Riders on an Orphan Train. The Orphan Train movement began in 1854 and continued until 1930.
During this 75 year time span, somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children were sent "west" from New York on trains to find new families. There were two main organizations that "shipped" children west to new homes. They were: 1) The Children's Aid Society run by Rev. Charles Loring Brace, and 2) The New York Founding Hospital, operated by the Sisters of Charity. Orphan Train Rider Stories. Author Profile: Pam Munoz Ryan. Pam Muñoz Ryan. Read 180 R.F. & Esperanza. How to Groom a Horse.