Transcontinental Underground Train
The transcontinental underground train is a train running in-between Mirkhar and Greiforn, connecting thesouth and the north. It runs underneath the otherwise unpassable Central Wilderness, deep enough underground for the effect of magic to disappear almost entirely. There are two parallel tracks, where two trains run simultaneously in opposite directions. They are used to transport cargo and passengers from one nation to another, enabling close collaboration between both nations.
It is of cyllindrical shape and resembles a caterpillar, which is where it got its nickname from.
The train is 11 cars long but can also run in a shorter configuration of eight cars. The front most car hosts the conductor who steers the train. Seven cars host passenger compartments. Three are for cargo transport and one hosts all the engineering.
It is of cyllindrical shape and resembles a caterpillar, which is where it got its nickname from.
The train is 11 cars long but can also run in a shorter configuration of eight cars. The front most car hosts the conductor who steers the train. Seven cars host passenger compartments. Three are for cargo transport and one hosts all the engineering.
Power Generation
The underground train tracks are large magnets on which the train floats. This is done via superconduction. The belly of the train is made from a superconductive metal that is covered in liquid nitrogen to keep the effect up. Since superconductive metal has almost no elctrical resistance, electricity is free to flow. The train hovers millimetres over the tracks and can run without creating friction which would result in loss of energy. The nitrogen is compressed in a tank and cooled down to boiling point with a complex sequence of ice runes. It is seen as the greatest feat of magical technology yet, especially because of its reliability, which is much higher than conventional magical technology.
The nitrogen is then dispersed across the whole underbelly of the 183 metre long train via a system of pipes.
The nitrogen is then dispersed across the whole underbelly of the 183 metre long train via a system of pipes.
Propulsion
In order to set the train in motion, a fan is mounted at the back of it, giving the train its initial push forward. It can also be accessed during travel to increase speed. Braking or rather stopping the train is done by breaking the flow of liquid nitrogen, thus raising the temperature and breaking the superconduction.
Communication Tools & Systems
There is a whistle connecting the conductor with the engineers, giving instructions via whistling signals. Two short whistles are used as the all clear to get moving and three are used to stop.
Sensors
The train is equipped with sensors that measure the temperature of the underside of the train, ensuring that the liquid nitrogen is always kept at boiling point. A tacho shows the speed of the train.
Hangars & docked vessels
If the train is not travelling, it stays in the train station in either Mirkhar or Greiforn. Both have a hangar for maintenance work.
Nickname
The Caterpillar
Creation Date
Finished construction in 226 EH, 7387 AR
Owning Organization
Current location
Price
The transcontinental underground train was probably the most expensive project in dwarf history.
Rarity
So far it's the only one of its kind
Length
183 metres
Height
About 3.5 metres
Weight
About 38,000 kilograms
Speed
Top speed is at about 103 kp/h
Complement / Crew
There is a conductor driving the train and a crew attending to passengers and overseeing the cooling of the train's underside.
Cargo & Passenger Capacity
in its 11 cars, the train can host something over 100 passengers and about 10 tons of cargo.
Comments