May 10th, 1959

  It was a nice day at the Alexandria Yard on the Southern Railway Narrow Gauge Division, where Roger was enjoying a nice nap after hauling a weekend of excursions a week prior. The old Porter did extremely well, and the higher-ups were quite impressed. To which, after the run, Roger and his coaches have a Monday rest, and on Tuesday, the old Porter operates a ferry move back to Alexandria, which was a spectacular trip, and the publicity for the Preservation Society was high during the simple ferry move. Now Roger was resting, quite pleased after last week's events.

  He could see Mr. Hutton and Lizzy arriving back at the yard, which was something Roger was excited about, despite the long mainline excursion run that could make it into the history books. He was happy to go home, but the look on Mr. Hutton’s face suggested that something had happened during the long rest.

  “Hello, Ben, Lizzy,” Roger smiled, “How’s your relaxation been?”

  “It’s been well, Roger,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “But I got good news.”

  Roger guessed for a bit.

  “I’m going home?” He asks Mr. Hutton.

  “You are, but you and I are going to stop by at Edaville,” He told Roger happily.

  Roger was confused.

  “Edaville, why?” He curiously asks the general manager.

  “I got a call yesterday from a friend who works at Edaville. That No.3 and No.4 are out of service for repairs, and only Fred and No.8 are operating,” He told Roger, “They needed another locomotive since they don’t want their diesel locomotive to overwork too much.”

  “I see,” Roger said, looking at Ben, “It’s not a bad idea, but with my long mainline run, I would need some general maintenance before hauling trains.”

  “I did tell him that, he told me he would compensate us, and his crew would give you the general maintenance,” Mr. Hutton told the old Porter, “And I said yes, and the money would help with the Hutton Steam Company and Museum formation, he also said that you can use your coaches as well.”

  Roger looked at Ben and Lizzy before smiling.

  “I always wanted to visit Edaville,” the old Porter smiled, “A side vacation doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”

  “Great,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “We’ll leave tomorrow, and hopefully arrive at the railroad the same day. It’ll give the railroad shops enough time for general maintenance.”

  Mr. Hutton and Lizzy left for preparation, and Roger looked at the horizon of the Virginia countryside. A new adventure awaits.

  May 12th, 1959

  Monday morning was spent lifting Roger and his coaches onto the lowboy truck, and when that job was completed, the old Porter, his coaches, with Mr. Hutton and Lizzy, left Virginia and were on their way to Massachusetts, Roger has heard of the Edavile Railroad thanks to Ben’s stories from his past, before the director and president of the Roger Railway Preservation Society, he worked for the Edaville from 1945 till 1951, but his railroad experience before Edaville started when he worked for the S.D. Warren Paper Mill, where he was a locomotive engineer from 1939 till 1945.

  Going through the states on a truck was always a comfy feeling, but calm, the old Porter arrived at the Edaville Railroad well late in the morning, though that was due to traffic. With only the lamp lights and the flashlights that Mr. Hutton and Lizzy had, it was an interesting game of sight and see in the dark. After lifting Roger onto the track, the diesel locomotive pulled the old Porter into the engine shop. Everyone else is already sleeping.

  By Tuesday morning, Roger could hear the sound of the shop staff working on the locomotives. He woke up to see two 0-4-4t Forney-type locomotives, like Simon, though, a bit more modern, in the engine shop, there were two other 0-4-4t, and a diesel locomotive.

  “Holy moly,” the first 0-4-4t looked at the old Porter, “It’s Roger!”

  The old saddletank was surprised.

  “You’ve heard of me?” He asks.

  “Of course,” the 0-4-4t smiled, “I’m No.3, known as Laconia, and this is my sister, No.4 Cora, named after her engineer’s wife on the Monson Railroad. You quite made a big name for yourself after being preserved in 1951.”

  “Our crew helped your owner and general manager overhaul the railroad, and you,” No.3 smiled, “Our general manager has always talked about inviting you to our railroad, but didn’t get the time or chance, until now.”

