---
title: "Space Shuttle vs train carriage — size, weight and speed compa"
description: "Space Shuttle is somewhat greater than train carriage on weight — about 1.2×. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/space-shuttle-vs-train-carriage/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Space Shuttle vs Train carriage

**Space Shuttle vs train carriage: Space Shuttle is larger on weight**

Space Shuttle is somewhat greater than train carriage on weight — about 1.2×.

A Space Shuttle and a train carriage can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | Space Shuttle | Train carriage |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 78–2,030 t | 35–75 t |
| Height | 17.25 m | 3.7–5.2 m |
| Length | 37.24 m | 20–26.4 m |
| Width | 23.79 m | 2.7–3.2 m |

## What the numbers say

- Space Shuttle is somewhat greater than train carriage on weight — about 1.2×.
- Space Shuttle is 3.5× train carriage on height.
- Space Shuttle is somewhat greater than train carriage on length — about 1.4×.
- Space Shuttle is 7.7× train carriage on width.

*Weight compared.*

- Space Shuttle: 78–2,030 t
- Train carriage: 35–75 t

## Space Shuttle

The reusable NASA orbiter flown on 135 missions between 1981 and 2011.

## Train carriage

A single passenger railway vehicle; North American cars run longer and heavier than European ones.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, Space Shuttle or train carriage?

Space Shuttle is somewhat greater than train carriage on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do Space Shuttles and train carriages compare on height?

Space Shuttle: 17.25 m. Train carriage: 3.7–5.2 m. Space Shuttle is 3.5× train carriage on height.

### How do Space Shuttles and train carriages compare on length?

Space Shuttle: 37.24 m. Train carriage: 20–26.4 m. Space Shuttle is somewhat greater than train carriage on length — about 1.4×.

## Related pages

- [Boeing 737 vs Space Shuttle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/boeing-737-vs-space-shuttle/)
- [Boeing 737 vs train carriage](https://atoneplace.net/vs/boeing-737-vs-train-carriage/)
- [International Space Station vs Space Shuttle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/international-space-station-vs-space-shuttle/)
- [Boeing 747 vs Space Shuttle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/boeing-747-vs-space-shuttle/)
- [Airbus A380 vs Space Shuttle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/airbus-a380-vs-space-shuttle/)
- [Boeing 747 vs train carriage](https://atoneplace.net/vs/boeing-747-vs-train-carriage/)
- [Saturn V vs Space Shuttle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/saturn-v-vs-space-shuttle/)

## Sources

- NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration (https://www.nasa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)