Trains Printables

01
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Train Facts

Union Pacific 9000
Union Pacific 9000 is an important part of the steam evolution history and one of only 3 three-cylinder steam locomotives preserved. ©2015 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

George Stephenson invented the steam locomotive, the predecessor of modern trains, in 1814. After 10 months of tinkering, Stephenson, who worked in the coal mining industry, produced his first train, which he named, "Blucher." Stephenson's track was just 450 feet long, but his engine hauled eight loaded coal wagons weighing 30 tons at about 4 mph. 

Since then, trains have been an integral part of world and U.S. history, notes  History.com:

  • Trains helped the North win the Civil War.
  • The world’s first travel agency got its start thanks to a train trip.
  • Railroads gave us standardized time zones.
  • The miles of railroad track in the United States reached its peak in 1916 (with nearly 400,000 miles).

As of 2014, there were still more than 160,000 miles of train tracks in the U.S., with each mile generating more than $820,0000 a year, according to Rail Serve. Teach students these and other interesting train facts using free printables offered in the following slides.

02
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Trains Wordsearch

Print the pdf: Trains Word Search

In this first activity, students will locate 10 words commonly associated with trains. Use the activity to discover what they already know about trains and spark discussion about the terms with which they're unfamiliar.

03
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Trains Vocabulary

Print the pdf: Trains Vocabulary Sheet

In this activity, students match each of the 10 words from the word bank with the appropriate definition. It’s a perfect way for students to learn key terms associated with trains.

04
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Trains Crossword Puzzle

Print the pdf: Trains Crossword Puzzle

Invite your students to learn more about trains by matching the clue with the appropriate term in this fun crossword puzzle. Each key term has been included in a word bank to make the activity accessible for younger students. 

05
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Trains Challenge

Print the pdf: Trains Challenge

This multiple-choice challenge will test your student's knowledge of the facts related to trains. Let your child practice his research skills by investigating at your local library or on the internet to discover the answers to questions about which he's unsure.

06
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Trains Alphabet Activity

Print the pdf: Trains Alphabet Activity

Elementary-age students can practice their alphabetizing skills with this activity. They'll place the words associated with trains in alphabetical order.

07
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Trains Draw and Write

Print the pdf: Trains Draw and Write Page

Young children or students can draw a picture of a train and write a short sentence about it. Alternatively: Provide students with pictures of different kinds of trains -- such as steam, diesel or electric engine -- and then have them draw a picture of the train they chose.

08
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Fun with Trains - Tic-Tac-Toe

Print the pdf: Trains Tic-Tac-Toe Page

Prepare for this tic-tac-toe game ahead of time by cutting the pieces off at the dotted line and then cutting the pieces apart -- or have older children do this themselves. Then, have fun to play train tic-tac-toe -- featuring railroad crossing signs and conductor's hats -- with your students.

09
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Trains Visor

Print the pdf: Trains Visor.

Have students create a train visor by cutting out the visor and punching holes where indicated. Tie an elastic string to the visor fitting it to the child or student's head size. If you are using yarn or other string, use two pieces and tie a bow in back to fit the child's head.

10
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Train Theme Paper

Print the pdf: Train Theme Paper.

Have students research facts about trains -- on the internet or in books -- and then write a brief synopsis of what they learned on this train theme paper. To motivate students, show a brief documentary on trains before they tackle the paper.

11
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Train Puzzle

Print the pdf: Train Puzzle

Children will love putting together this train puzzle. Have them cut out the pieces, mix them up and then put them back together. Explain to students that before trains were invented, most goods had to be moved overland by horse-drawn carriages.

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Your Citation
Hernandez, Beverly. "Trains Printables." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/trains-printables-free-1832470. Hernandez, Beverly. (2020, August 27). Trains Printables. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/trains-printables-free-1832470 Hernandez, Beverly. "Trains Printables." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/trains-printables-free-1832470 (accessed March 28, 2024).