February 14th, 1962

  Roger’s breath was cold, very cold, the snow was white as sugar, everywhere was covered in snow, Starlight Yard looks like it was covered in a blanket of powdered sugar, but today wasn’t just an average mainline excursion, it was work, the old Porter was at the Simon Hill Railway for the last time, after New Years, Eustis Franklin has announced that the 1962 season would be the last time that the railway would operate, with a railway from a different era competing in a more modern era of railroading in the United States, with trucking, losing industries, and even the excursions didn’t help mend the problem, losing money all the way, Mr. Franklin called it quits.

  This was shocking to the railfan community, the local community of New Hampshire, and the railroad community in general, though the Roger Railway wasn’t surprised. After what Wilbert and Simon said, that the railway would have a few years of life yet, this is it. Many groups and organizations were now sponsoring excursions with Simon, though he’s still in the final stages of his overhaul, so Citrus is the substitute, and Mr. Franklin has been in talks with many groups wanting a piece of the rolling stock. The Roger Railway wanted that piece too, and Mr. Hutton sent the highest bidding price to have Simon.

  Though the railway will close the Steam Program after the summer season, with the regular service season ending on Christmas Eve, the engines of the Roger Railway were excited to receive another engine to the fleet, though Mr. Franklin didn’t want any visiting steam locomotives for excursions due to the Steam Program winding down, but after a deadly derailment which cost the lives of a few men, and a few diesel locomotives, Wilbert called Mr. Hutton, and tell him that they needed Roger and since Citrus is the only steamer for the revenue freight, having two steamers can help.

  So in early February of 1962, Roger was loaded onto the truck and left the railway quite early, and arrived before Valentine’s Day. This was the old Porter’s first revenue freight in 16 years; the last revenue freight on the Roger Railway was made, ironically enough, on Valentine’s Day of 1946, after the end of the Second World War. Ben, Lizzy, and the volunteering team work day and night to get Roger ready, but they’re confident that he’ll do well.

  “Brrr, it’s cold,” Roger shivered, “I would never expect to haul a freight train in the dead of winter.”

  “You and I both,” Ben said. He was in a thick winter coat. Lizzy is also wearing a white winter coat.

  Next to him was Samuel, checking valves and oiling them, servicing them, with Diana in the warm cab, playing in the snow were Diana’s little siblings, little brother Scott, or Scotty, and her little sister Cindy.

  “Looking good, Samuel!” Diana cried out.

  Samuel looked at his girlfriend and gave her a thumbs-up.

  “Dad has been teaching me this stuff for years,” He beamed happily, “It’s nice to show off my skills since we’re getting paid for doing this.”

  “It’s more like a volunteer paycheck,” Mr. Hutton told his son.

  Roger looked at the yard.

  “Revenue steam freight,” the old Porter said quietly, “It’s been a while.”

  “It has,” Ben said, agreeing with Roger, “I remember the last steam revenue freight; there were many railfans, and I still have some photos in my personal archive.”

  “But why me?” Roger asks Ben, “I may be built as an industrial engine for a mainline railway, but there are more steam locomotives, way more powerful than I am for this kind of work.”

  “Based on the excursions, Wilbert thinks you’re good for the job,” Ben reminded Roger of the past excursions, “I’m guessing it depends on how modern the rolling stock has been. I’ve been told that the only new freight stock is the tankers, but the rest of the freight stock is still 30-50 years old.”

  “And speaking of tankers,” Lizzy pointed at two small tankers, “I think Wilbert told us we’re bringing this to Simon Yard, and pick up another train to Tucson Yard.”

  “Two small tankers are a good start,” Roger smiled, “Simple.”

  After last-minute checking was completed, Ben, Lizzy, Samuel, Diana, and her siblings got into the cab, a snug fit, but it was very cold outside anyway. Roger moved through the points and backed up to the tankers. A diesel switcher pushed a caboose to the tankers, coupling up, making a small but simple train. Wilbert came into the yard with another railroad staff member, but this railroad staff member was a woman.

  “This is Amber,” Wilbert told Roger and his crew, “She’ll accompany me for this revenue run, and we’ll be your crewman.”

