//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A Lost Runaway // Story: 4460 and the Equestrian Magic Railroad // by stallionlocomotive4412 //------------------------------// Appleloosa, June 22nd. Night fell upon the small western town and Braeburn was heading back home after a long hard day on the apple orchard. Along the way he decided to meet up with his best fillyhood friend, T-Rail. He went to the train station where he found T-Rail oiling and checking the parts on his engine. "Howdy T-Rail! " called Braeburn. His friend turned his head towards the yellowish-orange stallion. " Oh! Hi Braeburn! Watcha doin' here at this time of night?" "Ah thought I'd stop by cause' ah haven't seen ya in a while and.... oh wow! I see ya gotcha' engine under it's own power now." "Eeyep. Took em the whole dang winter but it payed off now! Say, yous' lookin' hungry. Ah got some corn and apple bread bakin' in the firebox if ya want some. "Well.... ah ain't planned anythin' for supper so, sure why not?" Just as the two friends were finishing their food in the tiny engine's cab, they felt a rumbling beneath their hooves. "What in the name of apple buckin'...." Braeburn was soon interrupted from a light behind him, a mile down from the tracks. "Ain't no trains this time of night right T?" "No." he said. " Smokey ! Throw the switch to track 2!" The fireman (or fire pony) understood and threw it as hard as he could. The 3 ponies climbed to the top of the engine tender to watch the mysterious train pass. Braeburn could just make out the details. Black engine with a silver front, a single headlight, and white lettering. The engine was twice as big as the Appleloosan steamer and twice as long. The chugging grew louder and faster as it rolled by. "Sweet Sister Sadie!" shouted Braeburn. The engine soon disappeared in a cloud of smoke and steam. "What was that?" "Ah don't know but whatever train that's was, ain't nopony in that cab!" "Ya think we should chase it?" asked Braeburn. T-Rail nodded in agreement. They returned to the cab and the chase was on. Braeburn gathered his lasso ropes and a random grappling hook from the depot shed. Smokey was in the cab shoveling coal into the firebox to increase boiler pressure. He also checked the air pressure for the locomotives brakes. T.R. was outside oiling and greasing the drive rods and valve gear to the fullest. No doubt in his mind that he was going to push his engine to the limits. He ordered Braeburn to tie himself to the front of the locomotive so he can lasso the ropes to the mystery engine. According to T.R.'s observations, the couplings for the two trains weren't compatible so that's the reason for the ropes. With two blast of the tiny engines whistle, he opened the throttle wide. The engines superheated steam hit the cylinders and the wheels responded. The engine groaned and slipped as they pulled out the station platform. They were about 30 miles out of Appleloosa, it was a quarter to 9 and the moon was shining bright. This helped Braeburn, for no he could see the locomotives black smoke emitting in the distance. Considering this, he shouted back towards the cab to T-Rail. "How fast we going?" "59." "Can't ya go any faster?" "I'm tryin' but she wasn't built for this!" "Giver all ya got!" This forced poor Smokey to work twice as hard and twice as fast. Generously, T.R. pitched in to help increase boiler pressure. "Check em dampers!" Smokey nodded in response and turned several knobs and valves to the dampers. The engine ahead was becoming more clear now, where Braeburn could make out the markings on the back of the tender. "4460?" They were finally close enough for Braeburn to cast his ropes. He began tying them and securing himself to the front of the tiny steamer. He took 3 deep breaths and started to spin the ropes. "1...............2................3!" He cast the ropes hoping to make the shot. Sure enough, he did and gave the ready signal. With ease, the pony engineer worked the brakes and trying to slow them down. The 4460 hardly reacted to the force it was too strong. He tried again, but this time switching the brakes on and off causing the engines to jolt a little. " There we go!" Said T.R. They were approaching a 2% grade. Now was his chance. About half way up, he slammed on the brakes causing the trains to slow down some more. But still, 4460 wouldn't bite. Her chugging got more intense and her smoke went pitch black with some sparks flying out. The ropes on her tender began to give and one snapped, whipping Braeburn across the face. "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" he screamed. " C'mon girl bite!" Shouted the engineer, praying that the engine would hold. They were approaching the climax of the grade giving T.R. the last chance to stop the engines. He slammed the brake again causing the engine to jolt hard. Poor Smokey was thrusted forward into the engines backhead knocking his head into the injector valve. T.R. noticed that they were low on water anyway which would have been catastrophic. The water level rose again thanks to Smokey. "Thanks partner." he said. Smokey nodded in reply. Now over the grade, 4460 pulled the tiny engine downgrade, destroying the brakes. "No!" screamed T-Rail. Another of the ropes gave way whipping off Braeburn's hat. " And ah just bought that!" The crew was now left clueless on how to stop 4460. Then Braeburn had an idea. "Ah hope to Celestial that ah won't regret this." he said. He then slipped off his securing ropes and prayed. " Braeburn what are ya doin'? Don't do nothin' stupid!" yelled T-Rail. Then the earth pony jumped off. " BRAEBUUUUUURRRRRN!"