AI Predicts a Railway Apocalypse—Could It Really Happen?

Some things may seem impossible and distant to us. However, the truth is that none of us could have imagined the existence of AI, and now we have it fully at our disposal. According to technology, what would a railway apocalypse look like?

Some scenarios may seem like fiction. Movies are made about them, which are not real, and it is hard to imagine that these fictional stories could become reality. Countless films depict a zombie apocalypse or the end of the world. A great fantasy film associated with railways is Snowpiercer. It tells the story of an unstoppable train traversing an icy landscape, carrying the last surviving humans on board. We wondered what a railway apocalypse would look like and decided to ask artificial intelligence the same question.

What Would a Railway Apocalypse Look Like According to AI?

We received five different scenarios. The first option is the collapse of railway infrastructure. According to AI’s vision, old tracks and decaying bridges would start to crumble, and train stations would turn into abandoned ruins. Trains running on poorly maintained tracks would derail and be left stranded in the middle of nowhere. Over time, vegetation would overgrow the wreckage, while passengers on board would struggle to survive in devastated stations.

Railways could also become battlegrounds. As ChatGPT described the railway war: "Railroad tracks would turn into battlegrounds for factions fighting for survival. Armored locomotives would roam the landscape, freight cars converted into fortresses carrying supplies, while destroyed tracks would become deadly traps."

Another scenario involves a technological disaster. According to AI’s vision, railway control systems could fail, and trains would spiral out of control. High-speed collisions would become inevitable, with no way to stop them. In cities, this would lead to catastrophic crashes followed by massive fires, as people desperately tried to escape the chaos and flames.

A biological apocalypse once seemed like pure science fiction, but after spending a year in quarantine due to COVID-19, we are much more aware of the power of biological weapons and deadly viruses. AI envisions this scenario for rail transport: "The last trains evacuate survivors from cities infested with viruses or mutants. Some are ambushed, while others vanish forever into dark tunnels. Legends of the 'ghost train,' which never stops, become reality."

The final scenario is a natural apocalypse. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions would disrupt key railway hubs. Some locomotives would be destroyed, while others would continue moving, unable to stop due to the destruction of the land, trapping passengers in an endless journey with no destination.

Which Scenario Is the Most Realistic?

From a realistic perspective, AI finds the collapse of railway infrastructure or a technological disaster the most probable. Regarding railway infrastructure collapse, AI stated: "This is already happening to some extent in certain countries where railways are underfunded. Old tracks are deteriorating, bridges are becoming unsafe, switches are getting stuck, and if an additional crisis occurs (economic, energy, or climate-related), it could lead to a massive decline in rail transport. In some areas, trains might stop running altogether, tracks would be overtaken by vegetation, and railway stations would turn into ruins."

As for technological disasters, AI explained: "With the increasing automation and digitization of rail transport, there is a real possibility that the system could spiral out of control. This could be caused by a cyberattack, AI failure, or a massive power outage. If, for example, AI mismanaged train operations and caused collisions, it could result in widespread chaos. Something similar could also happen due to an EMP attack or a solar storm that destroys train electronics and control systems."

What Would Happen to Humanity if Railway Infrastructure Collapsed or a Technological Disaster Occurred?

"If railway infrastructure collapsed or a technological disaster occurred, humanity would face a massive crisis that could reshape civilization. Railways are a key pillar of the global economy – transporting raw materials, food, and fuel – and if this network fell apart, the consequences would be catastrophic," AI described the potential aftermath.

A food shortage would arise, as railways play a crucial role in food imports and exports. The collapse of rail transport would also overwhelm road networks, as trucks would have to replace trains, exceeding road capacity. If a technological disaster occurred, derailments would trap passengers, causing chaos and medical supply shortages.

"The entire situation could lead to a completely new societal structure. Those with resources and survival skills might become the new elite. Instead of a global economy, the world could fragment into isolated regions with their own way of life. Barter trade might return, or new transportation methods could emerge to replace railways. In any case, it would be the end of the world as we know it, and humanity would stand on the brink of an uncertain future," AI summarized.

Zombie apocalypse here in Xi’an Railway Station. Jusko mga intsik walang pila pila. pic.twitter.com/O66PiZZjqF

— Bee (@mynameisbengel) March 26, 2019

Could a Railway Apocalypse Really Happen?

According to AI, a railway apocalypse could indeed become a reality, though not as a sudden catastrophe but rather as a gradual collapse.

"The most likely scenario would be the economic or infrastructural decline of railways. If governments stopped investing in railway maintenance and train systems, we could witness the gradual decay of the rail network, much like what has already happened in some regions in the past. Tracks would deteriorate, bridges would become hazardous, signaling systems would fail, and train services would be increasingly limited. Eventually, only strategic railway lines would remain, while smaller towns would be completely cut off," AI predicted. However, AI does not rule out the possibility of a railway collapse due to a global catastrophe, such as war.

Should Humanity Fear a Railway Apocalypse in the Near Future?

According to AI, we probably don’t need to worry too much. Today, railways remain one of the most reliable and efficient transportation systems, though this is not the case everywhere. However, AI warns of potential future issues, such as increasing reliance on digital systems, which continues to grow with railway modernization.

Source: ChatGPT