Railroad and railway transportation is an important aspect of transportation infrastructure in many countries. As such, many universities and colleges have invested in creating programs that train future railroad professionals. Here are some of the best colleges and universities in the world that offer programs in railroad and railway transportation:

1. University of Birmingham – UK
The University of Birmingham is well-known for offering a world-class railway engineering program. The program provides students with a deep understanding of the technical, engineering, and business elements of railway infrastructure. Students also get hands-on experience through training sessions and field trips.

2. ETH Zurich – Switzerland
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) is a top-tier university that offers an internationally recognized program in railway systems engineering. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in railway engineering, transport planning, and operations management. Students gain practical experience from internships, laboratory work, and project-based learning.

3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – USA
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois is home to the Illinois Railroad Engineering Program, which offers a comprehensive program in railway engineering. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of rail transportation. Students get practical experience through internships and the university’s rail research facilities.

4. University of Pretoria – South Africa
The University of Pretoria offers a railway engineering program that is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to design, build, operate, and maintain railway infrastructure. The program has a strong focus on research and innovation, and students are encouraged to work on research projects in collaboration with industry partners.

5. Beijing Jiaotong University – China
Beijing Jiaotong University is one of China’s top universities for railway engineering. The university offers a comprehensive program in railway transportation that covers a wide range of topics, including transport planning and management, railway vehicle engineering, and railway signal and control systems. Students get practical experience through laboratory work and field trips.

6. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne – Switzerland
The ETH is not the only Swiss university with a strong focus on railway engineering. The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) offers a well-respected program in transportation systems engineering that includes a specialization in railway systems. The program is designed to give students a deep understanding of the technical, economic, and societal aspects of railway transportation.

7. University of Tokyo – Japan
The University of Tokyo is one of Japan’s top universities, and it offers a comprehensive program in railway engineering. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of railway infrastructure. Students also get hands-on experience through internships and field trips.

In conclusion, universities and colleges that offer programs in railway and railroad transportation are essential for training the professionals who will design and operate transportation infrastructure. These institutions offer theoretical and practical education, as well as exposure to industry partners, that help students gain experience and skills. The above-listed institutions are just a few of the best around the world, and they provide an excellent opportunity for students to prepare for a career in the railway sector.