The Galaxy Railways (銀河鉄道物語, Ginga Tetsudō Monogatari) is a 26 episode science fiction anime series about flying trains set in the far reaches of space. It is licensed by Funimation Production Ltd. and produced by Leiji Matsumoto. It debuted on American TV in a syndicated FUNimation Channel programming block airing on CoLours TV on Monday, June 19, 2006, but was replaced by Dragon Ball until the programming block was dropped. The series has also aired on the linear FUNimation Channel. Two sequels have been produced, both currently unlicensed in English regions.
A 4-part OVA series The Galaxy Railways: A Letter from the Abandoned Planet (銀河鉄道物語 ~忘れられた時の惑星~, Ginga Tetsudō Monogatari ~Wasurerareta Toki no Wakusei~, Planet of Forgotten Time) was produced that bridges both seasons of the show (production on the OVA actually began before the sequel TV series, even though it was released later).
In 2006 a sequel series, The Galaxy Railways: Crossroads to Eternity (銀河鉄道物語 ~永遠への分岐点~, Ginga Tetsudō Monogatari ~Eien e no Bunkiten~?) began broadcasting in Japan for a 26-episode run. Of those 26, only 24 episodes were broadcast on television, with the final two released only on DVD.
It has also been announced that on the 25-03-2009, an off take of the series called The Galaxy Railways: Faraway Angels (銀河鉄道物語 ~最果てのアンジェラ~) will be released as a Drama CD. The story follows the Mizar platoon and their adventures.