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Message no. 1
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 16:23:59 -0400
Would anybody mind givin' me a detailed description of these things?
All I know about 'em is the stats in R2.
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 2
From: Robert Watkins <robert.watkins@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 09:24:34 +1000
Bai Shen writes:
> Would anybody mind givin' me a detailed description of these things?
> All I know about 'em is the stats in R2.

Well, I don't know what is says in R2, but in R1 it was based on the
road-trains used here in Australia.

Basically, get a truck prime-mover. Attach a carriage on the end, and you
have a standard truck. Attach two or three more of these, and you have a
road train.

(The record for how long you can get one of these things is about 33
carriages... but it steers like crap. The legal limit here is 3, and even
that won't handle very well... really bloody scary to overtake, too, 'cause
they're always speeding, and they're something like a hundred meters long.)

--
Duct tape is like the Force: There's a Light side, a Dark side, and it
binds the Universe together.
Robert Watkins -- robert.watkins@******.com
Message no. 3
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 19:52:08 -0400
At 09:24 AM 8/5/98 +1000, you wrote:

>Well, I don't know what is says in R2, but in R1 it was based on the
>road-trains used here in Australia.
>
>Basically, get a truck prime-mover. Attach a carriage on the end, and you
>have a standard truck. Attach two or three more of these, and you have a
>road train.

Would you be referring to what we here in the States often call "Big Rigs"?

>(The record for how long you can get one of these things is about 33
>carriages... but it steers like crap. The legal limit here is 3, and even
>that won't handle very well... really bloody scary to overtake, too, 'cause
>they're always speeding, and they're something like a hundred meters long.)

If we're talking about the same things, legal limit here (at least in CA)
is two trailers. Don't know the current status, but some in the trucking
industry tried to up the limit to 3. All sorts of people screamed bloody
blue murder and cited all sorts of statistics, so I *think* it got killed.
I can hope anyway.

So do these massive truck trains travel between heavily populated areas, or
do they just cruise the outback for example?

Erik J.


http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/dungeon/480/index.html
The Reality Check for a Fictional World
Message no. 4
From: Justin Bell <justin@******.NET>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 19:04:25 -0500
At 07:52 PM 8/4/98 -0400, Erik Jameson wrote:
# At 09:24 AM 8/5/98 +1000, you wrote:
#
# >Basically, get a truck prime-mover. Attach a carriage on the end, and you
# >have a standard truck. Attach two or three more of these, and you have a
# >road train.
#
# Would you be referring to what we here in the States often call "Big Rigs"?
oh no... a real road train is a long damn thing, and I seem to remember
seeing four or five trailers......

# So do these massive truck trains travel between heavily populated areas, or
# do they just cruise the outback for example?
they mainly travel the desert highways and throw stones into the air like
you wouldnt believe

what you might call the "outback"

--
/- justin@************.com ---------------- justin@******.net -\
|Justin Bell NIC:JB3084| Time and rules are changing. |
|Simon & Schuster | Attention span is quickening. |
|Programmer | Welcome to the Information Age. |
\------------ http://www.mcp.com/people/justin/ ---------------/
Message no. 5
From: Robert Watkins <robert.watkins@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 10:03:51 +1000
Erik Jameson writes:
> Would you be referring to what we here in the States often call
> "Big Rigs"?

Probably...
> So do these massive truck trains travel between heavily populated
> areas, or
> do they just cruise the outback for example?

Two-carriage road trains are permitted in some cities. Three-carriage road
trains, in _most_ states of Australia, are only allowed outside municipal
areas (so they just cruise the outback), but in the NT, where I came from,
they were allowed in towns and you'd see three-carriage road trains rumbling
down the major road systems in Darwin. :)

(Real fun stuff, let me tell you... especially the, um, "live-beef" trains.
Do you have any idea how bad a train full of cattle smells? Now imagine
being stuck behind one of those in peak-hour...)

--
Duct tape is like the Force: There's a Light side, a Dark side, and it
binds the Universe together.
Robert Watkins -- robert.watkins@******.com
Message no. 6
From: Mike Bobroff <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:11:45 EDT
In a message dated 8/4/98 7:06:40 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
justin@******.NET writes:

> # >Basically, get a truck prime-mover. Attach a carriage on the end, and you
> # >have a standard truck. Attach two or three more of these, and you have a
> # >road train.
> #
> # Would you be referring to what we here in the States often call "Big
Rigs"?
>
> oh no... a real road train is a long damn thing, and I seem to remember
> seeing four or five trailers......
>
> # So do these massive truck trains travel between heavily populated areas,
> or
> # do they just cruise the outback for example?
> they mainly travel the desert highways and throw stones into the air like
> you wouldnt believe
>
> what you might call the "outback"

I know that in the game itself they are mentioned as being used extensively to
transport materials between places, and there not even being a driver in them
...

