Baby Train

There has been a noticeable increase in the birthrate of Depot, Colorado since the establishment of the town with the railroad. It is said the reason for it is the train that comes into town multiple times a day, including at 5:00 in the morning. Couples, finding it too early to get out of bed but too late to go back to sleep for any meaningful amount of time, often spend the time being intimate and frequently conceiving children during those early morning hours. For this reason the first train of the day, the one that comes in at 5am, is called the "baby tyrain." Those who support the myth claim the train is responsible for nearly all the children in town.

While the early morning train may be the reason some children in Depot are conceived, it is also likely that the high birthrate in Depot has something to do with young families coming to the town to take advantage of its train station for business and employment opportunities. These young families are more likely to be having children than older couples or individuals.

Historical Basis

This particular myth is based on one that has appeared in stories in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia since 1939. Though the details often varied by the story, the general idea is the same: a train whistle (or foghorn) comes at a time that is too early to get up for the day and too late to go back to sleep, so couples who are woken by it find other ways to occupy themselves, resulting in a high birthrate for the town. You can read more about the urban legend here: Baby Train.

Date of First Recording

1870