I've watched both the movie and the first 2 seasons of the show. The third season is on Netflix where I am but I haven't started it yet. I prefer the movie (I like that directors movies a lot) but the show is decent as well, especially season two.
Something somewhat interesting is that the original source material is actually a graphic novel but the movie deviated quite a bit from it and basically turned it into a whole new story. The show then copied the movie idea and changed it further.

I agree with what you said about the train and engine and all that. It's more scifi fantasy than realism for sure.