Based on some preliminary research, the album is titled Blue Train instead of Blue Trane for a couple of reasons. The most common explanation is that it was a play on words. “Train” could refer to the imagery of a train, symbolizing motion, rhythm, and a journey, all of which fit with the energy and vibe of Coltrane’s music at the time. (Not to mention the fact that the title track “Blue Train”, and the third track “Locomotion” support this theme)

Coltrane had a deep spiritual connection to the concept of movement, and trains can symbolize that continuous flow, almost like the continuous improvisation he was exploring in his music. Additionally, the name “Blue Train” was also likely intended to evoke the mood of the music, blending the blues (a core element of jazz) with the sense of a journey, something that resonates with the themes of transformation and progression that were important in Coltrane’s music.

It could also be seen as a subtle reference to the “train” metaphor in jazz, where many players talk about the rhythm and phrasing of music as something similar to the rhythmic chug of a train, constantly moving forward.

So, while Blue Trane would have made sense as well, the “train” in the title likely carried a layered significance to Coltrane’s own journey, both musically and personally.

.I will continue to dig, but feel free to add to the narrative, as I suspect there is more to this story.