The Atlassian Link

The Atlassian Link Co' is a train operation company within the DSRR. It operates services primarily between Rubyabinsk and Pureor (the joint orange-red-purple city) as well as some commuter and local services in the northwest. The company also operates and mantains the train line of the same name which cuts through the north-western mountain range.

## Services

The Atlassian Link primarily runs a number of services between Rubyabinsk and Pureor. Over the course of a week, 4 passenger trains leave each end of the line, with 3 running a direct service between Pureor Central and Rubyabinsk West and the other stopping at many of the small stations along the mountain route. These smaller stops include 2 operational military bases and a large number of small villages.

The company also operates goods services to Pureor, one of the fastest way of getting freight to orange and purple. Goods trains leave Pureor daily, with 3 each week carying packaged goods and 4 carying heavy goods. From red, trains leave Rubyabinsk on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Trains pass through from Crimsongorod having also stopped at Minesk on Wednesdays and Fridays whilst a train from either Versonibirsk or Pantsivistok passes through on Sundays.

During the summer, trains leave Crimsongorod once a month making many stops at historical and entertainment hotspots. These carry tourists, similar to the cruises found in other parts of the world.

All services through the mountains requires security perssonel due to the dangers local wildlife poses to the trains. These teams are usually made up of a number of highly trained specialists known colloquially as Huntsmen or Huntresses.

## Huntsmen/Huntresses

Due to the danger posed to the villages in the mountains by the unusual wildlife of the region, a group of people, known as Huntsmen or Huntresess, was established. This was before the creation of the train link, although they know protect this too.

Huntsmen and Huntresses usually work in groups less than 4, although occasionally a creature will present itseld which requires more. They wield various specialist weapons, which are usually custon built to the individuals needs.

Training is completed at the Atlassian Academy, in the largest village of the mountains, where they learn the strategy, teamwork and combat skills which make the make them some of the best fighters in the world. However, individuals have never been know to have taken part in any wars, instead focusing on protecting those in need. Although primarily dedicated to the protection of the mountain peoples of north west DSRR, some have been known to move to other areas of the world to offer there abilities.

## Rolling Stock

Due to the harsh climate of the north-western mountains, a number of specialist pieces of rolling stock are used by The Atlassian Link. Engines used on the line of the same name use large battery wagons to power their accent, as other sources of energy are ineffient at the altitudes reached.

The company is currently in the process of withdrawing the Class 23-101s in exchange for the more modern 909 Trekker. As of February 1963, 21 of the locomotives have been withdrawn, with the rest scheduled to be removed by mid 1964.

From 1959 onwards, The Atlassian Link has sublet 4 Stepper-74 locomotives and 9 Mark 3A cariages from UTR to link their primary Rubyabinsk station to UTR stops in the region.

Class 510/02s were phased out completely in 1962 and have been replaced by the Class 710/08. With this change, The Atlassian Link added goods connections to Versonibirsk and Pantsivistok.

### Current Fleet

\*Converted from diesel engine to EOB

NB: tAL is The Atlassian Link (Train Line), LMU is Linked Multiple Units, LH is Locomotive Hauled

### History

#### 54B (Engine)

The 54B train engine, once a mainstay of the Atlassian Link fleet, was designed in the 1910s and has been one of the most memorable Atlassian Link engines ever since thanks to its unusual curves and iconic sound.

The rights to design the engine were put on sale in 1907 by The Atlassian Link Coʼ. 5 teams bid on the project, however the largest team, Verdon Design, pulled out due to the increasing requirements The Atlassian Link Coʼ were adding.

The bidding lasted 4 months, during which a number of side requirements were added to the project. Firstly, the sudden removal of the Salder 72 after the 1906 Aldon Disaster meant the engine would need to be able to be able to act as a support engine for maintenance teams to replace the Salder 72. The same safety concerns also meant the engine was the first to require inbuilt security features such as the heavy shut windows and automated turret systems. Also, with the influx of orange tourists, smooth running became an increasing priority so as to provide maximum comfort.

The decision on who was to take up the reins of the design was made on the 7th of April 1908. Cardigan Engineering won the contract and began construction of the first test units in the fall. Their proposition was a 5000 HorsePower diesel engine with dual direction layout. It was longer than most diesel models due to the need for a larger fuel tank for the longer, more arduous sections of track, as well as the addition of a large set of lockers for equipment storage in the middle of the locomotive. The engine originally required 4 operators.

The project was completed early, but required a budget extension nearing the end due to the cost of testing the engines.  It quickly became the primary engine on the link, used for hauling small goods trains, almost all passenger trains, and by maintenance teams for equipment movement.

During the production of the 23-101, the first electric passenger engine used by the Atlassian Link Co’, it was proposed to also retrofit the 54Bs still being used to an Electric On-Board system, so that they may still be used by maintenance teams. This project was again undertaken by Cardigan Engineering whose familiarity with the engine earned them the contract. The conversion required the main diesel engine and fuel tanks to be swapped with the new heavy duty electric motors being used in the 23-101. Due to the lack of space on the engine after this, the batteries were installed in old 905 Trekker passenger cars, which could then be connected and hauled by the 54B.

Now, only two 54Bs are used on the line, both for maintenance, however, the engine still holds the heart of many diesel engine fans across the DSRR and the orange territories as one of the most iconic trains of its time.