Dynamics are the key to creating the illusion of a train, and the key to this beat.

This is a very simple drum pattern that plays well in various musical situations and types of music (Country, Folk), and can be a lot of fun to just play. The train beat is also a great drum pattern to add to your drumming repertoire.  Beginning with the initial structure of the Train Beat the hands are playing steady pattern of 8^th notes on the snare at a moderate tempo.

To continue creating the illusion of a train, add the feet into the snare pattern rhythm with the bass drum playing on beats 1 and 3, and the hi-hat playing on beats 2 and 4.

The driving energy of the Train Beat sound begins to emerge when the foot and hand rhythm is played using dynamics. Place an accent on beats 2 and 4 of the snare drum, while ghosting the other snare drum hits.

To really add spice to the Train Beat, on every other measure accent the snare on 3+, this leads into the already accented beat on 4.

Now add a Ride bell hit on one, in place of the snare. The final example presented is an eight bar phrase. This example will also create the illusion of a train. The Train Beat is also a very simple exercise to use for warm-up before a performance.