October 5th, 1963

  Elizabeth is usually quite popular on the Roger Railway, being the only Garratt locomotive in the United States can bring in many passengers, especially those who are interested in this articulated steam locomotive and folks who had never seen a Garratt locomotive before, and being an articulated steam locomotive means that she’s the most powerful steam locomotive on the Roger Railway, which means she could haul the most coaches without doubleheading, which proves useful for the very busy season when the passengers are in masses. She’s mostly the prime motive power on the line, with Robert and Simon on lighter, calmer days, but every day is a busy day on the Roger Railway, and sometimes those days can be quite unexpected.

  “Ouch!” She cried out, “Shit, what the fuck!”

  She rarely swears, but when she does, she means it. Something happened, and something did happen; steam billowed out of her cab, and the yard was covered in steam. Roger and Robert were in the yard and were surprised by what was happening.

  “What happened?” Roger asks.

  “I don’t know!” Robert cried out.

  Gilbert, an engineer and fireman for most of Elizabeth’s operation, was in the cab; steam was everywhere, but seemed to put out the fire; it was steamy and smoky. Roger could see Elizabeth’s face; she was in a lot of pain, and he could sense that she wanted to curse more badly at how painful it was. The old Porter could see Ben and Lizzy coming out of his cab, and walking towards Elizabeth’s driver, Helan, a female engine driver and a qualified firewoman, who was leaning out of the cab, talking to Ben and Lizzy. Roger could see some marks on her arm, and Gilbert had some marks on his arm as well.

  Ben then looked at Clair, who was on the other track. He looked at her; despite not saying anything, the little diesel understood her assignment. Bobby, who is Clair’s full-time engine driver and was eating his late lunch, hopped into her cab. She pushed Elizabeth and moved through the yard before backing up to Elizabeth and pushing her to the engine shop for an examination, which, by the tone of Ben’s muttering voice, was serious. Roger could see the seriousness in Ben and Lizzy’s faces, and the two almost had a frustrated look.

  “How’s Elizabeth?” Roger asks Ben and Lizzy.

  “It’s a guess, but I’m thinking Elizabeth has a boiler tube failure,” Ben told Roger, “I could recognize when steam billowed out of the cab.”

  “Ouch,” Roger cringed.

  “Ouch indeed,” Robert agreed with Roger.

  “But we have to examine her to see how bad this failure is, or if it is a boiler tube failure,” Ben told the two, “A simple boiler tube failure repair could take 2-3 years in our case, since getting these tubes made new isn’t cheap.”

  “And that leaves a huge dent in our operation,” Lizzy sighed in frustration, “With Elizabeth being out of service, the summer season would be hell, since only Simon and Robert would be in charge, since Roger and Betty would be at the World’s Fair.”

  “That is not good at all,” Ben rubbed his temples, “Right after Roger’s overhaul is finished.”

  Roger could see the stress forming in Ben’s eyes, then, remembering an engine he met last year, he had an idea.

  “There’s one engine I know could help out, Citrus!” Roger reminded Ben, “She’s strong enough to handle the heavy summer passenger season, and like Elizabeth, she’s also an articulated steam locomotive.”

  Ben’s eyes seemed to light up, while Lizzy had an excited look on her face, and Robert looked confused.

  “Who’s Citrus?” He asks.

  “She’s a Meyer Locomotive that I’ve met on the Simon Hill Railway before the railway closed,” Roger told the young engine, “She’s a quite powerful engine and could be a great helping hand.”

  Ben smiled at Roger.

  “How did I forget about her? Thanks for reminding me, Roger,” Ben thanked the old Porter, “I guess working on your overhaul so much that I forgot about Citrus.”

  Robert was still confused.

  “What’s a Meyer Locomotive?” He asks.

  “An articulated steam locomotive, with opposite cylinders, two power bogies, like Elizabeth,” Roger told Robert, “There were many two-foot gauge Meyer Locomotives that were built for railways all over the world, and Citrus is one of a kind.”

  “I’m guessing she’s named after a lemon?” Robert asks.

  “Basically,” Ben confirmed, “It’s something Steven, and I joked around and put Meyer Lemons in her bunker, they’re really good fruit, the best lemonade I’ve ever had when I moved to America is made with Meyer Lemons, same with pies.”

  “The cafe’s lemon meringue pie is always a treat for the volunteers,” Lizzy sighed happily.

  Roger and Robert looked at each other.

