Pony Locomotive Technology

[Ginger Mint]

hi hi

I have been noticing some consternation here and there about the purpose of the locomotive in Over a Barrel. Why have a locomotive engine when the train is being pulled by ponies? A fair question to be sure. However, when I think about the other forms of travel we've seen so far, it might make a bit more sense.

Most of the other vehicles we've seen (with the exception of the hot air balloon) have been pulled by pegasai and seemed a little bit too big to be carried by their drivers alone. Fluttershy remarks at one point that she's not used to carrying anything heavier than a bunny or two, but is later seen hauling a cart full of frogs (a cart that is being suspended 90º behind her no less) I can't calculate the exact force of torque in that situation, but I assume that those flying carts have some kind of magic in them that helps them stay suspended, perhaps like a magical flywheel.

Given that the train cars were modular in design in the same way that the cargo in the various flying vehicles would have been, it is my interpretation that ponies use some kind of kinetic assist magic/technology/stuff that gives them a sort of mechanical advantage. In other words, once they get up to speed, they don't need to work quite as hard.

[Teh_Brawler]

It could be along the lines of having two trains, to continue off of your idea. At the start, two trains pull the whole cart to get it up faster, but they shut one off once the train gets up to speed.

[DoodleDev]

That was pretty much what I had in mind, the kinetic force that is. There's a theory out there about how the pyramids were built that suggest the Egyptians made some sort of pulley system, or possibly an engine that used kinetic energy to help move the giant blocks. Once there was enough force going behind them, the workers didn't have to push/pull the stones as hard as before. I can see that method being used as an effective train for the ponies. Sounds like a good way to cut down emission costs too. If you have ponies pulling 75% to 50% of the work, your engine won't require as much fuel (Like coal)

As for single ponies pulling carts, I like your idea of magic to help carry them. It would require an awful lot of torque for a single pegasus to carry a cart like that. Torque that I think we've only seen from characters like Rainbow Dash. I bet there's a factory somewhere in Cloudsdale that makes specialized carts and carriages made from light wood and probably a little something else (Cloud magic of some sort?) to make them stay aloft.

[Skye]

That was pretty much what I had in mind, the kinetic force that is. There's a theory out there about how the pyramids were built that suggest the Egyptians made some sort of pulley system, or possibly an engine that used kinetic energy to help move the giant blocks. Once there was enough force going behind them, the workers didn't have to push/pull the stones as hard as before. I can see that method being used as an effective train for the ponies. Sounds like a good way to cut down emission costs too. If you have ponies pulling 75% to 50% of the work, your engine won't require as much fuel (Like coal)

As for single ponies pulling carts, I like your idea of magic to help carry them. It would require an awful lot of torque for a single pegasus to carry a cart like that. Torque that I think we've only seen from characters like Rainbow Dash. I bet there's a factory somewhere in Cloudsdale that makes specialized carts and carriages made from light wood and probably a little something else (Cloud magic of some sort?) to make them stay aloft.

There is the thread in the OOC area that discusses somewhat the abilities of the ponies, specifically the pegasi that sorta touches on this. At least as far as the pegasus ponies are concerned, I've been thinking that they might have some sort of ambient magic around them that allows them to do certain things, like manipulate clouds (Or stand on them) as well as carry objects like the cart or something similar. Magic objects may truly exist, but as mentioned about the train, why have them pull it at all? Those ponies were also going -awful- fast, and for what appeared to be quite an extended period of time as well. Cartoon physics aside, there'd have to be an explanation of some kind!

[brianblackberry]

The only portion I found to be very weird was the steam whistle, which means steam engine normally, and one that would be operating, which begs the question why ponies at all. However I generally overlook any technological goofiness for the sake the magical whimsical nature of the show and just imagine Equestria as rather magically imputed in itself.

[janglehooves]

I think the hybrid steam/pony power theory is a valid one. You need the greatest amount of effort to start a train moving, so the steam engine would provide this. Once it was up to speed, the driver would throttle back and pony power would keep the thing going.

Then again, my own personal theory is that it's a real steam engine doing all the work and those guys are just out there in front as the result of some sort of arcane union agreement, dating back to when steam power first began to replace pony power on Equestria's railways...

[Tam]

Well, another weird thing about the train was in the passenger trailers. They were able to "turn down" the lighting, and also to pull out candles. I can't imagine trains would have a "third rail" or it would risk electrocuting the ponies pulling the train in the first place, so I imagine the engine is used to provide some sort of electricity for all the amenities a passenger liner would have. (IE: light, food, bathrooms.)

[MyLittlePonyTales]

Also, having ponies pull the train creates more jobs.

[Tam]

Also, having ponies pull the train creates more jobs.

I'll be honest. My first reaction was to reply with some snark about how Equestria isn't exactly driven by the American economy. But as I reached for a chip I realized, wait. Maybe the reason why ponies seem so well-adjusted and connected is because they believe in working for "the better good".