  “Must be a busy place,” Roger commented. He looked around the shop and saw photos of the engines in black and white operating passenger trains, “Like my home.”

  “We have cranberry bogs,” No.4 told the old Porter, “We also have a Cranberry Festival, and have the popular Cranberry Express, Mr. Atwood originally wanted this railroad to be some sort of common carrier or industrial railroad.”

  “My owner used to work there until my railway became a heritage line,” Roger told the sisters, “He would tell me all the stories, he really loves the railroad.”

  “Our crew would tell us stories of your railway,” Cora smiled, “You’re quite an impressive locomotive.”

  “And you once helped an injured engine, you are amazing,” No.3 commented.

  “Oh, stop,” Roger blushed a bit, “That was 8 years ago, a very long time ago.”

  “Not from the recent mainline excursions,” Cora commented, “It makes me want to visit the Southern.”

  Roger chuckled.

  “It’s a tough piece of railroad,” Roger told the sisters, “I had some struggles during my visits.”

  Just then, Mr. Hutton and Lizzy came inside the shop, with him being a middle-aged man.

  “Hello, Roger,” Mr. Hutton smiled, with Lizzy squishing Roger’s cheeks, “I see you made friends with Laconia and Cora.”

  “They were nice to me,” Roger smiled, “And I’m sure you felt right at home.”

  “Yes indeed,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “I was young, with Samuel and Samson, it was the best 6 years of my life.”

  “So what’s the plan with Roger, Ted?” Cora asks the general manager.

  “Roger will go through a 4-day maintenance period,” Ted told the sisters, “Since he’ll be operating on Saturday and Sunday, and we’ll see where this goes.”

  “No test run?” Roger asks.

  “We’ll run an early morning back and forth in the yard,” Mr. Hutton told the old Porter, “I trust the mechanical staff could do their work.”

  “Though I feel worried for him for working with No.8,” Cora commented, which got Roger curious.

  “Who’s No.8?” Roger asks.

  “Her name is Sandy, or Big Sandy as she was known on the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad,” Laconia told Roger, “We called her Big Bitch, since she’s an egotistical bitch that annoys the other engines here except her brother.”

  “That’s enough,” Ted put his hand up, “I expect Roger to help with the weekend trains, No.8 will handle the late Saturday trains, and operate the Sunday trains with Roger.”

  “If things go as scheduled,” Mr. Hutton said as he looked at the old Porter, “Then Roger will return home before the end of the month. We've got a busy summer season and an NRHS excursion.”

  Roger smiled. He remembered from the beginning of the year that Mr. Hutton told him that the railway would participate in the 1959 NRHS Convention that was going to be held in Pittsburgh, though, with the mainline excursions being the top priority, the old Porter forgot about the NRHS Convention, but he was excited nevertheless.

  “The Cranberry Express is quite popular,” Mr. Hutton noted, “And with a full Roger Railway heritage train, you’re the star for this weekend’s passenger train.”

  Roger looked at his general manager and owner.

  “I can’t wait,” He said excitedly.

  May 16th, 1959

  The few days were a blur, which Roger expected since he was getting looked through, getting parts looked through and refurbished, and a quick time too, with only four days to spare, the shop was also busy with the repairs of No.3 and No.4, the Edaville shops were quite different from the shops from back home. His coaches were also getting some work on, being on the road on the Southern Railway could wear out a steam locomotive's parts.

  Despite that, the parts that needed to be worked on were easily fixed, and with the Edaville Railroad being a big tourist railroad and making tons of revenue, work like this was done easily with the mechanical staff of this railroad. After the work was done, Roger was moved to the engine shed late at night, more like in the morning, the shed was mostly like the shed back at home, but the only difference was that the shed was modern, with modern lights, and even an air conditioner.