  She waved at the crew.

  “Hello,” She smiled, “I’ve been with the railway for 10 years now, and I’m happy to share my knowledge with one of the most famous locomotives and his crew in the United States.”

  “Most famous?” Roger asks, with a tint of pink on his cheeks, “I’m just an old Porter, nothing more, nothing less.”

  Wilbert came over to Ben and gave him a piece of paper.

  “These are mostly the tasks you’re going to do,” He told Ben, “There are also cabins next to the track for you, your wife, your son, and his girlfriend, and her siblings. They’re used by our workers who have to stay at the railway for a long time, so it’s a comfortable place to relax and enjoy some peace; there's a refrigerator and books.”

  “I could also help to get some groceries,” Amber added.

  Ben looked over at the piece of paper, then he walked out of the cab and showed it to Roger, whose eyes were wide after seeing the paper.

  “Knowing you’re going to be on the road for a couple of days, do you have any clothes and luggage?” Amber asks.

  To which they nodded.

  “Most of it is in the car,” Samuel told the woman, “But I don’t know if it can fit in the caboose.”

  “Oh, it can,” She told Samuel, “You’ll be surprised how much luggage can fit in a caboose. How much luggage do you guys have?”

  “Three,” Samuel told Amber, “My parents, me, my girlfriend, and her siblings, they’re not really that big, just enough for a few days.”

  She smiled.

  “That’s good enough,” Amber told Samuel.

  Ben and Lizzy brought up the luggage and brought it to the caboose. The train was ready for operation. To make the cab more roomy, the siblings were offered a ride in the caboose, which they didn’t mind. White flags were placed on each side of Roger’s cab; they were ready to run, and everyone was excited. The old Porter blew his whistle loudly, and he slowly left the yard as his bell was ringing. This was going to be a new adventure.

  With such a light train of two tankers and a caboose, Roger was going quite quickly compared to his coaches, though, a short train like this is always easy with one steam locomotive, especially if that steam locomotive is over 80 years old. It was very cold, and the steam was pluming quite large out of the funnel, which gave the locals an interesting look. It was quite rare for steam to operate freight on this railway, or any railway at all, but Citrus, the Meyer Locomotive, did make a spectacular run through the railway.

  “What’s the next train we need to collect after dropping this one?” Roger asks Ben.

  “Boxcars to Tuscan Yard, or vans from my part of the world,” Ben told the old Porter, “Wilbert told me that tanker trains were around 10-15 back then, steam and diesel era, 2-3 is now the norm.”

  “That sucks,” Roger said, passing a group of brave railfans, “Do you think the boxcar trains will be short?”

  “Based on what the paper told me, it’s short,” He told Roger, “2 or 3, but it’ll give you a chance to operate a revenue freight train, and I know I’m happy for your hard work over the years.”

  “Thanks, Ben,” Roger smiled.

  Operating this small of a freight train made it easy for the old Porter; he looked around his surroundings, and he could see many railfans, some were probably documenting the last few months of the railway operation, starting now, with the railway going to be closed, huge severance pay would go out to the workers, Roger and his crew would also get a paycheck with their hard work, the old Porter could see tiny flecks of snow that’s falling from the sky, hinting that a big snow storm is happening.

  Arriving at the yard, he could see that it was busy, with diesel locomotives switching cars, and workers walking on the snow-covered yard. This train was simple to bring to the yard. Roger was uncoupled from the tankers, with the caboose as well. He coupled the caboose behind, pulled it back, and waited for a bit.

  “You did well,” Ben told Roger.

  “Two tankers and a caboose isn’t much of a challenge,” He told Ben, “This next one wouldn’t be a challenge as well.”

  And he was right, he could see two boxcars on another track, it was an interesting look, unlike 2-foot gauge boxcars that look like they’re 50 years old and showing their age, these boxcars were modern, almost shrunk down from standard gauge. He could tell by their age that these arrived not too long ago, maybe 5-6 years ago. Roger pushed the caboose to the other track, a diesel switcher pushed the caboose, which was coupled up to the boxcars, and the old Porter moved to another track, backing up to the boxcars.

