Steam train

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

More destructive than the same process, but leaving the train out of the explosion, certainly. But destroying the track in a way so that the train safely comes to a halt (in a convenient place for the concealed snipers to shoot everyone) is still breaking the transport route and mass murder. I doubt the US Marshals and cavalry are going to give the PCs a pass because they "only" destroyed the tracks and killed everyone, but spared the train (and that specifically so they could steal it, too).

I'd agree, the bridge would be a much harder repair. But how much difference is that going to make to the PC's fate?

First, why would you shoot everyone? That's not how competent armed robbery works. You have them immobilized and you've got shooters so that they can't get mobile. You only need to actually shoot anyone if the train has defenders who fight back despite the disastrous disadvantage they're put at. You certainly don't need to shoot anyone who isn't fighting back, like passengers and probably the train's non-guard crew.

Second, why would you destroy the track? Blocking it will do. And if you do 'destroy' it to the extent of pulling one rail out of place (more than enough), that's a fast repair, it doesn't break the transport route for long at all.

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

Oh, good, more mayhem on the PC's ledger in the "save the train" case :)

Different subject there. That was a suggestion as to why the PCs might actually be wanting to capture the train, again as the OP specifies, rather than just rob it and then release it.