  The morning on Saturday was a simple one at best. Roger was in steam, in the yard, very early in the morning, he was just doing a simple forward and backwards. He felt fresh and excited to haul his first Cranberry Express. In the shed behind him were two huge narrow-gauge steam locomotives, they were 2-4-4t Forney type. Seeing the number plates, and after hearing about the big engine, Roger was curious about talking to this new engine, from the builder’s plate that he saw late last night, she was a modern 2-4-4t, and a young engine. Young engines often are full of themselves, though, not all engines, like Robert, for example.

  As Roger backed into the shed, with the short and quick test run a success for the crew, he was ready to operate the Cranberry Express. His crew left for some breakfast, leaving him with No.8, though Sandy was up, and she wasn’t pleased.

  “What are you thinking you’re doing, old fuck?” She told him venomously.

  Roger looked at the big engine. Cora and Laconia told him just to ignore her before he was moved to the shed, but after experiencing Howard on the Southern Railway, maybe talking to her wasn’t the best idea.

  “I’m helping your railroad,” He told Sandy, “Your two friends are in repairs, and your general manager asks my general manager to help you and your railroad.”

  “You? Help us?” She laughed, “My big bro is better than your poor ass, more powerful than you wish to be.”

  “Okay?” Roger said, “Just because he’s powerful, which is a bonus to haul tons of passenger trains, but this job isn’t a competition, but as a new way of tourist operation, you should be lucky that your original owner preserved you. I know I’m grateful.”

  “Your owner, you mean that cuck little shit,” She sneered at the old Porter, “Ted is way better general manager than that sorry sack of shit.”

  Now Roger was feeling angry, but getting angry and blowing up won’t do any good; luckily, it was time to operate the Cranberry Express. His crew came back, and it was time to leave the shed.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “I’m going to leave now,” Roger said awkwardly, and left the shed.

  Roger coupled up to his coaches, and Mary and the sisters noticed his quiet demeanor, but decided to wait as they got to the station. Cranberry Junction was the main station, where passengers got on board the tourist train. It was obvious that the cranberry theme was high, and it made an interesting contrast compared to the simplicity of the Roger Railway. Though Mary decided to ask the old Porter since it’s the best time.

  “Are you okay, Roger?” Mary asks the old Porter.

  The old Porter was quiet for a second.

  “I could see why Cora and Laconia hate her,” Roger admitted to his coaches.

  “What did she say to you?” Mr. Hutton leaned out of the cab with a serious tone.

  Lizzy leaned out of the cab with fire in her eyes.

  “Well, she called you a cuck and a sorry sack of shit,” Roger told Ben, “And she called me a poor ass.”

  “Wow, that’s some language,” Taylor said with a surprised tone.

  “Indeed it is,” Mr. Hutton said calmly, “I’ll talk to the general manager later; right now, we've got a passenger train to operate.”

  Mr. Hutton is right, Roger looked at the station, and saw the many passengers, though the old saddletank had an odd feeling, the passengers were quite surprised to see the old Porter, and the passenger train, not in the traditional Edaville train, but nevertheless, the passengers got into the coaches and enjoyed this different feeling. Roger never got a chance to explore the Edaville Railroad, so today was a chance. After the conductor blew his whistle, the old Porter slowly left the station with a full passenger train. The Cranberry Express is just getting started.

  Leaving Cranberry Junction, Roger made his way through the railroad, but the old Porter did know that this railroad was also an attraction for many locals, a tourist park, what he noticed through the railroad was these huge ponds, though, not filled with water, which was strange for Roger, since his railroad was never something as complex as a cranberry theme railroad park, this was new to him.

  “Those are the cranberry bogs I told you about,” Mr. Hutton pointed out.

  “Really?” Roger asks, “So the berries float to the top when the bogs are filled?”

  “Something like that,” Mr. Hutton nodded, “But I mostly work with the steam locomotives. It’s a nice job, compared to the S.D. Warren Paper Mill Railway.”

  “Did you ever work with No.8?” Roger asks.

  Mr. Hutton shook his head.

