"You can't tell which way the train went by looking at the tracks" suggests that appearances can be deceiving, and the true direction or cause isn't always obvious at first glance. It emphasizes the importance of digging deeper or examining the situation carefully to understand what is really happening.
This quote, from James Patterson's book 1st to Die, highlights the idea that surface details may not reveal the underlying truth. It encourages critical thinking and awareness that initial impressions can be misleading, urging people to look beyond the obvious to find the real story or solution.