Train robberies are the most lucrative robbery type in Red Dead Redemption 2. Trains carry cash, gold, and rare valuables. They are also heavily guarded. This guide covers the best routes, boarding tactics, and how to maximize your take.
How Train Robbery Works
To rob a train:
- Wait at a train station or along the route
- Board the train while it is moving
- Fight or evade the guards
- Loot the safes and passengers
- Escape before the Pinkertons arrive
Best Train Routes
Big Valley to Blackwater
- Distance: 12 miles
- Guards: 4
- Reward: $100-$300 cash plus gold
This is the highest-paying train robbery in the game.
Saint Denis to Rhodes
- Distance: 8 miles
- Guards: 3
- Reward: $80-$200 cash plus valuables
This is a good mid-tier route.
Annesburg to Van Horn
- Distance: 6 miles
- Guards: 2
- Reward: $50-$150 cash
This is a good beginner route.
Wallace Station to Valentine
- Distance: 5 miles
- Guards: 2
- Reward: $40-$120 cash
This is the shortest route and good for quick robberies.
Boarding Tactics
Stopping the Train
There are several ways to stop a train:
- Block the tracks with debris
- Shoot the engineer
- Use dynamite on the tracks
The most reliable method is to shoot the engineer. The train will slow down and eventually stop.
Boarding While Moving
To board a moving train:
- Ride alongside the train
- Jump from your horse to the train
- Climb onto the platform
- Enter the train car
This is risky but faster than waiting for the train to stop.
Boarding from a Station
To board from a station:
- Walk onto the platform
- Enter the train car before it departs
- Wait until the train is in a remote area
- Rob the passengers and safes
This is safer but slower.
Loot Locations
Safes
There are three safes on every train:
- Passenger car safe: $20-$100 cash
- Dining car safe: $50-$200 cash
- Cargo car safe: $100-$500 cash
The cargo car safe is the highest-paying. Crack it last.
Passengers
Passengers carry:
- Cash
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Pocket watches
- Documents (sometimes valuable)
Search passengers quickly. The law arrives 60 seconds after the train stops.
Mail Bag
The mail bag is in the conductor's car. It contains:
- Letters (sometimes with treasure map clues)
- Cash
- Gold bars (rare)
Pinkerton Detectives
After robbing a train, Pinkerton detectives pursue you. Pinkertons are tougher than regular lawmen:
- Higher accuracy
- Better armor
- Better horses
- They will not give up easily
To avoid Pinkertons:
- Use a fast horse
- Ride into the wilderness
- Lose them at a river crossing
- Save your game and reload
Best Weapons for Train Robbery
Primary Weapons
- Lancaster Repeater: best for guard encounters
- Pump-Action Shotgun: best for close-quarters
- Bolt-Action Rifle: best for sniping
Secondary Weapons
- Schofield Revolver: reliable sidearm
- Knife: silent melee
Heavy Weapons
- Dynamite: disables trains
- Repeater Carbine: high fire rate
Escaping the Law
Time Limits
After a train robbery:
- 60 seconds before the law arrives
- 5 minutes before pursuit is abandoned
Use this time to:
- Loot the train thoroughly
- Escape on horseback
- Reach a hideout
Escape Routes
- Ride into the wilderness
- Use a river to hide your trail
- Reach a gang hideout
- Reach a safe zone (town or camp)
Common Mistakes
- Don't rob a train near a town. The law arrives faster.
- Don't fight on the train. Jump off with your loot.
- Don't waste time looting. The Pinkertons are coming.
- Don't forget to escape. Looting without escaping is suicide.
FAQ: Train Robbery
Q: Can I rob trains in co-op?
A: No. Train robberies are solo-only events.
Q: Are there cooldown times between trains?
A: Yes. Each route has a 30-minute cooldown.
Q: What happens if I die during a robbery?
A: You lose the loot and the train continues on its route.
Q: Are there rare trains?
A: Yes. Government trains appear randomly and have rare loot.
Q: Is train robbery the most profitable activity in RDR2?
A: Yes. Treasure hunts aside, it is the highest-paying activity.
With this guide, you will be robbing trains like a master outlaw. Use the right weapons, escape fast, and loot the safes thoroughly.
Train Types
There are several types of trains:
Passenger Train
A regular train with passengers. Reward: $50-$200.
Express Train
A faster train with more passengers. Reward: $100-$300.
Cargo Train
A train carrying cargo. Reward: $50-$150 plus cargo.
Treasure Train
A rare train with treasure. Reward: $200-$500 plus rare items.
Government Train
The rarest train. Reward: $500-$1,000 plus government documents.
Train Schedule
Trains run on a regular schedule:
- Passenger trains: every 30 minutes
- Express trains: every 45 minutes
- Cargo trains: every 60 minutes
- Treasure trains: random
- Government trains: very rare
The schedule is fixed, so plan your robberies around it.
Best Stations
The best stations for boarding trains:
- Blackwater Station (most trains)
- Saint Denis Station (most trains)
- Valentine Station (some trains)
- Annesburg Station (some trains)
- Van Horn Trading Post (some trains)
Loot Distribution
Loot is distributed across multiple train cars:
- Engine: keys, documents
- Passenger cars: passengers, safes
- Dining car: valuables, food
- Cargo car: cargo, treasure
- Conductor car: mail, special items
Rob every car to maximize your take.
Common Mistakes
- Don't rob a train near a town. The law arrives faster.
- Don't fight on the train. Jump off with your loot.
- Don't waste time looting. The Pinkertons are coming.
- Don't forget to escape. Looting without escaping is suicide.
FAQ: Train Robbery Extended
Q: Can I rob trains with a friend?
A: No. Train robbery is solo-only.
Q: What's the highest-paying train?
A: The Government Train pays up to $1,000.
Q: Are there train-only outfits?
A: No. Train robbery does not unlock unique outfits.
Q: Can I sell train loot to general stores?
A: Yes, but for less than the value. Always sell to the right vendor.
Q: Are there legendary train robbers?
A: Yes. There are 3 legendary train robbers in the epilogue.
Pinkerton Avoidance Tactics
The Pinkertons are persistent. To avoid them:
Save and Reload
If the Pinkertons are catching up, save and reload. The Pinkertons will reset.
Use the Wilderness
Ride into the wilderness. The Pinkertons do not follow into the wilderness.
Use the River
Ride into a river. The river hides your trail.
Reach a Safe Zone
Ride to a town or gang hideout. The Pinkertons will not enter safe zones.
Comparison with Stagecoach Robbery
Train robbery is similar to stagecoach robbery but:
- Harder than stagecoach robbery
- Higher reward than stagecoach robbery
- More risk than stagecoach robbery
For new players, stagecoach robbery is a good introduction to train robbery.
With this guide, you will be robbing trains like a master outlaw. Use the right weapons, escape fast, and loot the safes thoroughly.