Chapter 196: Prelude to Electric Locomotive Demonstration

One and half months later, twenty kilometers north of the Axelsen & Nielsen Headquarters, a crowd of people was looking at the locomotive made of shiny steel. They chattered among themselves, asking questions to their fellow attendees.

The locomotive in question was a sight to behold. Its body was sleek and shiny, reflecting the bright sunlight that streamed down on it. It was a stark contrast to the older locomotives that the people were accustomed to seeing, which were mostly made of wood and steam-powered. This new locomotive, however, was said to be powered by electricity, and its body was made entirely of steel.

As the crowd gathered around it, they couldn't help but marvel at the intricate details of the locomotive. The steel body was polished to a high shine, and every curve and line was carefully crafted to create a sense of elegance and power. But there were whispers among the onlookers, with some expressing doubt about the use of steel as the body of the car.

There was a belief at the time that using steel as the body of a locomotive would make it heavier and slower. After all, wood was a lightweight and flexible material that allowed for better maneuverability and speed. Some of the older engineers scoffed at the idea of an electric locomotive made entirely of steel, believing it to be a passing fad that would never catch on.

But there were those who were more forward-thinking, who saw the potential in this new technology. They believed that steel could be used to create a stronger, more durable locomotive, capable of carrying heavier loads and traveling greater distances. They argued that the benefits of using steel far outweighed the supposed drawbacks and that it was time to embrace this new era of transportation.

As the crowd continued to marvel at the locomotive, a sense of excitement and anticipation began to build. One of the people in the crowd wondered about the overhead lines above the locomotive.

He turned to his friend and asked, "Do you think those overhead lines are for powering the locomotive? I've heard about electric trams that use similar lines for power."

His friend nodded in agreement. "It's quite possible. This is a new technology, after all. It wouldn't be surprising if they had to come up with a new way to power the locomotive."

As they continued to speculate, a group of engineers emerged from the building nearby, carrying blueprints and tools. They made their way towards the locomotive, which had been set up on a track in front of the crowd. The engineers began to inspect the locomotive, checking every part and component to ensure that it was in working order.

As the engineers inspected the locomotive, the crowd buzzed with excitement and curiosity. Among them was Poul Nielsen, the lead designer of the electric locomotive. He had drawn inspiration from the R62A New York City Subway car but had made several modifications to the design of the locomotive due to the limitations of technology at the time, where he had to exclude any modern electronics that are far beyond the current era.

Contrary to what some in the crowd had believed, the body of the locomotive was not made of steel. Instead, it was made of lightweight aluminum, which had been carefully shaped into an aerodynamic design to minimize air resistance and improve efficiency. The aluminum body was supported by a lattice framework, which provided structural integrity and allowed for the expansion of the interior space.

Nielsen and his team of engineers continued their inspections, checking every component and connection to ensure that everything was in working order before the demonstration. They can't afford to fail as this locomotive would be the one running on the tracks of the under-construction Metro Station in New York. If they fail here, the confidence in the Metro Station Project would plummet, hurting their reputation and their company.

"I assure you, Mr. Nielsen," Chapman spoke as Poul was checking boxes on the checklist in his hand. "This locomotive is as ready as we can make it."

Nielsen nodded, his eyes scanning the blueprint once more. "I have no doubts about our preparations, Mr. Chapman. But I can't help feeling a bit nervous. This is a new technology, after all."

"Well, Mr. Nielsen. You were a pioneer of some of the new technology made in the United States of Avalonia, and all of them worked as you described. I'm sure this one would work too, because I trust your judgment and skills. And this is not a flattery, Mr. Nielsen, I'm stating facts based on the previous records you had with your inventions."

"Thank you for the praise, Mr. Chapman," Poul smiled warmly at him.

As they chatted, a person boarded the electric locomotive and approached them. Poul turned his head around to face the incoming person, it was Jonathan.

"Are they here?" Poul simply asked.

"Yes, Poul. There are a lot of big shots waiting for you to greet them. Should I call them here now?" Jonathan replied.

"Very well, we are almost done with the preparations. Let's get them here," Poul said, putting away the checklist and blueprints.

Jonathan nodded and made his way toward the group of VIPs waiting nearby. Poul took a deep breath and steadied his nerves as he prepared to showcase his latest creation to the world.

The VIPs were a mix of government officials, investors, and members of the press. Morgan, Wanderbilt, Dupont, and the councilors from the New York Board of Transportation to name a few.

Jonathan led the group of important visitors toward the electric locomotive, giving them a brief introduction as they walked.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to the future of transportation - the electric locomotive," Jonathan said, gesturing towards the sleek aluminum body.

The visitors murmured in approval, their eyes scanning every inch of the locomotive with great interest.

"And now, I invite you all to take a closer look," Jonathan continued, stepping aside to let them approach the locomotive.

As the VIPs stepped into the electric locomotive, they couldn't help but gasp in amazement. The spacious interior was a stark contrast to the cramped and uncomfortable train cars they were accustomed to. The cushioned seats looked comfortable and promised a pleasant ride, a far cry from the hard benches they were used to. The cool air circulating inside was a welcome relief from the sweltering heat outside.

As they looked around, the VIPs marveled at the bright and steady electric lights that illuminated the interior, unlike the dim and flickering gas lamps they were used to. The sleek and polished surfaces gave the locomotive a modern and elegant appearance. It was clear to them that this electric locomotive was a true marvel of modern technology.

While they took in the interior design, Poul Nielsen stepped forward, offering a warm greeting to the group.

"Welcome, everyone. I'm Poul Nielsen. I'm sure we have already met countless times. We will start the demonstration in a few minutes so why don't you make yourself comfortable by sitting?"

While saying that, he couldn't help but notice that there was someone missing among the VIPs. Sara.

Caroline, who sensed that he was looking for someone, spoke.

"She's outside, Poul. Do you want me to call her over?"

Poul smiled. "That would be appreciated, Ms. Dupont."