Armed Train in the Apocalypse

Chapter 44: Chapter 43: Kinetic Energy Recovery

The accumulated stench inside the carriage, mixed with the smell of blood, dissipated above us.

Su Huan raised his hand to shield himself from the dazzling sunlight, ”How does evolution feel?”

Liang Kuan instinctively touched his left shoulder, ”I have something new in my mind. I am a ’Defender.’ Currently, my skills are Level 1 ’Combat Factor’ and Level 1 ’Shield Specialization.’

Su Huan was about to nod but then raised his eyebrows in surprise, ”Two skills? Have you used a shield, such a cold weapon, before?”

”My uncle taught me some skills when I was a child, but I’ve forgotten most of them.”

”No wonder...”

Su Huan squinted slightly. In this case, Liang Kuan’s career path would need to be re-planned.

Originally, he intended to assign Liang Kuan to a profession such as ’Firepower Hand’ or ’Master of Firearms.’

Now, unexpectedly, he’s become a niche Shield Warrior.

The growth potential of cold weapons is higher in the later stages.

But that’s still in the future. Su Huan walked toward the front carriage while Liang Kuan picked up a somewhat deformed sword and shield and followed behind.

”Speaking of which, is there something like a hand brake on the train?” Su Huan asked casually as he used high heat to melt the lock cylinder of the next carriage and pushed open the door.

Liang Kuan was stunned for a moment, ”Of course, such a large train definitely has a braking device. Like our old model, they’re usually beside the wheels, and each carriage has one under the floor. You have to operate them one by one. I’m afraid there won’t be enough time in case of an accident, so I never lock them.”

This carriage was very clean, but seeing the scattered luggage above indicated that people must have rushed out during the incident.

Su Huan examined the train’s internal structure, ”What about this hydrogen-powered train?”

”It should be an air spring parking brake. I think that’s what it’s called. I don’t understand the specific principle, but most bullet trains are like this. Once depressurized, they’re locked,” Liang Kuan replied uncertainly.

Su Huan tried to inject energy directly into the train’s engine beneath his feet. As expected, it wasn’t possible, and the train seemed to be nailed firmly to the ground.

This means that every time they encounter such blocking trains, they have to dismount and move them or derail them.

They can’t be powered directly by energy.

It’s quite troublesome.

As the two walked forward, inspecting the hydrogen train’s damage, Liang Kuan taught him some basic knowledge about trains.

By the time they reached the cockpit, Su Huan had a basic understanding of the train underneath them.

The hydrogen-powered carriage is 34.8m long, 2.7m wide, and 4.28m high, with an internal height of 2.1m. It’s longer and narrower than a green carriage, and shorter in height than the old model fitted with air conditioning.

As for the two points he was most concerned about,

First, can it be energy-driven? Ok.

Second, does it have kinetic energy carriages? Not ok.

However —

This train’s power system uses a modular design. Each car has fuel cells and lithium batteries on the roof and chassis. Two carriages share a power system.

In other words, every two carriages can be considered an independent train.

There are a total of twelve carriages. Taking out four that are too severely damaged, Su Huan can get eight carriages in total.

Equivalent to four independently operated locomotives.

Integrating all of them into the existing armored train solves the power shortage problem.

Though he can’t get hydrogen, the hydrogen train has a kinetic energy recovery function which can convert kinetic energy into stored electrical energy in the battery, suitable for continuous operation on the train.

With these eight carriages, the power consumption of the train can be further reduced.

Su Huan considered himself as a core power source for the train later on.

But he didn’t literally consider himself as a power bank.

Leaving his train without energy would be unacceptable.

As for the arrangement,

the rear must have a set; this way, reversing does not have to be slow, and they can escape faster if necessary.

They can add one in front of the dining car and sightseeing carriage, but it has to be added two carriages at a time and can’t be separated. The dining car currently serves as the team meeting room, gathering many people, so it can’t be placed too far back.

If they add one, it has to be behind the sightseeing carriage.

That way, the 3rd carriage, his private space, will have to be moved forward.

After clear consideration, Su Huan said, ”Let’s start the train now. Disassemble both the hydrogen train and the armored train and arrange them in the order of the locomotive, 3rd carriage, dining car, sightseeing carriage, two hydrogen-powered carriages, food reserve carriage, and one baggage carriage. Extend all previous armored carriages toward the rear.”

”Put four of the remaining six at the end, and arrange the other two as you see fit.”

The baggage carriage is about the same size as the passenger carriage but without windows, only some vents. It features a double door approximately 2.5 meters wide by 2.2 meters high.

Placing it behind the food reserve carriage serves to separate passengers and provides Yu Jing with a workspace.

There will be increasing needs for mechanical modifications in the future.

Always striking and pounding in his own room wasn’t a solution.

Liang Kuan rubbed his stubble, ”These tracks are plenty and can be managed to rotate, but it will take a lot of time if I am the only one.”

”As long as you can arrange the carriages for me today!”

”Understood.”

...

Judging their position, still about three kilometers from South Station, the two backed the hydrogen train away.

Qi Xiaobai constructed a large area of steel plates about ten meters behind the armored train to sever the railway track, preventing unexpected zombie surges.

Some workers at the back were also released, and Yu Jing was directing them to clean the locomotive and dismount the two-meter-six Butcher from the ram’s horn.

As the train backed, everyone stopped their work, crouching cautiously beside the train doors.

Su Huan emerged from the rear carriage, jumping to the ground.

He glanced at that Butcher holding the skull-cracker.

’Pan-energy Perception’ fluctuated a bit, only detecting a slight pan-energy residue from the zombie body.

It must have been dead too long, with severe pan-energy loss, and could not be crystallized.

Otherwise, he could earn another one.

Looking up, seeing Yu Jing, carrying a sniper crossbow, walk over, he asked, ”How’s the water tank design going?”

”I plan to use modular design so that even if carriages are interchanged, each water tank remains connected to the purifier, and each carriage has its high-pressure water gun,” Yu Jing replied.

Su Huan’s eyes brightened slightly, ”Modular and independent high-pressure water guns, that’s a good idea. How long before it’s implemented?”

Yu Jing scribbled in her notebook, frowning, ”The design isn’t complex, but the high-pressure nozzle is a hassle. Xiaoba takes a long time to mold one.”

”Don’t worry about the nozzle for now. Liang Kuan will soon rearrange the carriages, so just pre-set the water pipes in the first few carriages,” Su Huan advised.

Other places might lack suitable water guns, but fire trucks definitely have them, and they are exceptionally reliable.

Raising her head to look at the futuristic hydrogen-powered train, Yu Jing asked, ”Will the carriages be re-arranged?”

”Yes, we’ve also arranged a separate workspace for you, so you’ll move to...” Su Huan counted on his fingers, ”still the 4th carriage. Your former armed carriage will be moved to the rear, and these front ten carriages will become our reserved area.”

”The material of the new carriage doesn’t seem very resistant to impact.”

Su Huan rubbed his brow and said seriously, ”It’s made of lightweight aluminum alloy, so today, your main task with Xiaoba is to re-cover these two carriages with steel plates.”

”And it must not compromise their sealing and moisture-proof features.”