The Rail Clan

The Rail Clan was an independent faction that emerged in the years after the Great Collapse. Established around 2020, the Rail Clan operated within the territories spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, bridging the gap between the Appalachian Republic and Seaboard territories. This unique group would transverse the region aboard specially equipped trains, fostering trade, providing transportation services, and offering protection to various communities situated in the gray zones between the two major powers.

## Background and Formation

Following the Great Collapse of 2018, which resulted in the fragmentation of centralized governance and the rise of competing factions, the Rail Clan was formed as a self-sufficient community seeking to establish a presence in the fractured landscape. The group began between a union of railroad operators and a group of hardened hunters who both sought one another's expertise. While originally working out of a railyard and only spanning short distances by gasoline powered vehicles, the Clan began to gain resources following the First Battle of Harrisburg.

After the region became scattered and disconnected under the rule of General Sherman, the Rail Clan grew significantly. Their expertise in transport and protection services was used by various counties, and on occasion, Seaboard officials who needed to transport cargo through areas that might've been otherwise dangerous. However, the Rail Clan presented ultimate neutrality for all users. By 2021, a significant portion of Northeastern railroads had been repaired and deemed operational for slow-moving mobile bases built around diesel engines and freight cars.

## Structure and Operations

At the heart of the Rail Clan is their esteemed leader, known as "The Conductor." As an experienced and resourceful individual, The Conductor guided the operations of the Clan and ensured the smooth running of their locomotives and associated services. Under his leadership, the Rail Clan became a trusted entity, known for their reliable transportation, trade networks, and occasional mercenary services that were neutral to other political rivalries.

The Clan held a small fleet of specialized trains, carefully modified to be self-sufficient and adaptable to the unpredictable condition of the rails. These trains were not only modes of transportation but also serve as mobile settlements, complete with living cars, dining cars, communication cars, and other essential facilities. The Clan's ingenuity was further demonstrated by their versatile trucks, equipped with railway wheels that can be lowered, allowing them to connect with the trains and facilitate cargo transfers. These vehicles also scouted the conditions of the rails ahead, making sure conditions were clear for trains behind.

## Trade and Services

The Rail Clan established a reputation as a valuable trading partner, particularly for communities and factions located in the gray zones between the Appalachian Republic and Seaboard territories. They utilized their expertise in repairing and maintaining railway infrastructure to secure necessary resources, which they traded with other groups. The Clan's trains served as lifelines, transporting goods, supplies, and people across long distances, fostering economic activity in the otherwise fragmented region.

Additionally, the Rail Clan occasionally provided protection and mercenary services to towns and groups in need, leveraging their skills and resources to defend against threats or enforce agreements. This multifaceted approach let the Clan to forge alliances, establish goodwill, and sustain their operations in an unpredictable and dangerous environment.