Trenul în călătoriile imaginare
The Train in Imaginary Journeys

Summary/Abstract: In the 19th century, the train became a source of fascination and inspiration for all cultural forms, as it symbolized technological progress, radically transformed mobility, and reshaped both the natural landscape and urban civilization. From its earliest days, the invention of the train inspired writers and artists alike. Many literary and artistic representations depict a novel atmosphere, such as the crowding in train stations, the confusion of passengers urged to board quickly, since this means of transport stopped for only a few minutes at the platforms. Speed, locomotive smoke, the narrow space, and the discomfort of third-class travel also became key themes explored in various cultural and artistic works dedicated to the train and the railway.In the 19th century, the train provided European literature with a wealth of lyrical poetry, short stories, travel journals, and detective novels. Artistic works – especially engravings, drawings, caricatures, and photographs – were used to illustrate books or periodicals. Silent cinema also popularized the railway. The noisy, unpleasantly-smelling “iron beast” reshaped everyday life and inspired artistic creation in a distinctive and persistent way.

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