Hydrorail and Levinqiuck Train Technology
Historical Equivalent: Steam powered and electric locomotives
In 1804, the first coalfire locomotive was built and put into production in Eisen. This massive metal train was loud, dirty, and expensive to maintain, but it literally laid the groundwork for newer hydrorail technology once the Elemental Revolution began in earnest. Rail lines that were originally intended for coalfire trains to carry both people and goods were built between capital cities, but eletech technology outpaced the speed at which the rails could be built, and new hydrorail trains were the first trains to actually run the lines, with the London-Birmingham Railway in 1878. Today, while hydrorail trains are commonplace across Europa, newer, faster, levinquick trains are being built that will eventually make even the hydrorail trains obsolete.
Rarity. It's only recently that hydrorail lines between major capitals has been completed, but today, anyone can travel by passenger hydrorail. Older model coalfire trains are still in use in more conservative eletech countries like Ruskovich. Levinquick trains are a brand new technology that is currently in active development and still being tested.
Bound Elemental. Large water elementals are bound into the turbines of hydrorail engines, while levinquick trains use lightning elementals to levitate large trains across metal pyramids. Most coalfire trains that are still in use have been modified to use fire elementals instead of coal.
What do they look like?
How are they operated?
The hydrorail operates on a turbine system to power the wheel system that runs on the rail tracks. The water engine is operated from a runic control panel in the front car. When activated, the water elemental turns the turbines which operate the wheel system to move the front car and pull additional cars behind it.
Hydrorails have become a fast, safe, and convenient method of transportation for industries, militaries, and increasingly the public. Skilled operators have to moderate the output depending on the desired speed, cargo, and layout of the tracks they are traversing and it requires a DC 15 Vehicles (Land) or DC 15 Intelligence (Tinker Tools) check to operate.
Where are they found?
Hydrorails now link most major cities in Europa and pass through smaller towns have benefited from the rail companies investments in additional stations and maintenance shops.
