Powder Gangers

The Powder Gangers are a gang of escaped prisoners in the Mojave Wasteland

Background
In the distant past, the NCR Correctional Facility was the Jean Conservancy, a low-security all-female prison. When the NCR occupied the Mojave, it was commandeered to house prisoners on a work-release program. The inmates were tasked with maintaining a railroad alongside the Long 15 under military supervision, keeping the vital link between the Boneyard and New Vegas alive.

As the war with the Legion escalated, more and more prison guards were redeployed to the Colorado River against the warden's objections. This provided an opportunity that the inmates seized to stage a prison break.

Under the leadership of Samuel Cooke, a small group of inmates gathered weapons and explosives before rebelling against the NCR staffing the facility. They overwhelmed the guards, killed the warden and established their own rule. The prisoner population dispersed, with some following Cooke into Vault 19, others staying with Eddie, while others inhabit camps along I-15. The revolt shut down Highway 93 and the NCR's main road to Vegas. The Powder Gangers stole Sloan's dynamite supply, shutting down Quarry Junction.

The group subsequently engaged in commerce with establishments in Nipton, killed by the Legion during their attack on the town. The Vault 19 group plan to join the Great Khans. The Brotherhood of Steel has sent scouts to observe NCRCF, the activities of the Powder Gangers, and the NCR's reaction to those activities.

Appearances
Powder Gangers appear

Behind the scenes
The 215 Rail Line Powder Gang were also due to appear in Black Isle's canceled Van Buren. Commenting on the differences between the Fallout: New Vegas Powder Gangers and the 215 Rail Lain Powder Gang, Joshua Sawyer stated that the Van Buren faction had much more developed characters and were to play a larger role, while in Fallout: New Vegas, their focus in the game was greatly diminished.