-Herc
------ The Best Mechanic you can ever have.
Message no. 7
From: Robert Watkins <robert.watkins@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 11:17:18 +1000
> I know that in the game itself they are mentioned as being used
> extensively to
> transport materials between places, and there not even being a
> driver in them
> ...

Yep, they've got a good auto-pilot (sufficent to follow a road, and do basic
collision avoidance). Probably really popular in North America, when you
consider all the hassles the various trucker unions cause the corps.

Such a method would be popular anywhere you've got a reasonable road
connection between two places (and you'd probably have that), and no rail
connection. Road-trains can't handle the same sort of loads as rail, so if
you've got a real heap of material, you might want to build a rail line
anyway, but for many uses, road-trains are a good medium between rail and
single-carriage trucks.

Mind you, I wouldn't trust one of those things in cities... I'd imagine that
they go to and from collection depots and never go near cities.

--
Duct tape is like the Force: There's a Light side, a Dark side, and it
binds the Universe together.
Robert Watkins -- robert.watkins@******.com
Message no. 8
From: Daryl Williams <enwill@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 18:21:59 -0700
---Mike Bobroff <Airwasp@***.COM> wrote:
> I know that in the game itself they are mentioned as being used
extensively to
> transport materials between places, and there not even being a
driver in them
> ...

Hmm.. You know I just though about that..and I remember they made
alot of references to them in one of the latest SR Novels.. I believe
it was ShaodowBoxer..but I can't remember right off hand. But
nonetheless, they would still be considered a Rig with multiple cargo
trailers attached.. that are used to haul around lots of stuff.

Daryl
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @*****.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Message no. 9
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:24:25 -0400
> > Would anybody mind givin' me a detailed description of these things?
> > All I know about 'em is the stats in R2.
> Well, I don't know what is says in R2, but in R1 it was based on the
> road-trains used here in Australia.
> Basically, get a truck prime-mover. Attach a carriage on the end, and you
> have a standard truck. Attach two or three more of these, and you have a
> road train.
> (The record for how long you can get one of these things is about 33
> carriages... but it steers like crap. The legal limit here is 3, and even
> that won't handle very well... really bloody scary to overtake, too, 'cause
> they're always speeding, and they're something like a hundred meters long.)

But why do the trailers have speed and fuel ratings?
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 10
From: Mike Bobroff <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:34:03 EDT
In a message dated 8/4/98 8:19:54 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
robert.watkins@******.COM writes:

> Yep, they've got a good auto-pilot (sufficent to follow a road, and do basic
> collision avoidance). Probably really popular in North America, when you
> consider all the hassles the various trucker unions cause the corps.

True .. very true ... they are probably popular all over the world.

> Such a method would be popular anywhere you've got a reasonable road
> connection between two places (and you'd probably have that), and no rail
> connection. Road-trains can't handle the same sort of loads as rail, so if
> you've got a real heap of material, you might want to build a rail line
> anyway, but for many uses, road-trains are a good medium between rail and
> single-carriage trucks.

The one thing about the land-train is that if there is a road to where you are
going then you can get it there ... rail-road tracks have only a singular
purpose ... and you are limited to the track in terms of movement. Hey,
anyone think of the possibility that a highway might be built for special cars
that have the ability to adapt to a railway track ... it would be similar to
some of the gridlink cars that are mentioned in some of the sourcebooks (where
the car gets into a special lane and a city traffic computer takes over
control of the vehicle until the destination is near ...

> Mind you, I wouldn't trust one of those things in cities... I'd imagine
that
> they go to and from collection depots and never go near cities.

Yeah ... city streets are probably not built to carry something of that nature
...

-Herc
------- The Best Mechanic you can ever have.
Message no. 11
From: Mike Bobroff <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:35:10 EDT
In a message dated 8/4/98 8:26:58 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
baishen@**********.COM writes:

> > (The record for how long you can get one of these things is about 33
> > carriages... but it steers like crap. The legal limit here is 3, and even
> > that won't handle very well... really bloody scary to overtake, too, '
> cause
> > they're always speeding, and they're something like a hundred meters
long.)
>
>
> But why do the trailers have speed and fuel ratings?

