For decades, trains have captured the imaginations of people around the world and of all ages. The basic concept of transporting people and goods on wheeled vehicles guided by rails actually goes back to the ancient world, but the increasing presence of steam locomotives in the 19th century was a game-changer worldwide. As track routes grew bigger, trains became an efficient means to travel long distances with large payloads. Eventually, they could transport people across continents faster than any other mode of transportation at the time. Trains continue to play a key role in modern society. The history of the railroad is a captivating tale, which is inextricably linked to every key event of the 19th and 20th centuries.