Save the Synths – Fallout 4 Railroad Faction & Ending Guide

The Institute Main Quests

The Institute Faction Guide

The Institute Side Quests

THE RAILROAD – Complete Faction Guide

Introduction

The Railroad is a faction lead by Desdemona that can initially be found headquartered in the catacombs beneath Old North Church. Their primary goal is to successfully facilitate the escape and relocation of Synths that have been imprisoned or abused by the Institute faction. Committing yourself to the completion of every Railroad-related quest that becomes available will put significant strain on relations with the Brotherhood of Steel and the Institute.

Custom Item – The Deliverer

As a member of this faction, you’ll have access to a custom handgun called the Deliverer. This weapon fires semi-automatic rounds, increases your hit chance when using V.A.T.S. and lowers the cost of Action Points by 25%. The Deliverer can be obtained by completing the Tradecraft quest.

Quest: Tradecraft

Speak with Deacon to accept his offer and travel to Lexington to proceed in the direction of the current objective marker, then meet up with Deacon again to have another conversation and follow him up the ramp to cross the overpass at the top.

Use close-range attacks to fend off the Ghouls that emerge from the bus on the right and continue tailing Deacon to encounter Ricky Dalton, then give him the Railroad Password to progress the conversation and speak with Deacon again afterwards to choose the Escape Tunnel strategy.

Head east towards the current objective marker to enter the indicated pipeline and open the door that leads into the sewer to speak with Deacon once you’re inside the tunnel system, then proceed in a consistently northern direction by traveling down a steep incline and turn left at the bottom to descend to the next level below.

Navigate the next series of tunnels ahead to access the first terminal you see on the right-side wall and use it to activate a turret around the corner so that it opens fire on the nearby Synth, then destroy the automated gun yourself to access the pipeline below and proceed through it in the direction of the current objective marker.

Exit at the end of the pipeline to open the next door by accessing the terminal on your right and enter the larger area ahead to climb the stairs on your left, then follow the current waypoint marker through another series of tunnels to reach the Security Door in the room at the end and let Deacon hack into the system to unlock it.

Enter the vault on the other side of the Security Door that swings open to acquire the Prototype and whatever else can be collected from the two rooms, then accept the Deliverer weapon offered by Deacon before heading east down the previous corridor and use the indicated terminal to restore power to the nearby elevator.

Return to Railroad HQ to approach Deacon during his conversation with Desdemona and choose between supporting his lie or telling the truth when the time comes, then choose to Join the Railroad to pick out your new code name and complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Joining the Railroad

Quest: Road to Freedom

After triggering the start of this quest, travel to Boston Common to approach the current objective marker located in front of the fountain and look for the circular Freedom Trailer Marker on the ground to examine it.

Look for the line of red brick connected to the base of the trail marker and follow it north to turn the corner ahead, then continue walking along the color-coded trail to eventually cross the street in front of the Massachusetts State House and examine the next Freedom Marker located in the ground before continuing the tour.

Follow the stripe on the sidewalk to travel east before turning the next corner ahead and examine the Freedom Trail Marker in front of the Old Granary Burying Ground, then retreat backwards to eliminate the Ghouls that emerge from the gates on your left and proceed north to encounter large gaps in the red line.

Make a right u-turn around the last street corner ahead to eventually face south and locate the red guideline’s next available segment so that you can examine another Freedom Trail Marker that connects nearby, then proceed north to eliminate the Mongrels with the help of V.A.T.S. and drop off the right side of the bus at the end of the alleyway to land in front of Old Corner Bookstore.

Examine the Freedom Trail Marker beside the lamppost before following the red line east around the next corner and use a close-range weapon to fend off any approaching Ghouls along the way, then equip a scoped-rifle upon seeing the fire pit in the distance below and use it to pick off hostiles stationed in the surrounding area.

