Chapter 15
The great day came at long last. Everyone worked hard to get things ready and make sure that the trains were stocked with all the necessary goods. Of course, the British Railways liveries that the engines pulling the train didn’t draw any crowds, mainly due to it’s unappealing color. No body cared until the clock struck 9:10 am, in which ponies arrived to purchase tickets.
To the surprise of Dangersignal and Rainbow Dash, Princess Luna boarded the train, with Battery Sergeant Major Shaydefire. Normally, she’d be asleep, getting ready to raise the moon and work night shifts. They weren’t complaining though. If she wanted to experience the last hurrah, then let her.
“Think we can give our fair Knightengale maiden a smooth journey?” Dangersignal asked, smiling broadly.
“You bet!” Rainbow Dash chuckled.
Once the passengers were onboard and the last door had shut, Jordon raised his green flag and blasted his guard’s whistle.
“RIGHT AWAY!” Rainbow Dash shouted, then turned to Dangersignal. “We’ve got the flag!”
“Right.”
Then, using his magic, he touched the whistle lever, the Black 5 giving off it’s signature bellow. With some skill and a gentle touch on the regulator, the train moved off, gingerly swaying. Soon, the train was moving along, wind racing passed the cab and the engine singing a merry tune on the rails.
The coaches were rolling smoothly along, their wheels singing an even merrier tune. As they reached Canterlot, Dangersignal used the signal to give two blasts on the whistle, letting signalmen and station staff know that the train wasn’t stopping at the station.
As the train rolled through the station, there was a surprise. The Ivatt class 2 2-6-2T was coupled to a small train of GWR Celestory coaches that had been built some months ago, to handle the increasing tourist traffic. It was set up as a commuter train, that was on it’s own last journey.
“Well, I guess it’s “Hurrah to steam!” day instead being our little “Fifteen Guinea Special” train day,” Rainbow Dash said.
“It’s splendid all the same,” Dangersignal said. “Railway men and even some of us railway ponies want to show respect to the engines that have fallen in the name of progress. Sometimes, when out on night runs, we even say that their ghosts watch us from sidings and bay platforms, pleased that we are showing the world that steam engines aren’t just outdated kettles.”
“Ghosts?” Rainbow Dash said. “I’ve not seen any ghost trains.”
“That’s because they’re non-existent over here, as there was never a fatal train wreck,” Dangersignal said. “Now, there have been countless fatal train wrecks around the rest of the world. Count your lucky clouds.”
Rainbow Dash agreed and continued to check the water and toss coal on the fire. Other trains passed and she waved to the crews, but soon, the platform starter was at danger at Ponyville Station.
“What’s up?” Dangersignal quizzed as he shut off steam and coasted the train into the station.
Standing on the platform was Jaisson, who was looking rather irritated.
“A goods train to Appleloosa has gone off the rails. The engine had no crew and ran away, with empty vans for the freshly harvested apples, but the goods had no brake-van and the whole train tipped just outside the junction where the line splits to go to Appleloosa or Dodge City,” Jaisson told the two driving ponies. “I’ve arranged for Alistair and Keyth to take over and run the train to the other destinations. I’ll explain to the passengers. You two better get a drink from the station café.”
“We don’t dare leave the engine until it’s brakes are secured, then we’ll take it in turns, especially if we have an engine taking over from us,” Dangersignal said. “Against regulations, you know.”
“Oh, forget the regulations this once!” Jaisson snorted once he climbed into the engine’s cab. “I’ll tend the engine!”
“You need to actually listen to him, dear,” Rainbow Dash said, leading Dangersignal towards the café. “The rules are all good, but you need to have some semblance of logic. We all want to see the passengers transported safely, but sticking to the rules day in and day out is going to create you enemies you don’t want.”
Dangersignal finally gave in and promised Rainbow Dash that he’d learn to have fun and only use the rules when they applied. It pained him to give up something that he based his entire life around, but if it kept his friends closer than his enemies, then he was all for it. The two made their way to the café, while Jaisson explained the situation to the passengers.
They grumbled about the delays, but Jaisson paid them no attention. Instead, he spent his time making arrangements for an engine to take the train. Once that had been sorted out, the resident LMS Garratt came to rescue the train. While it never took part in the “Fifteen Guinea Special” being withdrawn in June of 1955, but it would suffice and the “Official train spotter” types could stow it!
In the café, Dangersignal and Rainbow Dash were enjoying herbal tea and several biscuits. The two never had a chance to plan out their wedding day, due to them having to work hard on the railway. After all, they didn’t have enough men to take over their duties yet. Now that they had plenty of time, arrangements would be made.
“Well, we do need to tell your friends in person, rather than by invitation,” Dangersignal said. “I heard from you that Twilight was absolutely ticked about getting the information on a piece of paper, rather than from her brother.”
“Good point,” she said. “But I must ask you, what about the railway?”
“Jaisson and his company are handling arrangements to find volunteers who want to leave their dead end careers and work with us, that way I don’t have to get dirty on a daily basis and put my life on the line all the time,” Dangersignal said. “In fact, today was my official “end-of-service” day, which allows me to run the railway as the controller and train guards for Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends.”
“Awesome!” Rainbow Dash cheered.
As they ate, drank and planned, the two believed that things would be looking up and that their human friends could look after the railway and run it efficiently.