45 Songs About Trains, from Midnight Train to Georgia to Crazy Train

What is the most famous song about trains?

"City of New Orleans", written by Steve Goodman and made famous by Arlo Guthrie, is one of the most beloved train songs, and "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight & the Pips is the soul classic. "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash, "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne and "Love Train" by The O'Jays are favorites in country, rock and soul.

Folk and blues train songs

1. "City of New Orleans", Arlo Guthrie: written by Steve Goodman about a real Illinois Central train.
2. "Freight Train", Elizabeth Cotten: written when she was a girl in North Carolina.
3. "Rock Island Line", Lead Belly: a folk song later a hit for Lonnie Donegan.
4. "Midnight Special", Lead Belly: the prison folk song later covered by Creedence.
5. "500 Miles", Peter, Paul and Mary: a lonely traveler's lament.
6. "This Train", Sister Rosetta Tharpe: gospel on the rails.
7. "People Get Ready", The Impressions: the train as a symbol of hope.
8. "Mystery Train", Elvis Presley: the Sun Records rockabilly cover of Junior Parker.

Country train songs

9. "Folsom Prison Blues", Johnny Cash: a train whistle and a prison cell.
10. "Orange Blossom Special", Johnny Cash: the fiddle showpiece he recorded in 1965.
11. "Wabash Cannonball", Roy Acuff: the legendary train of folklore.
12. "Waiting for a Train", Jimmie Rodgers: the Singing Brakeman's classic.
13. "Wreck of the Old 97": the ballad of a real 1903 train wreck.
14. "Engine Engine #9", Roger Miller: a 60s country hit.
15. "Big Train (From Memphis)", John Fogerty: a tribute to the Sun Records sound.
16. "Casey Jones", Grateful Dead: inspired by the famous engineer.

Rock train songs

17. "Crazy Train", Ozzy Osbourne: the riff every guitarist learns.
18. "Long Train Runnin'", The Doobie Brothers: the 70s groove.
19. "Last Train to Clarksville", The Monkees: their first number one.
20. "Train in Vain", The Clash: the hidden track from London Calling.
21. "Runaway Train", Soul Asylum: the 90s ballad.
22. "Train Kept A-Rollin'", Aerosmith: their hard rock version of an old R&B song.
23. "Downtown Train", Rod Stewart: written by Tom Waits.
24. "Driver 8", R.E.M.: a Southern train song.
25. "Last Train to London", Electric Light Orchestra: disco-era ELO.
26. "Peace Train", Cat Stevens: a hopeful folk-rock anthem.
27. "Slow Train", Bob Dylan: from his gospel period.
28. "Trains", Porcupine Tree: a modern prog favorite.

Soul, R&B and pop train songs

29. "Midnight Train to Georgia", Gladys Knight & the Pips: the soul classic.
30. "Love Train", The O'Jays: the Philly soul anthem.
31. "Night Train", James Brown: a roll call of cities.
32. "Morning Train (Nine to Five)", Sheena Easton: an 80s pop hit.
33. "The Loco-Motion", Little Eva: the dance craze song.
34. "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)", MFSB: the Soul Train theme.
35. "Last Train Home", John Mayer: a 2021 throwback.

Jazz and swing train songs

36. "Take the 'A' Train", Duke Ellington: written by Billy Strayhorn.
37. "Chattanooga Choo Choo", Glenn Miller: the first certified gold record.
38. "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe", Judy Garland: the Oscar-winning song from The Harvey Girls.
39. "Last Train Home", Pat Metheny Group: a shimmering instrumental.

Train songs for kids

40. "I've Been Working on the Railroad": the classic American folk song.
41. "Down by the Station": the preschool favorite.
42. "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain": the singalong every kid knows.
43. "Little Red Caboose": a simple rhyme for toddlers.
44. "Thomas the Tank Engine Theme": the TV favorite.
45. "The Polar Express", from the film: a Christmas Eve ride.

Why are there so many songs about trains?

For a century, trains were how Americans left home, found work, went to war and came back. Blues and folk singers heard freedom in a whistle; country singers heard loneliness; gospel singers heard a ride to glory. The rhythm of the wheels also gave musicians a ready-made beat, which is why so many train songs chug and roll.

Songs about trains and leaving home

Many train songs are really about leaving: "500 Miles", "City of New Orleans", "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Last Train Home" capture distance and homesickness. For more, see our songs about home and road trip songs.

Train songs for a model railroad fan

For a grandparent with a model train layout, put on "Orange Blossom Special", "Wabash Cannonball", "City of New Orleans" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" while the trains run. They make a perfect birthday or Father's Day playlist. For more, see our songs for grandpa.

Christmas train songs

Trains and Christmas go together, from the train set under the tree to "The Polar Express". Add "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "Take the 'A' Train" to a holiday party playlist for a vintage feel.

A song for the train lover in your family

For a retired railroad worker, a model train builder or a child who knows every engine by name, a personalized song can celebrate their love of trains with their name, their favorite line and the stories they tell. It makes a memorable birthday or retirement gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: country, folk, jazz, pop and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three train memories or stories.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give the train lover in your life a song of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.