Resurrection of the Trans-Keltian Railway

[Joe]

I've been working on a map for the resurrection of the Trans-Keltian Railway. The network will consists of two services, the Keltian Express, a fast limited stop service, and the Keltian Explorer, a slower, more scenic service. Both services will use all lines on the network.

[Nathan]

Wonderful map!

[Rook]

The Keltian Express already exists, and fulfills in many ways your objectives with the "Explorer" except that much of the conceptual work including locomotives have already been designed. Now, truth be told, I haven't done much work on it in a while, and many of the nations it had stops in are now no longer on the map. Much of the railway could use a decent overhaul to align to how the continent is currently configured. Even more truth be told, I'm sure I could make time to work on it if working on maps held any enjoyment for me at all. I find futzing with graphics and pixels and such to be a laborious chore, and it's the reason that many of my projects that involves mapping just don't get done.

I also like the idea of an express way, so creating a Trans-Keltian Expressway sounds like a good idea. However, Keltian Express already refers to an existing railway with established lines and routes, many of which follow similar courses to the map you've just posted. But, there's no reason for me to stifle activity and innovations based on a stagnant project that I have no technical capacity or reliable free time to continue to work on in a way that would do it justice. I'd be more than happy to work on combining these projects, especially considering you have an interest in, if not just the technical capacity to maintain, graphic images in a way I just can't get around to doing.

P.S. it seems most of the original imagery was lost when imageshack sunk into the sea. Everything's on my harddrive at home, so I'll post some of those originals here later on this evening. If you're really gung-ho to combine these projects into one, it may do us good to have Crait combine to two threads.

[Joe]

This was supposed to be an resurrection of the Express, I just didn't want to bring back a three year old topic

[Rook]

Meh, thread resurrection is awesome, especially when the only reason it's been three years since anything's been done is because I hate drawing maps. Do you need the old pictures?

Also the Keltian Express was supposed to harken back to the Orient Express concept. I would resist changing the scenic version of the line to "Explorer" and rather choose a different name entirely for the actual expressway, such as just calling it the Trans-Keltian Expressway.

[Orion]

I'm glad to see this connects to Elkheim. Does it also have a track for moving freight, or is it solely passenger service?

[Joe]

Much of the network will be four tracks, although none are specifically reserved for freight.

[Senya]

Most of the train line through central Ranentsi will have to be tunnels, but I'm glad to see it connected

[Joe]

Meh, thread resurrection is awesome, especially when the only reason it's been three years since anything's been done is because I hate drawing maps. Do you need the old pictures?

Also the Keltian Express was supposed to harken back to the Orient Express concept. I would resist changing the scenic version of the line to "Explorer" and rather choose a different name entirely for the actual expressway, such as just calling it the Trans-Keltian Expressway.

It doesn't make sense to me to call the slower service the "Express" though. That's the only reason I deviated from the original name.

[Orion]

Much of the network will be four tracks, although none are specifically reserved for freight.

AFAIK, they typically keep freight and passenger rail lines separate due to two running at very different speeds (freight trains typically travel slow, passenger is fast). I was actually thinking about establishing a dedicated freight rail for the Herders, considering we're so isolated. Dunno if you're interested, but that might be something to collaborate on.

[Joe]

Much of the network will be four tracks, although none are specifically reserved for freight.

AFAIK, they typically keep freight and passenger rail lines separate due to two running at very different speeds (freight trains typically travel slow, passenger is fast). I was actually thinking about establishing a dedicated freight rail for the Herders, considering we're so isolated. Dunno if you're interested, but that might be something to collaborate on.

Two of the lines will be for the high-speed Express service, and the other two will be for the slower Explorer service and freight trains.

[Rook]

Meh, thread resurrection is awesome, especially when the only reason it's been three years since anything's been done is because I hate drawing maps. Do you need the old pictures?

Also the Keltian Express was supposed to harken back to the Orient Express concept. I would resist changing the scenic version of the line to "Explorer" and rather choose a different name entirely for the actual expressway, such as just calling it the Trans-Keltian Expressway.

It doesn't make sense to me to call the slower service the "Express" though. That's the only reason I deviated from the original name.

No, but if you're truly resurrecting the Keltian Express in a different thread, then keeping the name is also maintaining the history of the concept. The Orient Express wasn't the fastest way to get to China, but it was by far the most comfortable, luxurious, and glamorous. That was the original intent of the line, it was an homage to the concept that getting somewhere does not always have to entail stark and brisk efficiency. Changing the name severs that lineage. As the creator of the concept I resent that. I do appreciate and support your improvements and motivation, but creating an expressway to conduct proper and timely commuter travel across Keltia was never part of my original design. Being a new concept, I'd consider it a mark of respect to give your unique idea a unique name.

Just because I haven't done much work on it, in the 'simulationist' sense of it all that doesn't mean the project has become inactive. Once you build a railway, the planning and designing office no longer has influence but the trains still run. From the perspective of the average "Micran Populace" the Keltian Express is a railway that has been running for the last three years and is likely immediately recognizable to most people. It likely features in guide books and road signs and people's daily lives. If I had any graphic talent or interest I would have produced some - that was always part of the plan. Brochures, schedules, advertisements for the service, maybe even a website if I knew how. I thought it'd be kinda cool to have a website that had a random "transit times" ticker that would display mock arrival and departure times, stops, etc. But I'm technically imperfect and have a fairly busy life. I have ton of ideas but no inclination or ability to make most of them except to write lists of ideas that no one reads.

So no, if you're going to look at it as a brand new project calling the scenic service the express doesn't make much sense. But it isn't a new project, it's the (extremely exciting with wonderful design, again, I can't kudos enough for that) continuation of an extant one.

[Joe]

I see your point. Well any suggestions for a name for the fast service would be welcomed!

[GilesMelang]

It seems Rook developed this idea several years go.

It is great that he is allowing us to borrow from his well developed earlier plans!

He should be acknowledged as the earliest "Founder" of this
project.

For the latest developments, I propose that we create a Treaty for
all member nations to sign.

Also, Ergonia has created a new discussion forum for this
international project in Ergonia:

http://irerg.forumotion.com/f10-keltian-railways

I urge interested parties to register an account.

[Rook]

I would urge everyone to keep discussion and work done a neutral and international project on the neutral and international Micras/Hub boards. This is to the obvious exclusion of internal discussions in a prospective nation to decide on if they want to participate and have line in their territory.

While I think the micronational community has a nauseating propensity to write a treaty for anything (have you signed the treaty agreeing that everyone sneezes yet? No? How irresponsible of you...~) in this case I don't know if it's terribly off base. I would like to propose, food for thought, that instead of a treaty (since the railway is not a government entity in and of itself) instead creating a business agreement, or services contract in which the nations involved form an agreement with the company. In that way we can maintain certain provisions that were part of the original development of the railroad, such as mandating the type of locomotive engine allowable to accommodate the environmental concerns of Normark.