Zoom in on the scaffolding at the left side of Faneuil Hall to snipe the enemy armed with an RPG and follow the red guideline down the steps to examine the Freedom Trail Marker across the street, then continue walking along the designated pathway to pass through a narrow alley and turn right on the other side to proceed east.

Follow the trail around the corner that points you north to examine the next Freedom Trailer Marker on the sidewalk ahead and defeat the approaching Hounds with headshots at close-range, then continue walking along the red guideline to examine the marker in front of Old North Church and open the available door to enter the building.

Use the hole in the wall to access the church’s main hall and turn to your immediate right to enter the green-lit hallways in the opposite corner, then descend into the brick tunnel system below to continue moving in the direction of the current objective marker and approach the Freedom Trail Marker connected to red wire that you eventually find on the wall.

Target the Freedom Trail Ring that contains words to rotate it until the letter R is lined up with the red arrow below and press the button located at the center of the trail marker to confirm your submission, then spell out RAILROAD with this device to open the secret passageway in the brick wall and speak with group waiting on the other side to complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Main Quests

Quest: Underground Undercover

The Molecular Level mission must be completed before accessing this quest.

After speaking with Desdemona and Tinker Tom, travel to the Institute to load the Encrypted Message Holotape onto the closest available terminal and make a copy of it before reading the message from Tom.

Read the UrgentReply file to access Patriot’s response and follow the next waypoint marker that appears to speak with Liam in the maintenance closest, then follow Liam out of the room to engage in a second conversation and approach the bald man raking the grass nearby to talk to him as well.

After your discussion with Liam has ended, report back to Desdemona at Railroad HQ to receive a new objective and access the PAM Mainframe Terminal to enter the Institute Report before turning away from the monitor.

Speak with Pam to thank her before traveling to Fraternal Post 115 and proceed towards the current objective icon to enter the Cambridge Polymer Labs building, then climb the staircase in the lab area to approach the waypoint marker on the second floor and access Bergman’s Terminal to select Password request (Archive).

Remain at Bergman’s Terminal to override the Facility Defense Systems and report back to Desdemona at Railroad HQ before returning to the Institute to speak with Liam about the password, then talk to Z1-14 about a Better Plan and finish the conversation by granting him 24 hours to come up with a new strategy.

Take a seat to wait the allotted 24 hours before meeting up with Z1-14 again and proceed towards the next waypoint marker that appears to ride the indicated elevator to the floor where the storage room is located, then enter the area ahead to approach the line of the guards in the back corner and toss a grenade at their feet to begin the chaos.

Return to the elevator car to take cover inside of it and aim your weapon through the open doorway that connects to the storage room, then use V.A.T.S. to help you eliminate the remaining guards and report back to Z1-14 to receive a new objective.

Complete the Institute’s “Powering Up” mission to end up in a meeting with the board of directors and remain in the room until a Synth suddenly rushes in with a message, then meet with Z1-14 again to learn of the Brotherhood’s plan and report back to Desdemona at Railroad HQ to complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Quest: Precipice of War

Speak with Desdemona to activate the Brotherhood’s assault on Railroad HQ and equip a short-range or automatic weapon before approaching the tunnel occupied by invading Knights, then stand at the entrance to unload a barrage of bullets upon the hostiles standing a few feet away and toss a grenade if necessary to survive the first wave of attacks.

Ask Desdemona any questions you may have before opening the indicated door that leads back to North Church and equip a close-range weapon to clear out any hostiles currently patrolling the brick tunnel system, then return to the church’s main hall to immediately toss a grenade between the Brotherhood Knight-Sergeant and Paladin Brandis.

Take cover behind the pews to finish securing the upper and lower levels of the church by employing the assistance of V.A.T.S., then speak with Desdemona again to receive a new objective and step into a suit of power armor if possible before traveling to the Cambridge Police Station.

Approach the front of the police station to activate V.A.T.S. and use it score a series of critical hits on the largest enemy guarding the building’s entrance, then finish clearing the landing at the top of the steps and use a scoped-weapon to pick off the remaining Brotherhood members on the roof.