Because they are able to maneuver around on their own when not connected to
the command module ...

-Herc
------ The Best Mechanic you can ever have.
Message no. 12
From: Danyel N Woods <9604801@********.AC.NZ>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 13:35:17 +1200
Quoth Daryl Williams (1322 05-8-98 NZT):

<<SLICE>>
>Hmm.. You know I just though about that..and I remember they made
>alot of references to them in one of the latest SR Novels.. I believe
>it was ShaodowBoxer..but I can't remember right off hand. But
>nonetheless, they would still be considered a Rig with multiple cargo
>trailers attached.. that are used to haul around lots of stuff.

There's a description of the introduction and growing use of automated
(ie driverless) road-trains in the NAN (specifically Sioux?) in
_Shadowplay_. Sly and Falcon's Callaway nearly get collected by one
that's running without headlights.

Danyel Woods - 9604801@********.ac.nz
'No, I'm Chaos and he's Mayhem. We're a double act.'
Message no. 13
From: Robert Watkins <robert.watkins@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 11:38:01 +1000
Bai Shen writes:
>
> But why do the trailers have speed and fuel ratings?

The one mentioned in RB 1, the Brumby, had powered carriages. This increased
the speed of the carriages, as each one would be able to propell itself
(instead of having to be pulled by the prime mover). This in turn increases
the possible length of the train as a whole.

--
Duct tape is like the Force: There's a Light side, a Dark side, and it
binds the Universe together.
Robert Watkins -- robert.watkins@******.com
Message no. 14
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:42:03 -0400
> > > (The record for how long you can get one of these things is about 33
> > > carriages... but it steers like crap. The legal limit here is 3, and even
> > > that won't handle very well... really bloody scary to overtake, too, '
cause
> > > they're always speeding, and they're something like a hundred meters
long.)
> > But why do the trailers have speed and fuel ratings?
> Because they are able to maneuver around on their own when not connected to
> the command module ...

They can?? Would someone mind sendin' me a copy of the desc in the
RBB? I'm confused about what these things can and can't do.
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 15
From: Michael vanHulst <Schizi@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:54:13 EDT
In a message dated 8/4/98 6:46:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
baishen@**********.COM writes:

> They can?? Would someone mind sendin' me a copy of the desc in the
> RBB? I'm confused about what these things can and can't do.
The Nordkapp-Conestoga "Bergen"
don't have rigger 2 handy for stats. I like that the compartments are all
linked by a small crawl tube, and have sleepers. great for a team on the run,
though expensive.
Message no. 16
From: Michael vanHulst <Schizi@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:54:54 EDT
In a message dated 8/4/98 6:22:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time, enwill@*****.COM
writes:

> Hmm.. You know I just though about that..and I remember they made
> alot of references to them in one of the latest SR Novels.
Burnout hid in one in 1 of the novels, I think.
Message no. 17
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 22:05:54 -0400
> > They can?? Would someone mind sendin' me a copy of the desc in the
> > RBB? I'm confused about what these things can and can't do.
> The Nordkapp-Conestoga "Bergen"
> don't have rigger 2 handy for stats. I like that the compartments are all
> linked by a small crawl tube, and have sleepers. great for a team on the run,
> though expensive.

I've got R2, so I don't need stats. What I'm tryin' to do is get a
picture of what these things can and can't do. The reason is because
I'm thinking of setting one up for a character of mine.
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 18
From: "Mark C. Farrington" <alareth@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 22:48:07 -0400
>(The record for how long you can get one of these things is about 33
>carriages... but it steers like crap. The legal limit here is 3, and even
>that won't handle very well... really bloody scary to overtake, too, 'cause
>they're always speeding, and they're something like a hundred meters long.)