  “Anyway, I know Citrus is good for the job!” Roger exclaimed happily.

  “I’m excited to meet her,” Robert said with an excited tone.

  Ben nodded in agreement.

  “I think she’ll be good for the railway as a substitute engine until Elizabeth’s repairs are completed,” Ben told the two, “I’ll contact Steven right away after looking over Elizabeth.”

  After that, Ben and Lizzy went into the engine shop, leaving the two engines alone.

  “I know you said that we already have a solution, but can Citrus handle the passenger service?” Robert asks Roger, doubting her.

  “With her strength, she can,” Roger told Robert, “When we were double heading on the Simon Hill Railway, I felt like I was cruising more than helping since she’s quite powerful.”

  “Do you think our railway tracks could handle her?” Robert asks.

  “Maybe,” Roger guessed, “They did support the weight of Elizabeth.”

  Robert shivered a bit.

  “With today’s incident happening, I forgot that it was cold today,” He told Roger, “Sometimes I hate fall, while the colors are nice and I like Halloween, the temperatures are not my favorite.”

  “I do somewhat agree,” Roger said to the young saddletank, “It’s not that cold yet. When late October hits, or early November arrives, then it’ll be very cold.”

  “With Citrus coming to the railway, the Halloween Express wouldn’t be cancelled since that’s Elizabeth’s train,” Robert noted to the old Porter.

  “I’m sure Elizabeth is happy to see her old friend since they met at the Hunslet Peter works for an overhaul before arriving at the railway,” Roger smiled, “It’ll be a reunion of two friends.”

  “At least the final months of the season wouldn’t be stressful,” Robert added.

  The old Porter agreed with Robert.

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  “That, I agree with you,” Roger sighed with relief.

  November 9th, 1963

  The last few weeks were a bit tough for the engines; the railway saw an unexpected increase in passengers during the Fall and Halloween seasons, which made the engines work quite a bit harder. Roger took the brunt of the load, but Robert and Simon helped as well. During that time, Ben and Lizzy were talking to Citrus’s owner and were coming up with a lease. Because the Meyer Locomotive was operating a few Southern Railway Narrow Gauge Division excursions operated by the Steam Program, she couldn’t arrive at the railway right away, so the railway and engines waited an extra month, which they didn’t mind, but they were quite exhausted.

  Finally, Citrus arrived on the railway on November 8th in the afternoon, and the volunteers and staff were quite excited to have a Meyer Locomotive on the railway. Roger, Robert, and Simon watch as the crane lifts the huge engine and places her on the rails. The track creaks and groans a bit, similar to how it did when Elizabeth arrived at the railway. Citrus looked the same when Roger met her, but it was nice to see an old friend.

  “Citrus!” Roger welcomed the Meyer Locomotive, “How are you doing?”

  “It’s been a while, Roger!” She exclaimed happily, “I’m doing well, it’s nice to finally visit your railway.”

  “Citrus, how are you doing?” Simon asks.

  “Simon!” She cried out happily, “I’ve been doing well, it’s good that you have a new home!”

  Robert was in awe of the new engine.

  “She looks very nice!” Robert commented.

  “Aw, thank you, sweetie,” Citrus smiled at the little engine, “I’m Citrus, I’ll be substituting for my friend Elizabeth until her repairs are completed.”

  “Welcome to our railway!” Robert cried out.

  “Welcome to the Roger Railway!” Roger smiled.

  The railway yard was in an exciting mood. Roger was quite glad that Citrus already settled in quite well on the railway, and then Ben and Lizzy came to the three engines.

  “I could hear the excitement quite far,” He joked, “I’m quite happy that you all took Citrus with open rails. Now, I did a lease that let her operate for 5 years on the Roger Railway, with our volunteers and our growing number of staff performing maintenance and general servicing.”

  “Will she need a test run?” Roger asks.

  “Nope,” Ben shook his head, “Steven gave her a small test run before she left on his property, and a quick mechanical lookover, so tomorrow, she’ll be operating the regular passenger trains.”

  The three engines smiled.

  “That’ll certainly help ease the load,” Robert smiled.

  “Certainly,” Simon agreed.

  Citrus beamed at the three.

  “I’m glad to be in your care!” She cried happily.

  Clair pushed Citrus into the engine shed, where she was looked over one last time. Roger was also pushed back to the shed by volunteers since he wasn’t operating today, as he had been operating back-to-back Roger Heritage Specials throughout Tuesday to Friday, so a rest was needed. Robert and Simon took care of the Saturday operation until nighttime, when news of the new engine spread through the local community, with some railfans visiting the railway.

