The body of Andrew King, of Derby Street, Preston, was spotted by the driver of a Virgin train heading south - around 40 minutes after the 6.03am Preston to Glasgow service had passed through the area.
Blood was later found on the Glasgow train when it was examined at a depot.
A Virgin Trains spokesman said the driver didn't realise he had hit Mr King until he was told when he arrived at Glasgow at 9am.
It is not yet known if Mr King was already dead before being struck by the train.
His death was this week being treated as "unexplained'' by officers from British Transport Police, who said he had suffered "serious head injuries'' in the impact.
Police shut the line for more than two hours while investigations were carried out.
Mr King, a former Fulwood High School pupil and Durham University student, was a self-employed IT consultant who also had a number of tenanted properties in Fulwood and Ashton.
As well as his business interests, he enjoyed listening to classical music and was a jujitsu fan.
He was also a talented pianist who gave lessons and enjoyed train journeys.
Dr James Adeley, coroner for Preston and West Lancashire, has been informed of Mr King's death.
A post mortem examination was due to be carried out.
l Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 and quote incident number 105.