The three trailer rigs see limited use here in some parts of the US. There
has been considerable pressure on the Federal Department of Transportation
to ban them due to safety concerns. I've seen one on the road before and it
was undulating like a snake the whole time. Practically took up both lanes.
Message no. 19
From: Justin Bell <justin@******.NET>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:57:33 -0500
At 10:48 PM 8/4/98 -0400, Mark C. Farrington wrote:
# The three trailer rigs see limited use here in some parts of the US. There
# has been considerable pressure on the Federal Department of Transportation
# to ban them due to safety concerns. I've seen one on the road before and it
# was undulating like a snake the whole time. Practically took up both lanes.

now take that same truck and put it on a two lane highway
and when I say two lanes I mean one lane each direction.....

and add lots of rocks to the shoulder of the road
--
/- justin@************.com ---------------- justin@******.net -\
|Justin Bell NIC:JB3084| Time and rules are changing. |
|Simon & Schuster | Attention span is quickening. |
|Programmer | Welcome to the Information Age. |
\------------ http://www.mcp.com/people/justin/ ---------------/
Message no. 20
From: Steven McCormick <stardust@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:55:59 -0500
At 10:05 PM 8/4/98 -0400, Bai Shen wrote:
>> > They can?? Would someone mind sendin' me a copy of the desc in the
>> > RBB? I'm confused about what these things can and can't do.
>> The Nordkapp-Conestoga "Bergen"
>> don't have rigger 2 handy for stats. I like that the compartments are all
>> linked by a small crawl tube, and have sleepers. great for a team on the
run,
>> though expensive.
>
>I've got R2, so I don't need stats. What I'm tryin' to do is get a
>picture of what these things can and can't do. The reason is because
>I'm thinking of setting one up for a character of mine.
>--
>

The Conestoga "Bergen", judging from the picture in RBB, seems to be much
larger than it's Counterpart, the Conestoga. It was especially designed to
be a road train, and the self powered cargo modules are specifically
designed to connect to the Bergen. The modules themselves move very slowly
when not connected to the Bergen tractor, so I think that being self
powered is more for manuvering at your destination or if you get into a
tight spot than to help with speed. And, of course, the cargo trailers
that hook to every other kind of tractor are unpowered.

BlueMule
Message no. 21
From: Mike Bobroff <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 07:32:34 EDT
In a message dated 8/4/98 9:06:38 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
baishen@**********.COM writes:

> > The Nordkapp-Conestoga "Bergen"
> > don't have rigger 2 handy for stats. I like that the compartments are all
> > linked by a small crawl tube, and have sleepers. great for a team on the
> run,
> > though expensive.
>
> I've got R2, so I don't need stats. What I'm tryin' to do is get a
> picture of what these things can and can't do. The reason is because
> I'm thinking of setting one up for a character of mine.

What can they do .. carry a lot of gear and such ...

What can't they do ... nothing I can think of though ...

We have a Bergen Land Train here in the home game .. called "Proteus." and it
is a 5 car land-train.

The first car is the command module with additional space for an additional 2
people.

The second car is a cargo module, which houses a medical treatment center (the
gear option from R2).

The third car is another cargo module, which houses the CCSS and mage's circle
and a shamanic lodge within itself.

The fourth module is another command module.

The fifth module is a garage for vehicles.

-Herc
------- The Best Mechanic you can ever have.
Message no. 22
From: Martin Steffens <chimerae@***.IE>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 16:46:29 +0000
and thus did Justin Bell speak on 4 Aug 98 at 21:57:

> now take that same truck and put it on a two lane highway
> and when I say two lanes I mean one lane each direction.....
> and add lots of rocks to the shoulder of the road

Wasn't it also true that these trains are /very/ difficult to slow
down in emergencies with all that mass? I remember reading something
about them a long (15-18 years) time ago and it mentioned that if it
would break for, say an innocent kangaroo on the road, the cabin
would be crushed by the weight of the trailers, so they don't stop. I
can image this being a problem when you got busy highways with
traffic jams popping up around the corner...

And since most inner city traffic is stop and go, has fairly
sharp corners, plus the only road kill available are pedestrians, I
figure they are completely useless there.

BTW, has anyone taken a good look at the Con. Bergen in R1 (sorry
I'm still waiting for R2)? I figure that the command module is at
least 6 metres high from looking at the drawing, possibly more.
Isn't that a bit high for a truck, considering bridges, tunnels,
etc.?

Martin Steffens
chimerae@***.ie
Message no. 23
From: Patrick Goodman <remo@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 14:02:17 -0500
>Wasn't it also true that these trains are /very/ difficult to slow
>down in emergencies with all that mass?

Still is, Martin, still is.

>I can image this being a problem when you got busy highways with
>traffic jams popping up around the corner...