  Samuel got out of the cab and took a photo of the new freight train.

  “This would look good for Trains magazine,” Samuel grinned, “No one knows about this operation except us and a few railfans who got the message early.”

  “The weather is going to be our main villain for our visit,” Ben told his son, “Fucking stressful when you have to wait due to snow being a main issue.”

  “I’m guessing that wasn’t a problem during your industrial railway days?” Diana asks.

  “Snow is part of life,” Ben sighed.

  After the photos were taken, Samuel got back into the cab, Diana got out of the cab, and walked to the caboose to check on her brother and sister. They were doing well, playing games, and reading books; they liked the train ride. Wilbert was doing paperwork, and Amber was watching over her siblings, but she was also doing paperwork as well.

  After everything was all set and done, Roger blew his whistle and slowly left the yard with two boxcars and a caboose, another simple but easy freight train. Doing revenue freight was something out of the blue, but it made him happy, made him feel useful. The old Porter paced much more quickly as he left the yard. It’s going to be nightfall when they’ll arrive at the yard, but that’s part of the railroad life.

  Going through similar tracks that Roger operated last year felt strangely nice, but it was odd since he’s operating a freight train, the old Porter doesn’t know what’s in these boxcars, but knowing from experience back at home, they could be general merchandise, with trucks being a bigger, better solution, narrow gauge lines like the Simon Hill Railway are a dying last hope.

  “How many tourist lines choose their bid?” Roger asks Ben.

  “A few,” Ben told Roger as they passed a diesel freight train, both engines saluted with whistle and horns, “Some mostly got the track, and knowing us, the Hutton Steam Company bid on a few miles, but Simon is the most expensive.”

  “10,000 dollars,” Lizzy popped her head out of the cab, “Expensive.”

  “Yep,” Ben agreed with his wife, “But he’ll be perfect for the railway.”

  “He will be,” Roger agreed, “Though, who’s going to buy all the diesel locomotives?”

  “From what Wilbert told me, the Southern, though, not all of them,” He told Roger, “Despite them still operating steam, they already have some diesel locomotives in their roster, not a big one, but it’ll help them on their operations.”

  “How many diesels does the Simon Hill Railway have in total?” Diana asks.

  “A dozen,” He told the redhead, “At least, that was almost 9 years ago, it’s sad really when a railway I haven’t really kept track of since.”

  “What about the passenger coach's dad?” Samuel asks his father, “They’re important to the railway too.”

  “Edaville mostly took the stock,” Ben told his son, “But we got one, just one.”

  “That’s nice, one is better than none,” Roger smiled, “At least Simon got a bit of home to take with him.”

  The freight train made its way to Hillside City, which led to the Tuscan Yard, which was the old Porter’s favorite part of the line, street running, and seeing the excited face, Roger looked up. The sun was setting, and they were getting closer to the yard. Despite it being winter, it was beautiful, and since this wasn’t an excursion train, it was nice and calm. Some folks eyed the weird steam revenue freight train, and some folks along the trackside waved to Roger as he passed. It was like seeing a friend, though for the last time.

  Arriving at the yard, it was getting dark, and Roger quickly moved to a siding, where the boxcars were uncoupled, with the caboose, the old Porter moved into another track, backed into the siding, and coupled up the caboose, pulled the caboose back to a different track, and Roger moved onto a different track and backed to the caboose, it was tiring work, but this was another preparations for another part of his job, it was life on the railway.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “I’m exhausted,” Roger said as his crew got out of his cab, “Non-stop running, especially through gradients, though, I’m glad to deliver the train, no issues during the run.”

  “There are a few cabins for railroad workers not too far here,” Wilbert told Ben and his party of 5, “We’ll sleep here until morning. Tuscan Yard is the only yard on the Simon Hill Railway that doesn’t have a shed. Sorry, Roger, you have to sleep outside.”

  “I guess it’s part of the job,” Roger smiled, “At least my fire would keep me warm.”

  Lizzy came back to the old Porter. After getting out of the cab, she walked towards the caboose, brought something out, and when she arrived, it was a blanket.

