History Main / CoolTrain

** ''Film/Octopussy'' circus train.

** There's something to be said for simply and [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin aptly]] calling the world's biggest steam engine [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_Big_Boy Big Boy]]: the 25 4000 class 4-8-8-4 articulated locomotives Alco produced for Union Pacific Railroad at the height of the "super power" era. They were the largest (but not the most powerful, that distinction belongs to the Norfolk & Western class [=Y6B=]) steam locomotives ever built, capable of pulling nearly 8000 tons and hitting 80 mph (though not at the same time, obviously) and tipping the scales with tender at over one and a quarter million pounds. That's more than the entire train ''Mallard'' was pulling when she set the steam speed record. Union Pacific restored 4014 for operation and as of May 2nd 2019, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvKfu_EGZIk&t=99s it can run on its own power!]]
** Union Pacific 844, an FEF-3 4-8-4 steam locomotive, is actually nicknamed "the LivingLegend". Spared from the scrapper's torch in 1960 as the last steam engine built for the UP line, UP 844 retains the unique distinction of being the only steam engine never to be retired from a Class I US railroad. Since the start of the Heritage Program, 844 has traveled across the entire UP system from California to Tennessee, handled numerous different excursion trains ranging from round-trip locals to World's Fairs, has teamed up with or met other steam stars like SP 4449, Frisco 1522, and UP's own "Big Boy" 4014, and is planned to be kept running until it turns ''100''.

* There's something to be said for simply and [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin aptly]] calling the world's biggest steam engine [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_Big_Boy Big Boy]]: the 25 4000 class 4-8-8-4 articulated locomotives Alco produced for Union Pacific Railroad at the height of the "super power" era. They were the largest (but not the most powerful, that distinction belongs to the Norfolk & Western class [=Y6B=]) steam locomotives ever built, capable of pulling nearly 8000 tons and hitting 80 mph (though not at the same time, obviously) and tipping the scales with tender at over one and a quarter million pounds. That's more than the entire train ''Mallard'' was pulling when she set the steam speed record. Union Pacific is currently restoring 4014 for operation alongside UP Challenger 3935, currently the largest operational steam locomotive.
** As of May 2nd 2019, the Restoration have been completed and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvKfu_EGZIk&t=99s It can run on its own power!]]
** Claimed to be able to pull a loaded five-mile train on level ground!

* Central Pacific 131, which was hurled off a bridge and rebuilt at the ending of ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartIII'', pictured above. A flying time traveling train, and "It runs on steam!".
** Let's not forget the "actress" portraying the "character", [[http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj256/timetrain/bttftrainwithslightrepaint.jpg Sierra No. 3]], the undisputed "Movie Star Locomotive" who starred in many a Creator/ClintEastwood and Western film, as well as a colorful role in the sitcom ''Series/PetticoatJunction''.
* ''Film/BreakheartPass'' is set on one.

* ''Anime/Naruto'': In the non-serial movie ''Anime/NarutoTheMovieNinjaClashInTheLandOfSnow'' we have [[BigBad Dosu's]] train, a humongous armored monstrosity four tracks wide armed with equally humongous hand-cranked [[GatlingGood Gatling gun-style]] (or [[MoreDakka Metal Storm]]-style) Kunai launchers that massacre a ninja RedshirtArmy charging towards the train [[CurbStompBattle with absurd ease]].

* ''Series/ShadowAndBone'' has the CaperCrew of thieves use an armored train to get across the black magic-created dark fog ("The Fold") in between two warring countries.

* ''Literature/NightOnTheGalacticRailroad'' is a 1927 children's novel by Kenji Miyazawa that involved a "cool train" of sorts as a metaphor for the afterlife. It has been made into an aimated movie (that portraued the main characters as cats/), and several stage plays. In fact, the original Japanese title ("Ginga Tetsudou no Yoru") was the inspiration behind the Japanese title of Leiji Matsumoto's manga ("Ginga Tetsudou 999") which involved a cool '''space'' train.

* The [[MemeticMutation F40PH.]] To the average rail enthusiast, they represent Amtrak's choice of motive power during the 1980s, still fondly recognized for their iconic shape and being used well into the 'aughts. To the internet, it wound up becoming a MemeticBadass on [=4Chan=] for some reason as a deterrent against the FurryFandom, who spends every waking hour hunting them down while simultaneously performing its duties to the railroad it once served. A few are still around in excursion service on various tourist railroads, and even some commuter railroads [[note]]Chicago's Metra being such an example[[/note]] still maintain the locomotive as part of their fleet.

Both civilian luxury trains and heavily-armed armored trains are TruthInTelevision, at least for stories set in the 1800s or early-to-mid 1900s. After air travel became more affordable, flying became the preferred way to travel luxuriously or to project military force. A big drawback of armored trains is that no matter how thick their metal plating and no matter how many GatlingGood are mounted on them, a small band of LaResistance fighters can sabotage the rails with a sack of dynamite and render them useless.

** This Troper considers himself very lucky to have grown up in a city that the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ehs9qP07gQ Norfolk and Western 611]] visited regularly during her excursion career in the late 80's/early 90's.

* ''VideoGame/IronStorm'' has an entire level set on a gigantic armored train which the player has to traverse from the tail car to the locomotive. There's even a ''chapel wagon''. It's even more appreciated since it comes after a mediocre stealth-based level.

* The second half of the anime adaptation for ''LightNovel/LordElMelloiIICaseFiles'' takes place on the Mystic Eyes Collection Train, Rail Zeppelin. It's a mobile auction house for mages to buy and sell eyes with special abilities which is normally accessible by invitation only, plus it uses leylines as it's rails. So, it's a cool train where the passengers tend to be as interesting as the train itself.

** ''Anime/FinalFantasyUnlimited'' had the Interdimensional Train.

Both civilian luxury trains and heavily-armed armored trains are TruthInTelevision, at least for stories set in the 1800s or early-to-mid 1900s . After air travel became more affordable, it became the preferred way to travel luxuriously or to project military force. A big drawback of armored trains is that no matter how thick their metal plating and no matter how many GatlingGood are mounted on them, a small band of LaResistance fighters can sabotage the rails with a sack of dynamite and render them useless.

Primarily a feature of SteamPunk settings, the Cool Train may only be able to run on rails -- and generally is not under the control of the traveling character -- but that doesn't stop it from being loaded with gadgets or just being generally awesome. Just ask a RailEnthusiast.

Well, lots of these are actually only Cool Locomotives -- including the page image -- but hey, let's not split hairs. Others have a locomotive and cars. Some Cool Trains for wealthy elites have luxurious cabins with lounges, a dining car, and a theater. The BigBad may use their train as a BaseOnWheels. Some are armored trains, either the locomotive and cars having thick plate armor on the sides, a detachment of soldiers inside, and firing ports [[MoreDakka bristling with guns]].

Well, lots of these are actually only Cool Locomotives -- including the page image -- but hey, let's not split hairs.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Cars}}'' has [[RailroadTracksofDoom Trev Diesel,]] a red and yellow diesel locomotive that almost hit Lightning [=McQueen=] on his way to Radiator Springs, while the sequel has Stephenson, a British bullet train used by Mater, Finn [=McMissile=], and Holly Shiftwell to get from Paris, France to Porto Corsa, Italy.