It could be, if the sensors didn't inform the pilot (or autopilot, as the
case may be) quickly enough of the problem. This is likely to be a problem
mostly in urban settings where the freeways have lots of vehicular traffic;
there may be special lanes built specifically for these behemoths.

>And since most inner city traffic is stop and go, has fairly
>sharp corners, plus the only road kill available are pedestrians,
>I figure they are completely useless there.

I reckon so. I would think that the people/corps most likely to benefit
from these would probably have the facilities for them outside of downtown
and other heavy population centers, and would have private highways near
those population centers (the regular highways probably would suffice for
interstate use).

---
(>) Texas 2-Step
El Paso: Never surrender. Never forget. Never forgive.
Message no. 24
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 11:22:45 -0400
> >I've got R2, so I don't need stats. What I'm tryin' to do is get a
> >picture of what these things can and can't do. The reason is because
> >I'm thinking of setting one up for a character of mine.
> The Conestoga "Bergen", judging from the picture in RBB, seems to be much
> larger than it's Counterpart, the Conestoga. It was especially designed to
> be a road train, and the self powered cargo modules are specifically
> designed to connect to the Bergen. The modules themselves move very slowly
> when not connected to the Bergen tractor, so I think that being self
> powered is more for manuvering at your destination or if you get into a
> tight spot than to help with speed. And, of course, the cargo trailers
> that hook to every other kind of tractor are unpowered.

Does it specifically say they move slowly? The reason I ask is because
the speed rating of the trailer and the tractor are identical.
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 25
From: Michael vanHulst <Schizi@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 16:09:54 EDT
In a message dated 8/5/98 1:07:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
baishen@**********.COM writes:

> Does it specifically say they move slowly? The reason I ask is because
> the speed rating of the trailer and the tractor are identical.
> --
actually in the desc in RBB it mentions that the movement of the haulers are
less (5/15 I think) when seperated. they are individually powered to keep
speed when attached. The speed listed is when they are attached.
Message no. 26
From: Justin Bell <justin@******.NET>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 15:20:19 -0500
At 04:09 PM 8/5/98 EDT, Michael vanHulst wrote:
# In a message dated 8/5/98 1:07:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
# baishen@**********.COM writes:
#
# > Does it specifically say they move slowly? The reason I ask is because
# > the speed rating of the trailer and the tractor are identical.
# > --
# actually in the desc in RBB it mentions that the movement of the haulers are
# less (5/15 I think) when seperated. they are individually powered to keep
# speed when attached. The speed listed is when they are attached.

here:

the speed rating for the cargo module is not inherint, but enables the
whole train unit to maintain the standard speeds of 30/90. The cargo module
moves at 5/10 under local control when not linked to the command module.

that is word for word from the book.
--
/- justin@************.com ---------------- justin@******.net -\
|Justin Bell NIC:JB3084| Time and rules are changing. |
|Simon & Schuster | Attention span is quickening. |
|Programmer | Welcome to the Information Age. |
\------------ http://www.mcp.com/people/justin/ ---------------/
Message no. 27
From: Steven McCormick <stardust@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 15:51:14 -0500
At 04:46 PM 8/5/98 +0000, you wrote:
>
>BTW, has anyone taken a good look at the Con. Bergen in R1 (sorry
>I'm still waiting for R2)? I figure that the command module is at
>least 6 metres high from looking at the drawing, possibly more.
>Isn't that a bit high for a truck, considering bridges, tunnels,
>etc.?
>
>Martin Steffens
>chimerae@***.ie
>
>

Yes, I mentioned this in a post last night. From the looks of the ladder
and the size of the entry door, the thing must be huge.

BlueMule
Message no. 28
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 17:05:53 -0400
At 02:02 PM 8/5/98 -0500, you wrote:
>>Wasn't it also true that these trains are /very/ difficult to slow
>>down in emergencies with all that mass?

Just like an oil tanker. Scares the hell out of me when I see just a two
trailer rig barreling down the freeway at 70mph.

>>I can image this being a problem when you got busy highways with
>>traffic jams popping up around the corner...
>
>It could be, if the sensors didn't inform the pilot (or autopilot, as the
>case may be) quickly enough of the problem. This is likely to be a problem
>mostly in urban settings where the freeways have lots of vehicular traffic;

Very much so. I think they talk to each other about traffic over their CB
radios, but yeah, when you get a sudden pile-up, you *don't* want to be in
front of a rig. I would hope that by 2060 there are the sort of
preventative measures in place that would prevent that from happening
though, AP or human-piloted.

