Often, it's related to some kind of energy or power source. In certain time travel train young adult novels, there's a specific engine or power within the train - like structure that enables it to break the barriers of time. The characters might need to figure out how to control this power to travel to the right time. They may also need to follow certain rules or face consequences if they break them, like getting stuck in a wrong time period or causing disruptions in the time continuum.
Some novels depict time travel as a result of a scientific experiment gone wrong or right. The train itself could be a product of this experiment. For instance, the train might have been built with special materials or technology that allows it to travel through time. There could be a control panel on the train where the characters input the time and place they want to go. But it's not always smooth sailing, as they might encounter unexpected time - related phenomena during the journey, like time loops or parallel time lines.
In some time travel novels, it's through a machine. For example, in 'The Time Machine', the protagonist builds a device that can take him to different points in time. It's a very mechanical and scientific way of time travel.
Time travel in these graphic novels can be really complex. Take 'A Wrinkle in Time' graphic novel as an example. Here, the concept of 'tesseracts' is used for time travel. It's a sort of folding of space - time that allows characters to move across different times and spaces. In some noir - style time travel graphic novels, time travel might be a result of a mysterious experiment gone wrong. And in some post - apocalyptic time travel graphic novels, time travel is often a desperate attempt to change the past to prevent the apocalypse. There are also those where time travel is more of a mental journey, where the character's consciousness travels through time rather than their physical body.
In many time travel light novels, it often involves magic or some kind of supernatural power. For example, in 'Re:Zero', Subaru's 'Return by Death' is a mysterious ability given to him, which is like a form of time travel. In other novels, it could be a portal or a spell that transports the character to a different time or place. Sometimes it's a result of a scientific experiment gone wrong, like in some science - fiction - inspired light novels.
Well, 'TimeRiders' by Alex Scarrow is also a great time travel train - related young adult novel. It has a group of teens who are recruited to stop time - traveling disasters. The idea of traveling through different eras in a sort of 'train - like' sequence of events makes it really engaging. And don't forget 'Infinite' by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It has a time - travel aspect that could be related to the idea of a journey on a train, as the characters move through different times and face various challenges.
In many 'time travel visual novels', the time travel mechanism often involves a specific device or event. For example, in 'Steins; Gate', it's the Phone Microwave (name subject to change based on the translation). By sending messages through this device, the characters can change the past and thus influence the future. The way it works is that the device alters the past in a way that creates a new timeline, which the characters then have to navigate.
Another way time travel works in these fanfictions is through dreams or visions that turn out to be more than just that. A character might have a really vivid dream about the past or future in Riverdale, and then suddenly find themselves actually in that time period. This method allows for a more psychological exploration of the character as they deal with the shock of suddenly being in a different time and having to figure out what's real and what's not.
In some RWBY time travel fanfiction, it might work through the use of a special relic. The relic could have powers that are not fully explored in the original series but in fanfiction are used for time - traveling. For example, it could be activated by a specific combination of Dust or a certain type of Grimm blood.
In some Bridgerton time travel fanfictions, it could be a magical object that enables the time travel. For example, a mysterious locket that transports the wearer to different eras within the Bridgerton world.
In many Narnia time travel fanfictions, it often involves magical objects. For example, a enchanted hourglass might be the key to traveling through time. The sand in the hourglass could have the power to send the character to a specific time in Narnia's past or future.
In Homestuck time travel fanfiction, time travel often involves the use of the various time - related mechanics in the Homestuck universe, like the Green Sun or the Scratch. The Green Sun, for example, could be a portal through which characters can travel to different points in time.