NationStates Jolt Archive

State Bureau Office Complex
Tripoli, Maracaibo

State Director Andrew Kreins sat before six advisors to the State Bureau.

The topic at hand: surplus funds, and to what they might fund. The usual suggestions had been made.

"Tax cuts!"
"Tax refunds!"
"State parks!"
"Government worker salaries!"

But one suggestion stood out over the others.

"Public transportation!"

Then, State Director Kreins began thinking outloud. "That's it," he said. "We've got the subways in Tripoli- nope, those are running fine; same goes for the lorry stations..."

State Advisor Darren Bradwell then chimed in. "There's always the Maglev lines," he suggested. "We could lower ticket prices-"

But then Kreins interrupted him. "Or, we build a new line."
"Where?" the younger man asked.

Before even giving Kreins a chance to say anything, he began speaking again. "I've got it- it could go towards building a Maglev line into Tanah Burung."
Kreins looked at the Advisor. "Great. Since it's your idea, how about you go draft the proposal to their government?"

Bradwell's satisfaction dimmed a little, having now been assigned that peice of work.

---

To: Appropriate Tanah Burungian Officials
From: Darren Bradwell, State Bureau
Subject: Maglev Line Proposal

Oglethorpian officials of the State Bureau have proposed a Maglev line extension from the existing network to be constructed towards the town closest to the Oglethorpia-Tanah Burung border.

I shall not go into specifics before you have even considered our offer.

Many thanks,
Darren Bradwell
State Bureau

The Bureaucratic States of Oglethorpia

A sleepy official reads the communication. Hmm, interesting. He puts it aside, resolving to respond properly in the morning.

(aka: tag)

The Federated Anarchist Communes have been utilizing this great technology for some years now.

-Fred Hearst
member of the Port Bakunin Engineers Association

Bradwell's note was passed from official to official until it reached the desk of Saleh Tari, this month's chair of the collective presidency. Saleh is also Governor of the province of Burung-yang-membuat-dunia (the home of the bird that created the world), better known as BYMD. "A Maglev line? Wonderful!"

Saleh looked around the room. "The town nearest the Oglethorpian border? Which one is that?" He called out: "Someone bring me a regional map!"

"Um, we have no maps yet," said his secretary. "All we've been able to determine is that Oglethorpia lies to the south of us."

"But that means the nearest town is this one!" Saleh exclaimed.

"Yes, sir. Apparently Oglethorpia is about a hundred kilometres that way."

"Well, let's do it then! Should do wonders for the tourist trade!"

---

To: Darren Bradwell, State Bureau, Bureaucratic States of Oglethorpia
From: Saleh Tari, Governor of Burung-yang-membuat-dunia
Re: Maglev!

Esteemed sir,

After consulting my colleagues in the collective presidency, we are pleased to recommend construction of a Maglev spur line from Oglethorpia into our country.

Foreign ownership is forbidden in Tanah Burung, so the portions of the line inside our country would have be under ownership of a local cooperative. We hope this will be acceptable to your government.

Our suggestion is that the line run north from Oglethorpia along the Tanah Burung coastal provinces, connecting BYMD city, Ukun Rasikan City, and Loro Sae City. We hope that we will be able to connect BYMD City to other centres in Tanah Burung and not only to Oglethorpian cities.

(ooc: the map of TB in the Emerald Heights thread has these places marked, or check www.freewebs.com/tanahburung -- the map has been flipped so north is to the right)

To: Saleh Tari, Governor of Burung-yang-membuat-dunia
From: Darren Bradwell, State Bureau
Subject: Re: Re: Maglev!

I am glad to hear that you have approved the proposal.

Foreign ownership of the line is of no problem. All can be solved. Om mane padme hum, I believe it goes?

Anyways, your outline for the line's connections seems fine with me. The contrator will work out the exact specifics of the extension's setup.

We will hammer out a finalized proposal with the contractor when selected.

-- Darren Bradwell
State Bureau

---

OOC: Here is a map for you.

http://oglethorpia.free-host.com/images/og_map.gif

The current line makes as much of a "circle" as it can from city to city, excluding the cities offshore: these being Arkham and Gutenburg, since they've a long ways across water to go with a Maglev connection.

