Chapter 14
Time went by in a blur. A new branch line was constructed, running to Horseshoe Bay, which was drawing more holidaymakers than anything. Timetables were more accommodating for this, but it became clear that the network was going to be growing faster than ever. It became necessary to find an engine that was available to run the line in the fleet of engines.
“I have a suggestion of letting the BR Standard 4 2-6-4 MT Tank run the branch line,” Alistair said. “We can spare the engine right now, and it’s the right size to do that work.”
“But we may stress it out quickly,” Dragonstorm butted in. “We need to do something.”
“We have plans to built an LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 for this branch line to handle the heavier goods trains on that line, as well as the longer tourist trains,” Jordon said.
As they talked, Jaisson brought up a date that was fast approaching. To many people, who knew the history of British Railway steam traction and the fate of many dear engines that have given years of service, this was the best send off they could have had.
“You know that Saturday, August 11th is coming up, and fast,” he said. “And on that day in 1968, a train called the “Fifteen Guinea Special” ran, as a last hurrah to our steaming workhorses. No pun intended of course.”
“None taken,” Rainbow Dash replied, smiling. “Besides, it’d be an experience to work on a memorial train.”
“You mean a “last hurrah” train?” her fiancée asked.
“We’ll call it that,” she said. “But I’d like to think that we’re running it in memory of those old engines who gave years of service.”
“Ah, yes,” Dangersignal smiled. “Anyway, plans for the run?”
That took up a great deal of time, but one part was agreed upon-That Dangersignal and Rainbow Dash, with the Black 5 would run the service as far as Appleloosa, where another engine would run to Dodge City and onwards. There would be engine changes where needed and the ponies could experience something that people paid money to ride on for the last time.
“Now, do we want to make the engines look pretty for the run or not?” Keyth asked.
“Not really,” Dangersignal said. “If we let them build grime and dirt, then they’d look like they should during the final hours of steam traction.”
That was agreed upon and plans were set in motion. The engine roster was soon created and the train was arranged. It was also planned that Dragonstorm would explain the history of the Fifteen Guinea Special, with the others taking up positions as crews on the locomotives, painted and decked out in their traditional British Railways liveries.
“I must say one thing though,” Lightning Dust said, coming up. She was sweating and looked to be absolutely dry.
Alistair got her water and she downed it, without stopping to savor it. While he continued to give her water to cool her down, she looked at Dangersignal.
“That livery looks hideous. It hides grime and the engines looks like it couldn’t draw the attention of a fruit fly, let alone the crowds for this journey. Now, I want to know one thing, is your brain working properly, or did you leave it at that Blandford Forum?”
“It’s working,” he said. “Besides, this is something out of the ordinary here.”
She could only sigh and look at Dragonstorm, who was moving buckets and paint brushes with his horn. He was chortling all the way to the station, where the Black 5 was waiting, it’s fire dropped, so as not to set the paint on fire or cause trouble.
Lightning Dust rolled her eyes and trotted off to help with the painting of the locomotive. It was going to be a long job and everyone had to do what they could. Dangersignal arranged with printers to have flyers made, advertising the event.