The Black Train

Subject

The Black Train

Classification

Type- D-E Paranormal Anomaly.

Clearance Level

Bright

The Black Train (furthermore known as "the event") is an anomalous entity and event that have manifested in multiple different locations across the world. Its exact nature and purpose are still under speculation, but its interactions with humanity have so far been limited and infrequent.
Active observation is currently suspended due to Event: 3-A.

Description

The event has the appearance of a black train with 13 carts, including the engine. It is of no known manufacture but mimics the style of trains from the turn of the century with a few modern alterations to its locomotion. The train bears no identifying marks or numbers, and observation has uncovered no production mark, stamps, or other signifiers on any of its parts.

The only observable difference in the train has been its wheels, adapting to whatever rail the train is currently traveling.

The lights are on from cart 3, 6, 9, 11, and 13. The outline of humanoid shapes has been observed moving in these carts but view into them are distorted any no clear identification has been made. Magnification fails through unknown means, though thermal scans have been partially successful in identifying several figures in the active carts. Most cluster around one place in cart 6 for reasons unknown.
Cart 7 and 12 have no windows or doors, and thermal has not been able to penetrate its exterior. Microphones have recorded bangs and muffled voices from the cart, but little has been of use for further investigation.

Needless to say, that matter requires further observation and investigation.

Event Cycle

The Black Train event follows a similar pattern, no matter where in the world it occurs. It is always at night and on unused rails. The event is proceeded by a noticeable increase in ambient temperature up to 1 km around the event, following it as it moves. The train has never been observed to appear, and it is unknown by what mechanism it does so. It is also known how or why the event chose what location to emerge.
Once the event has manifested, the train will travel for a variable distance with the longest recorded event lasting for over 300 km. While the event will generally function much as a regular train, it has been observed to be capable of much higher speed. At the end of its journey, the event will dematerialize, as if entering a tunnel.

Due to the Black Train's seemingly random manifestation, direct observation has proven difficult and at best incidental. Most sightings have been done through automated systems or through drone sweeps.

The event will on occasion pass through train stations, usually in rural areas, when they are empty or nearly so. Agents have on occasion observed people waiting on the station or along the tracks for the event. It will stop and allow them to board. No one has yet been seen to debark from the event. Though thermal scans have not recorded any change in the number of figures inside the carts.

Maybe we're not looking in the right place. Maybe the train just takes them somewhere else - that's what trains do.

There has been no commonality between those who embark and no cause has yet to be determined. The subjects are people of any gender, race, and class with no connection to each other. Psychological evaluations based on relatives and friends reveal little, save for dissatisfaction with their current financial or social situation.
Other than that, the event interacts little with humanity.

An increase in cases of sleep paralysis has been noted in populated areas where the event has passed. Why?

Evaluation

At this time, no interaction with the event is authorized. The event has not displayed any overt supernatural or destructive powers, but it has not been ruled out. Other than potentially the unknown fate of those who embark on the event, it has displayed no hostile intent towards humanity. For that reason, the current mission is to observe and learn. One team of agents (designated Train-Spotters) will follow reports of the event and attempt to establish visual contact to gather information.

The Train-Spotters are temporary put on hold after two members of the team left and were observed through drone footage to board the train. It's very possible that it knows we're looking for it.

Sightings

First sighted in ████████ by ████████. Images came into our possession after ████████

Second sighting, 19██

Las known sighting, just prior to Event: 3-A.