Trains Run! will appeal to train enthusiasts. With the repeated refrain:

Steam engine,
gas engine,
electric engine too.
Chooka-chooka! Vroom zoom!
Hssss! Whoo-oo-whoo!

The rhythmic text helps to paint a picture of the role of trains past and present, of where they travel, and their power and strength.

The illustrations capture a feeling of movement and the majesty of trains. Characters in the illustrations are of diverse race, age, and lifestyle.