View source for Trans-Keltian Express

{{Infobox

| bodystyle   = width:{{{box_width|25em}}}; font-size: 90%;

|image = [[File:Trans-Keltian Express logo.png|250px|border|Trans-Keltian Express]]
|caption = logo of the Trans-Keltian Express

| headerstyle = background-color: #efefef

| header1     = {{#if:{{{type<includeonly>|</includeonly>}}}{{{system|}}}{{{status|}}}{{{locale|}}}{{{start|}}}{{{stations|}}}{{{routes|}}}{{{ridership|}}}{{{trainnumber|}}}{{{line_number|}}}|Overview}}

|label2 = Type
|data2 =
|label3 = System
|data3 = 
|label4 = Status
|data4 = Operational
|label5 = Location
|data5 = [[Keltia]]
|label6      = Coordinates
|data6       = 
| label7      = Termini
| data7       = {{Team flag|Mercury|flag}} [[Mercury (city)|Mercury]], {{Team flag|Elwynn|name=Nordiskehjem}}
| label8      = Stations
| data8       = 10 (5 in [[Mercury]], 5 in [[Normark]])
| label9      = Routes
| data9       = [[Mercury (city)|Mercury]] to [[Nordiskehjem]] <small>(Line TK1)</small>

| header20    = {{#if:{{{open<includeonly>|</includeonly>}}}{{{close|}}}{{{owner|}}}{{{operator|}}}{{{character|}}}{{{depot|}}}{{{stock|}}}|Operation}}

| label21     = Opened
| data21      = {{AN|3|2021}}
| label22     = Closed
| data22      = 
| label23     = Reopened
| data23      = 
| label24     = Owner
| data24      = [[Trans-Keltia Railways]]
| label25     = Operator(s)
| data25      = Various
| label26     = Depot(s)
| data26      = [[Mercury (city)|Mercury]], [[Mercury]]<br>[[Požun]], [[Mercury]]<br>[[Hagbard]], [[Normark]]
| label27     = Rolling stock
| data27      = 

| header40    = {{#if:{{{linelength<includeonly>|</includeonly>}}}{{{linelength_km|}}}{{{linelength_mi|}}}{{{tracklength|}}}{{{tracklength_km|}}}{{{tracklength_mi|}}}{{{notrack|}}}{{{gauge|}}}{{{el|}}}{{{speed|}}}{{{speed_km/h|}}}{{{speed_mph|}}}{{{elevation|}}}{{{elevation_m|}}}{{{elevation_ft|}}}{{{maxincline|}}}{{{minradius_m|}}}{{{minradius_ft|}}}{{{minradius|}}}{{{racksystem|}}}{{{routenumber|}}}|Technical}}

| label41     = Line length
| data41      = 7,158km (4,448 mi)
| label42     = Track length
| data42      = 
| label43     = No. of tracks
| data43      = Double track throughout
| label44     = Track gauge
| data44      = 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)<br>[[wikipedia:standard gauge|standard gauge]]
| label48     = [[wikipedia:Railway electrification system|Electrification]]
| data48      = [[wikipedia:25 kV AC railway electrification|25kV 60Hz AC]] [[wikipedia:Overhead line|OHLE]]
| label49     = Operating speed
| data49      = 350 km/h
| label50     = Highest elevation
| data50      = {{convinfobox|{{{elevation_m|}}}|m|{{{elevation_ft|}}}|ft}}{{{elevation|}}}

| header60    = Route

|label61 = Map
|data61 = [[File:Trans-Keltian Express map.png|250px|border|The planned route of the Trans-Keltian Express]]
|label62 = Route
|data62 = {{Trans-Keltian Express Route}}
}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an international railway route initially spanning the northern regions of [[Keltia]]. Construction began with a high-speed line between [[Mercury (city)|Mercury]] and [[Hagbard]], thus connecting the Mercurian capital with all major cities of [[Normark]] through Normark's internal railway system, up and to [[Nordiskehjem]] in the north-west.

For [[Normark]], the project included building a railway crossing in the form of a tunnel under the [[Norse Gate]], thus connecting [[Hagbard]] in the east of the [[Strait of Haifa]] with [[Signe]] in the west, and the rest of Normark.

==Route==
The Trans-Keltian Express route begins in [[Nordiskehjem]], moving southwards towards [[Elijah's Rest]], where it turns south-eastwards to cross the span of [[Normark]]. The line passes beneath the [[Norse Gate]] via a tunnel, then continues southwards towards [[Hagbard]]. On leaving Hagbard, the line turns sharply towards the east, where it heads towards Mercury.

