How to complete a Train Heist in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1

Completing a train heist in Fortnite will give you access to some solid loot early on in a match, but only if you’re quick enough to stake your claim.

The train is a brand new feature in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1, which launched in December 2023, introducing a brand new map.

Both of these are subject to a Week 1 Challenge — “Complete a Train Heist and Claim the Floating Island capture point” — though these steps can be completed in separate matches if you prefer.

Whether you’re ticking off the challenge, or want to learn how the Train Heist works, this page can help.

What is the train in Fortnite, and where can you find the train location?

The train was introduced with Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1, and it’s a fairly randomized feature on the new map.

The train track you can see around the island is always rooted firmly in place, and doesn’t change whatsoever.

Image: Epic Games via Polygon

The train spawns in right at the beginning of a match, and you can see it the second you bring up your map screen. You can see the train location as designated by the map icon, as seen in the screenshot above, and the train even has an arrow to denote in which direction it’s travelling.

Image: Epic Games via Polygon

Keep in mind that the train can and will take you into the storm. The train isn’t affected by the storm whatsoever, so make sure you’re not suddenly whisked away into the storm and into harm’s way in the middle of a match.

One important thing to note is that the train can’t refill its supply contents once it’s been looted — just like a chest or floating island capture point. Once it’s claimed and the loot has been swept up, that’s it.

Additionally, the train also won’t stop at any points around the map. It’s natural to think the train might stop at the huge train station at Reckless Railways, but this isn’t the case at all. It’s on a non-stop journey around the Fortnite map.

How to complete a train heist in Fortnite

The first step to completing a train heist in Fortnite is getting to the train as quickly as possible. Anyone who’s going to loot the train is going to head there right at the beginning of a match, so either head there first, or back off.

To complete the train heist, you want to land in the carriage next to the engine at the front. You can land directly at the front of the carriage, and you’ll immediately see a huge dark chest, which you’ll then be given a button prompt to start ‘hacking.’

Image: Epic Games via Polygon

We’d estimate the hack takes roughly 30 seconds to complete, and you have to stay near the chest the entire time. If you landed here right away, look to the left of the chest to open two loot panels on the wall for a few helpful items. They’ll help you stave off anyone who lands on the train after you.

Image: Epic Games via Polygon

Once the hack is finished, you’ll have successfully completed the train heist in Fortnite. We tend to see blue/rare-level loot spawn from the chest itself once the hack is up, not limited to but including sniper rifles, assault rifles, shotguns, Medkits, and Shield Potions.

It’s also possible for anyone to claim any loot left behind by another player. Just like with the Floating Island, it’s sort of irrelevant who starts the hack; anyone can come along and kill the hacking player while the hack is progressing, or once it’s done, and claim all the loot for themselves. In some cases, you might even want to hold back and let an enemy player take the brunt of fire while they’re initiating a hack, so you can get the drop on them afterwards.

How to make the Train Heist easier

If you’re struggling to hack the train, we recommend waiting until later in the season when the train is a less popular destination, as over time, more players will have completed the challenge, and the novelty of the feature will wear off.

Also, remember you can complete a train heist with multiple teammates in Fortnite. In either the Solos, Duos, Trios, or Quads mode, an entire team can complete a train heist and claim all the loot for themselves. This does also mean other squads will do the same — so keep that in mind!

Looking for more help during Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1? We have guides on finding Peter Griffin and Weapon Cases, plus explainers on Society Medallions, the gold circle on the map, and linking your Fortnite and LEGO Insider accounts.