January 10th, 1964

  Ben was waiting in his office. The new year brought some exciting plans: the NRHS Convention, the World’s Fair, and his son's wedding, which made him quite excited. Despite all that, Ben got a letter from an old friend from the United Kingdom, a friend he hadn’t seen since he left the United Kingdom. The letter was simple, but told Ben that his friend is also participating in the World’s Fair, representing Britain. He was excited; he wrote back a few days ago.

  His friend is named David, and he was an interesting lad; he’s that type of guy who can crack up jokes and be a very good friend. Despite the beatings that Ben endured at his older sister's hands, he considered David like a brother, a twin, some say. After moving to America, the two would send letters, but after the Roger Railway got extremely popular, the letters stopped. Ben remembers his old friend; in fact, he remembers many friends from his childhood. The last time he heard from his friend, he was living in Hama, Kent, a small city in the Southeast Region of the United Kingdom with a French-British population.

  The letter also states that the heritage railway that his friend is volunteering and working for is the Hama Port Railway, which Ben had heard of; he visited the railway before in December 1957. The Hama Port Railway was preserved in 1956, the owner, Sir Akiba, a very rich French-British businessman and a railway enthusiast, who helped preserve the railway as a popular attraction for passenger operations. Ben remembers seeing one of their engines, a small engine named Dante, who was a great chap, and his driver, Christopher, was like Laurel and Hardy, a great group of folks.

  So seeing the letter and the railway mentioned was something Ben was excited for; he mentioned in his letter that he’s open to talking on the telephone, and since he’s part of the World’s Fair operation, his engine could stay at the Roger Railway. His excitement was at 100. Then, the telephone rang, he quickly picked it up, and put the speaker to his ear.

  “Ben?” David’s voice spoke through the speaker, “Is that you?”

  “Yes,” Ben told his friend, “I’m here.”

  “Holy shit, it’s been too long,” David cried happily, “I miss you so much.”

  “I miss you, too, you old fuck,” Ben chuckled.

  “Look at you, sounding all American,” David replied, “Anyway, I’ve seen the railway you preserved, the Roger Railway, fantastic operation.”

  “It’s been fun,” He told his friend, “Anyway, how have you been? We’ve stopped sending letters to each other, and I’ve heard you’re a volunteer at the Hama Port Railway?”

  “Yeah, fun operation,” He told Ben, “I’ve been operating this engine named Dante, switching operation roles with Christopher, he’s like me, but in engine form, we get along well, very fun chap to speak to, and operate, and I was most excited when Sir Akiba let me take his engine to America for the World’s Fair.”

  “Well, after seeing your letter, and it’s been a while since we last talked, how about letting Dante stay at the Roger Railway before the World’s Fair,” Ben suggested, “Since next year would also be the 1965 season for the World’s Fair.”

  There was silence for a couple of minutes, Ben thought his friend had hung up, but he didn’t after hearing his breathing.

  “Sorry, I was holding my breath, how happy I am with that offer,” David smiled at Ben through the phone, “I’ll speak to Sir Akiba if that’s alright, but I’m excited to meet you again.”

  “I am as well, good guy Akiba is,” Ben told David, “Is Britain also sending in another steam locomotive or just Dante?”

  “Just one,” He told Ben, “They wanted Prince or Talyllyn, but both Societies said no, but ever since John F. Kennedy was assassinated last year, the Prime Minister has been worried about bringing any more famous engines or humans to the World’s Fair.”

  Ben remembered the President’s assassination; everyone and engines were shocked, and some tears were shed.

  “I could see why,” Ben said to his friend, “Always take precautions, the world is a scary place.”

  “Yeah,” Dave agreed, “But I could tell that Dante is going to like the Roger Railway, and he’s almost here!”

  Ben was surprised.

  “How many days left?” He asks, “And how do you know he’s almost here?”

