He obtained the original capital, about two million dollars, to construct the Union Pacific railroad. In 1864 he organized the Credit Mobilier, with a capital of ten million dollars, and obtained donations of land grants for the company at Omaha. In 1869 he began an active canvass for the presidency of the greenback party. Train was also adjudged a lunatic, but after a year's confinement was released. He refused the greenback presidential nomination in 1876, also refusing invitations to lecture.
Train is said to be very rich, and owns much real estate in Omaha and other parts of the West.
He again came into prominence as the champion of the anarchists in 1887, and gave a series of lectures in their behalf throughout the country.