Speak with Tinker Tom about the Vertibird before entering the police station and equip a close-range automatic weapon to start clearing every accessible room in this building, then check the garage to wipe out any remaining presence of the Brotherhood and equip a scoped-weapon before proceeding to the next objective.

Follow Tom up the stairs to reach the police station’s rooftop area and climb into the Vetibird to man the turret, then shoot down the approaching enemy aircraft to defend your vessel until it’s ready to fly and speak with Deacon once the deed is done to complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Quest: Rockets’ Red Glare

Wearing the Brotherhood clothes given to you by Deacon at the police station will allow for a more stealth-based approach to this quest. Wearing anything other than Brotherhood clothing will force you to confront multiple waves of enemies and the firepower that comes with them.

Method #1: Not Wearing the Brotherhood Costume

Enter the Vertibird on the roof of the police station to fly you towards the Brotherhood flagship called Prydwen, then remain in control of the mini-gun after Tom comes to a stop above the next available metal walkway and use this weapon to mow down enemies at the top of the staircase directly across from you.

Board the Prydwen with a long-range weapon equipped and proceed west towards the objective marker at the top of the stairs to enter the Command Deck, then use V.A.T.S. to defeat the Knights approaching from across the room and drop grenades onto the group of hostiles in the area below.

Cross the deck to reach the nearby objective icon directly ahead and enter the Pryden’s Main Deck to climb the metal staircase outside the room until you reach the catwalk at the very top, then activate the three Gas Bag Valves located nearby to finish planting the explosives and return to the Command Deck to clear the immediate area with a grenade.

Use the indicated door to exit back onto the Flight Deck and climb into the Vertibird piloted by Tinker Tom ahead on the left to escape from the airship, then open fire on the Knights scurrying across the ground below until you can safely leave the area and report back to Desdemona at Railroad HQ to complete this quest.

Method #2: Wearing the Brotherhood Costume

Board the Prydwen to approach the first objective marker and feel free to walk right past lower-ranked Brotherhood members who will be unable to question your true identity, then use the doors marked with waypoint icons to reach the Main Deck and climb the metal staircase outside the room to avoid being seen by any of the enemy commanders.

If you catch the attention of someone important, quell any suspicions they have by choosing the correct sequence of words to maximize your persuasive abilities.

Reach the catwalk at the top of the outside staircase to activate the three Gas Bag Valves nearby and descend back through the previous levels of the Prydwen to return to the Flight Deck without being detected, then enter the indicated Vertibird to escape from the flagship before it explodes and report back to Desdemona to complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Quest: Nuclear Option

After speaking with Desdemona, travel to the Institute to enter the helix elevator and ascend into the Relay Room above to start a conversation with Z1-14.

Activate V.A.T.S. to start eliminating multiple people in the room at once by scoring critical headshots and sprint towards the ones fighting back to blast them continuously with a close-range weapon, then finish killing every person still alive in the Relay Control Room and speak with Desdemona after she suddenly arrives via teleportation.

Proceed towards the next objective marker to stop at the next row of windows on your right and look through them with a scoped weapon to eliminate the laser turrets and Synth guarding the room below before you descend into it.

Continue in the direction of the waypoint icon by moving between cover points to snipe oncoming threats and reach the next system of corridors ahead safely, then continue stopping at windows and checking around hallway corners to avoid being surprised by targets waiting on the other side.

Hack the Robotics Terminal you encounter next to unleash the Sentry Bot on the room ahead and aim a long-range weapon through the nearby window to eliminate it after the area has been cleared, then proceed towards the objective marker to snipe any remaining Synth and drop through the indicated hatch in the floor to follow the tunnel ahead.

Enter the laboratory to encounter a force of Synths and laser turrets on the surrounding walls above and use the planters stationed around you as cover until the room is clear, then pass through the yellow-striped doors to access the Institute and use an automatic weapon to eliminate the enemies that approach from ahead.