Anyways, i'll type it out ICly with the selected contrator; but i'm thinking that the line can either begin in Los Polverines or Sheffingham, then go up through your costal provinces and connect the three aforementioned cities; since they're built as "two-way" tracks the entire length, there could simply be a turnaround at the northernmost city.

This would also leave the option open to extend it.

Also, if you want to know; we run our Maglevs at 346 mph, and they're next to silent, save only for the aerodynamic sound of air rushing over the train's sleek lines.

Capacity and all that -- well, you can get that on a need-to-know basis :wink:

Most excellent. We will investigate this measure of speed you refer to as "mph" and ascertain its equivalent in kilometres per hour. It sounds fast, at any rate.

We suggest a terminus at Sheffingham running directly to BYMD City and northwards. This will require majority approval in a referendum in all three provinces covered, but early consultations suggest that the Maglev will be overwhelmingly approved.

We are pleased to note that there will be no difficulty over the line ownership. The Railways Cooperative has been selected as owner of the portion of the Maglev route within Tanah Burung, and will work with the Oglethorpian construction contractor selected.

It is an exisitng enterprise we embark upon together as brothers and neighbours, a Revolution in clean transportation technology!

Saleh Tari
Governor of BYMD

OOC: don't mean to intrude, just wanted to say, that's gonna be around 700-800 km/h

OOC: don't mean to intrude, just wanted to say, that's gonna be around 700-800 km/h

OOC: I come up with 557 km/h.

Now uh, this is semi-OOC; it's not like it was published ICly, but TB can assume his gov't would know it.

[code:1:d91651473e]
Da Plan Boss, Da Plan!

I. Agree on layout of line.
II. Work out pricing and cost *agreements.
III. Construct line.
IV. Train workers in TB to run stations and preform maintenance.
V. Rejoice.

[/code:1:d91651473e]

*Cost/Pricing Agreements:

Well, the gov't contracted the contractor to do it; so that'd pay for like half the project, the company itself fronting the other half.

I'd think that the Tanah Burungian government could take 60% of the profits, 40% to Oglethorpia for maybe 2 decades; parts of the Oglethorpian share of money given to the company contracted.

This would hopefully pay off the cost of a high-speed rail line; plus, you'd have to take into account the boost to tourism for both countries involved.

I'm basically thinking aloud; i'll put together an IC post on the contractor and beginning of agreements soon here.

OOC: don't mean to intrude, just wanted to say, that's gonna be around 700-800 km/h

OOC: I come up with 557 km/h.

Now uh, this is semi-OOC; it's not like it was published ICly, but TB can assume his gov't would know it.

[code:1:33dba5054f]
Da Plan Boss, Da Plan!

I. Agree on layout of line.
II. Work out pricing and cost *agreements.
III. Construct line.
IV. Train workers in TB to run stations and preform maintenance.
V. Rejoice.

[/code:1:33dba5054f]

*Cost/Pricing Agreements:

Well, the gov't contracted the contractor to do it; so that'd pay for like half the project, the company itself fronting the other half.

I'd think that the Tanah Burungian government could take 60% of the profits, 40% to Oglethorpia for maybe 2 decades; parts of the Oglethorpian share of money given to the company contracted.

This would hopefully pay off the cost of a high-speed rail line; plus, you'd have to take into account the boost to tourism for both countries involved.

I'm basically thinking aloud; i'll put together an IC post on the contractor and beginning of agreements soon here.

ooc: obviously, i do know what a mile is, but TB is strictly metric. The arrangements sound fine, and really the boost to tourism should be enormous, so i think this is a profitable enterprise in the longer term.

IC: The three provinces in question have all approved the Maglev line in referendums. At least thrtee coastla communties have voted not to have the line travel through their areas for reasons of natural heritage, but it should be simple to plot a route that will avoid these dissenting communities.

ignore my <tag>, guys...

DP.

TP.

ooc: obviously, i do know what a mile is, but TB is strictly metric. The arrangements sound fine, and really the boost to tourism should be enormous, so i think this is a profitable enterprise in the longer term.

Heh, sorry for assuming.

I'll post an IC thing of the contractor and proposal to begin construction.

