Train

Trains are the primary method of long-distance travel. They are resource-efficient for carrying lots of cargo and passengers long distance, but most importantly are comparatively easy to defend. They are limited by some key characteristics:

1. They only travel on rails. Rails must be laid before a train can go anywhere.
2. Trains need extensive stockpiles of coal. Except in unusual or necessary situations, trains can only go as far as the coal they can carry from one station to another, and do not usually stock up on more until they reach their destination. The typical single-tender train carries enough coal to travel 500 miles at around 50 MPH, with longer distances taken by stopping at safer towns for loading more coal where possible or carrying additional tenders of coal.
3. Water is an even more pressing concern. Trains can only go around 50 miles before needing more water, so water stations have to be spaced evenly apart on the tracks to refill the tenders. Each stop has its own dangers, with most being automatic refill stations fed by rainwater, pumped out of the ground, or pumped from nearby lakes and rivers. Thus, it is common for rail lines to follow along paths of accessible water. Trains will often maintain emergency reserves of water in case the next water stop is overrun and too dangerous to stop at.

Typical trains have one engine, one tender car, 8-10 cargo/passenger cars, and a caboose housing the conductor, supplemental staff, and usually a small squad of marines.
Even on oft-traveled lines, it is important for trains to keep to particular schedules to avoid dangerous times. Traveling at night is only done when necessary; however, there are periods where the undead have pockets of high activity that are extraordinarily dangerous to travel through. These pockets, called Shadowcloud, are generally predicted by citadel seers who maintain a rigid timetable. Even delays as short at 15 minutes could have disasterous consequences.

Speed

50 MPH on light grades

Complement / Crew

2-3 engineers, conductor, 2-3 supplemental staff handling brakes and waterstops, and 0-10 marines

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

usually up to ten train cars, though this varies considerably by route. Assume ~50 tons per train car with a tare (unloaded) weight of 15 tons.