The Mail in T2K

[schnickelfritz]

Aren't there larger, three axle bank armored cars for intercity transfers? I would imagine those would be ideal...if they exist. Parts should be shared with conventional cargo trucks (International/Navistar seem to be the most common around Chicago), and the fuel economy wouldn't be as bad as a HEMTT. They probably would be more common than the HEMMT, too.

I like this whole scenario a lot...T2K meets Steve Jackson's "Car Wars". Sweet!

-Dave

[stormlion1]

Actually I don't see the mail being delivered by a dedicated vehichle, more as a dedicated space available on supply trucks moving between areas. While important, the mail isn't as make it or break it as supplies. If needed to be moved then simple dueces are enough and they go in convoy with supply trucks.

[Tegyrius]

Yup. I was not seeing the HEMTT as a dedicated mail transport, nor as another fighting platform. Rather, I think a convoy like this - particularly one going along a route that might need engineering work to be passable - needs a heavier transport with some specialized tools to support that engineering work, and to haul the extra fuel needed for the trip.

- C.

[Raellus]

Larger, multirole convoys (including a couple of truckloads of mail) would probably be more commonplace than smaller, dedicated mail delivery groups, but for a campaign starter, I'm probably going to stick with the latter. For this to work, I only need a few vehicles and, although some civie models might actually do the job better, I'm probably going to stick with military vehicles, since part of this scenario is my excuse for making gun trucks the star mode of transport.

[stormlion1]

Actually what might be better is a kind of pony express, a small convoy delivers to a certain point where the mail is seperated per destination and then passes the mail to several outbound convoys. The original convoy then returns to its starting point for more supplies and mail. Unless its a important batch of mail, one unit wouldn't make the entire trip unless it was very important or close by.

[Sanjuro]

In relatively secure areas I would expect mail deliveries to be done using bicycles- even large items can be carried by one man if he is prepared to get off and push.
Some hostile territory could be within the postman's route, if he knew the area well and kept his eyes open. Equipment would be very basic- probably only a handgun or survival rifle for defence, a minimal repair kit, water and emergency rations. On longer routes it would be expected that the communities who received the mail would provide food and shelter.

[Raellus]

I'm taking in all of your suggestions, guys. One day, I hope to put together an article on the U.S. military's mail delivery efforts after the TDM incorporating some of your feedback.

For the purposes of my campaign, I'll probably set the story in the seminal phases of the mail delivery system. I'm thinking about using OMEGA as the starting point. Fearing massive desertions once the boats arrive home (in my T2KU, the ensuing discharge of returning personnel is much smaller), MILGOV attempts to get the mail up and running- or at least, expanding any already-established mail systems- so that returning G.I.s will have letters waiting for them and won't have to worry after loved ones. In my mind, this concern would be the leading cause of desertion for folks arriving back home after years spent overseas with no word from their families. Setting the story during the opening phases of this hurried mail delivery/collection program will give me an excuse for the system to be a little bit clunky and experimental and also to send the PCs into/through unsecured areas on their way to collect the mail.