- For the level in BioShock 2, see Atlantic Express (Level).
The Atlantic Express (originally named the Atlantic Transportation Company on the train's blueprints) was created by Prentice Mill to be the main mass transit system of Rapture. It was eventually made obsolete by competition from the rising private bathysphere transportation system and Rapture Metro. When Prentice Mill was asked by Andrew Ryan to put his savings into the city's banking system after it collapsed, he was forced to sell the Atlantic Express. Sometime after Prentice Mill became bankrupt, with no one to turn to for help, he sold his company to Austen Bathysphere Co., a subdivision of the Rapture Metro.
The Atlantic Express train system became the main mode of transport through the city after the Rapture Civil War caused the lockdown/destruction of most of Rapture Metro. As Subject Delta traveled on the train during the course of BioShock 2, he encounters obstruction by ice at Ryan Amusements, lockdown by Sofia Lamb in Pauper's Drop, and outright destruction of the track via torpedo as Delta approaches Siren Alley.
Atlantic Express Stations
To the right is a map of at least part of the Atlantic Express train system. The lighted track indicates South-East line taken by Subject Delta in BioShock 2. Persephone's Atlantic Express station, which is not named, is sealed and inactive. Additionally, Minerva's Den has its own station, but the door is damaged and cannot be entered. Below is the map displayed on the South-East line:
- Atlantic Express Depot
- Ryan Amusements
- Pauper's Drop
- Dionysus Park
- Fontaine Futuristics
- Persephone
- (Unknown)
- (Unknown)
- (Unknown)
- (Unknown)
- (Unknown)
Fleet
The blueprint for the Atlantic Express train
At the time of operation, the Atlantic Express had service to three lines and provided public transportation all over Rapture. Thus many carriages were kept in continuous service and repair at the central Maintenance Depot and Maintenance Junction 17. Train dispatching was managed by The Thinker per contract with Rapture Central Computing.
Most of the Atlantic Express fleet consisted of one model of train with a self-contained engine room and carriage. Unlike the bathyspheres of the Rapture Metro, the carriage was suspended overhead on a single rail, transporting citizens in roomy comfort with expansive views of the surrounding ocean. The trains however followed set lines and could not be redirected to a different one unless by going through a switching hub like at the Depot. By the events of Bioshock 2, many of the other lines have been in disrepair or destroyed due to lack of maintenance.
Gallery
Behind the Scenes
- A removed Public Service Announcement from the BioShock 2 game files would have directed civilians to use the Atlantic Express due to the lockdown of Bathyspheres throughout the city: "Rapture Metro regrets to inform you all bathysphere travel is currently restricted. Please use The Atlantic Express until further notice." This might explain why the train system is functional at all despite its supposed previous disuse. The file is VO_PSA_remind_bathyclosed.mp3, found in SP\Content\Sounds_Windows\Bio2_DX_Common_SPC_Stream.fsb.
- The trains' design is very similar to that of the Chesapeake & Ohio Hudson Yellowbelly steam locomotive, rebuilt from an earlier locomotive in 1946. They both share a streamlined shape, similar concept designs and the same color scheme.
- An Atlantic Express train station is located in Minerva's Den, but the glass tunnel connecting the station to the facility is detonated by Reed Wahl. The railway going to Minerva's Den can be seen when Subject Sigma goes out in to the ocean from Operations, with a destroyed train cart.
- "Fontaine Court" is listed as another station on the train schedules.