Write a short story that takes place on a train.

Posted in High School on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 128 stories

“The Train to Berlin” by Tim Law

Submitted to Contest #27

Our journey by truck from Siberia to Hamburg had been murder. The cold seeped into our very souls and refused to leave no matter the clothing we wore and the coffee we consumed. The whole uncomfortable trip I worried greatly for our precious discovery, cursing my fiancé Doctor Herman Frederick as he seemingly picked every pothole he could spot along the road we traveled. We both breathed a sigh of relief as the lights of Hamburg came in to view. It gladdened my heart to be amongst civilization again; the comforts of a decent meal and a large...

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“Memories” by Mushroom (flammulina Velutipes)

Submitted to Contest #27

The train is a small, rickety thing. The sound of its wheels whirring and bumping over the tracks is everpresent, and the constant murmur of conversation in most of the cars can't drown it out.I don't mind it so much. The consistency of it is soothing. If I focus on it, I can almost forget I'm surrounded by people in this stuffy, hot train car and imagine I'm going on this journey for the first time, excited and nervous, my stomach in knots and my eyes bright with anticipation.The memories still bring back that sense of aching nostalgia, tho...

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“the trip” by Sandra Claros

Submitted to Contest #27

1.933.It was summer and a vast swamp could be seen through the window of that lousy train, running under the vapor of the heat in sublimation that only showed a few and wobbly profiles of trees and bushes lost among crocodiles and birds flying in the distant horizon, as infinite as it would be.Take it! – an old-witched woman, wearing a large hat.I took the branch and put it in my luggage In the passengers vehicle, there was a young reddish haired lady in a brown dress and shoes, sitting by the dusty window wit...

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“Royal Orleans” by Mike Garrigan

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #27

. . . the clack-clack of a moving train. I pulled my left cheek from the worn wooden floor. The planks smelled of tar, dirt, and hay. The open boxcar door rattled as the green countryside zoomed by.I winced as a splinter pierced my palm. I shook my hand up and down to abate the pain. Bales of straw lined the front and back of the box car. In the distance, I heard a soft twittering sound. It reminded me of music producer Brian Eno’s synth line in the opening measures of “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads. How did I get here? I tho...

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“The Ride Home” by Deanna West

Submitted to Contest #27

The Ride HomeI like to have the window seat, its peaceful looking out beyond the world at God's beautiful creations: the birds, the buildings, the landscape etc.; he's definitely a man of many talents. I know this trainroute by heart and could probably take it with my eyes closed... Well actuallysometimes I do. I just sit back and envision myself being on a nice beachsomewhere or just anywhere tropical and before I know it I'm at my destination. In case you'rewondering where I'm heading, I'm going back to school... Well back to college.I g...

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“Talking on trains” by Marte Van Der Linden

Submitted to Contest #27

I had come to the decision that it was time to do something reckless. People have different definitions of reckless. Some climb tall buildings without any ropes. Others drink themselves into an early grave. A few wrestle crocodiles. Me, I got on the 15:37 InterCity to Vienna with the intention of speaking to someone.It was the perfect train for my reckless endeavour. The journey would take more than four hours and the train was just busy enough. Plenty of people, but not to the extent that it was standing room only. I would have to sit down ...

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“The Devil's Train” by Royalty Beans

Submitted to Contest #27

“Where are we going?” I wasn’t on a train when I shut my eyes, so why now when I opened them? I caressed my forearm with gentle fingertips, feeling the tingle of my nerves run up and down with my hand’s movements. This couldn’t have been a dream, right? It felt real, yet surreal all the while. I pinched a flab of my pale, fragile skin between two chewed-up fingernails, feeling the sting. Not a soul answered my question. However, every head turned to eye my frightened figure. One of them, even, resembling an owl: widened eyes, somehow unbroke...

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“The Attendant” by Zosia Appleton

Submitted to Contest #27

It was my first time on a train. It was my first time on anything like it, never before had I been on a bus, tram, plane or metro. It would not have been allowed, even if we had the money. My dad said there were too many people on trains. He did not trust their wandering eyes and creaky jackets and their briefcases and bags that could hold anything and be held by anyone. He didn't trust the attendants’ chipped nails and ever-calm, blank faces. He wanted to see when they worried, wanted to see if something was wrong. I do not trust...