  By nightfall, the Saturday operation was completed, with Citrus and the three engines making small talk, including Clair. Despite it being winter, it was a nice night, and the shed was cozy. Everyone was excited for tomorrow’s operation.

  “I’ve been told by Ben and Lizzy that you’ve operated a few excursions on the Southern Railway Narrow Gauge Division,” Roger told the Meyer Locomotive.

  “It was fun!” Citrus smiled, “They needed another engine to operate a much longer excursion, so my owners took the offer, and I operated 10 coaches on the Southern Railway during the Summer and fall. It was fun, and the railway was quite impressed by my performance.”

  “Roger talks about his adventures on the mainline,” Robert told the others, “It makes me want to visit the Southern for their narrow gauge excursions.”

  “I think our luck is about to change for next year,” Simon reminded Robert, “Since Roger and Betty are going to operate for the World’s Fair, it’ll be busy for us on the railway, and I’ve heard rumors from the volunteers that Ben and Lizzy were talking about sending one of us to participate in the NRHS Convention in New Jersey next year.”

  “I don’t think New Jersey has any narrow gauge railroad,” Robert told the Forney locomotive.

  “I remember before my California trip, Ben and Lizzy took a trip to New Jersey, and they told me there’s a neat narrow gauge operation,” Roger told Robert.

  Robert was in awe, and so was Citrus.

  “Really?” He asks.

  “The operation is a short-line industrial railway, with two-foot gauge dual gauge with 18-inch gauge,” Roger told the young engine, “There’s another railway similar to that is called the Bandit Canyon Railway, near the Utah and Wyoming border that Ben and Lizzy also visited.”

  The three engines were quite impressive.

  “I’ve never known that there were 18-inch gauge railways,” Robert told the old Porter.

  “Quite a rare gauge in America,” Roger told the young, “There are only a few in the United States. I know there’s one in Pennsylvania.”

  “It’s quite a popular gauge in the United Kingdom,” Citrus told the others, “There are a dozen of them on the Isle of Peter, small, but get the job done.”

  “What do you think of our railway so far?” Roger asks.

  “I like it!” Citrus beamed happily, “Reminds me of home, but shorter, my owners are building a railway, so I could operate some passenger trains without traveling to different railways.”

  “Speaking of home…” Simon wondered, “Where is your home base?”

  “Maine!” Citrus told the Forney Locomotive, “Steven has some property, and he and his wife are building the railway there; it’s going to be great.”

  “The heart of the Maine Two Footers,” Roger smiled.

  Citrus smiled at that.

  “My owners preserved some of the coaches that were left behind when Edaville purchased some of the fleet,” Citrus told Roger, “I can’t wait to operate some passengers when the railway is ready.”

  Just then, Ben and Lizzy came inside the shed.

  “Ben, Lizzy, what brought you late this evening?” Roger asks.

  “Sorry to interrupt your evening, Roger,” Ben told the old Porter, “But I got some good news regarding your World’s Fair visit.”

  Roger was interested.

  “What sort of good news?” Roger asks.

  “I got a call from both the West Jersey Chapter of the National Historical Society and the newly formed Tri State Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, which both of them are operating next year's NRHS Convention in Newark, New Jersey, and we’ve been invited!” Ben told the engines.

  The three engines were excited.

  “I knew it!” Simon cried out.

  “Wow! Really?” Roger asks.

  “Yes…and well, there’s one issue,” Ben looked at Roger, “They want you, but…since you and Betty are going to be at the World’s Fair, I arranged to have Robert operate at the NRHS Convention on the Edison Traction Railway. Apparently, the reason why they want Roger is due to my visit to New Jersey to see that industrial shortline operation. I toured that line with some of the members.”

  The engines looked at each other.

  “Wow,” Robert said, almost trembling, “My first NRHS Convention.”

  “There’s another part I want to add here since it’s related to you, Roger,” Ben pointed at the old Porter, “The Historical Societies and I decided to operate a special excursion during the World’s Fair as part of the convention, it’s a way for the convention attendees to ride on the Roger Heritage Special.”

  Roger looked at Ben.

  “Wow, I didn’t think I would operate an NRHS excursion again,” Roger told Ben.

  Ben smiled.

  “After an almost 12 year drought, it’s nice to be back,” He chuckled.