  “Nope, though, I did operate her brother, No.7, Fred, he’s named after a railway driver back during the Maine Two Footer days,” Mr. Hutton told the old Porter, “Though, he does dote on his younger sister, being the last and youngest of the Maine Two Footer.”

  “Though that language she told me, do you think she’s influenced by the crew in the old days?” Roger asks Ben with a worried tone.

  “Could be,” Mr. Hutton honestly told the old saddletank, “Back in the S.D. Warren days, it was brutal, a lot of comments that won’t fly today, and the engines are no better.”

  “I’m glad you’re not influenced by your younger years,” Roger told Ben, to which he smiled.

  “I’m glad as well,” Mr. Hutton beamed happily.

  The passenger train passed a large building, and Mr. Hutton told Roger that it was the plantation center, where the berries are processed, another sight that the old Porter hadn’t seen before. It was interesting to see parts of the railroad that Roger hadn’t seen on his own railway. The passenger train also passed a huge reservoir, which was huge, with the old Porter and his coaches awed in sight, Mr. Hutton told him that it was used to fill the bogs, which made Roger impressed, so far, he was liking this railroad, despite what No.8 Sandy had told him.

  Passing more bogs, Roger felt a gradient on the tracks, which Mr. Hutton told the old saddletank he’s going up the gradient at Mt. Urann, which is an odd name, but he could feel the gradient. He slowly charged up the hill. It was a good excursion so far; the coaches were happy to be filled with happy passengers, and so far, the line has some interest that captivated Roger, and to be fair, it made him more curious about the line.

  “What do you think so far, Roger?” Mr. Hutton asks.

  “I think it’s a nice little line,” the old Porter smiled, “Lots of structure and ingenuity that I haven’t seen before.”

  “I suspect,” Mr. Hutton chuckled, “But the passengers seem happy.”

  “They think I’m an Edaville engine,” joked Roger.

  “Maybe, but with the news of your recent mainline adventure, it could be the opposite,” Mr. Hutton told Roger as they passed through an area called ‘Sunset Vista’.

  Cranberry Valley is another area of the Edaville Railroad, and many railfans who heard the news of this new engine at the Edaville Railroad flocked to the cranberry line. Roger could see railfans taking photos, which wasn’t new to him, and unlike the two mainline railroads, this one didn’t feel odd, but he felt welcome, like a warm welcome. His coaches also felt welcome, with their similar look to the Edaville coaches, they felt right at home.

  Arriving back at the Cranberry Junction, the passengers came out and greeted the old Porter. They thanked him for the wonderful ride, which made Roger happy, though, looking at the yard, he could see Sandy giving him an angry sneer, which made the old Porter worried; his coaches could see that Sandy was angrily sneering at their best friend, which caused fire in their eyes.

  “How do you think I did?” Roger asks Ben as he gets out of his cab.

  “I think you did well,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “We have to wait for Ted’s opinion.”

  “But you did splendidly per usual, cutie,” Lizzy smiled and kissed Roger on the nose.

  A disgusted face was shown on Sandy’s face, but the old Porter or his coaches didn't notice it.

  The morning to noon passenger service went well for Roger, despite the railroad mostly being a circle and not a traditional design like the Roger Railway, the old Porter enjoyed his time on the railroad, though, he wanted to speak to Fred, since being the older brother of Sandy, this would be a good time, he did glimpse of No.7 in the shed, but didn’t get a chance to speak to him, but after his morning service, Roger was resting in the engine shed, with Fred, this was an opportunity. Mr. Hutton and Lizzy were having lunch, so this was a plus of the opportunity.

  “Hello,” Roger said to the 2-4-4t.

  “It’s an honor to meet you, Roger,” Fred smiled at the old saddletank, “Ben often talks about his visits to your railway during his time at Edaville.”

  “I see,” Roger smiled, but that smile disappeared, “Fred, I want to talk-”

  “I know,” Fred sighed, cutting the old Porter off, “She and the Moson sisters always hated each other.”

