Train World

Train World

A man dies in our world and wakes on a train with no end, carrying the one thing everyone else lost on the way: his memory. A series of self-contained mysteries aboard colossal, continent-spanning trains. Nine books, all running.

Plan of the line‡

Plan of the line: the main line runs 1, 2, 3, 7, 9; the branch, 4, 5, 6, 8, leaves after Book Two. 1 The Ticketless Man 2 The Broken Circuit 3 The Living Track 7 The Last Cartographer 9 The Salt Line 4 The Still Train 5 The Long Debt 6 The Eastern Circuit 8 The Pilgrim’s Blasphemy

Table of services, in the order they should be taken

No.CoverBookTrainFollowsChaptersJourney†Read
1 The Ticketless ManAn ordinary man, an impossible train, and a great deal he would rather not get involved in. The Meridian Elliot 18 stops 3h 50m Board →
2 The Broken CircuitTwo trains, side by side for a few hours every seven years. One dead debtor. No authority whatsoever. The Calloway Elliot 13 stops 2h 45m Board →
3 The Living TrackShe has spent years drawing maps no one asked for, and the route is not quite where it used to be. The Meridian Vashti 18 stops 2h 00m Board →
4 The Still TrainA train that runs on the timetable has been stopped for three weeks. The engine is not what is coming apart. The Vantage Elliot 18 stops 2h 40m Board →
5 The Long DebtOn The Vigil, you are born owing. She has collected it for twenty-five years. The Vigil Cass 18 stops 2h 50m Board →
6 The Eastern CircuitA simple, well-paid run across the gangway, and then the trains pull apart for years. The Vesper Kit 18 stops 2h 25m Board →
7 The Last CartographerShe steps down onto the platform during the resupply and does not come back. The Meridian Elliot & Vashti 18 stops 1h 50m Board →
8 The Pilgrim’s BlasphemyOn The Pilgrim, forgetting is holy. Then, weeks on, the emptiness begins to fill back in. The Pilgrim Halia 18 stops 2h 20m Board →
9 The Salt Line“Where do you think the dried fish comes from?” The Meridian Elliot 18 stops 3h 00m Board →

† Journey times are given at a steady 250 words a minute. Allow extra for tea. The little windows light up as you read each chapter; only your browser keeps count.

‡ The branch (red) may be taken at any time after Two. Each is a complete journey in itself, and the line stops when it stops. By number remains the Company’s advice.

Short services

Sidings

Side stories from the margins of the Meridian. A brother and sister carrying a letter no one will take delivery of, and others.

 Periodicals

The Meridian Gazette

What the Conductor’s Office is willing to confirm. Please do not bring lost cats to this office.

 Excursion

Walk the Meridian

Step aboard, nine days in, and walk the train from the rear coupling forward. Spoiler-free.
Engine sheds.
No admittance.

Maps, timelines and the workings behind it all. They spoil the books, so finish the journey first. Readers proceeding beyond this point do so at their own risk and without recourse to the Company.

I accept the risk →