Train (obstacle)

Trains, also referred to as N64 Expresses, are stage obstacles in Kalimari Desert in Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart Tour. 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 and Mario Kart Tour. Both trains in the course travel along an elliptical track that the player crosses twice; at each crossing lies a crossbuck and a set of two lights that flash if a train approaches. The player flips over if they hit any part of the train, including the passenger cars. In Mario Kart Tour, the player performs a Jump Boost and is launched into the air if they touch a train.

In VS Mode for two players in Mario Kart 64, there is 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 multiplayer mode for Mario Kart 7 and in Kalimari Desert 2 in Mario Kart Tour, one of the trains is absent. The train in Kalimari Desert 2 also moves at a much slower speed than those found in the original Kalimari Desert. 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 reverse variants, or at the first one in the trick variant, do not affect the train. In the Wii Virtual Console release of Mario Kart 64, the train's wheels are colored black instead of red. The reason for this change is unknown.

A train also appears in the background of Sydney Sprint, Sydney Sprint 2, and Amsterdam Drift. In the Sydney Sprint courses, the passengers on the train will throw items such as Green Shells, Dash Mushrooms, and Bob-ombs onto the road. In the latter course, a train appears in the background of the course. A tram also appears near the end of the course, which is known as a train in-game. It allows the player to perform a Jump Boost when hit, similarly to the train in Kalimari Desert.

In Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Mario Kart Tour, there are flying trains that appear in, several bonus challenges in 3DS Rainbow Road and Merry Mountain. 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.

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