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Q&A How do I subvert the tropes of a train heist?

Don't touch the train itself This might not be what you're looking for, but something to consider anyway. Remember that a train isn't an autonomous vehicle controlled by the driver alone. So hav...

posted 5y ago by Toby Speight‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T11:59:39Z (about 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/45476
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar Toby Speight‭ · 2019-12-08T11:59:39Z (about 5 years ago)
## Don't touch the train itself

This might not be what you're looking for, but something to consider anyway.

Remember that a train isn't an autonomous vehicle controlled by the driver alone. So have the action take place in a signal box and/or signalling control centre. The MC can fight for control of signalling and switching; this fight could be physical, psychological or even cybercriminal, depending on the story setting.

For an example of this approach (though planned, heist-style, rather than haphazard as your MC seems to be), I recommend viewing [_The Train_ (1964)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Train_(1965_film)). The early parts involve taking control of the train via its control structure, and it later switches to the conventional form of the trope, with fighting on and around the vehicle itself.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-05-27T18:46:41Z (over 5 years ago)
Original score: 3