Chapter 352. Switchback System (2)
“Because it is dangerous.”
So you have to do it yourself.
It is so natural.
Thinking so, Lloyd grinned.
It was sincere.
“Besides, this test run was like that in hell, but it’s a must. That’s what trains and railroads are like. You have to ride it yourself to know. How was the section created? How well did it actually reflect what was designed and intended? What section is lacking? Or is there an unstable or dangerous place? You have to ride it, see it with your own eyes, and feel it with your body to know it.”
Really.
I don’t know until I ride it.
There are things that can only be understood by seeing and feeling them.
That was exactly the case in this case.
“That’s it. you have to ride it yourself Right around the time the railroad construction started, I asked the elderly Cogidus to make a test mule train for test operation. I saw it earlier and it was made quite nicely.”
“Hmm Lloyd. That’s not what I’m trying to say….”
“Isn’t that it? Then what is it?”
Lloyd smiled again.
He tilted his head.
Xaviel’s expression hardened.
“I know why the test drive is necessary. I also understand the purpose that people should ride it and see and feel it. But why is Lloyd-sama doing that?”
“Why should I do it? you said You have to see and feel it for yourself.”
“Can’t we have someone else see and feel it?”
“huh. no.”
“But it is dangerous.”
Xaviel pointed to the railroad tracks along the steep slope.
“It looks plausible, but we still don’t know if there are any risks in real operation. First of all, I was wondering if it would be a good idea to run an empty train with no one on board at least once and do a minimum safety check before doing a test run.”
“Um, that doesn’t work.”
“Why?”
“Because of the orcs. It’s a traction train that moves by pressing a lever. Even if you don’t pick up passengers, the power man Orc will board. But it’s dangerous, so I just fall in and burn the orcs who power up. Then the picture is strange, right? Are you trying to make me trash? really? Is that so?”
“that….”
“It’s done. I know you’re talking about worrying about me. So you can be relieved because I have a separate countermeasure.”
“Do you have any safety measures in place?”
“uh. of course.”
Lloyd nodded.
As if it sounds so obvious.
It was boldly and bluntly declared.
“I will burn you too.”
“….”
“Then wouldn’t it be unfair if the train twisted and rolled down the slope?”
“Are you saying you don’t want to die alone?”
“Yeah, that’s natural too.”
“….”
“It’s a joke. If it’s necessary, you’ll be able to escape with me and the orc warriors. Besides, Yongyong will also be waiting nearby. If the train rolls down, I want to catch it with my hands as soon as possible.”
Lloyd’s smile turned mischievous.
It goes without saying that test driving is risky.
So, it’s only natural to have safety measures in place.
‘Really, of course it should. I have to prepare safety measures.’
In fact, he was also afraid of driving this kind of test.
That was a real honest feeling.
But even so, I had no intention of handing over this role to someone else.
Because he thought it was something he had to do.
‘As I said to Xaviel, it’s also because of the construction status check. Besides, it’s dangerous. That’s the biggest reason.’
It’s dangerous, so you have to do it yourself.
Because you are the one who designed this railroad.
I thought that it was my responsibility to take the lead in testing that risk.
‘Honestly, it really is. After this is completed, the train will run for over a hundred years. How many people will use this in the meantime? But what if I, who designed this, don’t ride it because I’m afraid of it? That’s going to be really funny.’
made for others to use.
It’s really dangerous, so I don’t use it myself.
It was disgusting just thinking about it.
But what about living in Korea?
I used to see cases like this surprisingly often.
‘On the spot. There were quite a few cases like that. In particular, the handling of safety equipment for workers was just like that. Tower crane safety nets and other safety devices at the passage site where dozens of workers move…I haven’t seen many people in charge of the site or the owner of the building stepping up to inspect it properly.’
Just bang-bang.
Is it installed according to the specifications in the paperwork?
Only subordinates or workers who work were formally confirmed.
No, just checking to that extent was at the level of a nobleman.
So it was.
‘At the time, I cursed at those in charge a lot. But what if I don’t directly say that the test drive will be dangerous? What if I pass it on to someone else? At that time, there will be no difference from the people I cursed at.’
