Quadrail
Encyclopedia
The Quadrail is a fictional intra-galactic rail system conceived by science fiction author Timothy Zahn
. It first appeared in the novel Night Train to Rigel
in 2005.
At the core of the Quadrail is a quantum thread known as the Coreline. The Coreline is the mechanism which accelerates the Quadrail train system though an unexplained physical phenomenon, although the passengers aren't aware of this (general speculation is that one of the four rails provides the motive power). I Standard Quadrail trains can travel at up to a light-year a minute, but in all actuality, train speed is controlled by proximity to the Coreline (e.g. the closer an object gets to the Coreline, the faster it moves). Therefore, some specialized Quadrail maintenance trains can travel faster than standard Quadrail trains.
The Quadrail is operated throughout the Galaxy by the Spiders - an enigmatic race with mechanical spider like legs.
There are three classes of seating on a typical Quadrail train - First, Second, and Third. Among the different types of cars are compartment cars, only available in first class, seating cars, available in all three classes with decreasing comfort depending on the class, dining cars, available in all three classes with decreasing conveniences and selections depending on the class, recreation/entertainment cars, which include exercise facilities and bathing facilities, available in all three classes, and baggage cars. Typically a train will have, going from front to back, an engine car, which is not internally accessible, one or more compartment cars (individual compartments have sleeping, bathing and toilet facilities), one or more first class seating cars, a first class dining car, a first class recreation/entertainment car, second class seating, dining and entertainment cars, third class seating, dining and entertainment cars, and one or more baggage cars. The cars are internally pressurized and are joined by pass-through airlocks. Passage from one car to another is controlled by the class of ticket, with each class ticket giving entry to its own class and lesser class cars. Each class has a first aid station/infirmary, located either in the dining car or the entertainment car.
Timothy Zahn
Timothy Zahn is a writer of science fiction short stories and novels. His novella Cascade Point won the 1984 Hugo award. He is the author of nine Star Wars Expanded Universe novels, including seven novels featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn: the Thrawn Trilogy, the Hand of Thrawn duology, Outbound...
. It first appeared in the novel Night Train to Rigel
Night Train to Rigel
Night Train to Rigel is a science fiction book published in 2005, by Hugo Award winning author Timothy Zahn. The book is set in the near-distant future, in an era when humans have taken up residence on planets other than Earth, such as Mars...
in 2005.
Operation
The Quadrail is a system consisting of a minimum of four rails wrapped inside of a tube. The tube allows for faster-than-light transport through most of the known galaxy and includes the 12 Empires recognized in Zahn's Quadrail series.At the core of the Quadrail is a quantum thread known as the Coreline. The Coreline is the mechanism which accelerates the Quadrail train system though an unexplained physical phenomenon, although the passengers aren't aware of this (general speculation is that one of the four rails provides the motive power). I Standard Quadrail trains can travel at up to a light-year a minute, but in all actuality, train speed is controlled by proximity to the Coreline (e.g. the closer an object gets to the Coreline, the faster it moves). Therefore, some specialized Quadrail maintenance trains can travel faster than standard Quadrail trains.
The Quadrail is operated throughout the Galaxy by the Spiders - an enigmatic race with mechanical spider like legs.
There are three classes of seating on a typical Quadrail train - First, Second, and Third. Among the different types of cars are compartment cars, only available in first class, seating cars, available in all three classes with decreasing comfort depending on the class, dining cars, available in all three classes with decreasing conveniences and selections depending on the class, recreation/entertainment cars, which include exercise facilities and bathing facilities, available in all three classes, and baggage cars. Typically a train will have, going from front to back, an engine car, which is not internally accessible, one or more compartment cars (individual compartments have sleeping, bathing and toilet facilities), one or more first class seating cars, a first class dining car, a first class recreation/entertainment car, second class seating, dining and entertainment cars, third class seating, dining and entertainment cars, and one or more baggage cars. The cars are internally pressurized and are joined by pass-through airlocks. Passage from one car to another is controlled by the class of ticket, with each class ticket giving entry to its own class and lesser class cars. Each class has a first aid station/infirmary, located either in the dining car or the entertainment car.
Quadrail series
- Night Train to RigelNight Train to RigelNight Train to Rigel is a science fiction book published in 2005, by Hugo Award winning author Timothy Zahn. The book is set in the near-distant future, in an era when humans have taken up residence on planets other than Earth, such as Mars...
(2005) - The Third LynxThe Third LynxThe Third Lynx is a science fiction novel by Timothy Zahn. It is the sequel to Night Train to Rigel. The Third Lynx was published by Tor Books and was released in hardcover on October 30, 2007.- Plot :...
(2007) - Odd Girl Out (2008)
- The Domino Pattern (2010)
External links
- Timothy Zahn's page at Tor BooksTor BooksTor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
- Bibliography on SciFanSciFanSciFan is an online database for fans of science fiction and fantasy books.The site provides detailed bibliographies, linking books together into series' where appropriate and, in turn, grouping series by universe...