After crossing the [[Mercury|Mercurian]] border into [[Osktrava]], it winds its way through the valley where the [[Výsoký Východný]] and [[Nízky Východný]] meet. As it heads towards the city of [[Požun]], it runs alongside the shores of [[Bavičký pleso]], before passing through a tunnel underneath the northern face of [[Čistý Štíť]]. The route arrives in Požun, where it continues north-eastwards towards [[Košťova]], approximately following the route of the [[Rýchla]]. After Košťova, the line continues into [[Moorshire]], bypassing the city of [[North Eastmoor]] to the south, and instead taking a sharp turn northwards towards [[Harlby]]. The route passes through [[Nafferton]] without stopping, on its journey towards [[Taylor (city)|Taylor]]. The line is planned to extend into the central station within Taylor, which would force the train to reverse out of the station on the last leg towards [[Mercury (city)|Mercury]], where it terminates.

==Construction==
The initial phase of construction began in {{AN|7|2020}} with the extension of Mercury's existing network towards [[Castilona]] and [[Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq]]. The second phase, the westbound extension of the line from [[Požun]] towards the border with [[Normark]], began in {{AN|11|2020}}, and was completed in {{AN|3|2021}}.

==Proposed extensions==
The government of [[Mercury]] have proposed an extension to the route, tentatively referred to as ''TKE-2'', which would extend south from [[Mercury (city)|Mercury]] through [[Tow Law (city)|Tow Law]] and [[West Grinstead]], before turning west into [[Ostland]], reaching the capital [[Reichsborg]], then heading south towards [[Arevacia]] and [[Ciudad de Anahuaco]]. The extension would ultimately aim to connect to [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]], however the exact route at this point is as yet undetermined.

Following a series of [[Burwood Wildfires|natural disasters]] and [[Operation Northway|regional conflicts]], [[Moorland]] emerged as the stabilizing force within the area and opted to take the helm with the TKE-2 project. After expanding the territory of [[Nevermoor]] westward around the [[Dunn Mountains]], survey teams began mapping out a new route for the TKE extension. This route would take it along the River Lorne valley to the city of Blackend, then east towards [[Raveness]]. A spur would connect Raveness and eastern cities such as [[Newcastle-Upon-Eastmoor]]. The main route would continue south into [[Burwood]], over to [[St Joseph's]], and then south to [[Fort Hunter]] and the [[Ports of Newhaven]]. From there the line would be picked up by [[Anahuaco]] and head south to [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]. Work on the Moorland route is expected to begin in 1729. By VII.1729 work was completed on the [[Dunn Mountains]] Viaduct, a major bypass connector into Moorland. Engineers expect the rail to reach Raveness by the end of the year. In late 1730 the rail line extension had exceeded expectations and been extended to Raveness, then south to St. Joseph's and Kingsburgh, with work on the southern tier ongoing to Fort Hunter, which is expected to take another year or two. However, rail service between Mercury and Moorland officially opened in XI.1730 with passenger stations now readily available as far south as Ostkirk.

By the summer of 1731, the rail route had reached the city of Evesden. The route would now be directed southeast towards to [[Fort Hunter]] and eventually the [[Ports of Newhaven]], where it would finally connect with [[Anahuaco]].

[[File:TKE-extension.jpeg|thumb|left|Dunn Mountains Viaduct]]

=== Vegnese route ===
In {{AN|1730}} the [[President of the Republic of Vegno]], [[Antonio Visciglia]], together with the [[Governor of San Lucido]], [[Raphael Bullman]], publicly expressed their desire to also connect the main cities of [[Vegno]] on [[Keltia]] via the Trans-Keltian Express.

The vegnese proposal, subsequently accepted by [[Trans-Keltia Railways]], provided for the line to be extended westwards from its final terminus in [[Normark]] to the city of [[Port Aerla]] in [[Aerla]], and then enter the vegnese territory.

According to the project, the line should have had four stops in [[Vegno]], including the cities of [[Santa Markovia]], [[Commenda]], [[Nuova Cossa]] and [[Cammarata]], which would have represented the new terminus of the Trans-Keltian express.

The project was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the other neighboring nations and the works in [[Vegno]] officially started in XIII.{{AN|1730}}.

The timetable of the works foresees the end of these in {{AN|1732}}, with a gradual opening of the line in two moments: at the end of {{AN|1731}} the stops of [[Santa Markovia]] and [[Commenda]] will be opened and at the end of {{AN|1732}} those of [[Nuova Cossa]] and [[Cammarata]].
[[Category:Transportation]]
[[Category:Railways]]