  “How long is this railway?” Robert asks Ben.

  “The 2-foot gauge is 5 miles, so the same length as ours,” He told the saddletank, “Simon, Citrus, and Clair would be in charge of the summer operation when the time comes, and during the World’s Fair.”

  “There will be more about the upcoming 1964 year,” Lizzy told the engines, “But let’s say we’re excited to have you, Roger, sweetie, and Betty at the World’s Fair.”

  Roger beamed with happiness.

  “Betty and I will do our best!” Roger told the two with pride in his voice.

  Ben and Lizzy looked at each other and smiled at Roger.

  “That’s all, there will be more in the coming months, good night, you three, and good night, Citrus,” Ben told the engines before he and Lizzy left the shed.

  After the two of them left, everyone was excited.

  “My first NRHS Convention…” Robert said with disbelief.

  “And my first convention excursion in a while,” Roger added, “I’m excited.”

  “That must be pretty exciting, Roger,” Citrus told the old Porter, “What’s the last time you participated in something like this?”

  “1952, but it’s exciting,” Roger smiled, then he looked at Robert, “This is exciting, Robert, your first NRHS Convention, very exciting.”

  “It is,” Robert agreed, “I’m just nervous.”

  Roger understands what his friend is feeling.

  “It is quite overwhelming,” Roger told Robert, “But here’s my advice: be calm, respectful, and try your very best.”

  Robert smiled at Roger.

  “Thank you,” He told Roger.

  “Anytime,” Roger smiled.

  Citrus looked at the clock in the shed.

  “It’s getting quite late, I think we should get some sleep,” Citrus told the others, “But before we go to bed, are there any tips for operating passenger trains on a heritage railway?”

  Roger looked at Citrus.

  “Well, just operate calmly, and be careful,” Roger told the Meyer Locomotive, “That’s mostly it, since you’re a new engine on your line, railfans are going to go crazy for you.”

  “I would say enjoy the scenery as well,” Simon added, “The Roger Railway has some nice scenery plus the great passenger trains.”

  “And working your hardest!” Robert concluded.

  Citrus smiled.

  “Thanks, love,” She smiled.

  November 10th, 1963

  Roger was in the yard, in steam, while Citrus would operate most of the morning and afternoon passenger trains. Elizabeth was also in the yard and on display. She was quite happy to see her old friend, the old Porter, would be in steam to complete half of the Sunday operation, to which he would have a rest on Monday and Tuesday. Roger could see that Citrus was in steam, with her crews looking all over her before she could leave the yard. It was a nice, cold day, which made it a nice day to see some steam locomotive operation.

  “How are you feeling, Citrus?” Roger asks.

  “I feel fine, but mostly nervous because how famous is your railway,” She told Roger, “I’m worried I’ll fuck things up during the passenger operation.”

  Roger understands what Citrus is feeling.

  “Don’t worry too much about it,” Roger assured the Meyer Locomotive, “Just take a deep breath and ease your way, though, I am worried about the loading gauge, but Ben seems confident that you’ll not damage the stations.”

  “Don’t worry, the volunteers and I did work on rebuilding the station that would accommodate Elizabeth, so this should work for Citrus,” Ben added, drinking his hot coffee.

  Roger smiled at Ben and Citrus.

  “You’ll be a great help on our railway,” Roger told Citrus, “Especially since I would be out of state for most of the year.”

  The Meyer Locomotive felt pride in her boiler.

  “Thanks, Roger,” She smiled.

  After everything was done, she blew her whistle and moved slowly into the yard; the tracks creaked and groaned a bit. Many of the railfans who came to the railway were in awe of the articulation, and she was moving slowly to the station. Some of the staff and volunteer conductors were following the engine to make sure she didn’t scrape badly at the station. She coupled up to her coaches and moved to the station; luckily, nothing happened, no scrape, nothing, the staff and volunteers were pleased.

  The passengers were excited to see the new engine. Many folks who heard about Citrus came to the railway just to see her. Citrus was quite surprised by how many people came to the railway to see her. She felt touched, after the passengers who purchased the tickets scrambled into the coaches, which were 10 coaches on this train, which was the usual length for the Roger Railway when Elizabeth was in service, Citrus blew her whistle and slowly left the station.

  Roger looked at the Citrus as she left the station, smiling, another new change for his railway, but he was happy because it was a Citrus solution, and a new friend had joined the family, to which he chuckled at that wording.