  “I knew that you’re probably going to be sleeping outside, sweetheart,” Lizzy told Roger, “So I brought this blanket, it’s a Mighty Mouse blanket, but it’s big enough to keep you warm.”

  Roger felt touched, and he smiled at Lizzy.

  “Thanks,” He smiled at her.

  “We’ll come and check,” Ben told Roger, “We don’t want your fire to be out.”

  Though Samuel had an idea.

  “I could stay, Dad,” Samuel told his father, “Diana and I could stay in the caboose, we could take a quick bath at the cabin, and head back here.”

  Scotty and Cindy like that idea.

  “We want to stay with big sis and big bro,” Scotty told the Huttons, with Cindy nodding excitedly.

  Ben looked at his wife, who nodded, sensing a trust with their son, and knowing that he has Diana, who can watch over him.

  “Just be careful,” Ben told his son. He looked at Diana, “Watch him, please.”

  “Don’t worry,” She smiled at Ben, “I’ll watch him very closely, and with my siblings as well.”

  Wilbert came to the caboose.

  “If you guys feel like you need to protect yourself, our cabooses carry rifles and handguns, just in case,” He told Samuel and Diana, “It’s mostly for wildlife, but there have been a few train robberies on this railway through the early 20th century.”

  The two nodded, then, after everything seemed to settle, Lizzy put the blanket over Roger, despite being very cold, and only having his fire to keep him warm, the blanket was the warmest item ever. The crew left, leaving the old Porter, though he knew that Samuel and Diana would come back, but he was worried a bit, since it’s still winter, snowfall could happen anytime now, and he could be buried under a mountain of snow every time. He yawns a bit, extremely tired from the day’s operation, and he slowly goes to sleep.

  Roger would feel and hear something. He opened his eyes, and he could see that it was snowing, quite hard, and he could see a strange figure in front of him, realized it was Samuel shoveling the snow, and heard a familiar female voice, it was Diana, and it seemed like she was scraping off the snow from the blanket, which Roger could feel the wetness seeping in, while he loves Lizzy very much and thankful for her help, it wasn’t a good idea since water and the materials for the blanket are like a magnet, he felt wet.

  “It’s pouring out here!” He could hear Diana telling Samuel, “I think a blanket is not a good idea.”

  “I hate to tell my mother that, but you’re right,” Samuel sighed, “Check the caboose, there might be a plastic tarp, which could work.”

  Roger doesn’t know what time it is, but looking at the dark sky, it could be around midnight, but he doesn’t know. He then felt the blanket off of him, and was replaced with something that felt like plastic. It was a tarp, and despite the feeling of plastic all around him, it was another warm item on this cold, winter day. Samuel is probably shovelling the snow to make it clear for tomorrow’s run; no one likes tracks being blocked by snow, and knowing that the railroad workers would work extra hours just to clear the snow is a tiresome task.

  “Samuel? Diana?” Roger quietly asks.

  Samuel looked at the old Porter.

  “Sorry, Roger, for waking you up,” He told the old saddletank, “It started to snow quite quickly, and we’re trying to keep the snow at a good level, don’t want you to be covered from funnel to bunker.”

  “How bad is it?” Roger asks.

  “The small radio in the caboose said that the weather is going to be terrible,” Samuel told the old Porter, “I wouldn’t be surprised if a diesel is used for the ferry move tomorrow.”

  “Shit,” Roger muttered under his breath, “How long are the track miles to the next location?”

  “Short, actually, 5 miles,” He told the old Porter, “But the weather would be our biggest problem.”

  After shoveling the snow, Samuel came back up into the cab and shoveled some fresh coal to keep the fire going through the night. He also took a small bunch of flaming coals from the firebox to put on the ground. With some fresh coals and wood, he was making a small fire next to Roger.

  “While not much, but the fire could keep us warm through the night, some cabooses have warm stoves,” Samuel told Roger, “We’ll be alright, just sleep through this snow storm.”

  Roger looked at Samuel with an uncertain look, but he was exhausted, and tiredness was creeping through his eyes. He slowly went to sleep, hoping that the snow wouldn’t come down hard…right?

