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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Follow The Damn Train, CJ!” is a rare card of the Memes World series 74, number 22040 of the collection, and the 11th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Follow The Damn Train, CJ!” meme mean?
The meme conveys intense exasperation, irony, and disbelief when an elementary assignment ends in disaster. It is commonly deployed to blame a partner or teammate for ignoring obvious directions, turning a straightforward chore into total chaos. The quote carries a comically bitter, accusatory tone, shifting full responsibility onto someone else despite flawed teamwork.
Where does the “Follow The Damn Train, CJ!” meme come from?
The catchphrase originates from the 2004 action title Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. During the mission named “Wrong Side of the Tracks”, protagonist Carl “CJ” Johnson rides a motorcycle alongside a speeding locomotive carrying four Vagos gang members. Sitting behind him, Melvin “Big Smoke” Harris (voiced by Clifton Powell) attempts to shoot them down. Whenever the player loses the train or fails to clear the roof before reaching the Frederick Bridge, Big Smoke yells in anger: “All we had to do was follow the damn train, CJ!”. The notorious difficulty of the challenge cemented the shout in video game history. Internet circulation gained significant traction around 2010 when YouTube user qwert50 shared a viral video titled “Follow the Damn Train CJ”.
- 2004Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is released, introducing the mission Wrong Side of the Tracks.
- 2010YouTube user qwert50 uploads the clip Follow the Damn Train CJ, boosting the quote's web virality.
How to use the “Follow The Damn Train, CJ!” meme
- Teasing a gaming teammate who chased irrelevant side quests instead of securing the round.
- Calling out someone who completely ruined a basic three-step recipe instructions.
- Venting about a group project partner who neglected the only task assigned to them.
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The “Follow The Damn Train, CJ!” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 22040 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | Memes World series 74 |
| Fame | 75/100 · #11 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Follow The Damn Train, CJ!” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Follow The Damn Train, CJ! comes out of the Memes World series 74 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Follow The Damn Train, CJ!”
More cards of the Memes World series 74
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Follow The Damn Train, CJ meme come from?
It comes from the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Big Smoke screams the line upon failing the mission “Wrong Side of the Tracks”.
Who says All we had to do was follow the damn train?
The line is delivered by Melvin “Big Smoke” Harris, a character voiced by actor Clifton Powell, when Carl Johnson fails the train pursuit.
Why did this GTA San Andreas mission become a meme?
The mission is infamous for its punishing difficulty and Big Smoke's hilariously hypocritical blame. Players often struggled because of Big Smoke’s own poor aim, making his angry lecture unforgettable.
How do I get the Follow The Damn Train, CJ! meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Follow The Damn Train, CJ!” is a rare card of the Memes World series 74. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Follow The Damn Train, CJ! card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Follow The Damn Train, CJ! · Know Your Meme · Grand Theft Auto | Know Your Meme · checked on October 16, 2026.
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