Finish clearing the area before stepping into the base of the helix at the center of the room and press the button inside to descend into the corridor below, then follow the waypoint marker to use another elevator and climb the next available staircase to reach the indicated room at the top.

Approach Father to speak with him and activate a cut-scene, then approach the terminal on the nearby table to Override the Institute Lockdown and equip an automatic weapon before exiting via the spiral rampway outside the room.

Fight your way towards the current objective marker to access the Advanced Systems lab and eliminate a pair of laser turrets on the wall in the last corridor to locate the reactor on the other side, then descend to the reactor room’s entrance to snipe enemies through the window beside it and finish clearing the ground floor with the help of your fellow Railroad agents.

Move slowly into the reactor room to zoom in on the enemies occupying the catwalks above and take them out by firing through the steel steps or railings they’re standing behind, then climb the stairs to access the terminal to the right of the glowing-blue reactor and hack the system to shut it down.

Approach the reactor inside the cramped chamber to plant a Fusion Pulse Charge on the core and return to where Desdemona is standing to teleport back to the Relay Control Room, then speak with her, a small boy named Shaun and Tinker Tom in that order.

Step back into the teleportation chamber to travel to the Mass Fusion Executive Suite and activate the detonator to complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Side Quests

Quest: Boston After Dark

Trigger this quest by speaking to Doctor Carrington after you’ve already completed the Tradecraft mission.

Travel to Bunker Hill to encounter Kessler standing at the front gate and move past her in the direction of the current objective marker to locate Old Man Stockton in the tavern, then use the Countersign and speak covertly whenever possible to finish the conversation under favorable terms.

Proceed to the indicated church in Cambridge to open fire on the surrounding hostiles with the help of VATS and take cover in the adjacent graveyard to finish clearing the area by equipping an automatic weapon, then take a seat near the rendezvous point to wait for 11 PM to come around and speak with Old Man Stockton to meet H2-22.

Wait inside the church until a contact named High Rise arrives and agree to follow him to the next location, then stay close behind your new companion while traveling through the streets of Boston and use VATS to eliminate the first hostile you encounter after turning a corner.

Follow High Rise south to pick off the Raider Psychos hiding behind the line of tall bushes on the right and continue tailing your ally until he comes to a stop at the Ticonderoga Safehouse on the other side of a bridge, then speak with High Rise one more time and report back to Dr. Carrington at Railroad HQ to complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Quest: Butcher’s Bill

After speaking with Dr. Carrington, visit the dead drop location found on your map to receive a new objective and travel to Cambridge to discover the Kendall Hospital by following the current waypoint icon.

Activate VATS as soon as you see the oncoming swarm of Bloatflies outside the hospital and shoot them out of the air by scoring a string of critical hits, then approach the building from the south to move past the right side of the red Emergency sign and enter the next alleyway on the left to climb the staircase at the end.

Eliminate the Bloodbugs at the top of the stairs by employing the use of VATS and approach the indicated door nearby to enter Kendall Hospital, then proceed south through the corridors ahead to hack the first available wall terminal and initiate remote door control to open the one beside you.

Walk in front of the now-open doorway beside you to target the Legendary Raider inside with VATS and score a critical headshot to put him down quickly, then proceed down the corridor on your left to reach the open room at the end that’s currently on fire and pass through the hole in the north wall to collect the available supplies inside.

Proceed south through the rooms on the right side of the area that’s on fire to turn left at the end and take out the remaining Raiders with a scoped-weapon, then face north to point your crosshairs towards the open second-floor window in the corner above and activate VATS to destroy the Machine-gun Turret with critical hits.

Climb the staircase in the east corner to reach the area above and look out through the window at the top of the steps to snipe the enemy on the opposite landing before opening the door beside you, then follow the second story balcony around the room to enter the elevator in the corner and ascend to the sixth floor to proceed in the direction of the current objective marker.