(ooc: I really hate to interrupt this fine RP but I thought this was kinda similar to THIS (http://www.geocities.com/simpsons_guide/simpsons_monorail.html))

Yeah, that's why the messages are titled "Maglev!" Dig deep enough, and everything is a Simpson's reference :wink:

To: Railroad Cooperative
From: Federated Ltd. CEO Richard Jones
Subject: Plotting & Construction

Taking into account the clause that there is no foreign ownership in Tanah Burung, we will draft up a 'rough draft' of the proposed path of the Maglev.

As soon as this is sent and approved by you, we will begin clearing the area and start laying down track.

Best wishes,
Richard Jones
Federated Ltd.

---

OOC: I'd assume this (agreeing on a layout) is an automatic process; as figuring out all the paticulars would be boring.

ooc: yeah, let's skip the boring bits!

OOC: It's cool then, if I write up a news story detailing the beginning of construction?

Please go ahead!

The Bureaucratic Tribune

Maglev!
Oglethorpia-Tanah Burung Maglev project gets moving

By Bill Christmas

OGLETHORPIA (BT) -- Today, Federated Ltd. CEOs and investors broke ground for the proposed Oglethorpia-Tanah Burung Maglev extension. The line starts from Sheffingham, Porlamar, and is designed to connect the existing Oglethorpian network to BYMD City, Ukun Rasikan City, and Loro Sae City. Analysts expect the line to offer a big boost to the tourist industries of both nations involved in the project.

"We're glad to get things moving on this project," said Federated Ltd. CEO Richard Jones.

Oglethorpian President Sam Hedland is equally satisfied with what the project potentially represents. "Hopefully, this is the beginning of a longtime relationship between Oglethorpia and Tanah Burung."

Government and Federated Ltd. analysts expect the project to take four years, from the point of ground breaking to total completion.

The line from Sheffingham to Loro Sae City will carry its passengers at a speed of 346 mph/557 km/h across the beautiful countrysides of Oglethorpia and Tanah Burung, bolstering the tourist industries of both nations.

We'll update you on the progress of the Oglethorpia-Tanah Burung Maglev line as it comes.

---

OOC: Tomorrow i'll post a lil progress on construction; then later we can skip to the rejoicing of the completion of the line :D

B.Y.M.D. TIMES

MALIANA -- Village activities ground to a halt as everyone went out to gawk at Oglethorpian experts surveying the land for the new Maglev line which will pass close by this seaside community.

"We're so excited by this line," said fisherman Mau Dede. "Sure, it's not actually going to stop here, but the sight of the Ultra-Fast Wonder Train every day is going to be something. Levitation! Whoosh! Zoom! I can't wait."

Previous rail travel has been by a slow and unreliable local train that stops in every town. The new Maglev line, with fewer stops, will allow rapid transit across the country and into neighbouring Oglethorpia to supplement existing local trains and the omnipresent hot-air balloons that ply the skies of this country.

The Sunny Tanah Burung Tourism Bureau is already publicizing "Maglev: the Super-Duper Transportation of the Future!" Apart from a few cults that insist peoples fillings will fall out at speeds in excess of 200 km/h, the whole country seems excited at the coming of the Maglev.

The Bureaucratic Tribune

Maglev pushes on
Oglethorpia-Tanah Burung line nears BYMD City

By Bill Christmas

TANAH BURUNG (BT) -- Federated Ltd. engineers are proud to report that the Oglethorpia-Tanah Burung Maglev line stretching from Sheffingham, Oglethorpia into Loro Sae City, Tanah Burung is within five miles of the Tanah Burungian town BYMD City.

"What this means," said one of the Federated Ltd. engineers, "is that we're already 10% done on the project as a whole; and the construction has gone fine."

The maximum grade in the Maglev line from OG to TB is 3 ft; the same as the Oglethorpian Autostrada and Autobahn. "What that means," said another engineer, "is that the maximum rise and fall in any one stretch of 100 ft is 3 ft. Which means a really fast ride."

Oglethorpians are proud of the high speed Maglev line.

"Normally, i'd have to take a hot air baloon to see the first human skull in Tanah Burung; but with the new Maglev line, I can get there in just a few short hours!" said one avid Oglethorpian tourist.

Both governments are excited at the tourism possiblities the Maglev line will bring both nations; and rightfully so.

More on construction progress as it comes.

Bump #1.