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“When All Grows Dark” by Chantel Chamonix

Submitted to Contest #27

“Home isn’t where you’re from, it’s where you find light when all grows dark.” – Pierce Brown “Welcome. The destination of this train is Providence, Rhode Island.” Providence. The irony is marked. There’s no protection in Providence for me, no divine shelter. "Please have your tickets or passes ready to present to the conductors as they walk through the train. Additionally, please be aware that our complimentary wifi will not be available on this train, we apologize for the inconvenience.” As the automated recording came to a fi...

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“Freaks and Oddities” by Eleanor S

Submitted to Contest #27

The loud whistle sounded, warning all passengers of the train’s departure. Still by the ticket booth, tapping his foot against the cobblestone setting, Castle handed his money to the keeper. The train slowly moved forward, it’s wheels screeching against the new rail tracks.The Keeper remained unconcerned, and took his leisurely time retrieving Castle’s ticket. Castle’s wingtips tapped faster. Nervously, he tightened his tie and straightened his vest and jacket. When the Keeper offered the ticket, Castle slapped it from his hand and ran ...

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“Death on the Silent Express” by Haven W

Submitted to Contest #27

I was never one for trains because they scared me. I’m still not a fan of them but sometimes it’s nice to have a variety of transportation. Something about trains makes them mysterious yet intriguing. The Silent Express is exactly as the name implies. Silent. It makes it perfect for people who want to work or for people who enjoy quiet. I enjoy the quiet. I gently place my suitcase on the seat across from me. Snuggling up towards the window seat, I focus my gaze to the outside world. People wave frantically, handkerc...

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“Local Exhibit” by Katy Schwartz

Submitted to Contest #27

Through the dirt-smeared window, Mona could see the swirling graffiti zipping by on the cracking, crumbling brickwork that boxed Queens County in at the edges. White plastic fences, badly in need of a power-wash, marked with pseudonym symbols and false signatures capped with cartoon crowns; blacks and reds and blues. Something to stand out against all that gray in the air. The first time she’d ridden into the city, on this very same local lin...

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“A Horse Thief in Detroit” by Ty Hall

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #27

Rick felt out-of-place, like a horse thief in Detroit. Like he was born a century too late. Acrobatically anachronistic, he swung and looped into whatever time frame suited his mind, fluctuating from architect to astronaut on a whim. So he went to the saloon. He liked this bar. It was one of the oldest in the area and still had its original wood panels, hung upon which were tin signs and confessions of love (or obscenities) scrawled out in permanent marker. The bartender was new and didn't recognize him. The bar is called The Railyard. It wa...

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“IRL” by Gareth Clegg

Submitted to Contest #27

May 2022It was November 2021 when I became notorious as public enemy number one, hunted by the organisation known as FreeMind.FreeMind, as I’m certain everyone is aware, seemed to be a cult of asshats moaning about Armageddon, the end of the world, you know? All the usual cultish crap you see on TV. They were evangelical and recruited fiercely. Their numbers growing like humping rabbits locked in a Viagra factory.I’m not really sure how I got myself into this, but I need to write it down so someone can hear the truth in case they get to me. ...

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“The Horrors of Travel” by Mary Lombardi

Submitted to Contest #27

I’m tired, hungry, want to throw up, and have the growing need to use a bathroom. Dragging my heavy suitcase from the cramped taxi to the busy bus station did not help with my irritability either. By the time I got onto the red line that you must board on the green platform, of which two are closed because of construction, I was ready to scream at the next person who waved a newspaper in my face while screaming at me in no less than five different languages. I drag my suitcase into the aisle of the cramped train, find the seat that re...

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Write a short story that takes place on a train.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 128 stories

“The Train to Berlin” by Tim Law

“Memories” by Mushroom (flammulina Velutipes)

“the trip” by Sandra Claros

“Royal Orleans” by Mike Garrigan

“The Ride Home” by Deanna West

“Talking on trains” by Marte Van Der Linden

“The Devil's Train” by Royalty Beans

“The Attendant” by Zosia Appleton

“When All Grows Dark” by Chantel Chamonix

“Freaks and Oddities” by Eleanor S

“Death on the Silent Express” by Haven W

“Local Exhibit” by Katy Schwartz

“A Horse Thief in Detroit” by Ty Hall

“IRL” by Gareth Clegg

“The Horrors of Travel” by Mary Lombardi

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a short story about a jury of people tasked with making a decision. (It doesn't necessarily need to be a court jury.)

Write a short story in which a specialist is called upon to carry out a job.

Write a short story that ends with a twist.

Write a short story that takes place in a quaint, idyllic, English village.

Contest #27

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

379

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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