Who was the first American president to travel on a train?

The first American president to travel on a train was Abraham Lincoln. The use of railroads during Lincoln's presidency was significant, both for his presidential campaigns and for the transport of troops and supplies during the Civil War. His inaugural journey to Washington, D.C., in February 1861 included a notable train trip from Illinois that helped demonstrate the importance of rail travel as a means of connecting the country and facilitating communication.

While George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Ulysses S. Grant played important roles in U.S. history, their presidencies were before the advent of widespread railway travel in the United States. Washington served prior to any significant rail systems being developed, and Jackson's presidency occurred during the early years of the rail era but before it had become a common mode of transport for national leaders. Grant's presidency came after Lincoln, so he was not the first. Hence, Lincoln’s use of the train marks an important milestone in presidential history.