Of Diesel and Steam
Locomotive technology has it backwards on the world of Klyrey when compared to Earth. Diesel came before steam. There is a reason why. A locomotive was an entirely different thing in the world of Klyrey. It was a living thing—part machine part person—combined through the crafts of the Dwarves. They are also male and female since the Dwarves start with a volunteer when crafting one. Some would call it magic in how they change the person into a living machine, but I digress. When the Rail Baron Matthew Ketchings first started his railroad, he could only get male volunteers to become the motive power for his railroad. The Dwarves could only convert them into a diesel type locomotive. It was not possible to put a boiler with a firebox on them. So for many years only 'growlers' reigned until women became interested in the railroad. The Dwarves already knew that steam was the only form they could use for a female. Thus began the era of big steam. Steam was very appealing to those riding passenger trains, even the huge monstrous articulated locomotives usually employed as freight drudges.
Matthew Ketchings having been originally from Earth, borrowed a lot of Earth designs for his locomotives. So there will be many engines that may seem familiar to the reader in this tale.
Locomotive technology has it backwards on the world of Klyrey when compared to Earth. Diesel came before steam. There is a reason why. A locomotive was an entirely different thing in the world of Klyrey. It was a living thing—part machine part person—combined through the crafts of the Dwarves. They are also male and female since the Dwarves start with a volunteer when crafting one. Some would call it magic in how they change the person into a living machine, but I digress. When the Rail Baron Matthew Ketchings first started his railroad, he could only get male volunteers to become the motive power for his railroad. The Dwarves could only convert them into a diesel type locomotive. It was not possible to put a boiler with a firebox on them. So for many years only 'growlers' reigned until women became interested in the railroad. The Dwarves already knew that steam was the only form they could use for a female. Thus began the era of big steam. Steam was very appealing to those riding passenger trains, even the huge monstrous articulated locomotives usually employed as freight drudges.
Matthew Ketchings having been originally from Earth, borrowed a lot of Earth designs for his locomotives. So there will be many engines that may seem familiar to the reader in this tale.
