Razor Train

A Razor Train is a train used by the Combine for transporting freight and prisoners between cities and outposts.

Depiction
As with much of Combine technology, the Razor Train is large, mostly featureless and imposing. Custom-built to work on human rail networks transporting standard, secret cargo, human prisoners and Stalkers. One particular function they serve is to transport human prisoners to Nova Prospekt, the Combine-controlled prison/laboratory, and transport completed Stalkers and Overwatch Soldiers to the Citadel. Their ram-like, sliver-thin appearance and all-black finish add to the threatening look of the fast moving vehicle. Much like modern electric trains, Razor Trains have driver's cabs which vaguely resemble old-fashioned steam trains, on both ends, one of which bears a dark red marking on the sides. Perhaps the most disconcerting aspect of the Razor Train is its horn: a distinctive, discordant bellow that announces the Train's arrival and sounds more like a wounded animal than an air horn. This is by no means always the case, though, as several times during the third, seven, ninth, and tenth chapters of Half-Life 2, they emit low air horn bellows instead. In addition, both of these sound effects are occasionally higher than normal, exhibited in chapters 3 and 7. It is unknown whether they are manned or automated, but they have ladders leading up to a compartment where the driver's compartment should be, supporting the idea that there is a crew. They are very fast and, in being trains, are completely unyielding to objects that may cross its tracks, including large vehicle wrecks and friendly Combine units. As seen in the Combine Depot and in Route Kanal, the trains seem to carry short loads in rapid succession at high speed as opposed to fewer but more heavily loaded trains. Seen in chapters 3 and 7, Razor Trains accompany human trains on the same railways.

Razor trains are unarmed and, as such, have no combat roles. They do sometimes serve as an environmental hazard, however, specifically during the chapters Route Kanal and Highway 17.

List of appearances

 * Half-Life 2
 * Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar
 * Half-Life 2: Episode One