Equip a close-range weapon to destroy the first Turret that appears on your right and approach the wreckage that’s left behind to descend into the next area below, then proceed south to reach an open room with a wheelchair in the corner and aim through the holes in the rear wall to pick off the Legendary Raider on the other side.

Enter the corridor behind you to reach the second floor landing of the open room at the end and equip a scoped-rifle to snipe hostiles in the distant corner of the area ahead, then follow the walkway against the wall on your right to descend to the bridge below and toss a grenade towards the opposite side to clear a path before proceeding forward.

Cross the narrow rope bridge that connects the two sides of the room to climb the stairs at the opposite end and turn left at the top to proceed through the hole in the orange wall, then walk down the corridor to drop off the north edge of the next small landing ahead and approach the indicated desk in the corner to access the Battered Clipboard beside the broken terminal.

Take the Augusta Station Last Update from the clipboard and descend to the ground level of the room you’re in to encounter a Deathclaw, then activate VATS to target the monster’s head for a series of critical hits and retreat into cover to fire automatic rounds at the creature while remaining at a safe distance.

Chip away at the Deathblow’s health bar until it finally falls over dead and activate the circuit break in the southwest corner to access the exit, then report back to Dr. Carrington Railroad HQ to complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Quest: Butcher’s Bill 2

Reference the walkthrough for the first Butcher’s Bill quest to form a strategy for completing this mission as well. Both share common objectives and require the same amount of firepower to guarantee success.

You’ll be sent to a random enemy stronghold after visiting the dead drop and instead of recovering a file, you’ve been sent in to locate the body of Agent Blackbird and search it for useful items afterwards.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests

The Institute Faction Guide
The Institute Main Quests
The Institute Side Quests

Quest: Memory Interrupted

Enter PAM’s quarters at Railroad HQ to interrupt a discussion currently taking place between Desdemona and Dr. Carrington, then join the discussion to eventually pick a side and visit Goodneighbor after the three-way conversation ends to locate Dr. Amari in the basement of the Memory Den .

Speak with Amari before returning to the Memory Den’s first floor and step onto the stage to collect the Goodbye from H2-22 holotape on the small circular table against the curtain, then exit the building to travel to the Malden Center and use VATS to help you clear out the surrounding wave of hostiles.

Join Glory by the indicated door to speak with her for a moment and accept her offer to help before finally entering the Malden Center, then use a scoped-weapon to take care of the Synth at the bottom of the escalators and descend to the subway platform below to fend off another wave of hostiles.

Stay close to Glory and her mini-gun to let them mow down the hostiles ahead while you cover her back by picking off Synth that approach from the opposite direction, then cross through both of the subway train’s open doors to reach the platform on the other side and access the terminal next to the green restroom sign to hack into it so that you can Shut Down Unit(s).

Proceed north through the adjacent corridor to clear the area of Synth with a close-range weapon and enter the elevator in the room at the end to descend to the next floor below, then make your way south to encounter a sizable group of hostiles ahead and activate VATS to take them out with a quick succession of critical hits.

Enter the tunnel to the west to descend into the red-lit corridor below and follow it forward to access the next open area ahead, then turn immediately to your right to pick off the enemies on and around the wooden structure against the wall by first activating VATS.

Take cover from incoming enemy fire by backing into the previous tunnel and wait for the Synth to come to you before taking them out with at close-range, then re-enter the open area ahead to destroy the Machine-gun Turrets on the ground and atop the structure to your left.

Descend to the ground below to look towards the wooden barricade on the left and activate VATS when Helter Skelter appears to eliminate him with a volley of critical hits, then work as a team to finish clearing the area and return to the subway station to track down any remaining Synth.

Eliminate every last enemy inside the Malden Center to exit the building and report back to Desdemona at Railroad HQ to complete this quest.

The Commonwealth Minutemen Faction Guide
Minuteman Main Quests
Minuteman Side Quests

The Brotherhood of Steel Faction Guide
The Brotherhood of Steel Main Quests
The Brotherhood of Steel Side Quests