What the Monorail Is
The monorail is what Big Walk calls its train — the core long-distance transport system for the whole island. It is unlocked by completing the Blue Tower (one of the four colour towers), and once running it becomes one of the most useful ways to move your whole co-op group between distant regions. The trains are scenic and slow by design — the game is built around relaxed co-op exploration, not speedrunning.
How to Unlock the Railway
The monorail stays dormant until you finish the Blue Tower puzzle chain:
- Solve five red puzzle prizes scattered across the island (any puzzles count — they give the red tokens).
- Carry them to the Blue Tower rooftop and slot them into the console to receive the key.
- Follow the arrow waypoints to the five key cutters down the mountainside to shape the key.
- Take the shaped key to the train station just north of the Blue Tower and insert it into the keyhole.
The instant the key goes in, the trains that have been parked on the track power up and start looping. For the full walkthrough with screenshots, see How to Start the Train.
How the Railway Works
Once active, the system is simple but specific:
- Three trains run the island — red, yellow, and green — each looping the same circular track in a continuous rotation.
- There are seven stations around the island (the launch station sits northwest of the Blue Tower).
- Trains do not stop automatically at stations. They keep moving on their loop, so you board by jumping on a passing car.
- Each train's front car has a lever. Pulling it slows and stops all trains, which is handy when a teammate hasn't boarded yet or someone is catching up.
How to Ride the Monorail
Riding is hands-on, not a menu fast-travel:
- Wait at a station (or walk along the track) and watch for an approaching train — they're slow enough to catch up to on foot.
- Jump aboard a moving car; you don't need a full stop. In co-op, use proximity chat or the walkie-talkie to warn teammates the train is coming.
- Use the lever in the front car to pause the train if the group needs more time.
- If you fall off, the train keeps going — just head to the nearest accessible stretch of track and wait for the next one. Other players can keep moving toward the destination while the one who fell catches up.
Station Timetable Boards
Every station has a timetable board fixed to it that shows where each train currently is. Use it to predict when the next train will reach your stop so you're not standing around guessing. This is the single best tool for planning a group crossing.
Monorail vs Other Travel Options
Big Walk offers several ways to cross the map, each with its own sweet spot:
| Transport | Best use | Advantage | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monorail (train) | Long-distance, whole group | Great for moving everyone together | Must wait for / chase the train |
| Chairlift | Green Tower area | Convenient between fixed points | Limited to its route |
| Secret Tunnels | Shortcuts between areas | Fast once discovered | Must be found first |
| Walking | Everything else | Total freedom | It's a game called Big Walk — slow by design |
The Big Ride Achievement
Turning the railway on does not immediately award the achievement — you have to actually ride. After the system powers up, wait for a train, board a car, and stay aboard as it moves. Once you've ridden a moving train even a short distance, the Big Ride achievement unlocks. (A stationary train doesn't count — it has to be in motion.)
Tips & Common Mistakes
- The train is slow on purpose. Don't fight it — use the timetable boards and the lever to coordinate, and treat the ride as a chance to enjoy the scenery with friends.
- Don't stop the whole party if someone falls off. The train keeps looping; the fallen player just catches the next one.
- Communication wins. Proximity chat or walkie-talkies make boarding a moving train with a group far smoother.
- Lost a red token? You can re-solve any puzzle for another — there's no hard gate on which five you use for the Blue Tower.
Facts here are cross-checked across the in-game Blue Tower puzzle chain, the official "How to Start the Train" explainer video, and written guides (IGN Wiki, gamer.org, deltiasgaming): three trains, seven stations, no auto-stop, front lever, timetable boards, and the Big Ride achievement all agree. Exact station coordinates aren't published consistently — treat "seven stations, Blue Tower north station is the launch point" as the confirmed spine.