  “And add me to the list as well,” Roger told the 2-4-4t, “I’m guessing you heard what she said to me this morning?”

  “Yes, I did, and I don’t condone that,” Fred told the old Porter.

  “If that’s the case, then why is she doing this?” Roger asks, “Were there any workers or engine crew at your old railroad that caused Sandy to be like this?”

  Fred looked at the ground before looking at Roger.

  “Back in the Bridgton days, Sandy would have crews that were… awful people,” Fred told Roger, “Like, very terrible people, there’s one engineer that bragged about beating his wife and kids, and one time, there’s a fireman that would perform…rape, with his wife and kids. There’s another engineer who killed his wife, kids, and her family.”

  Roger was speechless and upset.

  “What…the…fuck…” He softly exclaimed, “And you let your little sister be exposed to this type of stuff?”

  “I tried to be there for her whenever I could,” Fred told the old Porter, “But even before that, she was rude and egotistical to our other siblings and stablemates.”

  “Before?” Roger asks.

  “Because being the last steam locomotive that the railroad purchased,” Fred sighed, “That must’ve got into her head.”

  “And you did nothing?!” Roger angrily accused the 2-4-4t.

  “I tried my best!” Fred exclaimed with a frustrated tone, “But I was working in many parts of the railroad, and was hoping that No.6, Herbert, her older brother, and the others would also be a positive influence…it didn’t work.”

  “Is he still here?” Roger asks.

  “Herbert is working on an industrial railroad, last I’ve heard,” He told the old Porter, “But I’ve really tried, I tried talking to her, but she would have his cutesy act where she said she’s innocent and all that.”

  “She’s 35 years old,” Roger told Fred, “She’s not a young engine anymore.”

  “I’ll try to speak to her tonight,” Fred told the old Porter, “But this won’t be easy.”

  Arriving back at lunch, it was Mr. Hutton and Lizzy who beamed at Roger.

  “Hello, you two,” the old Porter smiled, “You two seem in a cheery mood.”

  “We are,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “Ted is quite pleased with today’s operation, in which he’ll split the ticket sales, which go directly to the Roger Railway Preservation Society.”

  “And, he’s giving us his Edaville caboose project, since it was in the works since 1955,” Lizzy grinned, “We’re going to get a caboose for the Roger Railway, which will be perfect for freight charter, isn’t that great, sweetie.”

  “It is,” Roger smiled.

  Fred spoke up.

  “Hello, Ben, it’s nice to meet you again,” the 2-4-4t said to his former engine driver.

  “It’s nice to meet you again, Fred,” Ben smiled and nodded. He then turned to Roger, “I noticed you guys were talking about something or someone.”

  Roger looked at Fred and back at Mr. Hutton.

  “We were talking about Sandy,” Roger told Ben and Lizzy.

  Ben and Lizzy's faces fell, especially Lizzy, her unhappy face could kill people.

  “Fred, I’m disappointed with what Sandy said to Roger,” Ben told the engine, with a frown.

  “I know,” Fred looked at his former colleague, “But…”

  “But what?” Ben asks.

  “Fred told me that this…reason…is why Sandy has been acting like this,” Roger told his general manager and owner, “And it’s bad.”

  “How bad?” Ben asks again, fearing the answer.

  “Well,” Roger looked at Fred, then back at Ben and Lizzy, “She’s probably been influenced by her engine crew on her old railroad.”

  Ben and Lizzy blinked a couple of times.

  “And it makes our encounter with Howard on the Southern easy peasy,” Roger told the husband and wife.

  Ben just lowered his head, but Lizzy looked at Fred, who had his eyes looking at the ground, in shame, then Ben’s head went up and faced his former engine.

  “Why didn’t you do anything?” Ben asks.

  “I tried back at my old railroad!” Fred defended, “But with work being busy, I can’t be with her all the time. Herbert tried his best, and the others tried their best too.”

  “Still!” Ben cried out, furious, “There are families, with wives and children, and with an engine talking like this?”

  Fred just looked down in shame.