I'm not talking socialism; I just mean, maybe their society is less focussed on economy. It's pretty common in cartoons, after all. So everyone's presented with the ideal that "everypony can help", be it making baked goods or growing apples or dressmaking, or...

[MyLittlePonyTales]

Also, having ponies pull the train creates more jobs.

I'll be honest. My first reaction was to reply with some snark about how Equestria isn't exactly driven by the American economy. But as I reached for a chip I realized, wait. Maybe the reason why ponies seem so well-adjusted and connected is because they believe in working for "the better good".

I'm not talking socialism; I just mean, maybe their society is less focussed on economy. It's pretty common in cartoons, after all. So everyone's presented with the ideal that "everypony can help", be it making baked goods or growing apples or dressmaking, or...

It's an entirely different economy in Equestria. It seems like everypony who is old enough is doing something. I mean, even Twist seemed to have some sort of job, and she was still a filly. You don't see lazy ponies. Sure, Dash is kind of laid back, but she can also do her assigned job quicker than other Pegasi. Ponies all have talents because ponies are all meant to do some sort of work to help society.

[Orange Dart]

I bet there's a factory somewhere in Cloudsdale that makes specialized carts and carriages made from light wood and probably a little something else (Cloud magic of some sort?) to make them stay aloft.

I was actually thinking of making a character living in Cloudsdale who specialized in making the flying carts. I was gonna name him Cartwright XD

[Teh_Brawler]

Also, having ponies pull the train creates more jobs.

I'll be honest. My first reaction was to reply with some snark about how Equestria isn't exactly driven by the American economy. But as I reached for a chip I realized, wait. Maybe the reason why ponies seem so well-adjusted and connected is because they believe in working for "the better good".

I'm not talking socialism; I just mean, maybe their society is less focussed on economy. It's pretty common in cartoons, after all. So everyone's presented with the ideal that "everypony can help", be it making baked goods or growing apples or dressmaking, or...

DIRTY COMMUNIST PONIES

...says the communitarian of the forum

[sarcatsic]

I'm for the idea that the train was only horse-drawn once it was get up to speed by the engine itself.

My roommate skratch234 on a different forum suggested that maybe humans lived in Equestria before (but later on probably moved and deemed the place as uninhabitable etc etc) and the earth ponies of the countryside just didn't know quite how to use that technology.

[Skye]

I'm for the idea that the train was only horse-drawn once it was get up to speed by the engine itself.

My roommate skratch234 on a different forum suggested that maybe humans lived in Equestria before (but later on probably moved and deemed the place as uninhabitable etc etc) and the earth ponies of the countryside just didn't know quite how to use that technology.

I'd be kinda worried about what would happen if one of the lead ponies happened to trip and fall. The problem with biologics when coupled to machines, is that the biologics will eventually fail their rhythm while the machines never will, which could get very messy very quickly. I'd like to think perhaps that the engine likely is what provides steam and power for the train itself, but doesn't actually drive itself. Except maybe have a bit of positive influence on the 'drive' wheels so that the pulling ponies aren't actually straining against having to move such a heavy load. Of course, there could also be an engineer pony who's in the engine itself and controls it directly, we just didn't see...but then again, I think it was one of the pulling ponies that was pulling the whistle and not a driver inside the engine.

[WillowWisp]

I honestly think the mechanics weren't even a concern at all. I think the reason ponies pulled the train was merely for a pun about "horse power". After all it seemed the train had the ability to run on it's own, the steam whistle and all... but I think the logic was just overlooked to the writers could make a joke.

[Parodius]

We saw how the buffalo reacted when the train was going to Appleoosa. Perhaps the company that ran the train had heard of the troubles in the area, and just picked some ponies to run in front of it to help protect it. After all, they pretty much held their own against the buffalo.

They don't have convenient firearms that we've seen so far, so it would either have to be a bunch of items on hand specifically for throwing, or... being down on the ground where they can actually get at the ones attacking the train. Less 'pulling the train', more 'guarding it from threats'.

[Captain Fidley]

Well, another weird thing about the train was in the passenger trailers. They were able to "turn down" the lighting, and also to pull out candles. I can't imagine trains would have a "third rail" or it would risk electrocuting the ponies pulling the train in the first place, so I imagine the engine is used to provide some sort of electricity for all the amenities a passenger liner would have. (IE: light, food, bathrooms.)

Much like your car, passenger cars have a simple alternator driven off of one of the axels. I also saw the lamps in the train as oil lamps, which are adjusted by changing the length of the wick with a small wheel.

[MyLittlePonyTales]

[brianblackberry]

I suppose in the end what this boils down to is don't over analyze the concept. It's sounds partly done for humor, partly done for a "wild West" feel without regards to realism. Really though, FiM isn't a realism focused show, with how the land is full of magic and ponies move the weather and what not; may as well have a pony pull steam engine.