The maximum rise is one metre per 33 metres, you mean? :wink:

Saleh Tari gazed out his office window. From this height, he could see the maglev line rapidly approaching the ancient city. And something else. From the cathedral, a procession was going out. He watched as it snaked through the streets and finally left the city, headed towards the approaching construction. Several thousand strong, marching behind a statue of St. Augustine. What could they be planning?

The procession reached the construction site. Oglethorpian work crews paused in their work and looked up. A priest began to recite a blessing upon the Maglev line. As he drew to a close, musicians began to play.

Someone pulled the head off the statue of St Augustine and stuck in a tap. St Augustine is hollow and full of beer. He is the patron saint of brewers, after all.

Bump to start celebrating completion (any time you're ready, Ogle -- your thread, so i'll play off whatever lead you care to give).

Given that Tanah Burung signed the Unconditional Surrender Treaty -- sorry, I mean, IFTA -- wouldn't they have to go beg SeOCC and the others for permission to even move ahead with this project, since I'm pretty sure Oglethorpia is not a signatory?

~Siri

Why thank you for your interest, your ladyship! I am glad to assure you that your concern is misfounded.

This is not a trade agreement. This is a transportation system. We continue to consider our neighbours in Oglethorpia to be among the states with which we enjoy excellent relations. And we continue to welcome tourism from all countries. Even the people of Menelmacar would be welcome to visit, should they feel our humble country worth their notice.

Should you wish more information on the IFTA, which might dispel some of your apparent misconceptions, we would be pleased to provide it.*

Kisses,
Violeta Bi Bere
People's representative for foreign affairs & human rights

* ooc: But please. Not on this thread.

The end of the maglev line
BYMD City, Tanah Burung

Before the steps leading up to the Maglev station was stretched a large red ribbon, next to it, sitting on the railings of the steps a large pair of scissors.

It was a silly Oglethorpian tradition, the ribbon cutting/photo opportunity custom; but it was one that few questioned, save those outside the country.

Here attending was President Marvin Thomas of Oglethorpia; who had prepared a speech to celebrate the completion of the Maglev connection between Oglethorpia and Tanah Burung. He paused as a small crowd gathered around the celebration site, looking for representatives of the Tanah Burung delegation.

---

OOC:

I'll give TB a chance to respond with what resposne he's made to an Oglethorpian ribbon cutting ceremony.

Bump for TB

Isabel da Cruz straightened her robes and stepped out into the sun. Her first duty as the newly-elected Governor of Burung-yang-membuat-dunia, and it was a doozy: representing the country in a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the President of Oglethorpia. Heady stuff for a 28-year old pig farmer suddenly thrust into government.

Outside the Governor's palace, a crowd was already formed. Around the Istana Merdeka, young girls hawked newspapers: JALAN MAGLEV! the headlines screamed. The Maglev Road. Boys sold crude hand-carved models of Maglev cars. Isabel paused to speak to a few of the children, then with a sigh let her functionaries lead her away.

Onwards to the station. She started the walk downhill to the new platform, adorned with its enormous ribbon and over-sized scissors. An odd foreign custom, she thought. But rather a nice one. We would have set in the roof-beam of the station. But their way is simpler, tidier.

As she walked, hundreds of children fell into place behind her. Jalan bersama-sama. So, we walk together. Good. Isabel approached the platform, where President Thomas and his party waited.

President Marvin was currently seated in a fold-up chair towards the back of the makeshift stage and podium, currently speaking to one of his aides and running over his speech.

---

OOC: I'll post when I get back. I think i'll go ahead with his speech, if that sounds cool.

President Marvin exchanges a few words with a nearby aide, then steps up to the podium.

He turns around, exchanging papers with yet another aide; and compares this parchment to his speech, then returning the form to the aide whom gave it to him. After jostling his papers around a bit, President Marvin addresses the small crowd gathered around the BYMD City Maglev station.

"Fair citizens of Tanah Burung," President Marvin begins, "our great nations have toiled over the past year to construct this momentous link stretching from Sheffingam to beautiful BYMD City. This Maglev line represents the beginnings of a prosperous relationship between our two nations, one I hope that we share for years to come!"

President Marvin pauses, surveying the crowd briefly, then looking up to the Maglev train tracks which roll into the pristine station.

