Steam train

[Dexion]

I'm looking for the stats of a steam-powered train like in cowboy movies for a post-apocalystic scenario. In which book can I find it? I look in HT but nothing.

And I looking for some advices/ideas of customise it for defenses and tactics to take possession of the train without destroy it ?

Of course I thinking to put some trunks or rocks on the rails, but it easy to clean the way with lots of peoples to do the job and some watchers with guns.
I don't need solutions with mutants/zombies or things like this because it's a Mad Max like scenario.

[DangerousThing]

You might want to read or watch some Western movies with train robberies in them.

It is difficult to really arm a train, but they might do this in a post-Apocalyptic scenario.

I wonder if some trains might be in Deadlands?

[DangerousThing]

Or how about GURPS Classic Old West?

I don't have this, but it did come up in a google search for "gurps train maps".

[Dexion]

I was thinking of Gurps Old West but I don't have this book....

[Dexion]

The problem of the adventurers it's that they need to stop often to refuel the train (water/wood) and this type of train are slow, you can easily catch it with a motorbike or a car.

[Phil Masters]

For the game-mechanical vehicle details, see p. B464 for a TL5 "workhorse" engine, and Vehicles: Steampunk Conveyances, p. 4-5 and 8 for a couple more locos and a brief discussion of handling steam trains in play.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by DangerousThing

Or how about GURPS Classic Old West?

It has floorplans, maps, history, and a detailed section on "How to rob a train."

[Dalillama]

Originally Posted by DangerousThing

You might want to read or watch some Western movies with train robberies in them.

It is difficult to really arm a train, but they might do this in a post-Apocalyptic scenario.

I wonder if some trains might be in Deadlands?

It's not that terribly difficult, both World Wars featured armed
Trains. It's usually not very helpful, though.

[DangerousThing]

Originally Posted by Dalillama

It's not that terribly difficult, both World Wars featured armed
Trains. It's usually not very helpful, though.

That's actually what I meant. If you're adding armaments to existing train cars, it's difficult to do it well. A train is long and usually has lots of windows in the passenger areas.

Also, it doesn't have much armor. Though the cars might have enough to be of use against pistols, if the windows are taken care of. I don't know.

If you have the resources of a government it would probably be easier.

One thing to remember is that trains weren't really that fast, but they could go constantly. (sort of)

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by DangerousThing

That's actually what I meant. If you're adding armaments to existing train cars, it's difficult to do it well."

Actually, some armored trains had blockhouse cars for infantry in addition to the armored locomotive, tender, and various gun cars.

It would be easy to armor a train car, with no openings except for an armored door and gunslits. A wooden frame might not survive hits from cannon shells or explosive blasts, but it would certainly hold up against small arms fire and shrapnel.

There are also pictures of late 19th century gondola cars or flat cars with iron plate extensions and gunslits to allow standing troops to fire from cover. Not so good against grenades or mortar fire, but reasonable protection against small arms fire.

Up-armoring an existing train car using boiler plate or similar materials (e.g., sandbags, railroad sleeper or rails) is something a small shop could do with proper tools and sufficient supplies. Up-armoring an entire train, including purpose-built gun cars, much more expensive but wouldn't be beyond the means of a large company.