Train (obstacle)

Trains, also referred to as N64 Expresses, are stage obstacles in Kalimari Desert throughout the Mario Kart series. They are red-and-black coal-powered steam locomotives with five passenger cars in Mario Kart 64, and three passenger cars in Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart Tour, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

A similar train called the K64 appears in Paper Mario, with the music that plays when Mario rides it being an arrangement of Kalimari Desert's music.

Mario Kart 64
The Kalimari Desert course in Mario Kart 64 features two trains, both of which travel along an elliptical track that the player crosses twice; at each crossing lies two crossbucks atop pairs of lights that flash if a train approaches. The player flips over if they hit any part of the train, including the passenger cars. In VS Mode for two players in Mario Kart 64, the train has only one passenger car, while in the Grand Prix for two players, as well as in VS Mode for three and four players, all cars including the tender are removed.

In the Wii Virtual Console release, the train's wheels are colored black instead of red.

Mario Kart 7
Trains reappear in the Mario Kart 7 rendition of N64 Kalimari Desert, once again acting as obstacles for drivers. They can be taken out by driving into them while under the effects of a Super Star. In the multiplayer mode, one of the trains is absent.

Mario Kart Tour
In Mario Kart Tour, trains launch drivers up in the air while giving them a Jump Boost. They can be taken out by hitting them with a Super Horn or by driving into them while invincible or under the effects of a Mega Mushroom, granting points in the process. Aside from N64 Kalimari Desert, one train also appears in N64 Kalimari Desert 2, moving at a much lower speed than those found in the former course. If a player waits long enough after a race, it can be seen that the barriers found at the second intersection in the normal and R variants, or at the first one in the T variant, do not affect the train.

Amsterdam Drift features two course elements that act like the trains in N64 Kalimari Desert, giving drivers Jump Boosts when touched and "Train" points when taken out. One of these is a train resembling a cross between a and a TWINDEXX Swiss Express, which travels on a viaduct along a canal that separates the Amsterdam and  segments of the track; the other is a tram pertaining to the Amsterdam  that resembles a series 725–779 tram, which moves back and forth along a short portion of the track near the finish line.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Kalimari Desert and the train reappear in the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Like in the games prior to Mario Kart Tour, it knocks over any racers that drive into it. One of the locomotives pulling the N64 express are based on the Western & Atlantic Railroad's The General and Jupiter and the Sierra Railway No. 3.

Other trains with gameplay roles in the Mario Kart series
Flying trains appear in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on and in Mario Kart Tour on Merry Mountain and several bonus challenges on 3DS Rainbow Road. Toads ride on them and throw coins or rings on the track for the player. They can also carry Star Rings that can be glided through.

Trains also appear in the background of Sydney Sprint, Sydney Sprint 2, and their variants in Mario Kart Tour and in the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The passengers on the train resembling a Sydney Trains Tangara Set will throw items such as Green Shells, Mushrooms, and Bob-ombs onto the road.