  “Just a few more weeks,” David told Ben, “Probably around February, he’ll be arriving in California. It’s usually a guess, but you always know I’m good with these guesses. I can’t wait to visit your railway.”

  Ben jokingly sighed.

  “Same as well,” Ben smiled, “Well, I have to call out now, busy with the off-season.”

  “I know that feeling,” David joked, “But I can’t wait to meet you, see you later.”

  “Later,” Ben smiled.

  The call was hung up, and Ben was overall excited to have his friend since childhood. He got out of his office and walked towards the yard, where only Robert was in the yard, since it was the limited passenger operation from the 6th to the 12th. Roger was in the yard so people could see and take a tour in his cab, and Lizzy was on hand as a tour guide for this operating session.

  “Ben, how are you doing today?” Roger smiled.

  Ben nodded.

  “Quite well, and I have special news regarding your visit to the World’s Fair,” Ben looked at Roger, “We’re having a visitor from the United Kingdom, his name is Dante from the Hana Porter Railway.”

  Roger and Robert looked at each other.

  “I didn’t expect the New Year news that we’re going to get a visitor,” Roger smiled at Ben, “But who is he? I remember the railway you mentioned to me when you were traveling to the United Kingdom while finding another engine to purchase for the Roger Railway before Robert came along, but I’ve never met him before.”

  “He’s a Bagnall 0-4-0st, he’s a contractor’s engine, it’s when an engine is assigned to build railways and hired him for extra work when their own railway locomotives are out of service, like freelancing, similar to the freight operation on the Simon Hill Railway you took almost 2 years ago,” Ben told Roger, “He worked in many different railways in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Peter, he had only a single owner, until 1931, where he was sold to another owner, which he did the same job until 1955.”

  “Wow, that long,” Robert commented.

  “And in 1956, a French-British rail enthusiast named Sir Akiba took ownership of a defunct rail operation at the Port of Hama, a city in Kent, and made a heritage railway called the Hama Port Railway,” Ben told Roger and Robert, “He’s the first engine on the line, he’s been here ever since, he turned 50 years old this year.”

  Roger was impressed.

  “Wow, what a history,” Roger smiled, “I’m actually excited to meet him.”

  “Same, he sounds like a lovely chap,” Robert agreed with Roger.

  “He is,” Ben nodded, “And one of his crew is one of my close friends, his name is David, so I want all of you to be in your best behavior. I want everyone, including Dante, to be appreciative of the hard work that the lot of you did over the years, including Citrus.”

  Lizzy came out of the cab and walked towards her husband. She turned her head, and she gave one look to the two engines, which means, be on your absolute best behavior, that would shut up Samuel, Samson, Diana, and the engines. She loves the engine very much and wanted them to be on their best behavior.

  “When will he be arriving?” Roger asks Ben.

  “Around February, the date? No clue,” He told Roger, “But he’s going to stay here until the World’s Fair.”

  “Does he have his own personal coaches?” Roger asks.

  “Nope,” Ben replied, “But I’m planning to give him a returned gift after the World’s Fair.”

  Roger could feel the excitement of the new visitor.

  “We’ll welcome him with open rails!” Roger smiled cheerfully.

  Ben smiled.

  “That’s all I have for today, we’ll be busy with the limited operations, and your preparations,” Ben told Roger, “You and Betty are going to have a busy season.”

  Roger smiled.

  “I sure do,” He smiled excitedly.

  February 13th, 1964

  Roger, Betty, Robert, Simon, Elizabeth, Citrus, and Clair were in the yard early in the morning. Everyone was excited for Dante’s arrival; this was also the limited operation for February, and Simon was in steam. Ben got a call that Dante is on his way on a truck through the Pennsylvania countryside to Westminster. Roger was especially excited; he could feel his boiler bumbling with excitement. The yard was also filled with railfans who were excited to see the whole fleet in the yard. Betty was visiting the Roger Railway, as well, with a planned doubleheader for Friday's operation.

