Armed Train in the Apocalypse

Chapter 101: Chapter 98: Phase One Remodeling Complete

”December 27, morning, acid rain”

”Phase one of the armored train modification is complete”

Su Huan looked at the brand new ammunition rack in front of him and closed the log with satisfaction.

This acid rain had been pouring for three days, starting from when they entered Yijin, but it gave Su Huan the time to modify and upgrade the train.

After two days of collection and modification, phase one of the armored train plan was finally complete.

The original plan was: relatively sturdy physical defense, fresh water circulation, resource reserves, a small team that operated smoothly, and ample labor force.

The entire train was coated with 1.2cm thick steel plates, bringing the total weight of the train to a terrifying eight thousand tons.

However, not many glass pieces were made, only sixteen in total, and all were used on the dining car. This was only because the eldest of the three brothers evolved into a Maker; otherwise, at Yu Jing’s efficiency, only twelve could be produced.

1.5 steel plate + explosion-proof net + new bulletproof explosion-proof glass + 1.2 metal shutters.

The physical defense section was considered qualified.

But with insufficient glass, the rear carriages had to be entirely sealed with steel plates.

However, Su Huan wasn’t overly absolute; each carriage still had four windows for lighting, or else extended pressure could cause problems.

Now to pull the train, it requires the locomotive plus four groups of hydrogen-powered trains to move it.

And the speed limit is basically locked at 80 km/h.

It could go faster, but the problem is it will only speed up and won’t stop.

The original hydrogen power system was dismantled due to inconvenient recharging, leaving only the battery under the train, which normally recycles kinetic energy, and during crucial moments, it starts simultaneously with the train’s locomotive to exert combined force to pull the train.

The crash angle of the locomotive also underwent modification; the original small crash angle and the shovel head were replaced with a terrifying piece made by welding eight triangular steel plates, almost covering most of the locomotive except for a row of windows, with the crash angle extending over four meters.

In tests, placing a dozen trucks and small fortifications made of sandbags in front of the train pushed everything to the sides of the tracks, brutally effective.

The purification system of the entire train was also revamped; every carriage can store four tons of purified water, connected to a purifier, with two water pipelines, one internal and one external.

The external pipeline is separate for each carriage, while the internal one is unified.

Of course, according to the train manager, this ensures that everyone can drink clean water, definitely not for conveniently measuring time.

Though not considered a fresh water cycle, in the Acid Rain Zone, the armored train’s purified water supply is carefree.

This isn’t acid rain; it’s showering gold.

The resource reserve was further consolidated. Besides the food filling the No.6 carriage, many temporary shelves were built in the No.8 carriage for stacking miscellaneous items, such as various electrical appliances, tools, batteries, washing machines, and other living necessities.

The small team and ample labor force, of course, were already satisfied.

On top of that, the train now has an extra, unexpected crew.

Specifically for the reserve and employment of intermediate talents.

And a carriage farm was established, now with four types of mutant plants: [Fats of the Heart] [Iron Grass] [Sweet Spicy Onion] [Rough Powder Grass].

Fats of the Heart is a tuber covered with dark red lumps, providing the soil with rapid nutrients to promote the growth of other plants.

The downside is that its vines actively attack people, so they must be pruned diligently.

Now, Carriage No.7 feels somewhat like a botanical garden. Su Huan likes to stroll there, feeling the clatter of the moving train, watching the lush mutant plants, possessing an inexplicable sense of technological elegance.

It’s less like a wasteland with collapsed order, more like a future full of hope.

Though it’s still difficult to achieve food recycling relying on existing plants, it’s a very good start.

Mutant plants absorb energy pervasively and grow fast. As long as the right plant combinations are achieved, it’s not impossible to sustain the whole train with the farm in the three carriages.

The machinist finally proved reliable for once.

Huang Sea status +1

Then, the train also acquired its own armory. The last batch of ammunition was evenly distributed across the carriages.

Su Huan’s No.1 carriage, due to its ample space, held the most ammunition.

Thirty boxes of 5.56 standard bullets, twenty boxes of 9mm handgun ammo, ten boxes of shells.

Also due to its proximity to the locomotive, all the machine gun ammo was placed there.

You could say Su Huan now sleeps in an ammunition depot.

However, the protective setup is done quite well, with 1.5cm thick steel plates, embedded with glass that softens at 300°C, bulletproof and explosion-proof.

Even a 12.7 heavy sniper rifle couldn’t penetrate the 1.5 carriage steel plate and breach the multiple layers of protection inside.

Iron Rain 14.5 was installed at the machine gun position reserved at the locomotive front; it’s wire-controlled and connected to a tablet below, allowing observation of external conditions via a camera, then adjusting the machine gun’s aim.

In case of emergency, people can climb the newly added stairs inside the locomotive to manually operate the machine gun.

The next time a helicopter thinks of flying over the armored train’s head, it might want to reconsider.

Lao San and the three brothers all awakened. Besides Boss, Lao San and Lao Er are Defenders, solidifying their roles as train protectors.

Each was issued an Iron Guard-4 assault rifle, paired with Iron Eagle-3 tactical handgun and full bulletproof armor, being the first batch of internally equipped personnel aboard the armored train.

Su Huan doesn’t plan to distribute the remaining firearms for now.

Yu Jing uses her previous Iron Curtain assault rifle, only supplementing with some 7.26 bullets, while Yu Yue, having a Night Owl-X7, similarly took some sniper rounds for daily practice.

Xiaoba has no use for them; Wan Xing’s No.3 carriage has an ammunition depot, and Liang Kuan’s driving compartment has one stored.

The others don’t need them for now.

He Jie...doesn’t need them at all.

Even though there’s some level of trust now, giving him a gun would destroy this fragile trust.

He’d only be used after rescuing his wife and daughter.

’I wonder if intercepting the Steel Council’s new city plan will delay it...’

’If not, it’s good too. Quickly use the spare time to upgrade the train. The current materials are too heavy, and the various devices are too crude. Needs continued upgrading, specific plans...’

Su Huan rubbed his chin and suddenly thought, why should I wrack my brain for such matters?

...

Yu Jing threw a stack of drawings on the dining table; Su Huan, who was picking at a salted duck egg, saw the words ”Armored Train Phase Two Plan” on them and fell into contemplation.

Did he say that they’d start phase two?

Wasn’t that just an idea from this morning?

Is the phase two plan already complete?

Why, as the train manager, am I not aware of this?

Did I forget?

Is the staff’s enthusiasm so high that it makes me look lazy?

Countless questions flashed through Su Huan’s mind for a moment, then he feigned calmness and picked up the drawings, ”I almost forgot about this.”

Yu Jing exclaimed in surprise, ”When did you mention it?”

[Daily accomplishments, seeking monthly votes]