  February 15th, 1962

  Roger woke up with no light, well, no sunlight. He could see that it snowed quite hard, and the dark gray clouds made it look like nighttime, but it was morning, the warm fire in his firebox was still glowing, which made it nice and warm, and he could see that Samuel must’ve spent all morning shoveling the track and where he was, so he could get through the snow. Roger could see and hear various diesel locomotives in the yard, most of them with snowplows. He could see Ben and Lizzy talking to Wilbert and Amanda; it was a busy morning.

  “Morning, Roger,” Samuel said to Roger as he stretched his back, “Mom and Dad are talking to Wilbert about the weather situation; it snowed very hard last night.”

  “I can tell,” Roger looked up at the sky, “Thanks for clearing the snow away.”

  “It’s hard work,” He told the old Porter, “Especially when it keeps snowing.”

  “How are the mainline tracks?” Roger asks.

  “Cleared, but it’s risky to operate a caboose hop to the mines,” Samuel told Roger, who was surprised.

  “Mines?” Roger asks.

  “Coal mines,” Samuel said, “Once upon a time, there were many coal mines on this railway, but one, the one we’re going to, is the only one left, at least, still in operation.”

  “How many coal cars am I going to pull?” Roger asks, “It didn’t say on the paper.”

  “Depends on what the railway has offered us,” Samuel pointed to the faraway distance, “But I think 10 at most.”

  Then, Ben, Lizzy, Wilbert, and Amanda came to the old Porter, and mist came out of their mouth; it was very cold.

  “Morning, Roger,” Ben told the old Porter.

  “Morning, Ben, Lizzy,” Roger smiled.

  “Wilbert has told me that the mainline to the mines is cleared, but you’ll be pulled by a diesel locomotive,” Ben told Roger, “Mostly because of safety, if it didn’t snow hard yesterday, then you’ll operate the caboose hop by yourself.”

  “I see,” Roger said, looking at the dark gray sky, “But I don’t mind.”

  “The coal train would be a special one,” Ben smiled, “Because you’ll be doubleheading a coal train with Citrus.”

  This made Roger surprised.

  “Wow,” Roger said with a surprised look on his face, “I didn’t expect to doublehead with a Meyer Locomotive, but why?”

  “Wilbert told me that the coal train is quite long, 25 coal wagons, quite long for a Meyer Locomotive, but not unusual for her design,” Ben told Roger, “And knowing the news that you’ll be at the railway for the revenue freight operation, Wilbert talked to my friend and offered this regular coal run to be a special one, especially since this year would be the last time a steam doubleheader would operate on this railway.”

  “And it’s a perfect opportunity to give the fans of the Simon Hill Railway a grand show!” Lizzy exclaimed happily.

  Roger looked at Ben and Lizzy, and then looked at Wilbert.

  “I guess it would be a chance to meet Citrus,” the old Porter smiled, looking around at the yard, “Who’ll ferry me to the mines?”

  Wilbert smiled.

  “Our first diesel locomotive,” He told Roger, “His name is Rock, since he’s the Rock of our railway, he just got a recent overhaul 2 years ago, he’s one of the engines that wasn’t bid for purchase.”

  Speaking of the diesel, he arrived on time, like all diesel locomotives on this particular gauge; he was huge. Roger looked at the ‘new engine’, he was modern and looked sleek. Despite being older than he looked, he looked like he arrived on the railway quite early. He also has a snowplow in front of him, not a huge one, but one big enough to clear snow.

  “Hello,” the diesel locomotive smiled at the old Porter, “I’m Rock.”

  “I’m Roger,” said Roger, “Nice to meet you.”

  “I’ve been told I’m going to ferry you to the mines,” He told Roger, “I’ve never ferried a steam locomotive before.”

  The old Porter chuckled.

  “It’s a first for everyone,” Roger smiled.

  Rock moved through the wye before backing up to the old Porter and coupling him. The old saddletank realized that Rock was a huge engine, for two foot gauge; he could be the same size as a K-37 of the Rio Grande. Roger could barely see the sky; that’s how big he was. After coupling up, Ben and the crew looked through the old Porter, making sure he was alright and ready for the ferry move. Then, Rock and Roger slowly left the siding and yard and onto the mainline.

