Commodore Carriage steam wagon
The liveried companies of the Guild of Hauliers and Wagonmasters in the Benacian Union developed, out of necessity, the Commodore Carriage steam wagon, a rugged vehicle that combines the attributes of an underline steam wagon and a commodious stagecoach. The vehicle was developed as a consequence of the shortage of fuel oils, metal alloys, rubber or synthetic rubber, and composite materials in the civilian economy of the Union-State, particularly in non-core rural bailiwicks, as these resources are prioritised for the Benacian Union Defence Force and the Honourable Company in Benacia.
Characteristics of the Commodore Carriage
The vehicle is equipped with two-cylinder horizontal engines and tubular boilers, with a working pressure ranging from 150 to 250psi. On average, it consumes a gallon of paraffin for every 6.8 kilometres travelled. The speeds typically range from an average of 39 km/h over short distances of 6.4 kilometres to an average of 19 km/h over longer distances. The design of the vehicle placed the engine under the chassis, while the paraffin boiler, usually a vertical type, remained in the driver's cabriolet. Overall, the vehicle more closely resembles motor lorries than traction engines. The undertype design provides a more enclosed cab and a shorter length for the same carrying capacity.
At the front of the vehicle, there is a driver's cabriolet fixed to the body of the coach, which accommodates the driver, guard, and up to three passengers. This cabriolet provides protection from rain through a projecting roof and two leather curtains. Inside the vehicle, which is spacious and tall, up to six passengers can travel comfortably. The interior is lined with padded leather and features small pockets for travellers to store their rations, snuff, chewing tobacco, and personal effects. These items, unfortunately, tend to share their scents in the same compartment. On the roof, there is a large net where passengers often place their hats, swords, carbines, and band boxes, providing convenient storage options. When all parties are seated and arranged, the accommodations are reasonably comfortable.
The dedicated external luggage deck is situated on the roof of the vehicle, typically accommodating six or seven additional passengers of lower social standing. It also serves as a storage space for a pile of luggage, which can be half as high as the coach itself. The luggage is secured with ropes and chains, tightened by a large iron windlass, which forms another part of this moving mass. Due to the absence of rubber tires, the wheels are iron-rimmed and spring-mounted. The body of the carriage is fixed directly to the axles with two durable elliptic steel leaf springs on each side.
While this vehicle may not boast exceptional features or unique qualities, it serves its purpose efficiently within the limitations imposed by ongoing resource shortages within the Benacian Union. Its practical design provided adequate comfort and storage capacity for passengers and their belongings, enabling transportation between rural bailiwicks within the Benacian Union.
Although there was not a standard design for the commodore carriage, it tended by convention to have a length of approximately eight metres, a width of 2.5 metres, and a height of three metres. By convention, nearly all versions are built with load lashing points. These include internal and external roof racks, roof base carriers, roof access ladders, and a variety of interior load restraint systems including load space dividers, cargo nets and retention packs with side lashing rails.
In the event of paraffin being unavailable in a given locale, the facility is included for the harnessing of six mules or four horses to the carriage in order to provide for an alternative means of conveyance. Protected persons may also be harnessed for this purpose but it is not recommended to attempt this over any distance longer than a single stage.
Routes
As noted, the commodores tend to operate on the roads of the rural bailiwicks of Benacia. Their routes accordingly tend to consist of those connecting the administrative and commercial centre of a bailiwick with its outlying townships, as well as to and between the turnpike bastions that regulate entry and egress into the bailiwicks. These routes are typically broken up into stages, with the intervals usually being marked by prominent local landmarks or coaching inns along the particular route.
Narrow gauge rail variants
In some bailiwicks, carriages were converted so as to be able to run on narrow gauge rails for certain portions of the route, with the ability to change back to road wheels where required. This would however require the availability of a significant work detail, a system of pulleys, levers, and often a crane. Passengers would of course be obliged to alight from the wagon during such swap overs, representing an opportunity for canny operators to establish a coaching inn and service station in which to gull customers of their hard-earned chits as they waited.
