Keep having dreams about trains, why?

Question

For the past several years, from time to time, I have dreams about trains or subways. In some dreams, I'm trying to find the train (usually in Grand Central Station in NYC), in others, I'm trying to figure out which train I should take. In others, I am just wandering around the terminal. Some dreams have been on a train, going from one car to the next.

Similar themes with the subway dreams. In some dreams, I'm trying to navigate the subway station to find my subway, or I'm waiting for my train, or I'm just riding around the subway. If I am on the subway, I'm concerned that I am on the wrong one.

Sometimes the trains are also delayed, late, stuck, or they have to turn around.

Often, in the dream, I am stressed about either getting to the train or locating the track the train leaves on. In none of the dreams have I been on the train and relaxed; there is always some stress involved with it.

Sometimes, the dream is really just focused on me being in the terminal and doing something, buying something, or just browsing the shops. But even in those cases, I'm always cognizant of the fact that I am in the train terminal.

I used to work and live in the city and have taken the trains and subways all my life, but for the past 8 years I no longer work in the city and only take the train or subway occassionaly.

Answer 1

Your dreams suggest an expression of everyday life frustrations and the occasional search for direction that we fall into - or even delightful experiences - all projected in a colorful theme of travel.

By your past living experience it seems trains of all sorts have been a big part of your life.  You likely experienced many different emotions, thoughts, formative experiences and the like even as you routinely traveled the rails of subway, elevated or express - you name it.  In doing so it seems the backdrop of the railways has become etched - as if imprinted - on your inner mind.  Trains charm - they are colorful and we cannot be exposed for long without some level of captivation - that likely figures into your dreaming experience even if you never had a conscious admiration of trains.

What counts here is the synchopation between rail travel and human mind, heart and soul.  As said above, even as you went about a busy travel schedule you would have been experiencing life's ups and downs - relaxing times, hectic times, confusion and at times wonderful clarity.  Somehow the rythm of the rails may well have knitted itself into your subconsciousness by finding a sympathetic resonance during many of those moments.  Now, when some event challenges, delights, infuriates, confounds, intrigues or promises, that rythm returns.  You find yourself pleasantly in the shops rewarding yourself, or perhaps wistfully just gazing.  Other times you are frantic for direction and sometimes you know the way and time - but life won't cooperate and the train is stuck or late.

Think about how proximate events today may relate to certain of these train related dreams that continue.  Do you dream of confusion in the station at a time when life is throwing curves at you and direction is not easy to sense?  Do you relax and browse the shops when you feel flush with the means to enjoy life?  See if these things tie in this way - that may help in your understanding.

All the best to you.

Answer 2

trains as a travel vehicle can symbolize the present state of your life journey. so when on e is delayed its referring to your life with depression or stress. and when you cant find one, its like you are confused or lost in life at the moment. but when you are on a train its most likely referring to success and moving forward in life.

BUT

a train an also be a pun for teaching or regulating behavior.

(maybe kids?)

being stranded is the suggestion that you are caught between,  or have ambivalence about, two people, two choices, two stages. if you have made a deliberate stop/ detour in it may reflect that you have reached another level or stage physically or emotionally.

Answer 3

From my understanding of train dreams, they usually have to do with your direction in life. If you are moving forward in the dream, you are heading in the right direction, if you are walking against the direction of the dream, you are fighting the direction your life is taking. If you get off the train too soon, you are avoiding something...think of it as a vehicle that carries along your path in life and consider what you are doing in relation to the vehicle taking you along.