Editing The Moloch Street Express

{{Major spoiler}}
{{Neath_Location|image1=Thetwelvefifteenfrommolochstreet1-poster.jpg|caption1=|location=[[Moloch Street]]|allegiance=[[Hell]]}}<blockquote>''"Moloch Street station steams and wails. Shaggy goat-demons in peaked caps direct the damned into red-upholstered carriages. Nobody runs or screams, but many weep. A few wave cheerily. Do they know something you don’t? Or is it a show of bravado for those left behind?"''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Following_a_trail_to_Moloch_Street|Following a trail to Moloch Street|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

The '''Moloch Street Express''' is a railway managed by [[devils]] that travels along the '''Moloch Line''' between [[London]] and [[Hell]].

== Railway to Hell ==
<blockquote>''"Listen, I signed a contract. My time has come. That's all there is to it!"''<ref name = "twelve fifteen">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

The Moloch Street Express departs from the [[Moloch Street|Moloch Street Underground Station]] in [[London]] and arrives at [[Hell]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sidebar_Snippets#Places|What can you find in Ladybones Road?|Fallen London|}} ''"Moloch Street Underground Station is the first stop on the journey to Hell."''</ref> It is managed by [[devils]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Add_Train_Defences|Add Train Defences|Fallen London|}} ''"Someone points out that the Moloch Line, as run by Devils [...]"''</ref> though the train itself is a neutral entity,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"I won't risk a diplomatic incident with London by contravening the neutrality of the train."''</ref> and the [[Echo Bazaar]] does not involve itself much in its affairs.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Point_out_the_extraordinary_flaws_in_their_service|Point out the extraordinary flaws in their service|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he is eagerly requesting you not to involve the Bazaar in a question of untaxed transport. It seems that he does not want Mr Fires to take an interest in Moloch Street Station."''</ref>
[[File:Document.png|alt=An official document.|thumb|An infernal contract.]]
Predictably, devils use the Moloch Line for travel and cargo transportation.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Persuade_Virginia/Tables|Persuade Virginia/Tables|Fallen London|}} ''"I don't expect that we'll be able to tempt very many Devils away from the accommodations of the Moloch Line [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Send_a_moderate_amount_of_Bees_to_Hell|Send a moderate amount of Bees to Hell|Fallen London|}} ''"The bees are transported [...] Each box is given its own hansom carriage. [...] you discover that it has taken two entire journeys of the Moloch Street train [...]"''</ref> However, it has another, much more infamous, purpose: Londoners who give up their [[souls]] to devils are eventually called to ride the Express to Hell.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Commotion_at_Moloch_Street_Station|A Commotion at Moloch Street Station|Fallen London|}} ''"Moloch Street Station is where the soulless depart London for Hell."''</ref> This practice appears to be a clause of the infernal contract one signs when they lose their soul,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Intervene_on_behalf_of_the_Foolhardy_Journalist|Intervene on behalf of the Foolhardy Journalist|Fallen London|}} ''""Listen, I signed a contract. My time has come. That's all there is to it!""''</ref> and the date of summoning is chosen by Hell so that the summoned may fulfill some "need."<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"Hell can't object if you take a precautionary ride before your final voyage [...] The Conductor examines your contract  [...] Hell has no need for you at present. But there's always room for the soulless on the Moloch Street Express."''</ref> There are other reasons human passengers may travel the Express,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/For_All_the_Saints_Who_From_Their_Labours_Rest|For All the Saints Who From Their Labours Rest|Fallen London|}} ''"The tickets given to you by the devil [...] are embossed with a marigold emblem. [...] The conductor looks surprised."''</ref> such as having a ticket reserved ahead of time and receiving a summons.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_One_Way_Ticket_on_the_12:15_to_Hell|A One Way Ticket on the 12:15 to Hell|Fallen London|}} ''"A promise written on singed vellum. One day Hell will call you by name and assign you your seat."''</ref> Humans who travel the Moloch Line to Hell almost always do not return.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] you are one of a very slim number to not only have made the journey to Hell, but to have returned too."''</ref>

== Hellward Bound ==
<blockquote>''"Rows of leather couches are bolted to the walls. Small beds suspended in golden cages line the end of the compartment, so they may receive the heat generated from the adjoining boiler room. Five passengers sit in the central section, smoking, playing cards or enjoying Hell's complimentary brandy."''<ref name = "twelve fifteen"/></blockquote>