I hated that.
At least to be proud of my past self.
I thought that I shouldn’t be the same as the people I cursed at in the past.
“Anyway-”
Lloyd’s lips twisted into a mischievous smile again.
“For reasons like that, I will do it myself. There are also safety measures, so don’t worry too much. If you do, you will die together, so consider it an honor.”
“It is an honor. That’s not going to happen.”
“hmm? If the train falls, are you really going to save me?”
“no. I will escape alone.”
“….”
“I will say hello anyway. Bye-bye.”
“….”
“If it’s okay, can I shake your hand? It just makes me feel nostalgic.”
“It’s tsk.”
Lloyd stopped laughing.
A faint smile formed on Xaviel’s lips as well.
The silver-haired knight thought to himself.
Lloyd-sama, on the outside, you say it like it’s nothing….
‘Actually, it’s always been that way. Even if you act selfishly and meanly every time, at the most important moment? don’t hide behind others never.’
I didn’t know before.
I just thought he was a shrewd human being.
There were times when I saw it as the epitome of an opportunist.
But now I get it.
That’s just a way for that fake Lloyd Frontera to survive.
It is just a survival method that the author learned while living in Seoul.
If you peel off a layer of that vulgar survival method, it seems that there is an unexpected side of you who cares for others and tries to be proud of yourself.
‘So maybe I’ll come to respect you.’
I honestly hate to admit it.
I’m even more reluctant to show off on the outside.
Maybe that’s your honest heart.
Silver-haired knight Xaviel smiled at the thought.
I looked at the construction site on the slope side by side with Lloyd.
♣
It was from that day.
Lloyd proceeded steadily to prepare for the test run.
Among them, the thing he cared about the most was the selection of Orc motorists to move the test mule train for test runs.
Of course, the selection process was extremely simple.
“…For this reason, a power source is needed from now on. Eight motorists are going to be put in for each car.”
“What?”
At Lloyd’s words, the 300 Orc warriors showed a sullen expression.
A power mover to move the train.
I wasn’t interested at all.
I felt like I was going to lose muscle because I was bored.
Wouldn’t it be much more helpful to maintain muscles by shoveling and picking at the site?
Everyone thought so and let out a sour snort.
However, it was the moment Lloyd’s next words continued.
“So, who wants to take this opportunity to become a power worker and tighten his triceps properly?”
“…Three-headed quik?”
Everyone’s eyes lit up.
The nostrils, which had been sore, flared with excitement in an instant.
“Kwuik! Are you saying that if you become a power worker, you can get bigger and more beautiful triceps?”
An excited orc raised his hand and asked.
Lloyd responded with a swindling smile.
“Sure. The train will move with the strength of the selected people. In other words, it means that the wheel rolls with the force of pressing the lever as if pumping.”
“Pressing exercise! Three heads!”
“Yes, that’s right. The triceps will be stimulated properly. Besides, would that be all? Half of these train trips are massive climbs. What does that mean? The train is harder to move and requires more power, and of course….”
“More intense stimulation!”
“Exactly. You will get a good workout. On top of that, gaining muscular endurance is a bonus. Because you will have to keep pumping while pressing the lever all the time the train is moving.”
“Infinite muscles that don’t get tired!”
“Yes, that is. Come on, let me ask you again. From now on, is there anyone who wants to tighten their triceps properly?”
“Me too!”
“no! I quick!”
“I do it!”
As soon as Lloyd’s question was over.
There was a real uproar among the Orc warriors.
After a fierce (?) own arm wrestling contest, the eight strongest players were selected.
And Lloyd selected two additional ‘Sandmen’.
“Now, you two Sandman? Please take this.”
“What? What is this? Isn’t that a sand bag?”
“you’re right.”
Lloyd passed a large bag of sand to the two Sandmen and grinned.
“From now on, your role is important.”
“Important? Do we make it?”
“yes. From now on, the two of you will board the front of the test train. See those two chairs outside over there?”
“I see you!”
