Pouliquen System

The Pouliquen System is a patented pre-fabricated 600mm field railway that entered production in the early 1880s.

### Development

In the late 1870s, Breizh native Armel Pouliquen began developing ideas for an extremely light-weight field railway that he could use to connect his family farm and his brother's quarry to a barge quay approximately four kilometers away. Pouliquen eventually built an experimental railway of 400mm to connect the three locations, and then designed his own steam locomotive to pull modified quarry skips.

Pouliquen's breakthrough came with his design for pre-fabricated track sections, which he ordered to his own specifications from a steel manufacturer in Rokantiskes. The prefabricated sections were designed to be light enough that Pouliquen and his brother could carry them into place by hand, place with minimal prior ground preparation, and easily bring into service.

Upon learning the idea had not been patented, Pouliquen lodged a patent and then sought financiers. In order to make the idea somewhat more useful, Pouliquen eventually upsized his design to 500mm gauge, and then in 1880, to the final 600mm gauge.

Pouliquen's System saw immediate use with the Breizhoned Railway & Steam Navigation Company on Pouliquen's home island of Breizh. In 1883, the Liotainian Army purchased fifty kilometers of prefabricated track to use for military railway operations; other countries made similar purchases.

### Civilian Applications

The system was primarily designed for use as a field railway, serving farms, plantations, and quarries. Beginning in 1884, Pouliquen opened his own factory (Pouliquen Fabrikas) which manufactured both track sections, locomotives, and lightweight wagons.

By 1890, Pouliquen expanded his market to include factory trams. Prefabricated tracks were designed to be laid in the floor of large factories, and two-axle battery-electric locomotives were designed for indoor operation.

Among the most extreme examples of the Pouliquen System's civilian use was the construction of two railways in Kanqaamiut. One of these, the Atangmik Railway, required the development of a cog railway system. Pouliquen designed the track system and advised on the design of the electric locomotives (operating off catenary) built for the railway.

### Military Applications

The Liotainian Army initially ordered only track sections and wagons, intending for trains to be pulled either by draft animals (mules, horses, or elephants) or by raw manpower. However, the advantages of locomotives quickly became apparent, and several designs were purchased for evaluation.

Between 1885 and 1890, the Army used the simple Class NT1 0-4-0 tank locomotives, before moving to the Class NT8. This involved two tank locomotives, linked by a semi-permanent coupler, in back-to-back configuration. A desire to reduce crews eventually saw this system dropped, with the design of a new 0-8-0T, dubbed the "Brigloko" (*Brigados lokomotyvas*).

Known users include:

* Erisia
* Joseon
* Liotain
* Syrellia

#### Kangwon War

During the Kangwon War, the Joseon Army bought 400 kilometers of Pouliquen System track as well as an eventual total of twenty-one NT1 0-4-0 tank locomotives. The Joseon Military Railway constructed in Chungbuk Province helped supply Joseon's troops in the rough and mountainous terrain, often giving them a defensive edge against the invading Aukustian Army. Two locomotives were captured during the conflict, and four more destroyed.

Following the war, much of the trackage was removed and re-used for civilian railways.