  “I’m excited for this visitor,” Betty told her significant other, “From what you told me, Roger, he must have an interesting career.”

  “Being a contractor's engine gives any engine a chance to have an interesting adventure,” Roger told Betty, “And we want to give him the best first impression.”

  “Though Ben didn’t say what he looked like?” Robert asks.

  “I’m guessing it’s a surprise,” Roger told the young engine, “But I’m guessing due to his career in the past that he’s a small tank engine.”

  Then, right on cue, a horn from the truck that arrived in the yard, on the truck was a small blue saddletank engine, which had a lovely blue livery, white lining, and a name plate that said ‘Dante’. Roger looked at the visitor; he was right about his size, he was small, and the old Porter could see that Dante was sleeping on the truck, which he wasn’t surprised by. The journey is always a long one, even cross-country. The blue saddletank woke up, and he was surprised at where he was.

  “So this is the railway that David said,” Dante looked at the yard, “Wow, so many engines.”

  The crane lifted Dante onto the yard next to Roger. Many railfans who didn’t know about the visitor were quite surprised to see a blue saddletank engine next to the saddletank that changed preservation.

  “Hello,” Roger greeted Dante, “I’m Roger.”

  “I’m Dante,” said Dante, “My crew told me before I left California that I’ll be visiting your railway.”

  “That would probably be David,” Roger told Dante, “My owner and general manager of the Roger Railway is his close friend since childhood.”

  “I’ve heard,” Dante smiled.

  “I’ve also heard about you,” Roger added, “Ben told me about you; he visited your railway 6-7 years ago.”

  “Tell us about your railway!” Robert said excitedly.

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  “Calm down, Robert,” Clair eased the young engine.

  “She’s right,” Roger agrees with the little diesel, “Let’s not get too excited.”

  Dante chuckled.

  “I didn’t expect to have any engine excited about a simple visitor like me,” He smiled at the other engines, “But simply, I just operate passenger trains, I was small enough to operate the railway's tight system, and I’m quite a favorite on my line.”

  “Are there any other engines on your railway?” Roger asks.

  “Yep,” Dante smiled, “There’s Rita, Mervyn, Kael Demond, Nova, Llan Mawr, and Rofi, huge family back at home.”

  “Wow,” Betty said, she was impressed, “Do they have that blue livery you’re wearing?”

  “Yep,” He smiled, “Hama Port Blue Livery is quite a nice look on tank engines, smart too.”

  “I do agree,” Roger chuckled.

  Citrus looked at Dante carefully.

  “Are you a Sipat Class?” She asks curiously.

  “Not really,” Dante told the Meyer Locomotive, “I know I look like one, but some say I’m a mix of a Mercades and a Sipat.”

  Robert was a bit confused.

  “I thought Mercades was a car company?” Robert said with a curious tone.

  Citrus chuckled a bit.

  “Also an engine class, love,” Citrus told the young engine, “At my old railway, we have many Sipat and a few Mercades class operating everywhere in the system, quite tough little engines, just like me.”

  Dante looked at Citrus.

  “You must be from the Isle of Peter,” He guessed.

  Citrus was surprised.

  “How do you know?” She asks.

  “Your accent,” Dante told her, “I worked on constructing many long narrow gauge railways of the Isle of Peter, the locals have a distinguished accent that makes them unique compared to the United Kingdom and Wales.”

  Citrus was impressed.

  “You’re quite a smart engine,” She complimented.

  “Nah,” Dante chuckled, “I’m just a saddletank that helps construct railways.”

  “I get that feeling,” Roger chuckled.

  Dante looked around the yard.

  “I say, I’m impressed with your railway,” Dante complimented Roger, “Reminds me of the railways back at home.”

  “Well, Roger Sydney was impressed by the small railways during his visit to the United Kingdom,” Roger told Dante, “He would never expect my railway would be the first preserved railway in North America and the second preserved railway in the world.”