“It looks like a special seat made completely outside!”
Lloyd pointed to the foremost part of the test train.
Outside of it, two stationary chairs were installed.
Lloyd’s explanation continued.
“You might be wondering why we made a seat outside the front of the train instead of inside. But this is all for a reason. That’s where the two of us will be responsible for the safe operation of the train while bravely facing the harsh windy environment outside.”
“Are you saying you’re brave enough to face the wind?”
“You are responsible for safe driving? Are we good?”
“yes. Safe driving rests on the shoulders of the two of you.”
Lloyd pointed to the large bag of sand in the arms of the two orcs.
“Sit in that chair throughout the train and sprinkle sand from the sack on the front. Handfuls on the railroad tracks.”
“Do you make sand?”
“What happens if you sprinkle it?”
“What happens is that the train will move more stably without slipping. Thanks to the friction provided by the sand.”
What Lloyd said was true.
Sandman sitting on the front of the train and throwing sand on the tracks.
Actually, this wasn’t an idea Lloyd came up with alone.
Obviously, it was a method that was actually used on Earth.
‘Here is the Himalayan Darjeeling Railway, which has become a role model for mountain railways. There was also a Sandman on the train that ran there.’
One day during my college club days.
I remembered seeing the materials that other seniors were researching.
In fact, there were people called Sandman on the Darjeeling train.
It performed the same role as the orcs just informed.
Thanks to this, trains running up and down steep slopes could run with less slippage.
“So the role of the two of you is important. Because how meticulously and accurately the two of you spread the right amount of sand on the tracks will determine the safe operation.”
“The role is huge!”
“We are important!”
“you’re right. Without the two of you, this train cannot move today. So, please?”
“Leave it to me!”
“Trust me!”
Realizing Sandman’s role, the two orcs pounded their pectoralis major muscles.
Soon after, the long-awaited test drive began.
And finally.
The true value of Cogidus and Dwarf artisans who produced the test mule train for test operation was revealed.
“depart!”
“Kwuik! Quake!”
Knocking, rattling, rattling…!
At the same time as Lloyd’s departure signal, the orc’s triceps exploded!
Four orcs grabbed the lever.
pressed with overwhelming force.
pumped like crazy.
The power of a powerful 4-cylinder, no, 4-orc propulsion engine!
With that momentum, the one-car test mule train slowly began to move.
The two sandmen in front were also sanding hard throughout the move.
So, at first, slowly at the foot of the mountain.
I climbed the ridge step by step.
What if the 4 orcs in the middle feel a bit tired?
“Let’s take turns! What did you say is more important than exercise when it comes to building muscles?”
“A good rest!”
The four orcs who were pumping the lever sighed and retreated.
Then, the other 4 people waiting by the side were put in and inherited the lever.
2 groups of 4 people.
Whenever a group gets tired.
The next group enters and takes turns resting.
Just like that, the test mule train grunted up the slope of the canyon.
But that’s for a while.
The slope got steeper.
There was a slope that could not be climbed by just pumping.
But Lloyd wasn’t worried or concerned at all.
“Because the switchback system was created to pass through a place like this.”
He smiled confidently at Xaviel, who was boarding side by side.
Lloyd looked at the tracks ahead.
I shouted at the orcs who were pumping.
“stop!”
At the same time he pulled the brake lever.
Knock-ki-i-i-i-ik!
The rolling steel wheels locked and made a grinding sound.
The train, which was running at 20 kilometers per hour, slowed down little by little.
At last I entered the railroad tracks at the end of the canyon slope and came to an exact stop.
Seeing that, Xaviel thought.
‘Actually, when I came here, it was a dead-end road where the railroad was cut off. How could the train turn around here?’
I was curious.
A lot of doubts arose.
His doubts were amplified thanks to Lloyd’s ensuing cry.
“Sandman! Aerobic start!”
As soon as Lloyd’s cry fell.
The two sandmen sitting outside the train left their bags of sand and jumped to their feet.
It was from then.
Technology that allows trains to overcome difficult slopes.
The true nature of the switchback system began to shine.