  This was a new feeling for Roger, since Rock is already a powerful engine; he doesn’t know if he should operate as well, or enjoy the ride, though he was going at a much faster speed, but not much. The old Porter could see the railfans taking in this new and odd sight to behold, though the two arrived at a small gradient, which was only 1.2 percent, which was a norm to some railways, but Roger did help push Rock through the gradient, even if the old Porter is a relic of his past, he was willing to help more modern engines like Rock.

  “I’ve heard what happened to your railway,” Roger told the diesel locomotive, “It must've been tough to have your home lost.”

  “Part of the railroading life, I guess,” Rock sighed, “The railway was considering retiring me.”

  “Retiring you?” Roger asks, quite curious, “But aren’t you a modern locomotive, more modern than me?”

  “I was built in 1950,” He told the old Porter, “I was state of the art, big, powerful, and haul more freight then Simon, no offense to your friend, but by 1960, I was a relic like you, most of the diesel locomotives on the Simon Hill Railway are over 10 years old, if the railway didn’t plan for defunct, they would’ve purchased more up to date diesel locomotives. Some of the old diesel switchers that started on the railway before me retired this year. I was first for the mainline fleet, sad to think that was 12 years ago."

  Roger was surprised, though, he remembered Clair saying that she was technically an old locomotive in her standard, steam locomotives that are 10 years old are considered young, at least to them. Many railfans would argue that a 10-year-old steam locomotive is still considered young or middle-aged. It was a strange reality.

  “But the last two years weren’t that bad,” He said to Roger as they passed a freight train, “I was relegated to passenger excursions whenever Simon needed his rest or was in an overhaul, like right now. Hauling excursion trains is nice; it’s nice to see happy passengers. I have four excursions starting next month.”

  “That’s nice,” Roger smiled.

  The duo arrived at the mines. It was a wide area, with many coal wagons around the area, and he could see lots of coal, which was enough to last a couple of years on the Roger Railway. He then saw a steam locomotive at the yard; the engine was big, the engine had a nice forest green livery, huge tanks, and nameplates that said ‘Citrus’; this was the engine that Ben had been talking about.

  “Well, well,” the new engine smiled at the old Porter, the engine had a British accent, “Aren’t you a cutie?”

  Roger didn’t hear that comment from Citrus, but he was surprised by how big the engine is; he wondered if she’s the same size as Elizabeth. After stopping, Ben and Lizzy got out and walked towards Citrus’s crew, while Samuel and Diana serviced Roger. Then, Citrus’s crew came out of the cab and hugged Ben and Lizzy. Roger noticed that the crew was male and female as well, which could also be a husband and wife team.

  “That’s Steven and Eily,” Samuel told the old Porter, “Steven was a close friend to Dad when he was young, he and his wife purchased Citrus when Mom and Dad were purchasing Elizabeth that time, 3 years ago, and they had a blast operating her.”

  “Ben only told me a little about her,” Roger said, looking at the engine, “She must be a powerful steam locomotive.”

  “Very,” Samuel nodded, “She can haul a loaded coal train without assistance back on her old railway, which makes me wonder why a doubleheader?”

  “Didn’t you hear what your father said?” Diana playfully hit the back of her boyfriend’s head.

  “I did,” He told her, “But still, she could haul those 25 coal wagons without any assistance.”

  “What year was she built?” Roger asks.

  “1950,” Ben told Roger, “Same year as Clair, quite a modern steam engine of that time period.”

  “Maybe it is for a show,” the old Porter told Samuel, “Since the railway is closing at the end of the year, a show like this would be a gift to the community and local railfans.”

  Just then, Ben, Lizzy, and Citrus’s owners came to Roger.

  “I’m sure my son has already told you, but this is Steven and Eily Hanks, the owners of Citrus,” Ben introduced, “This is Roger, the engine I’ve been telling you about.”

  The two looked at Roger, walked around, and admired him, smiling.

  “He’s a nice engine,” Steven commented, “You did a great job taking care of him.”

