Historic time period: 1801–1861
All Aboard the Train!
Railroads have moved people and cargo around America for more than 180 years.
Jingle the Brass is a book about a young boy who learns words used by railroad workers of the steam-engine era while on an exciting train trip. Explore the story by reading together and then try some of these fun activities to learn more about trains and the impact they had on American history.
The National Museum of American History has a rich collection of objects related to the story of transportation in America. Explore the collections in two online exhibitions, America on the Move and On the Water.
Read This Book
You can learn more about trains by reading these books. Click on the book titles below for more information, or visit our complete bibliography.
More Recommended Books
- The John Bull: A British Locomotive Comes to America by David Weitzman
- The John Bull 150 Years a Locomotive by John H. White, Jr.
Featured Book
Jingle the Brass
by Patricia Newman
Jingle the Brass. Copyright Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Recommended Book
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Read Jingle the Brass
Ride a train with a friendly conductor who teaches a young boy how to talk like a railroader.
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Activities
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Sing, Play, and Cook Railroad-Style
Play and Create
Have fun while using your new railroad "lingo" for these simple activities.
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John Bull Riding the Rails
Learn from Objects
See the steam locomotive John Bull when it was run on its 150th birthday.
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Trains Near You
Take a Trip
Explore a place near you that is connected to trains--a train station, museum, or a lookout spot for train tracks.
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