  “Your railway has survived a test of time,” Dante smiled.

  “What kind of coaches do you have on your line?” Robert asks.

  “Currently, we have these coaches called Bug Boxes, they’re mostly quite squat, but very useful,” Dante told Robert, “We have many of them, they’re quite easy to overhaul and built from scratch.”

  “Why are they called Bug Boxes?” Simon asks.

  “It’s because they’re quite small, like boxes, small enough for bugs to live in,” Dante told the Forney Locomotive, “They’re quite light, and I can pull quite a few.”

  Then, Ben, Lizzy, Samuel, and Diana came into the yard with a few folks following behind them.

  “Morning, Roger, Betty, everyone,” Ben smiled at the engines, “And hello, Dante, it’s been a while, but I hope you enjoyed your visit so far.”

  “I’m doing very well,” Dante smiled at Ben, “The engines here are the kindest bunch, they greeted me with open rails.”

  Ben chuckled.

  “I have to thank Roger and some of us,” Ben told the blue saddletank, “Oldest engine on the railway.”

  Dante was curious.

  “How old are you?” He asks.

  “Almost 84 years old,” Roger told Dante, “I was built in 1880.”

  Dante’s eyes were wide.

  “Wow! You’re quite an active little engine for your age,” Dante commented, “Just like a young engine, I’m only 50 years old this year.”

  “Well, I just recently had an overhaul last year, so I’m doing quite well,” Roger told Dante, “It’s nice to feel refreshed again and pull passenger trains.”

  “Anyway,” Ben looked at Dante, “You would be fired up to operate some test runs on the railway without any freight stock or coaches, then tomorrow, during the afternoon, you would triplehead a passenger train with Roger and Betty.”

  All the engines were quite surprised.

  “Wow, how about that,” Dante chuckled, “My first visit and now I’m tripleheading an excursion.”

  “Quite rare on this railway, but we do get doubleheaders sometimes, but even doubleheaders are rare,” Roger told Dante, “We’re operating a special Valentine’s Day excursion for most of the whole day, so having a tripleheader would be a fun experience.”

  Dante smiled.

  “That would be fun,” He smiled at Roger.

  Then, the few folks who were following Ben and Lizzy were eying the Roger Railway fleet; some were in awe of Roger and his friends, while others even pointed at Betty.

  “That engine looks like Lyd from the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway,” One gentleman pointed at Betty, “She could be Lyn’s long lost sister.”

  Roger was curious.

  “Who’s Lyn?” Roger asks Ben.

  “She’s a Baldwin built 2-4-2t, like Betty, for the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway,” Ben told Roger, “I visited that line a couple of times with my mother during holidays before it got shut down, when I saw Betty for the first time, she’s a carbon copy of Lynthe only difference is her livery.”

  Roger and Betty looked at each other.

  “And a damn good one,” the gentleman smiled, he looked at Roger, “I’m David Bretton, I’m one of Ben’s oldest friends.”

  Roger smiled.

  “Hello, David, how do you like America so far?” He asks.

  “I like it so far!” David smiled, “American diesels are quite different from us British diesels.”

  “I agree,” Dante commented, “But Pennsylvania is a nice state.”

  Ben smiled.

  “I think these folks here would enjoy a nice passenger run today and tomorrow,” Ben told the other engines, “We’re expecting to be on our best behavior, from everyone.”

  “And we expect everyone and every engine to give it all during the 1964 season,” Lizzy noted. She gave the engines that look, “Dante is also planning to help out with the first few weeks of the new season with his general manager and owner's permission.”

  The engines were excited.

  “How many coaches can you pull?” Simon asks Dante.

  “I only pulled 2 Bug Boxes,” Dante told Simon, “I haven’t really got experience pulling other coaches.”

  Robert then looked at Simon.

  “I think 2 coaches could be good,” Robert suggested.