"May the tourism industr-" President Marvin pauses. "May the economies of our fine nations flourish!"

He turns to Governor of Burung-yang-membuat-dunia Isabel da Cruz. "Shall we begin the ribbon cutting ceremony?"

With a quick signing, perferating, tearing of form 124028A, and a repeating of the process on form 124028B, and the sealing of these in an envelope, he waited for the Governor's response.

Isabel smiled. Ah, the Bureaucratic States. An aide passed her a briefcase containing form 1123B/4 in triplicate, stapled to carbon copies of planning permit T556432/OG68732/b(i) and paper-clipped to a the railway timetable, version 3.76roXor. She took out the wad of paprs and waved it to the crowd.

"Mr. President, the honour of having you here for this cooperative enterprise is beyond words. Only the words of your national anthem, stanza 12.5, verse 3, subsection 12(b)2, are adequate to the occasion." The band hastily plays a few bars of what they hope are the correct anthem.

Isabel continues. "Indeed, we hope that touri-- i mean, ideas -- will flock across our border on these new rail lines. What a magic day. Shall we go ahead and ring in the new age with the aid of these giant novelty scissors?"

Given that Tanah Burung signed the Unconditional Surrender Treaty -- sorry, I mean, IFTA -- wouldn't they have to go beg SeOCC and the others for permission to even move ahead with this project, since I'm pretty sure Oglethorpia is not a signatory?

~Siri

Ah, Sirithil. Just because the CACE is in the ascendancy, and the WBO/SATO is, frankly, stagnating, doesn't mean you have to put your frustrations upon us. :wink:

Congrats on the link, TB and Ogle.

"We shall."

With the cutting of the giant ribbon with it's prerequisite giant scissors, flashbulbs from seemingly all directions went off, a troupe of photographers from the Bureaucratic Tribune taking advantage of the photoop.

More government parchments were passed a round; with a notable red strip adorning the top of them.

Parchments were exchanged between the hands of the photographers, and film went into manilla folders which were filed into large boxes, these pressed with a large rubber stamp reading "refer to form 124031A & 124031B."

Tourists wouldn't use the line till late the day of the 'grand opening' with the train still carting Oglethorpian tourists from Sheffingham to BYMD City.

With the partial dispersion of the crowd on hand, President Marvin exchanged a few words with Isabel. "That went relatively well, I think," he commented.

Isabel bows. We're supposed to bow to heads of state, right? Hmm, maybe not, but you can never be too polite. "I think so. You know, we're all so very pleased here to have this train running through town. I don't really understand the technology, but it sure looks nice."

She brings a carved wooden model maglev car out of her briefcase. "You may find this charming. The children are carving maglevs out of mahogany. I've even heard a rare new flower over in Loro Sae has been discovered and named Cheiranthus maglevius.."

President Marvin examined the homemade mahogany maglev car. "They sure are creative," he mentioned.

---

The Bureaucratic Tribune

Sheffingham-BYMD City line completed
The Oglethorpia-Tanah Burung Maglev line is now operational

By Bill Christmas

[The article is preceded by a picture of the Maglev station, and a large red ribbon crossing the steps up to it, the picture including President Marvin Thomas and Governor of Burung-yang-membuat-dunia Isabel da Cruz. The ribbon is being cut with an equally large pair of scissors.]

TANAH BURUNG (BT) -- With an opening ceremony in the Oglethorpia-Tanah Burung line's end, BYMD City, the Maglev line was officially declared operational and will service the Oglethorpian city of Sheffingham, effectively connecting every major Oglethorpian city with BYMD City, Ukun Rasikan City, and Loro Sae City.

President Marvin Thomas of Oglethorpia and Governor of Burung-yang-membuat-dunia Isabel da Cruz were on hand to commemorate the event, the red ribbon finally being cut after the [typical] lengthy form filing and filling out by the President.

"I'm glad we've got this line now," said Sheffingham-resident and deli owner Mike Thompson. "Now I can see the forests of Tanah Burung without having to take a blimp."

Said German restaurant owner Hans Müller, "ja, dis line is gut. Now I can go and see de sights of Tanah Burung witout hafing to travel vor so long!"

Here's to the line servicing both Oglethorpia and Tanah Burung for years to come.