How to Draw a Train (Easy Step by Step)
A train is a great first drawing because it is made almost entirely of rectangles and circles. You will build the engine, the cab, the chimney, the wheels and a few puffs of steam, one simple shape at a time. When you are done, you will have a cheerful little locomotive ready to chug across the page.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a train step by step
How to Draw a Train · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: The engine body
Start near the bottom left of your page and draw a line straight up. Curve it around a rounded corner, then draw straight across to the right. This is the front and top of the engine.
Step 2: The cab
At the right end of the engine's top line, draw two tall straight lines side by side for the cab walls. Cap them with a flat roof that sticks out a little on both sides.
Step 3: The cab window
Inside the cab, draw a rectangle with rounded corners. Leave a little space between it and the walls.
Step 4: Chimney and dome
On top of the engine, near the front, draw a skinny funnel that is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top, like a tiny trumpet. Then draw a small half circle bump on the top line, between the chimney and the cab, for the steam dome.
Step 5: Cowcatcher and bottom line
At the front bottom corner, draw a slanted four-sided shape that is wider at the bottom, for the cowcatcher. Then draw a bumpy line from it along the bottom of the engine, with two gentle bumps where the small wheels will go, ending at the cab wall.
Step 6: The wheels
Draw two small circles under the engine and one big circle under the cab. Let the tops of the small wheels tuck up behind the bottom line.
Step 7: Hubs and porthole
Draw a smaller circle in the middle of each wheel for the hub. Add one small round porthole circle on the side of the engine, and a short line to finish the bottom edge between the middle wheel and the big wheel.
Step 8: Puffs of smoke
Above the chimney, draw three small circles floating up and to the right. Leave gaps between them so they look like puffs drifting in the air.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your train? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw an airplane or how to draw a sailboat next.
Tips for drawing a train
- Draw the bumpy bottom line slowly so the three wheels can sit neatly under it.
- The three wheels can be tricky. Trace a coin or a bottle cap for the small ones and a larger lid for the big one.
- Keep the three smoke puffs spaced out so they look like they are drifting up and away.
Free train coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this train coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your train drawing
Try a bright red engine with a blue cab and yellow wheels, and color the smoke puffs light gray. The window and the porthole look nice in a pale blue.
Train fun fact for kids
One of the first steam locomotives to pull a load on rails was built by Richard Trevithick in 1804 in Wales. Steam from boiling water pushed pistons that turned the wheels.
Questions about drawing a train
What shapes do I need to draw a train?
You need rectangles for the engine and cab, circles for the wheels, hubs and smoke, and a slanted four-sided shape for the front. A thin funnel shape makes the chimney.
How do I make my train wheels look round?
Trace a coin, a bottle cap or a jar lid with a pencil. You can also draw a light square first and fit the circle inside it.
How do I make my train look cuter?
Make the shapes big and rounded, and draw lots of puffy smoke. You can add more round portholes along the side of the engine.