  “We still have a lot of time until the World’s Fair,” Roger told the others, “We could teach him.”

  “He’s right,” Ben nodded, “That’s all for now, we’ll be resting for today, and I hope your test runs will go extremely well, Dante.”

  Dante smiled.

  “Thank you, sir,” He smiled.

  Ben, Lizzy, Samuel, and Diana left the yard while the volunteers of the Hama Port Railway were getting ready for the engine’s test run, and the regular Roger Railway volunteers and staff were getting ready for the limited operations for today.

  “How long is your railway?” Dante asks Roger.

  “5 miles long,” He told Dante.

  “Quite shorter compared to home,” Dante told Roger, “Our railway is 8 miles long, with curves and street running.”

  Roger could see his crew setting up the fire and waiting for the steam to rise.

  “I think you’re going to enjoy our railway,” Roger smiled.

  Dante smiled.

  “I hope so,” He looked at the distance.

  February 14th, 1964

  Dante was fired up for a test run. Being small, and a benefit of being a 2-foot-gauge steam locomotive, is that preparations were quite easy, with the fire ready to operate in a short time. The blue saddletank operated up and down in the yard before operating on the Roger Railway mainline for the first time. His own crew worked on Dante, up and down the mainline, while the passenger service was taking a break. Roger watched as the little blue saddletank made an impression with the Roger Railway volunteers, and he could see that they liked Dante as well.

  The Hama Port Railway volunteers enjoyed the passenger service hauled by Simon; they loved the secret and how everyone was nice to the visitors. Some even took a cab ride in Simon, which was an experience for everyone. The volunteers enjoyed a tour around the railway, the shops, the engine shed, and even some took a cab tour of the engines, including Roger and Betty.

  It was the morning of Valentine’s Day, and being on a Friday, which means that it’ll be busy for anyone from young school kids to adults who wanted some peaceful quietness, and since it’s the start of the weekend, more passengers are visiting the railway before the railway goes into another winter hibernation before the season starts. Roger, Betty, and Dante were in steam, getting ready for the double and triple header, though Dante would operate in the afternoon, while the morning passenger service would be operated by Roger and Betty.

  “Today’s going to be a great day,” Dante smiled at the two engines, “You don’t see a lot of heritage railways back at home operating passenger trains during this holiday.”

  “It helps allow some folks to enjoy a nice train ride with their significant other,” Roger told the blue saddletank, “And sometimes kids would visit because we would have sweets at the cafe, our passengers do love food.”

  “Seven coaches are what we’re pulling today,” Betty told Dante, “Roger’s and my coaches, a long train for today.”

  “And that’s the usual type of train, Betty, and I pull whenever she visits,” Roger told Diana, “Passengers really adored us.”

  Dante eyed the coaches in the yard.

  “Your coaches look like they’re very well maintained,” He told the two tank engines, “Your volunteers did a great job.”

  “Thanks,” Roger smiled, “The volunteers here and at the Hutton Steam Company and Museum did a great job maintaining Betty’s coaches and mine.”

  Dante was curious.

  “So Betty operates on another railway?” He asks.

  “Yep,” Roger replied, “The Hutton Steam Company and Museum is a railway museum and heritage railway, it’s Betty’s home, and sometimes since she visited the railway, and sometimes I visited her railway, vice versa.”

  “We’re significant others, so Ben does this to get some time for each other,” Betty added, “Since we’re participating in the World’s Fair, it’ll give us a chance to spend more time with each other since Roger was away with his overhaul seasons earlier, and the busy 1963 season.”

  “And it’ll be a great visit,” Roger smiled.

  Ben, Lizzy, Samuel, Diana, and Samson arrived at the yard, which Roger was quite surprised by since it had been a while since the youngest brother of the Hutton family had visited the railway, but by the look on Samson’s face, he was excited to be here.

