Trans-Keltian Express
 logo of the Trans-Keltian Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Status | Under construction (since 1685 AN) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Keltia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini |
 Mercury,  Nordiskehjem | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stations | 10 (5 in Mercury, 5 in Normark) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Routes | Mercury to Nordiskehjem (Line TK1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 1694 AN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Trans-Keltia Railways | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator(s) | Various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depot(s) |
Mercury, Mercury Požun, Mercury Hagbard, Normark | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 7,158km (4,448 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. of tracks | Double track throughout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge |
1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | 25kV 60Hz AC OHLE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | TBD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Map |
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| Route |
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The Trans-Keltian Expressis an international railway route initially spanning the northern regions of Keltia. Construction began with a high-speed line between 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 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. 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, where it terminates.
Construction
The initial phase of construction began in 1686 AN 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 1690 AN, and was completed in 1694 AN.
