Concept art of Lord Shaw exiting a rail car
The rail car is a whale oil-powered vehicle, which is one of several types of transport used in Dunwall. As all other land-faring vehicles in the Isles, cars run on rails, and based on their appearance and utilization in Dishonored, rail cars are likely reserved for the most affluent and elite of Dunwall and the City Watch Guard.
Varying types of rail car exist, primarily the smaller and more common ones used for transporting noblemen, the large, train-like ones used by the city watch, an imperial one that uses more carriage-like wheels, is heavier and uses no rails, as well as variants used for cargo.
Rail cart tracks with active rail cars may be electrified, damaging Corvo if he touches them.
Trivia
- Rail cars bear a resemblance to the standard Combine car in the Half-Life series, and the Art Director of Dishonored, Viktor Antonov, was also the Art Director for the Half-Life series. Following this, the rail cars, quite interestingly, utilize a four-rail configuration, with rails reserved for the front and back wheels.
- Rail Cars are most likely automated, driverless, vehicles, as the view ports are extremely small and limited, and there is no apparent driving apparatus.
- Rail cars are often seen static throughout the game, save for the opening cutscene, where a rail car rolls into John Clavering Boulevard.
- Rail Cars can be seen in : The main menu, where one rolls into John Clavering, a rail-less, Imperial variant seen in Dunwall Tower, the remains of one in the sewers outside Coldridge Prison, City Watch and Cargo variants in the Distillery District and Holger Square, a generic one outside the Golden Cat, another one similar to the former outside the Boyle Mansion, and one on elevated rails at the Rudshore Central Station in the Flooded District, with numerous train carriages behind it.
Gallery
A rail car in action.
Concept art for rail cars, designed by Viktor Antonov.
Lord Shaw preparing to exit from his rail car.
A Rail car with two guards stationed next to it.