7 Hilarious Far Side Comics That Will Make You Think Twice About Riding Trains

Among the pantheon of comic strips, few resonate as profoundly as The Far Side, created by Gary Larson. With a unique blend of absurdity and sharp wit, Larson captures the humor inherent in everyday life, revealing the hilarity that lies in even the most mundane scenarios. The comic’s charm lies in its ability to invoke laughter from the strangest subjects, from trees to aliens, and notably, to trains.

What sets The Far Side apart from other comic strips is its lack of a central character. Instead, it features a series of whimsical and often absurd situations aimed solely at delivering punchlines. Within this framework, the absurdity surrounding trains is particularly noteworthy.

7 Even Trains Have Their Own Form of ‘Turbulence’ in The Far Side

A train going over bumpy tracks in The Far Side.

In one memorable comic, a train encounters a series of bumps while navigating a bend in the tracks. The engineer humorously warns passengers of the impending jolts, calling it “trackulence”instead of turbulence. While “trackulence”is a fictional term, it cleverly parallels real-life turbulence experienced by airplanes, highlighting the comic’s whimsical approach to transportation.

This clever analogy exploits the absurdity of the situation, as a train encountering such severe bumps would likely derail, but therein lies the humor—only in The Far Side could one find such a ludicrous concept.

6 The Far Side Redefines the Meaning of a “Runaway Train”

A woman putting away her groceries in The Far Side.

In another comic scene, a woman is depicted putting away groceries that serve as a backdrop for a humorous twist. Instead of ordinary shopping bags, her groceries are emblazoned with missing posters for runaway trains, humorously insinuating that these massive machines have “run away from home.”This play on words where trains go missing replicates the seriousness of missing child notifications, making the absurdity even more potent.

The juxtaposition of children and trains—concepts that are vastly different in reality—demonstrates Larson’s talent for creating humor from the unexpected.

5 The Far Side Takes 1 Famous Tune Way Too Literally

A man named Webster getting in trouble with his boss at the railroad in The Far Side.

Another standout comic features an employee named Webster who faces his boss’s wrath over his work hours. As Webster’s boss criticizes him, he quips, “Working for the railroad, Webster, means working all the livelong day,”referencing the well-known folk song “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”

This humorous interpretation suggests that the song serves as a mantra for railroad workers, rendering pedestrian work habits laughably inappropriate within this context.

4 The Far Side Proves There’s Nothing Fun About “Workin’ on the Railroad All the Live-Long Day”

A group of railroad workers doing their job in The Far Side.

A further comic portrays a group of railroad workers, where only one is cheerfully singing along to the same song. While he seems unfazed by his surroundings, his coworkers exhibit visible annoyance, establishing a humorous contrast between new enthusiasm and seasoned pessimism.

The visual portrayal of a newcomer blissfully out of touch with the grueling nature of railroad work accentuates the comedic contrast between different levels of experience.

3 Even Toy Trains Have Freight Hoppers in The Far Side

A tiny hobo trying to hitch a free ride on a toy train in The Far Side.

In yet another hilarious twist, a startled man confronts a tiny figure attempting to hitch a ride on his toy train. The man’s outburst humorously indicates that even toy trains are not exempt from the antics of freight hoppers—a term used historically for those who hopped freight trains illegally during times of economic hardship.

This playful commentary not only highlights the concept of childhood play but also invokes a bit of nostalgia and societal commentary through humor.

2 The Far Side Gives “The Little Engine That Could” a Grim Alternate Ending

The Little Engine That Could is about to run over a woman tied to the tracks in The Far Side.

Another stark departure from the beloved children’s narrative comes with a dark twist on “The Little Engine That Could.”Here, the engine is shown approaching a woman helplessly tied to the tracks. Despite the dire circumstances, the comic cleverly shifts focus back to the engine, playing on the original story’s themes of determination with a chilling conclusion.

Instead of a triumphant message, this rendition casts a ominous shadow over the tale, using humor to explore the conflicting narrative of optimism and despair.

1 The Little Engine That Could Couldn’t Keep It Up in The Far Side

The Little Engine That Could homeless on the street in The Far Side.

The final installment in this theme features the same engine, now reduced to a homeless state, begging on the street. With a sign that reads, “I thought I could. I thought I could,”this comic provides a stark and humorous commentary on failure and the harsh realities faced by those once hopeful.

By presenting this version of the beloved engine, Larson cleverly crafts a narrative that challenges traditional storytelling, maintaining the trademark humor of The Far Side even amid more somber themes.

This brilliant comic strip continues to showcase the undeniable charm of The Far Side, reminding us that it can find laughter in the quirkiest places—trains included.

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