A train disappeared or was destroyed — what happens to it and to the loot inside?

First things first: trains don't belong to anyone. There's no owner, no lock and no claim on a train — any player can walk up to the one you're using, take the controls and drive off with it.

Why a train disappears

• Someone drove it away. The most common reason.

• It wore down. A train starts to wear down as soon as it's been moved from where it appeared, and will eventually break apart on its own. A train still standing on the exact siding where it appeared doesn't wear down at all. A rake of wagons with no working locomotive also breaks down.

• It was destroyed by players. Trains have no protection and the no-raid window doesn't cover them, so anyone can shoot one at any time.

What happens when a train is destroyed

• It leaves a wreck on the track, and everything from its cargo holds drops on the spot — which means whoever destroyed it can simply pick the loot up.

• The destruction itself is dangerous. A destroyed train explodes, so standing right next to one that's about to break is a bad idea. Move away.

Repairing one

A train can be repaired with a hammer for metal fragments. That restores its health and holds off the wear, so a train you're actively using can be kept going — but it can't be made permanent.

What this means for your loot

Never use a train as storage. The cargo holds aren't locked, so anyone who walks up can empty them — and if the train is destroyed or wears out, everything inside ends up on the ground for anyone to take. You also can't protect a train with a Tool Cupboard or build anything on it.

Anything you put in a train should be treated as temporary. Because trains don't belong to players, lost trains and their cargo aren't restored.