  “It’s not every day you see an industrial design Porter operating on the mainline,” Eily said, looking up and down at Roger.

  “But it’s fun,” Roger smiled.

  “You bet that right,” Samuel grinned.

  “Anyway,” Ben said, looking at Roger, “The reason for the doubleheader is obviously to give the railfans a show one last time, and since the tracks are icy, and the coal wagons are heavy, we don’t want Citrus to stall, even with hot sand helping her.”

  “Hopewell will be our destination,” Steve also told Roger, “About 10 miles from Tuscan Yard, there’s also a bridge as well, quite a spectacular line. The yard has one of those chutes where coal drops under the wagons and into the standard gauge cars.”

  Roger looked at Ben.

  “Are there any more freight trains to be operated?” He asks Ben.

  Ben shook his head.

  “Nope,” He told Roger, “But it depends on whether Eustis Franklin decides something, since the railway is on a free-for-all moment right now, I think more freight trains will happen.”

  Roger looked at Ben for a bit, then smiled.

  “I wouldn’t mind doing more of those freight trains,” He told Ben, “They’re fun to do.”

  “I agree,” Lizzy smiled, “Let’s get started on the doubleheader, it’ll be a journey.”

  Roger was uncoupled from the caboose and moved slowly through the yard. He came in front of Citrus and backed into her, slowly, carefully. After backing up to Citrus, Ben coupled up the old Porter, and the sight of two narrow-gauge steam locomotives of different sizes was mesmerizing. Lizzy took a photo before getting up in the cab. It was a long train, and it would be an impressive sight to see. A diesel switcher pushed the caboose to the back of the train; the train was ready to run.

  Ben and Lizzy gave the old Porter one last look around before the two were finally ready to leave. The two blew their whistle. Citrus whistled a deep, but powerful sound compared to his Roger Railway single chime. There were railfans in the yard who were able to chase the steam freight train since yesterday, and they were amazed by the size difference between the two engines. The coal train was long, 25 loaded wagons, to places that still use coal; it was a test of power.

  “Ben has told me about you,” Roger said to Citrus as they thunder along the snow-covered tracks, “How do you like being in America?”

  “It’s nice,” She told the old Porter, “Weather is quite different from home, but it’s nice, I’ve heard about you and your railway from the BBC back at home.”

  Roger smiled.

  “The BBC treats us well,” He told her, “They’re a great bunch of people.”

  The two whistle to a group of railfans.

  “How does it feel to be very famous?” She asks, “It must be stressful to deal with rail enthusiasts back at your home every day.”

  Roger thought for a bit.

  “I guess, I just do what I do,” He told Citrus, “Most people think I’m cute and adorable due to my size, and most people admire me for my longevity, railfans sponsored excursions on my railway, and I enjoyed taking them, it’s been a blast really.”

  Citrus giggled.

  “I don’t blame them,” She smiled, “You’re a cutie, Roger.”

  Roger giggled.

  “Thanks, Betty tells me that all the time,” Roger told Citrus.

  The Meyer Locomotive was curious.

  “Who’s Betty?” She asks curiously.

  “She’s my significant other, she was purchased by Ben, and part of the Hutton Company and Museum operating steam locomotives,” He told the Meyer Locomotive, “Hopefully you don’t fancy me, since I’m already in a relationship.”

  Diana snorted in the cab.

  “Oh, no, I didn’t!” Citrus blushed a bit, “I thought it was just you and your coaches.”

  Roger sighed calmly.

  “Indeed, it’s mostly just me and my coaches, and I was the only engine on my railway until the 1950s. There are other engines on the railway,” He told her, “Robert, Elizabeth, and now Simon, with Clair, our first diesel locomotive.”

  “Elizabeth!” Citrus remembered a familiar name, “I met her during my overhaul at Hunslet Peter, she’s a nice engine to talk to.”

  “I agree,” Roger smiled, “She’s a nice friend, and she’s the most powerful on our railway.”

  They soon crossed the bridge, which was quite long, and with bricks as the main source of materials, many railfans at the bottom of the bridge looked up at the freight train passing through. It was wonderful for the railfans at the bottom. Roger and Citrus blew their whistle; the long train and the engines made an impressive sight. Despite being a huge locomotive behind him, the old Porter is working hard on the train, making sure that the job will arrive on time.