  “Samson is going to be Betty’s driver,” Ben told Roger and Betty, “He did have some training from where his engines, John and Timmy, operate at, so I’m trusting him with his older brother and Diana to watch him since they have more experience operating you guys.”

  Samson smiled at the two.

  “I’ll do my best!” He smiled.

  “And since Dante wouldn’t be operating until the afternoon, he’ll be in the yard giving cab tides in the yard before the tripleheader,” Ben told the two, “To give passengers something when they visit.”

  To which Roger and Betty smiled as well. This was going to be a great day.

  Betty moved through the yard so she could couple up to Roger. She’ll be in front, and the two engines moved around the track and coupled up to their coaches, which the doubleheader moved to the station. Dante was still in the yard with his crew, waiting for the passengers to arrive at the yard to give cab rides. The passengers who came to the yard were adults who liked celebrating Valentine’s Day, and there were many of them. Some railfans who came to the railway station took photos of the tripleheader. The station was decorated with pink and red hearts, which were done by the volunteers and their children. It looked quite nice with the steam doubleheader.

  Some children were riding the trains with their parents, with a nice, relaxing day, and being a Friday, made everyone more excited and happy. Samson and his crew work on Betty before the excursion, with Ben and Lizzy working on Roger as well. A family job, some say, it was a nice day, and despite some of the snow on the ground, it was a great day for passenger trains. Both Samson's crew and his parents went back to Betty and Roger as the passengers got into the coaches. Everyone was seated and ready to leave. The two blew their whistle and slowly left the station, with a full train of happy passengers, with Dante watching the train leave.

  The morning service went well for Roger and Betty; it seems like operating a doubleheader on this holiday was a great success, and the doubleheader operated until 12 in the afternoon. The cab ride with Dante was also a success, which made the passengers excited that a tripleheader special would be running today. After the last passenger train was hauled, both Roger and Betty rested a bit in the yard, and the three were having a conversation.

  “So there’s a huge 2-foot gauge network in the United States?” Dante asks.

  “Some parts,” Roger told the blue saddeltank, “The Southern Railway has the biggest systems, but Samuel told me that there might be more in different states.”

  “The Simon Hill Railway was a favorite for us,” Betty told Dante, “I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since Simon’s line was closed.”

  “Yep,” Roger sighed sadly, “Though I hope Wilbert and Mr. Franklin enjoyed a nice retirement.”

  Dante looked at the crowd of railfans near the tracks.

  “How does the regular season work?” Dante asks.

  “Well, it’s usually Elizabeth that hauls most of our heaviest trains,” Roger told the blue saddeltank, “But she’s in repairs, so Citrus, the Meyer Locomotive, is taking over for her until her repairs are completed. Simon and Robert operate the lighter service, and I sometimes haul the Roger Heritage Special on selected days.”

  “Or sometimes he’ll be visiting another railway,” Betty added, “Other railroads are fond of Roger.”

  “Seems like a busy railway,” Dante looked at the yard, “I operated a lot of cab rides during the morning session.”

  “Cab tours and rides are quite popular,” Roger told Dante, “Also gives the folks interest in our railway.”

  Then Ben and Lizzy came back with Samuel, Diana, and Samson after lunch, and the crew was ready for the triple header. Betty moved through the yard and coupled up to Roger, while Dante moved through the yard as well and coupled up to Betty. The sight of the triple header excites the railfans in the yard; the three engines move slowly to the station, where the second wave of passengers has arrived. The passengers were awed by the three engines, and it was an interesting sight to see. Roger noticed a poster that had a promotion for the 1964 World’s Fair. It was interesting and mesmerizing to see this after it’s been almost 4 years since the announcement was made, and it made an impact on the railway.

  “World’s Fair,” Roger said to Betty and Dante, “Almost there.”

  “I’m excited to operate on the railway built by the World’s Fair,” Betty told Roger excitedly.

  “Me too,” Roger smiled, “I’ve heard that Samuel and Diana help with the building of the railway.”

