The term "orphan train" refers to a social movement in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It involved transporting abandoned or orphaned children from crowded urban areas, particularly in New York City, to rural communities in the Midwest. The goal was to find homes for these children, who often faced neglect and poverty. Between 1854 and 1929, approximately 250,000 children were placed on these trains. Many were adopted by families, while others were taken in as indentured servants. The orphan train movement aimed to provide a better life for these children and reduce the burden on urban orphanages.