  “You really are amazing, Roger,” Citrus told him, “I mean, you lived through your whole life on your original railway, and never technically retired, my railway closed.”

  They were on another long straightaway, which looks like an endless stream of tracks. Roger didn’t say anything, but he understood what she was saying.

  “People tell me all the time,” He told the Meyer Locomotive, “The people with me, who help my railway thrive, my crew, Ben, Lizzy, and their family, they changed my life.”

  Citrus didn’t say anything, but she did smile. The train was going at a nice pace, enough that cars were chasing the train. It was funny for Roger to see cars with people hanging out of their windows and shoot some film to get that perfect shot. The old Porter whistled loudly as they passed a crossing. Despite that long talk, the two engines were having fun; it was something Roger was glad to take part in.

  Arriving at Hopewell Yard, Roger could see the yard was busy with freight, and with the yard workers guiding the train through the busy yard, but next to the yard was a single track that leads to the top of the trestle chute, Roger could see where the coal interchange from narrow gauge to standard gauge, quite a different interchange operation compared to back home. There were many diesel locomotives, and there was a variety of freight stock, which the old Porter wondered which got the highest bid.

  Roger and Citrus slowly back their train up to the chute track, but since the track is not long enough, they have to do 10 wagons each, which makes the old Porter glad that there are only 25 coal cars. The process did take a while, with the caboose out of the way, and by the time both engines were finished, it was getting dark, and they were exhausted. It was an impressive feat, and knowing this type of event will live on in memories. Unlike the last yard, this one has a shed, which made Roger quite relieved since he doesn’t have to be worried of being trapped in the snow.

  “Man, what a day,” Ben said to the old Porter, wiping sweat off his face, “I’m exhausted.”

  “I agree,” Lizzzy said, sitting on the cab floor, “I need a long bath and some sleep. You did great as usual, sweetheart.”

  “What’s the plan now?” Samuel asks his dad.

  “That I don’t know,” He shrugged, “The paper didn’t say what to do next, so let’s wait until tomorrow, besides, we need a long rest.”

  “The railfans sure have their fun,” Diana pointed at the group of railfans around Citrus, “They’re going to have lots of memories about this.”

  “I agree,” Roger smiled, “It’s been fun, and if that’s all, I’m glad to take part in this.”

  Ben smiled.

  “Well,” He told the others, “After servicing Roger, we’re going to take a nice long shower or bath, and go to sleep.”

  February 16th, 1962

  Roger slept the whole night. Samuel and Diana stayed in his cab inside the cabin, which was a good choice since it was still very warm despite the long run, servicing was done, and the old Porter was ready to run tomorrow, but it depended on what his next job is, but he was still sleeping with a glowing ember in his firebox.

  “Roger, wake up,” Ben told the old Porter.

  “Yes, Ben?” Roger asks, groggy feeling.

  “Eustis Franklin called me a couple of minutes ago, and he got some good news for today,” He said to Roger.

  The old Porter looked at Ben.

  “What kind of news?” Roger asks.

  “Well, today you’re only switching, shunting from my part of the world, the trucks and vans in the yard,” He told Roger, “And, you’ll be operating a series of special excursions back to Starlight Yard.”

  Roger’s eyes were wide.

  “Passenger excursion?” He asks.

  “Yep, as a thank you for the freight operation, and a thank you for operating the mainline excursions in the last 9 years,” Ben told Roger happily, “Your coaches would be trucked here either tomorrow or on the 18th, you’re going to have a long rest, and you’ll be here for a while, so you might go home mid or late March, it’s a Roger Railway Preservation Society sponsored excursion.”

  Roger felt his boiler spring with excitement, a long excursion, something to end such a great visit to a railway that’s about to be defunct. Ben looked at the snow-covered yard and realized something.

  “This is really the end of an era,” He told Roger.

  To which Roger smiled slightly.

  “I agree with that,” Roger agreed with Ben, “But we have the best moments in our lives on this railway, and I’m proud to be part of this.”