I have not played the game, it is going to be my treat as I am going to have very little free time until the end of April but I could not resist reading the manual and this is just going to bother me forever otherwise XD

Well, early on, as you have little magical aptitude, you can ride trains just like any other person. But later, when your aptitude for magic starts to increase, you will be forced to ride in the last carriage, which is as far from the engine as possible. When you become a very powerful magical character, they won't let you get near a train, let alone board it.

I'm not sure if you get to ride the airship at all after the intro.

I like you already.

Also, what revanbh said.

Cool people and magick users without the Teleport spell travel by sailing ship.

Yeah, but every trip like that takes weeks. Do you realize how many (SPOILERS) will have died in that time? :p

That's why technology and science are always on top in my book. Even if they are underpowered in the game. :)