Like the [[Great Hellbound Railway]], the Moloch Line was built by the [[Tracklayer's Union]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_their_past_work|Ask about their past work|Fallen London|}} ''""We did all the tracks from Moloch Street to the Iron Face," [...] "Commissioned by Hell [...]"''</ref> The two railways depart from the same station in [[Moloch Street]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Accept_the_Bishop_of_Saint_Fiacre%27s|Accept the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's|Fallen London|}} ''"You've negotiated with Hell [...] about building track from Moloch Street Station."''</ref> but while the GHR has many stops,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/All_aboard!|All aboard!|Fallen London|}}</ref> the Moloch Line is a direct route to [[Hell]] with no usual stops in between.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/For_All_the_Saints_Who_From_Their_Labours_Rest|For All the Saints Who From Their Labours Rest|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] I'll arrange for the train to make a brief stop at Marigold Station. It'll be the only stop we make before Hell. [...]"''</ref> Eventually, the two lines converge at [[Marigold Station]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Head_to_Marigold_Station,_the_end_of_the_line|Head to Marigold Station, the end of the line|Fallen London|}} ''"Where the Great Hellbound Railway meets the Devils' own lines."''</ref> The Moloch Line runs through the harsh terrain of the [[Hinterlands]], often through tunnels,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"The train rattles along a network of [...] tunnels, occasionally surfacing [...] in fog-shrouded moorland or riding the tracks over a wakeful bog."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"Just the hum of the engines, the tunnels, moors and caverns, and the tracks racing ahead [...]"''</ref> and there are several bridges along the route, the first five of which are called '''Insurrection''', '''Anarchy''', '''Tumult''', '''Temerity''', and '''Dissent'''.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/For_A_Dream_Of_Innocence|For A Dream Of Innocence|Fallen London|}} ''"The first four bridges on the railway line to Hell are called Insurrection, Anarchy, Tumult, and Temerity. You are heading [...] under the fifth bridge, Dissent. [...] The guard of the Moloch Street Express is uncommonly inhospitable [...] you'll have to go on foot."''</ref>
[[File:Hellgate.png|alt=A massive gate inscribed with wings.|thumb|[[Hell]]]]
The Moloch Street Express' platform in [[London]] is surrounded by hawkers who buy and sell goods with the passengers.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Following_a_trail_to_Moloch_Street|Following a trail to Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"Around the station, women in black dresses buy and sell [...] They trade in the possessions of those departing [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] family members and hawkers crowd the platform."''</ref> The interior of the train is lavish, furnished with seats, beds, and other amenities.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"Rows of leather couches [...] Small beds suspended in golden cages [...] Five passengers sit [...] smoking, playing cards or enjoying Hell's complimentary brandy."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/For_All_the_Saints_Who_From_Their_Labours_Rest|For All the Saints Who From Their Labours Rest|Fallen London|}} ''"The seating is plush, the air is just a tad too warm for comfort."''</ref> The coaches are staffed by [[devils]] and [[Goat-Demons|goat-demons]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Following_a_trail_to_Moloch_Street|Following a trail to Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"Shaggy goat-demons in peaked caps direct the damned into red-upholstered carriages."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/For_All_the_Saints_Who_From_Their_Labours_Rest|For All the Saints Who From Their Labours Rest|Fallen London|}} ''"The tea-trolley rattles by occasionally, captained by an ill-tempered deviless."''</ref> and the latter also drive<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"The engines roar rhythmically, the Driver growls and bleats [...]"''</ref> the train and maintain its infernal engines.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"Embers from the open boilers, stoked by a shaggy-flanked goat demon, [...] The engines themselves [...] are attended by another Goat Demon - presumably the driver."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"The fearful engines that propel all souls to damnation. [...] Infernal machines [...] amber lights like braziers shine. [...] a great lattice of hydraulics and pistons, whirring gears."''</ref> Per an ancient law, if the Express arrives late, all passengers aboard may go free;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] if the train arrives late, all souls aboard go free. An ancient accord [...]"''</ref> as such, the staff makes sure to keep meticulous track of time and distance,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"A system of lamps [...] are stationed along the sides in intervals [...] It is of the utmost importance that Hell's trains are able to keep track of time and distance."''</ref> and tampering with the brakes is punishable by immolation.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] if we find you tampering with the brakes, you will be immolated."''</ref> Should the train arrive on time, the passengers are met with the Gates of [[Hell]] itself, where they are led through the smog-choked entrance to an unknown fate.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] Now, where's my mansion? [...] Her smile falters only a little at the approaching goat demons. [...] The Gates of Hell part [...] Behind them, a ruddy fog is encroaching [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Twelve-Fifteen_from_Moloch_Street|The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street|Fallen London|}} ''"We'll have the train prepared for your return. [...] you may go. As to the rest of you, welcome. Please make your way through the gates. I'm afraid there will be a certain amount of paperwork." The gates open, [...] Your fellow passengers pass through, and the gates close, softly. It is time to depart."''</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:The Hinterlands]]