White Reach Transit System

"While the design and construction of this transit system could take up to a decade to perfect and finish, I believe it is in the best interests of all citizens to prove we can do this on our own. Without the intervention of off-world investors. Without needing to rely on supplies which may never come. I truly believe this could help bring all the people of White Reach together, by literally making it easier for us to get together!"

— Baron Dieter Wallings, 2998

  In the late 30th century, the Baron Dieter Wallings was keen on showing off how White Reach still had the potential to make sophisticated electronics. To this end, he proposed making use of some principles of physics which had gone out of style during the Succession Wars: induction motors and magnetic levitation. The plan was to design and build a transit system capable of moving a loaded passenger train from the capital to Coral Cove. Whitfield Electronics and the Castellan Corporation were major investors in the project, as they would be producing the materials required. Very little interest was raised outside of Southern Pelea, and so the project was primarily funded through the two corporations and the Baron's own coffers.

After four years of design process and construction, matters took a turn for the worse due to minor defects in construction. During the first scale test with an empty passenger car, a capacitor exploded and flung the vehicle from the rail. While nobody was seriously injured, the damage was significant enough to require the system to be rebuilt from the ground up. Representatives from both Whitfield and Castellan argued over whose components failed, until the project looked like it would be terminated. Unwilling to allow so much time and money to be wasted, the companies both returned to the drawing board and redesigned the motive system.

The second scale test performed exceptionally well, managing to run a small passenger unit from a reception area near Coral Cove to the Baron's residence. Scaling it up past this proved problematic, as local materials were simply not sufficient to the task. Requests for material bult to specifications provided by Whitfield were left unanswered due to the Third Succession War still being fought, and electronics across the Lyran Commonwealth were being directed to repairing BattleMechs. The only interest shown was from a company who intended to purchase the specifications to re-invent a magnetic induction ballistics weapon, but before a deal could be worked out that company fell apart.

When Baroness Elizabeth Wallings took over the title, her intent was to resume work expanding the transit line. However, the current representatives of the corporations refused to meet with her. Furthermore, the Senate did not want to authorize any use of public funds to rekindle "a failed transit system" despite there being video evidence proving it functioned. After two years of lobbying for this, hoping to make building the transit system her legacy, Elizabeth was left with nothing but bitterness.

To further add insult to her memory, the new Baron had noticed the potential of the system and begun making deals with people in other systems across the Lyran Commonwealth to "properly" finish the transit system. The project has been restarted and is expected to finish around 3039.

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