Smith and Kevin Kline filmed several train sequences at Strasburg Rail Road. The railroad’s authentic 19th-century locomotives and track provided the backdrop for Wild Wild West’s train, “The Wanderer.”
- Other Notable Hollywood Productions: Strasburg’s equipment also appeared in documentaries, commercials, and film projects — including Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000), which featured its Norfolk & Western No. 475 locomotive and several passenger cars. The railroad’s cinematic authenticity continues to attract film crews seeking real steam power and a timeless setting.
- Television: Beyond Hollywood, educational and regional programming platforms have featured Strasburg, including WITF, central Pennsylvania’s PBS affiliate. Segments like Smart Talk Road Trip and Explore PA showcase Strasburg’s role in preserving the legacy of steam locomotives in America.
Want to step into your own cinematic adventure? Strasburg Rail Road offers daily excursions through the iconic Lancaster, PA countryside and special events year round.
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Visit Strasburg Rail Road to Experience the Magic Firsthand
Films and television have celebrated the joy of trains from the founding of the motion picture. Your family can enjoy countless hours of the best train movies and TV shows.
But what about bringing your passion for trains off the screen?
Strasburg Rail Road is all about bringing the magic of locomotion off the screen with a unique experience. As the nation’s longest continuously running passenger railroad company, our heritage railway is dedicated to bringing our guests authentic steam train rides that recreate history,
We host dozens of seasonal train rides and events for railfans of all ages. From our iconic Day Out With Thomas event to holiday-themed train rides, there’s magic here for the whole family.
Can’t get enough of trains in movies? Bring your family to experience the magic of the TV and movies in person! Book tickets for your full-steam adventure now.
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