  “How the hell is your old railroad okay with this?” Ben asks angrily.

  “I like to know that too,” Roger chimed in.

  “They know about the murder…and rape, which they fired him,” Fred told his former engine driver and the old Porter, “I did tell them, and they were fired, though, without severance pay.”

  Ben took a deep breath, walked around the engine shed, and came back to Fred.

  “Does Ted know about this?” Ben asks the 2-4-4t.

  “He only knows that she and the Monson sisters don’t get along,” Fred told Ben, “That’s mostly it.”

  Ben's face was red as a cranberry; he was pissed.

  “That’s it,” Ben said as he turned his back, “I’m going to grab some sodas. I know my doctor told me not to drink too much of that stuff, but god fucking damnit, I need one today. Lizzy, watch over Roger; he needs someone like you to be there for him”

  He left the shop, leaving his wife. She came up to Roger and kissed his forehead. She pressed her forehead against his.

  Mr. Hutton returned with a few bottles of Sprite. He saw his wife giving Roger some maintenance and servicing. He was happy that his wife found comfort and peace on the Roger Railway, and the old Porter himself, though still angry from what had happened, Ben joined his wife to give general servicing work and maintenance until Sandy arrived in the shed, they’ll have a long talk, and the old Porter was wondering how this would go, because knowing Sandy, it all go hell.

  Sandy arrived back at the yard, too damn tired of operating passenger trains, though she was happy that she was out and getting some sunlight, and she hauled a good-sized train. She arrived back at the shed, her face was filled with joy to see her brother, Fred, but she frowned seeing Roger, who was relaxing after the morning till noon passenger excursion.

  “Sometimes I’ve wondered why the old fuck face is still alive,” She sneered at Roger, “You should be dead 20-30 years ago.”

  “Hey,” Ben came out of the cab, “Don’t talk to Roger like that.”

  “Is the cuck speaking?” Sandy looked at the general manager, “I don’t give a shit what you have to say, your engine is a worthless piece of crap, and your wife is a slut.”

  “Hey!” Roger cried out, “That’s unacceptable!”

  “Oh shut the fuck up, you piece of shit,” Sandy scoffed, “I saw your mommy giving you kisses and affection, yuck, you’re so pathetic that your cuck of a manager’s wife is giving affection more than she’s giving her husband, what the fuck is wrong with this world.”

  “What’s wrong? Is what people and engines like you are,” Roger cried out, “What the hell are those engine crew feeding you? Are you generally okay?”

  “They aren’t wrong,” She told Roger with a grin, “I mean, look at your manager’s wife, I just saw her wearing short shorts just the other day, she looks good…to get fucked and dumped, maybe that asshole of hers would be good for filling up of disgust and shame.”

  Roger, Mr. Hutton, and Lizzy were quite shocked by what came out of the engine’s mouth; it was really disgusting.

  “How dare you speak to my wife like that!?” Ben yelled angrily at the 2-4-4t.

  “If the shoe fits, or if the shoe fits in her fucked cunt,” She grinned.

  Ben and Lizzy wanted to slap Sandy, but a look from Roger, knowing what she said was very bad, committing physical harm wouldn’t help it either.

  “Sandy, stop,” Fred finally said something, “Roger and his crew haven’t done anything bad for the last couple of days.”

  “Big bro, why are you defending this old fucker, his cuck of a general manager, and his slut of a wife?” Sandy asks her older brother, “I’ll be surprised if he has a bitch of a significant other.”

  “Don’t talk to Roger like that!” Lizzy screamed out to the 2-4-4t.

  “Did I hurt your mommy, you old fuck,” Sandy sneered.

  “That’s it,” Ben said as he got up and went to the front of the shed door, “I’m telling Ted about this.”

  “Go ahead, see if I care,” She sneered at Ben, “He probably has a bigger dick than you.”

  Ben left the engine shed, leaving Roger with Lizzy.