>there may be special lanes built specifically for these behemoths.

We wish. Aside from any accident potential, those damn trucks move slow,
expect you to get the hell out of your way regardless of the situation
(like you CAN'T move out of their way) and take up the same space as 3-5
cars. Traffic sucks with those things.

>I reckon so. I would think that the people/corps most likely to benefit
>from these would probably have the facilities for them outside of downtown
>and other heavy population centers, and would have private highways near
>those population centers (the regular highways probably would suffice for
>interstate use).

Private highways? That would mean they would have spend the money to build
those. No, these damn trucks destroy our roads faster than our own little
cars do and they expect the taxpayer to fix it for them.

No, what is typical is you have shipping centers relatively close to a
freeway/highway. This does mean you get 2-trailer trucks driving down
suburban main streets. From these shipping centers, they either cut down
to a 1-trailer set-up or to even smaller delivery trucks, which ships goods
from the distribution center to individual stores. I've seen these
2-trailer mini-trains come to skidding, burning rubber stops to try and
stop before the red light and prevent smashing into traffic. Horrible
sight, let me tell you.

I can't possibly imagine looking up to see a dozen trailer truck trying to
come to a stop before me...now that's terror.

Erik J.


http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/dungeon/480/index.html
The Reality Check for a Fictional World
Message no. 29
From: Mike Bobroff <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 19:12:06 EDT
In a message dated 8/5/98 3:07:16 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
baishen@**********.COM writes:

> > The Conestoga "Bergen", judging from the picture in RBB, seems to be
much
> > larger than it's Counterpart, the Conestoga. It was especially designed
to
> > be a road train, and the self powered cargo modules are specifically
> > designed to connect to the Bergen. The modules themselves move very
> slowly
> > when not connected to the Bergen tractor, so I think that being self
> > powered is more for manuvering at your destination or if you get into a
> > tight spot than to help with speed. And, of course, the cargo trailers
> > that hook to every other kind of tractor are unpowered.
>
> Does it specifically say they move slowly? The reason I ask is because
> the speed rating of the trailer and the tractor are identical.

The reason for why the trailers have their own power plants is so they can
operate independently, but, I believe we may never really now the reason. But
there is one thing known ... as long as the Bergen Land-Train does not get
involved in combat the thing does not have to worry about making a handling
check for the duration of it's trip, and it can do so with speeds of up to 140
or 150 (IIRC) without any stress to the Land-Train at all .. perhaps this is
one of the reasons why each component of the Land-Train have their own power
plants.

-Herc
------- The Best Mechanic you can ever have.
Message no. 30
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 20:39:55 -0400
> > Does it specifically say they move slowly? The reason I ask is because
> > the speed rating of the trailer and the tractor are identical.
> actually in the desc in RBB it mentions that the movement of the haulers are
> less (5/15 I think) when seperated. they are individually powered to keep
> speed when attached. The speed listed is when they are attached.

Does it say anything about what happens if the trailer being powered
while underway? After all, they only have half the gas of the tractor.
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 31
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 20:54:35 -0400
> > Does it specifically say they move slowly? The reason I ask is because
> > the speed rating of the trailer and the tractor are identical.
> The reason for why the trailers have their own power plants is so they can
> operate independently, but, I believe we may never really now the reason. But
> there is one thing known ... as long as the Bergen Land-Train does not get
> involved in combat the thing does not have to worry about making a handling
> check for the duration of it's trip, and it can do so with speeds of up to 140
> or 150 (IIRC) without any stress to the Land-Train at all .. perhaps this is
> one of the reasons why each component of the Land-Train have their own power plants.

140-150? Are you sure about that? It's listed speed is only 90. I
really need to find a copy of RBB.
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 32
From: Mik & Caroline <legion@******.NET.AU>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 13:28:19 +1000
> Bai Shen writes:
> > Would anybody mind givin' me a detailed description of these things?
> > All I know about 'em is the stats in R2.
>
> Well, I don't know what is says in R2, but in R1 it was based on the
> road-trains used here in Australia.
>
> Basically, get a truck prime-mover. Attach a carriage on the end, and you
> have a standard truck. Attach two or three more of these, and you have a
> road train.
>


The Bergen truck from the R1 book is the only real land-train vehicle
listed. Basically, you have the Prime-Mover and a crud load of trailer
(each self powered). AFAICR, the travel at about 15/90 meters per turn.

you know, 15 cruise, 90 max speed.

