For decades, trains have been a vital part of our lives, revolutionizing transportation and connecting people across great distances. Whether you’re a train aficionado or just interested in stories of human ingenuity, these 11 fascinating facts about trains from around the world will astound you. As an added bonus, we’ll look into Zoop, an online railway e-catering service that’s making train journeys even more enjoyable.
11 Fascinating Facts From Around The World
1. India’s Timeless Gem: The World’s Oldest Working Steam Locomotive
The Fairy Queen, which was built in 1855, is the world’s oldest running steam locomotive in India. It has been painstakingly conserved and continues to operate on special heritage cruises on occasion!
2. Platform Extravaganza: Gorakhpur’s Record-Breaking Railway Platform
The Gorakhpur Junction in Gorakhpur, India, has the world’s longest railway platform, reaching over 1,366.33 meters. This station is a frequent transit point for commuters traveling to numerous Northern Indian destinations.
3. Speed Demons: Japan’s Rocketing Shinkansen Trains
Japan’s Shinkansen, also known as the “bullet train,” is renowned for its incredible speed. The fastest Shinkansen, the F7 series, can reach mind-boggling speeds of up to 400 kilometers per hour!
4. A Journey Across Continents: The Epic Trans-Siberian Railway
Stretching across Russia, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world, covering a distance of approximately 9,289 kilometers. It offers breathtaking views of Russia’s diverse landscapes.
5. Luxury on Rails: The Legendary Orient Express
The Orient Express is a legendary luxury train that previously ran between Paris and Istanbul. It has been featured in various books, films, and television shows, including Agatha Christie’s famous novel- “Murder on the Orient Express.”
6. Defying Gravity: Germany’s Floating Schwebebahn
The Schwebebahn, a unique suspended monorail system in Wuppertal, Germany, has been in operation since 1901. It’s an engineering marvel that still surprises people to this day, by appearing to “float” above the Wupper River.
7. All Aboard History: The Birth of Public Railways
In the United Kingdom, the Stockton and Darlington Railway changed the way people traveled by becoming the world’s first public railway. It opened in 1825, marking the start of the railway revolution.
8. Scaling New Heights: The Jungfraubahn to the ‘Top of Europe’
The Jungfraubahn in Switzerland takes passengers to the Jungfraujoch, the “Top of Europe,” at an elevation of 11,332 ft above sea level. It is Europe’s highest railway station.
9. The Thrill of Train Street: Hanoi’s Unusual Railroad Experience
A narrow residential neighborhood called “Train Street” in Hanoi, Vietnam, has tracks running through it. A train travels through the street twice a day, just inches away from the houses, creating a unique and thrilling spectacle.
10. Beneath the Sea: The Marvel of the Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel, which connects the United Kingdom with France, is an engineering marvel. It is the longest undersea tunnel in the world, reaching 50.45 kilometers beneath the English Channel.
Bonus Fact: Zoop – India’s Favorite Train Food Delivery Service
Zoop is an online train food delivery service that has transformed the way Indian train passengers dine in trains. As the official e-catering partner of IRCTC, Zoop offers a wide choice of mouthwatering meals on train, catering to varied preferences. What sets Zoop apart is its pledge to exclusively deliver from FSSAI-approved (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) restaurants, ensuring the highest safety standards for your train food delivery. Passengers can savor both international and regional cuisines, enriching their train journeys with an unforgettable culinary experience.
Trains continue to be a symbol of human inventiveness and connectivity, with each country bringing its own stories and inventions to the world of train travel. These fascinating facts, ranging from vintage locomotives to cutting-edge high-speed trains, remind us of our enduring fascination with trains and their significance in shaping our world. So, the next time you board a train, pause to appreciate the rich history and different experiences that train travel has to offer. Don’t forget to check out Zoop’s hasslefree train food delivery, and enjoy yummy meals on train, during your upcoming travel.
