2020 (before extension)
The Maglev Network,[1] also known as the Transcontinental Maglev System,[2] is a large railway infrastructure connecting the West and East Coasts of the United States.
History[]
1998 - 2010s[]
The original maglev network was a project put forward by the government of the United States of America during the turmoil years of the Collapse. The idea was to connect both the East and West Coasts of the States by using a safe-and-rapid transportation alternative to the planes that were targeted during the national protests and rioting.[2][3] Supervised by the US Army Corps of Engineers and with most of the workforce hired from the nomads roaming the country, construction on the network began in 1998, shortly after an earthquake that devastated the city of Los Angeles. The western terminus was originally planned to be in LA, but due to the aforementioned events, it was changed at the last minute to be in Night City instead.[2][1]
The project was finalized in 2008, just as the rioting was winding down.[2][3] Soon after, ownership and maintenance was transferred to the Planetran railway corporation.[1] The line went from Night City, eastward to Kansas City, St. Louis, Atlanta and finally Washington, D.C.[4][3] The Planetran trains cruised at high speeds via tunnels and on the surface thanks to the then-advent of electrodynamic suspension technology, which allowed fast and comfortable travel.[1] A trip from one terminus to the other could take about twelve hours. The journey was considered one of the safest and reliable ways to cross the continental US, and over the following years, improved screening and weapon security reduced terrorist actions by 96%.[4][3]
2020s - 2040s[]
In 2020, there were plans to extend the network eastward to New York City and Boston, with construction in the former scheduled to begin around 2023. The majority of the workforce was from the nomadic Seven Nations; of them, the ones that were going to put more numbers were Snake Nation, the Bloods (with special interest from the Gargoyles pack), and Folk Nation.[2]
Most of the maglev network was abandoned during the years following the Fourth Corporate War due to a major economic recess, with parts of the large infrastructure being occupied by the homeless and other various gangs.[1] Over the next decade or so, amidst the Time of the Red, several nomad packs took over sections of the abandoned maglev railway to transport material and goods using armored trains.[5]
2070s - 2080s[]
In the mid-2070s, Night Corp was tasked with revitalizing the maglev network system in Night City to connect it with the already existing lines. By early 2077, they had finalized their conceptual engineering efforts, which would one day connect Corporate Plaza with the NUSA's East Coast. The corporation began to repair sections of the old network, as well as drilling a new tunnel beneath the city foundations from its construction site to the northeast. The initial phase of construction was expected to finish in 2078, with the first connections operational by the end of said year, and with the city of Chicago by 2080.[1][6]
Database Entry (2077)[]
MAGLEV NETWORK
The Night City magnetic levitation rail system (Maglev) was one of the largest infrastructure projects on the continent. Its construction was supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and completed in 2008, after which ownership was transferred to Planetran Inc. Maglev trains cruised at high speeds via tunnels and on the surface thanks to the advent of electrodynamic suspension technology, allowing fast and comfortable travel from Night City to other cities, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Atlanta and Washington D.C. Unfortunately, this new era of transportation didn't last long. The social unrest and armed conflict of the 4th Corporate War brought with it an economic crisis that soon crippled the entire system. Currently inoperational, the abandoned Maglev tunnels are used by the homeless and various gangs. Recently however, Night Corp has begun to commence repairs with the aim of revitalizing the Maglev system and is currently drilling a new tunnel beneath the foundations of Night City.[1]
Old Network[]
The first iteration of the maglev network was conceptualized by the US, and it was later owned and operated by railway corporation Planetran, using their own maglev trains. A trip usually cost 100eb for a standard car, and 250eb for first class.[3] The network functioned from 2008 until the late 2020s, abandoned at some point after the Fourth Corporate War.[1]
Stations[]
From west to east:
- Night City — Transit Center
- Kansas City
- St. Louis
- Atlanta
- Washington D.C.
- New York City (planned)
- Boston (planned)
Ancillary Locations[]
New Network[]
The second iteration, at least the Night City portion, was a project given to Night Corp, who was tasked on revitalizing the old network system of Night City as well as adding new infrastructures. Once finished, it would be connected to the already existing maglev lines.[1][6]
Known Stations[]
From west to east:
- Night City — Memorial Park
- Chicago (planned)
Ancillary Locations[]
Notes[]
- Another maglev line in Night City is shown in the Phantom Liberty Cinematic Trailer, which goes through Westbrook and Santo Domingo, then south towards SoCal. This line is not visible in Cyberpunk 2077.
- Night City's 2020 transcontinental maglev station was located in old Little China, northeast of Pacifica, with the railways heading east. It's unknown why there would be a tunnel in 2077 Pacifica unless it was an extension of the line heading south.
- The Database Entry shows a concept art of the Cyberpunk 2077 NCART metro system.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 CD Projekt RED. Cyberpunk 2077. Video Game, Multi-Platform. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2020. (Maglev Network & Maglev Tunnel Database Entries)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 WINN, R. Neo Tribes. Berkeley, CA, R. Talsorian Games, 1994. (pp.5,7–8,16–17,19,23,42,76)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 MACDONALD, M. Home of the Brave. Berkeley, CA, R. Talsorian Games, 1992. (pp.7,35–36)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 PONDSMITH, M. Night City Sourcebook. Berkeley, CA, R. Talsorian Games, 1991. (pp.7,142,156)
- ↑ PONDSMITH, M. Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook. Kenmore, WA, R. Talsorian Games, 2020. (p.336)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 CD Projekt RED. Cyberpunk 2077. Video Game, Multi-Platform. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2020. (Night Corp Maglev Advertisement & Computer Messages)
