More of an Equestria Enthusiast but glad to be here. | Audio Reader
Everypony has a hobby. Pinkie likes rock collecting, Fluttershy likes reading, and so on.
Applejack is no exception.
Story inspired by cover art made by dstears.
Written during NaNoWriMo 2022.
A thank you to Scriblits Talo for proofreading before publishing.
Now with a Russian translation by NovemberDragon.
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My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
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I love this immediately and I cannot wait to read it.
It's nice to see more mlp train-related fics!
Don't you mean knitting?
I can relate to Applejack here, except it's with TrackMaster trains instead of model trains, since they are too expensive for me.
Trains, y'all.
🚂
APPLE ENGIE !!!
Applejack is Best Engineer.
I hope discord didn't fuck around with Applejack's trains
This was a very interesting read; I certainly enjoyed it.
A trip to Miniatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland) 4K HDR - YouTube
this is only a few minutes from here.
been there a few times and it is astonishing.
applejack is always adorable
Write what you know, and love!
Ponies and trains go together really well, and as we see here, it extends to model trains, too.
Someone likes Trains:
I Like Trains - YouTube
This was so dang *cozy*, and I couldn't stop smiling while reading it. Thanks for producing such a lovely work!
Lovely stuff. Reminds me of the layout my grandfather had in his basement. Must have taken up eight tables' worth of space. It was a wonder to behold. Wish I'd taken pictures... though there are probably some lying around if I look.
In any case, a nice, cozy read. Perfect for an AJ popcorn fic. Thank you for it.
Conceptually, I love the idea of model trains, and I love the layouts that I've seen.
In practicality, I don't think I'd have the patience to create anything that took more than an afternoon to set up, and I don't think I have the mindset to allow me to create something that can't be pulled down and rearranged in fairly short time.
So the most I've worked with are toy train sets designed for children maybe 5 years old. Thomas the Tank Engine, type stuff, with wooden tracks.
As a model railroad enthusiast myself, I can relate with the feeling of getting hooked once you buy that first locomotive and some rolling stock.
Why are these parts so relatable?
Take my like and get the fuck outta here, puns have no fuckin’ right to be that funny.
Yep. That’s it, that’s at least half the appeal.
I feel both seem and called out.
I was about to protest this, but then I remembered that when I set up all my Grandpa’s old Lionel stuff, the one engine was really loud, especially at its faster speeds. Even going slow, between being on the second floor and running three I can see where Granny’s coming from.
Huh. That’s twice now people have—highly erroneously (IMHO)—called them “toys”. In my completely unbiased opinion, that does model railroaders and the companies that sell to them a major disservice in ignoring their potential for complexity, sophistication, realism, etc. Also call me crazy but when you’re paying more than ~$100 you’re usually not getting a toy anymore. A $120 Lego Saturn V is also a *model*. Same goes with their Titanic, but many times over.
Ah, the basement: the cause of, and solution to, all of your modeling related problems.
Applejack, I’m not sure you appreciate what you’re getting yourself into.
Are you even a model railroader if you don’t own at least *one* pair of overalls and an engineer’s cap?
Overall, 12/10, thank you for blessing the fando with another train and pony fanfic.
That was a good story.
Nice. An enjoyable read for a casual morning.
Really damn cute piece of slice of life.
AJ is a very crafty pony, well done!
Gotta say, there was a time when I would have made fun of train people. But I'm old enough now that I realize it's just like any other hobby. If it brings someone joy, then more power to them. And i think this story captures that. I felt that joy that only comes when you find something that really clicks for you. A simple pleasure that enriched her life, and I love it.
11493420
Glad to see that I wasn't the only one that thought of Gomez Addams
"Lion Yell" - as a railway modeller myself, I lolled at that.
This made me smile😄 What a fitting hobby for Applejack. Soapbox knows where it's at!
Absolutely fantastic little story, mate! I'd love to see if AJ goes full-blown Bruce Williams Zaccagnino with her layout and adds multiple wings of basements onto the cellars.
For context, Bruce Zaccagnino is the creator and former owner of Northlandz, the largest model railroad in the United States, located in Flemington, New Jersey. I've been there twice in my life, and both times I was totally blown away by it. Prior to creating Northlandz, Bruce built a huge layout in the basement of his house and added five enormous rooms onto the basement, and would open it up to the public for two weekends every summer. LeVar Burton actually visited it in the 1987 Reading Rainbow episode "A Three Hat Day". Here are some videos showcase Bruce's incredible work--he no longer owns the attraction, but worry not; Northlandz is in good hands.
A video by Great Big Story interviewing Bruce and showcasing Northlandz back when he ran the property
Another video showcasing Northlandz' features from their official YouTube channel
YouTuber NixCrossing's video of Northlandz, taken in 2021, a couple years after the property came under new management. It's long but it's absolutely worth it to see all the little parts and pieces of the layout.
An episode of Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton that shows Bruce's original layout back in the 1980s--footage that I didn't even think still existed.
Even as a young adult, those electric model trains are still a sight to behold despite knowing their toys. I'm happy for Applejack and her new hobby.
11495359
What makes "Lion Yell" so funny? Would only somebody interested in rails get the reference?
11496075
It's a reference to Lionel, the most well-known maker of model trains. Their stuff is good, but it gets wicked expensive nowadays
11496093
Most well known jn the US, maybe. Over here (the UK) you won't find it anywhere; Bachmann, Hornby, Peco and Dapol are the big names here.
Making me wanna go get some astartes.
11496093
OK.
Thanks for clearing that up.
11496238
Yep, that sounds about right; I know Lionel is one of the biggest ones out there in the States, but I'm aware of Hornby being big in the UK. Thank you to Sam'sTrains on YT for showing their product off
11496858
I know Sam's Trains - he's a decent YouTuber to watch.
Personally I've always found Bachmann (Bachstallionn?) to be superior to Hornby.
11496978
Ayyyy, that's a good one!
Amazing! In all my years of writing MLP fanfics, I've never seen a single one dedicated to model railways - and now we have this to fill the gap at long last! As an avid railway enthusiast and modeller myself, I can't thank you enough for this neat little story.
This was really soft and pleasant. No real conflict, no drama, just a mare and her trains having a good time and finding the joy of making your own little works of art.
AAAAAAAAAA if you have any of this type of story left, I'll take your entire stock
An oddball ghost happened across your fic and read it. Have a review!
I worked with trains when younger. It's a fun hobby and I enjoyed the work on the terrain. Then I got into wargaming. There went that hobby!
This is a great fiction, just what I needed to read after a tiring days work. Well written and very cute.
Very nice.
Indeed, the recommendation I was given was worth it. I enjoyed it. Can’t say I’ve ever really been into models, but I’ve seen lots of simulator games
One of my all-time favorites
Hello! I reviewed this recently and so here's your courtesy note. As long as I can get past AJ being a little dense on occasion (surely "layout" is immediately obvious?) it's a smooth, pleasant read that I enjoyed. Have a like!
11898451
Thank you, glad you liked it!
And "Lion Yell" is meant to be Lionel.
11898597
Yeah, a friend who's into this stuff explained that. I'm not (though I am into 1:1 railways) so I didn't catch it. I'm also not American, so if they're less well known in the UK that might be a reason. My ignorance is the more likely explanation, though! And you're welcome.