  “We did,” Samuel said as he popped out of Betty’s cab, “It was quite a fun side gig, and made extra money during all that, it did help us fund the wedding.”

  “And the railway is beautiful,” Diana told the three engines, “It’s a work of art.”

  “Oh yeah, and good news,” Samuel looked at Roger, “Our wedding is going to be on the last days of summer, on September 19th, 1964.”

  Roger’s eyes were wide.

  “A wedding date already?” He jokingly asks.

  “Yep,” Samuel nodded, “A small one, but the good luck package is going to be great.”

  Roger looked at Samuel.

  “Good luck package?” Roger asks curiously.

  “You’ll see,” Diana winked.

  The conductor blew his whistle, and everyone got into the coaches and into the seats. Roger, Betty, and Dante blew their whistles and slowly left the station. This would be the start of the triple header. The cloud of steam spread through the station as the long train was moving quickly, out of the station, with the three steam locomotives on their way to Roger Station.

  The triple header moved slowly along the line; the train wasn’t going fast, but they weren’t going slow. It wasn’t a long train compared to the 10 coaches that Elizabeth would pull, but a triple header like this is quite rare. Many of the passengers were enjoying this relaxing holiday, despite the cold weather; the coaches were quite warm, which made the ride enjoyable.

  “How are you doing, Dante?” Roger asks.

  “I’m doing well,” Dante told the old Porter, “Though I feel like you two are doing most of the work.”

  “Usually these triple headers are quite mixed,” Roger told Dante, “Sometimes it’s one engine doing the work, most of the time, sometimes it’s all three, same with doubleheaders.”

  “The scenery is quite nice,” Dante complimented, “Maybe it’s the snow on the ground, but sometimes I could feel like I’m in Britain.”

  “The scenery is another reason why people visit our railway,” Roger commented, “Sometimes it’s a different world when it rains or snows on the railway, like a storybook.”

  “You never thought that this railway also hauls freight,” Betty added.

  Dante was surprised.

  “Really? It did?” He asks.

  “Yep,” Roger replied, “Though it wasn’t our main revenue, that was tourists, but freight did help us in the off-season, it was mostly general goods and merchandise.”

  “I know several railways are like that,” Dante told Roger, “Freight as a second-hand revenue-making plan.”

  “The last few years before Ben preserved my railway, I was just hauling tourists during the summer months,” Roger told Ben, “I was considered an icon in rail preservation. Ben sometimes used the freight stock for photo charters when needed.”

  “Reminds me of the Talyllyn Railway,” Dante told Roger, “A railway steep in history, and preserved for heritage.”

  “Funny enough, we started operating 4 months after Talyllyn reopened,” Roger added, “It was a nationwide sensation, and look at it today, years later, we’re the first preserved railway in the United States run by volunteers, and the second preserved railway in the world.”

  Dante smiled.

  “Your railway has a unique history,” He told Roger happily.

  Roger beamed with pride.

  “Thank you, Dante,” He smiled.

  The tripleheader arrived at the station, where the passengers disembarked the train and went inside the cafe to enjoy a nice mid-meal. The crew of Dante checked over the blue saddletank, while Ben and his family were checking over the two tank engines as per usual. Ben came over to Dante and looked him over to see if there was anything wrong during the run, but with a smile and a thumbs up, it seemed like the test run was successful.

  “Well, it seems like Dante is fit for service for the next couple of months,” Ben told Dante, “You’ll be operating smaller trains during the operating season before you, Roger, and Betty leave for New York.”

  The blue saddletank smiled.

  “I’m glad to be at your service,” Dante told Ben with a proud tone, “Thank you for this triple header.”

  Roger and Betty smiled.

  “It’s going to be a fun time we’re going to have,” Betty told Dante.

  “And it’s going to make great memories,” Roger added, “And I know I haven’t said this yet, but welcome to the Roger Railway, Robert!”