  “The fact that your owner and general manager’s wife babies you is so pathetic, it’s funny, very funny,” She chuckled, “The men on the Bridgton would’ve laughed at you, and probably killed you.”

  Roger was shocked.

  “What!?” the old Porter was so surprised he was at a loss for words.

  “Sis, what are you talking about?” Fred asks.

  “Herbert was like Roger,” She growled, “The men hate him, I hate him, so we caused him to be retired in 1935. I was pissed off that he was still operating.”

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Roger asks, “No, scratch that, you’re a crazy engine.”

  There was silence for a couple of minutes, Lizzy cupped the old Porter’s cheek, and told him that she was going with Ben to confront Ted about all this. She kissed him on the nose and left. Sandy yawned and went to sleep, as nothing happened, which made Roger disgusted. He was disgusted at this engine, but he looked at Fred, the old Porter felt like something had broken the older brother.

  May 17th, 1959.

  Roger felt his fire warming him up on the spring morning. Despite the yelling and the strong language, he slept strangely well, not in a bad way, but the energy wore him out. He could see that Sandy left the engine shed for another Sunday operation to operate passenger trains, but as he was about to yawn, Ted came in, with Mr. Hutton and Lizzy following behind him.

  “Hello, Roger,” Ted said, looking at the ground.

  “Hello Ted,” Roger greeted, he could see that Ben told him, and refused to look at the old Porter in his eyes.

  “You’ll be operating the passenger trains for the whole day,” He told the old Porter, “And, thankfully, Laconia has finished her repairs, and she’ll be back in service on Monday. You’ll be receiving general maintenance and compensation before you leave, as a thank you for visiting our railroad.”

  Roger looked at the Edaville Railroad’s general manager.

  “Sandy-” the old Porter was about to say something, but Ted put his hand up.

  “I don’t condone what she said,” Ted looked at Roger, “She’ll be taken out of service pending an investigation with the ICC regarding the Steam Locomotive Act of 1870 and the Locomotive Act of 1950.”

  “But what’s going to happen to the railroad?” Roger asks.

  “It’ll still keep going,” Ted sighed, “Fred will still operate, but right now, with the pending investigation and an engine missing in the upcoming summer season, Mr. Hutton told me that he’s leasing his engine, Betty, for the summer season.”

  “We’ll be leaving in 5 days, on the 22nd,” Mr. Hutton told Roger.

  Ted nodded and headed out. Silence came in for a few minutes before Ben spoke up.

  “I didn’t yell at him,” Mr. Hutton told the old Porter, “But very firm, stern, and calm. I know that yelling doesn’t help much.”

  “Hopefully,” Roger said with a hopeful look.

  “How do you feel, Roger?” Lizzy asks, cupping his cheek.

  “I feel calm, but sad, like, there are engines like Sandy, out there,” the old Porter told the husband and wife, “What can we do about it?”

  “The best we can do is let time move us on,” Mr. Hutton smiled at the old Porter, “Because I know that’s the best way to handle a situation like today.”

  “If only it were easy,” Roger smiled sadly.

  The old Porter left the shed, the fresh spring air hit his face, and he slowly moved to the coach shed to couple up to his coaches. Mary could feel like something had happened, but decided to ask later; their comfort and support were needed. Despite what had happened, he hoped that Sandy could change or would change, but right now, the Cranberry Express made another run.

  July 4th, 2021

  “Did she ever change?” Esmee asks Roger during the 4th of July event.

  “Bit by bit,” Roger told the redhead firewomen, “She was different when I visited in 1967, but I think after the Edaville Railroad closed down, that’s when her personality and every rude and strong emotion just… disappeared.”

  “Imagine saying this type of stuff today,” Skylark shuddered, “I don’t want my little brother to be exposed to someone as toxic as her. I love my little brother to death, and would defend him with all my strength.”

  “What’s worse,” Esmee looked at her blonde friend, “Is that some people and engines might agree with what No.8 had said.”

  “Yeah,” Roger said sadly, “That’s the worst reality.”