Fictional Universe of Galaxy Railways

is a 26 episode science fiction anime series AbOUT flying trains set in the far reaches of space. It is licensed by Funimation Production Ltd. and produced by Leiji Matsumoto. It debuted on American TV in a syndicated FUNimation Channel programming block airing on CoLours TV on Monday, June 19, 2006, but was replaced by Dragon Ball until the programming block was dropped. Currently, the series is still airing on the linear FUNimation Channel. Two sequels have been produced, both currently unlicensed in English regions.

Continuity with other works

It is not certain where this series fits in with the rest of the Leijiverse. Galaxy Express 999 was noted for guest appearances by Captain Harlock, Queen Emeraldas and other connections such as Queen Millennia. The first Galaxy Railways season had no such crossovers and appearances by other Leijiverse characters were limited to subtle visual homages, although Manabu's brother, when accepted by the SDF, boards the Galaxy Express 999 to start his new assignment. For example, Captain Harlock appears as the Joker in a deck of cards. And Queen Millenia appears on the head of coin used for currency. Their status as actual existing characters in this continuity is not known. However, Maetel, Tetsuro, and The Conductor from Galaxy Express 999 do appear in the later Galaxy Railways OAV.

Leiji Matsumoto states on an interview included in the first DVD of the American release, that Manabu Yuuki is actually the brother of female space pirate Kei Yūki, seen in the Captain Harlock TV series and Endless Odyssey OVA, though such a relationship has never been mentioned in the anime series and seems unlikely. In the latest volume of the Galaxy Express 999 manga, however, they are brother and sister.

Places

Planet Destiny

The headquarters of the Galaxy Railways and the main depot for all SDF and SPG trains.

Planet Tobito

Tobito is the home planet of Manabo, Mamoru, Wataru and Kanna Yuuki.

Planet Herise

The planet the Galaxy Express 999 crashes on.

Trains

In the series, trains serve as the primary form of transportation in the galaxy. They look a lot like contemporary trains, but have other abilities such as turrets, shields, and the ability to fly. They take off using an ascending set of normal train tracks, and fly through a series of rings that serve to protect the train from oncoming projectiles and other dangers using a magnetic barrier between them.

The 777 Express

A train introduced in Season 1, Episode 13, "A train bound for fate". This train has no destination or time table - it is a mystical train that takes its passengers to places based on their destinies.

Flame Swallow

The train used by the Spica Platoon.

Ghost train

A train which comes to old stations during the ten minutes of night a certain planet experiences to bring the dead to the afterlife.

Big One

The Sirius Platoon's train is headed up by a Steam Locomotive. The locomotive itself is based on the largest steam locomotive to ever operate in the United States, called the Big Boy (4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement). The Big Boy was built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCo) in 1941-1944. and was used on the overland route of the Union Pacific Railroad, running over their Mainline From Cheyenne, WY to Salt Lake City, UT. Only 25 were built and were numbered 4000-4024; of these, only 8 survive in Museums, and none are currently operational. There are few differences between Big One, and the "Big Boys", such as the removal of the front numberboards and bell, the raised #1 stack at the smoke stack, and the addition of a headlight on top of the boiler, and additional railing over the front pilot. Otherwise, Big One is an accurate representation of the Big Boy.

In the second season, Big One has an overhaul before the season starts, and now has streamlined skirting, the addition of a snowplow, which houses the "Cosmo Matrix Cannon" (it is unknown if the actual Cosmo Matrix from Season One powers it) and Elephant Ear Smoke Deflectors with Supreme Commander Layla Shula's emblem imprinted on them. the train also sports a more powerful and redesigned fighter coach. other than that, the rest is the same.

It is guessed after all the sustained damage in the last episode of season one, the only option would be to overhual the remaining locomotive and cars. In Japan, this version of Big One is referred to as "Neo Big One"

There had been rumors going around that other North American Locomotives had been considered for the roll of Big One

Southern Pacific AC-4 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward
Chesepeake and Ohio 2-6-6-6 Alleghany
New York Central J3a streamlined 4-6-4 Hudson
Norfolk and Western Y-6 2-8-8-2 Mallet
Erie 2-6-6-6-2 Triplex
Duluth, Missabi and Iron Range 4-8-8-2 Yellowstones
Santa Fe 2929 class 4-8-4 Northerns
Clinchfield 4-6-6-4 Challenger
Union Pacific Centennial Class DDA40X Diesel
Norfolk and Western J-Class 4-8-4 Northern
Southern Pacific GS4 4-8-4 Daylight

The Galaxy Railways

In the series it seems that the Galaxy Railways serve as both a establishment and government presiding over a large sector of the galaxy. The railways are made up of a series of large rings that create energy shields to protect the trains that move between them, creating the tracks the trains follow. The railways are under the rule of the Supreme Commander, but seem to be more actively guided by a lower ranking official known as the Commander. The Galaxy Railways Headquarters preside over The SDF and the SPG as well as all passenger operations.

Space Defense Force (SDF)

The Space Defense Force is a general purpose emergency team that is dispatched for medical and more serious warfare situations.

Sirius Platoon

Captain: Schwanhelt Bulge

The Sirius Platoon is the focus of the first and second Season of the series. One of the more diverse crews.

Spica Platoon

Captain: Julia F. Reinhart

The platoon is made up of only women and often assists Sirius Platoon with more serious situations.

Vega Platoon

Captain: Ryūsaku Murase

The most 'masculine' platoon - with less respect for women.

Cepheus Platoon

Space Panzer Grenadiers (SPG)

The Space Panzer Grenadiers are an elite group above that handle much more serious and higher risk situations than the SDF.