Docking Car (Big Alice)

The Docking Car is a purpose-made, one of a kind car intended for the head of secondary supply train Big Alice and to connect to the Docking Car of Snowpiercer.

History

In The Time of Two Engines, during Snowpiercer's failed invasion of Big Alice, Strong Boy had to hold the door open for it to not close on the invading force, suggesting that triggering an alarm automatically closes the door. Later, Joseph Wilford ordered Alexandra Cavill to disconnect, full intending for Snowpiercer to freeze to death. This plan was however foiled by Melanie Cavill who placed a explosive on the connecting mechanism (central lock). The explosive exploded and made it impossible for the cars to separate ever again.^[1] As of A Great Odyssey, a telephone line exists between Snowpiercer and Big Alice. How is this achieved with the door closed is not explained (most likely wireless).

Technology

The docking car is designed to connect with the docking car of Snowpiercer. Big Alice uses eight grappling arms to attach itself onto the docking car's hull. Two main ones on top, two secondary ones on the sides and two main ones on the bottom.[1] A tunnel then expands and connects with a door at the end of the docking car. Hydraulic systems allow Big Alice to open and close this door at will, while Snowpiercer lacks an apparent means of opening the door. The tunnel has a welder that was used to cut through the door. The car has some form of 'jack' system, which is used to connect to Snowpiercer individual systems and The Engine (which Melanie managed to cut). The docking car also had a Freeze air deployment system, to prevent boarding.

Appearances

Season 2

Trivia

If Melanie had only destroyed the connecting mechanism (and not the uplink), Wilford could have turned off Snowpiercer's life systems and froze the train to death, with both trains still moving.
The failed invasion of Big Alice cost at least 4 deaths on both sides, including One-Eyed Tailie Veteran (and around 9 Freeze victims). 20 were injured, 14 with frostbite (later healed with Goop).
Some point after the sabotage of the Engine, Big Alice recharged the Battery cars, powered Snowpiercer without the Pirate Train and switched to reverse to chase the Pirate Train for 6 months, which means a connection of some kind was made that connected both train's systems and power together (bypassing and replacing the destroyed uplink).
Dispite having J-Links to separate cars, Joseph Wilford and Alexandra Cavill did not separate the Docking Car to freeze Snowpiercer to death, as they attempted to do by disconnecting from Snowpiercer. Likely because of possible damage during separation and or failing to reconnect, as Melanie Cavill said could happen when planing to separate 7 cars from Snowpiercer, to get rid of the Jackboots.