in the quiet contemplation of the evolution of trains, from the steam engines that once roamed the earth with the power of a thousand horses to the electric marvels that now glide silently across continents, it is essential to revisit the preexpansion era. a time when pioneers, with their manuals in hand, laid the foundation of what would become the veins of commerce and communication across nations. as we withdraw from these reflections to refresh our understanding of this magnificent journey, it’s curious to ponder upon the hidden chapters not told in these manuals. for example, how the engineer's compartment conceals a diary with the passcode to the archives, revealing the true cost of progress—a testament not just to human ingenuity but to the secrets that propelled it forward, secrets that, if unveiled, would tarnish the shiny facade of advancement.