The really scary thot is that they aren't manned!. No crew, the rig is
driven by a high rating autopilot.

> (The record for how long you can get one of these things is about 33
> carriages... but it steers like crap. The legal limit here is 3, and even
> that won't handle very well... really bloody scary to overtake, too, 'cause
> they're always speeding, and they're something like a hundred meters long.)

tried pasing one in the middle of the Nullabor once, the rig was doing
about 140Km/h, and i had to drive half-off the road to pass safely.
BTW, the Nullabor orads are dead stright. It's a novelty to have one
curve!

To bring this back OT, how many GM's out there use Land-Trains in their
games??
I tend to use them for long-distance convoys runs by Corps and the
Military. What about you people??

Hangfire.

"Look, the roads curves for the first time in 300kms!!
What do i do????"
Message no. 33
From: Mike Bobroff <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 07:18:22 EDT
In a message dated 8/5/98 8:42:34 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
baishen@**********.COM writes:

> > > Does it specifically say they move slowly? The reason I ask is because
> > > the speed rating of the trailer and the tractor are identical.
> > The reason for why the trailers have their own power plants is so they
can
> > operate independently, but, I believe we may never really now the reason.
> But
> > there is one thing known ... as long as the Bergen Land-Train does not
get
> > involved in combat the thing does not have to worry about making a
> handling
> > check for the duration of it's trip, and it can do so with speeds of up
to
> 140
> > or 150 (IIRC) without any stress to the Land-Train at all .. perhaps this
> is
> > one of the reasons why each component of the Land-Train have their own
> power plants.
>
> 140-150? Are you sure about that? It's listed speed is only 90. I
> really need to find a copy of RBB.

Bai, gimme some time (this weekend) and I'll scan in and send you a gif of
what the page contains from the RBB ...

If anyone else wants a copy, send me a private email on that topic if you
could. Same for you too Bai ... would help me out some ...

-Herc
------ The Best Mechanic you can ever have.
Message no. 34
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 13:50:29 -0400
> > 140-150? Are you sure about that? It's listed speed is only 90. I
> > really need to find a copy of RBB.
> Bai, gimme some time (this weekend) and I'll scan in and send you a gif of
> what the page contains from the RBB ...

Be much appreciated.

> If anyone else wants a copy, send me a private email on that topic if you
> could. Same for you too Bai ... would help me out some ...

I'm CCin' you a copy of this message.
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 35
From: Wildthing <twowolfe@*******.NET>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 10:35:39 -0700
Justin Bell wrote:
>
> At 10:48 PM 8/4/98 -0400, Mark C. Farrington wrote:
> # The three trailer rigs see limited use here in some parts of the US. There
> # has been considerable pressure on the Federal Department of Transportation
> # to ban them due to safety concerns. I've seen one on the road before and it
> # was undulating like a snake the whole time. Practically took up both lanes.
>
> now take that same truck and put it on a two lane highway
> and when I say two lanes I mean one lane each direction.....
>
> and add lots of rocks to the shoulder of the road

I live in the USA also in Ca. and we have a two trailer limite the
engine and 2 trailers but thats only for like highway driving if its in
the cityss its one.
Message no. 36
From: Bai Shen <baishen@**********.COM>
Subject: Land Trains
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998 12:07:21 -0400
To whoever offered to send me the Land Train stats, did you send them
yet? I had ISP problems over the weekend, so it may have gotten lost if
you sent it.
--
Bai Shen
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
http://www.series2000.com/users/baishen
UIN 3543257 (Don't ask to join if you aren't going to send me anything.)
Message no. 37
From: K is the Symbol <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Land Trains
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 02:52:21 EDT
In a message dated 8/13/1998 3:25:29 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
baishen@**********.COM writes:

> To whoever offered to send me the Land Train stats, did you send them
> yet? I had ISP problems over the weekend, so it may have gotten lost if
> you sent it.

Somehow, I'm wagering it was Mike B. here, as he had the RBB out before I went
to the con, and said something about trying to scan the images for your
benefit as well.

Sadly, the scanner doesn't like the new computer system for some reason
(either that, or the system won't work in Win98).

-K

Further Reading

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Thwap!