November 30th, 1958

  Mr. Hutton was quite pleased that this season has been very good so far, with Robert's successful debut, with Betty’s overhaul and mainline excursions on the Simon Hill Railway, and with Roger’s main performance during the beginning of the season, but he wanted to try something. He’s in his office, doing some paperwork during the Thanksgiving break, remembering the letter he gave to the Southern Railway Narrow Gauge Division to operate mainline excursions under their own sponsorship, with the plan of the Hutton Steam Company and Museum is coming slowly, but in full power, he knows that fundraising is an important focus right now.

  A knock on the door, which caught Mr. Hutton’s attention, his wife, Lizzy, came up to the door and opened it, and who came Johnny Taylor, one of the most trusted men and women in the Preservation Society, and one of the few folks who can operate Roger, other person on that list is their engineer in training, and their son, Samuel Hutton.

  “You got a letter,” He told Mr. Hutton, and gave the piece of paper to Mr. Hutton.

  He saw the Southern Railway emblem, which he felt like Christmas had come early; he opened it, looked in the letter, and he was absolutely shocked.

  “We’re operating a mainline excursion!” He cried out, which surprised Johnny and Lizzy.

  “What!?!?” She cried out as well.

  He gave her the letter, and after a couple of minutes of reading the letter, her eyes went wide.

  “We need to tell Roger,” She told her husband, to which Johnny agreed.

  “I’ll tell my wife as well,” He left the office excitedly.

  After his friend left, Mr. Hutton and Lizzy went straight out of the office and ran towards the engine shed. They were lucky that the engine shed was within walking distance. They came and opened the shed door, where Roger was talking to Robert about his career throughout the years, and he was surprised to see the husband and wife.

  “Hello,” Roger greeted the two, “Is there a problem?”

  To which Mr. Hutton nodded.

  “Yes, but in a good way,” He smiled, “Welcome to the Southern Railway Narrow Gauge Division.”

  Roger’s eyes were wide.

  “We got an excursion host?” He asks both Ben and Lizzy, to which they nod.

  “We got a letter today,” Mr. Hutton said as he held the letter up to Roger’s face.

  Which the letter said;

  “Dear Mr. Ben Hutton of the Roger Railway and the Roger Railway Preservation Society.

  With our utmost gratitude, we allow Roger and his coaches to operate our narrow gauge division in Virginia. You could operate one weekend of excursions, since we’re a working railroad, but you’ll be expected to operate special trains like Employee Specials during your visit. Come back to me when you have everything finalized.

  Yours truly,

  James Ashley DeButts

  “Crap…this is real,” Roger said as he reread the letter.

  “James is the man in charge of the Narrow Gauge Division,” He told the old saddletank, “Unlike his brother, He’s a railfan at heart, but a businessman like any other railroader.”

  “Are you going to get back to him?” Roger asks Mr. Hutton, to which he nods.

  “Yes,” He told the old saddletank, “But not right now, but I have some ideas, and I want this excursion run to be sponsored by the society and not by another railfan organization.”

  “Hopefully, before the year ends,” Lizzy noted to her husband, “Because we've got a lot of planning to do.”

  “Before the year ends,” Mr. Hutton said as he put the letter in his pocket, “I want the excursions to happen before the summer season.”

  “For this, I think you’re going to be out of service for the beginning of the year, sweetheart,” Lizzy told Roger, “To get you ready for the excursion.”

  “I don’t mind,” Roger smiled, “Betty and Robert could help with the spring and summer season trains, although Betty is not part of the railway fleet.”

  “Not a bad idea,” Mr. Hutton agreed with the old saddletank, “She reminds me of you, Roger, she could be a good role model to Robert during our excursion runs.”

  “She’s a nice lady,” Roger smiled, but went back to the topic, “When will this excursion start?

  “Hopefully, before the summer season,” Mr. Hutton told the old Porter.

  “April or May?” Roger asks.

  “Maybe May,” Mr. Hutton said as he wrote some ideas down in the notepad, “I need to hire catering and advertise for volunteers, it’s going to be a big event.”

  “It would,” Roger agreed with his owner, “We have one shot to make this work.”

  Just as they were about to leave, Lizzy noticed something inside the envelope. She looked inside and was shocked.

  “The Southern just sent us a check for 5,000 dollars!” Lizzy cried out as she pulled out a check from the letter.

  Mr. Hutton was surprised.

  “Is anything on the check, a note?” He asks his wife curiously.

  “Yeah, there’s a small note,” She pulled out a small paper, “It says, ‘I’ve heard you’re going to form a railroad museum, here’s a little something to help you get started.’ What a nice donation from the Southern.”

  Roger smiled at the gift.

  “It is,” the old saddletank agreed.

  April 27th, 1959

  Mr. Hutton was working hard on the excursion for the past 5 months, with funding and advertising being the main focus. He sent a letter back after Christmas, which has a list of details of the excursion, but not an official date…right after New Year's, Mr. Hutton sent another letter back with the excursion month and date, which is going to be on May 1st to May 3rd, which is 3 days of mainline excursion fun in one weekend. The excursions were announced on the 31st of January, with tickets sold out in two weeks, and the Preservation Society was working on gathering a few people to help with the excursions.

  Ben worked with James on what line the train should operate. There was the Alexandria to Rupert Branch, which is a 20-mile line that has a straightway mainline. Rupert Yard is also a big yard, to which another branch line was connected, Rupert to Franklin Branch, which is the longest of 30 miles long, then the last one is the Franklin to Sheldon Branch, which is 15 miles long, the shortest of the lines of the huge narrow gauge division, all freight lines, which is 65 miles in total. Alexandria also has a few other branch lines connecting to the big yard, which James said can be used for mainline excursions if this first one works.

  The whole Southern Railway Narrow Gauge Division was once a huge system with over 1,000 miles of 2-foot gauge track, the longest in the world, but by the 1950s, the line had been reduced to 800 miles, which is still quite impressive, mind you, but this was a sign of declining history. Mr. Hutton has gathered a few volunteers for each day, as conductors and the Preservation Society's own version of the Zephyrettes. Mr. Hutton has worked with local barbecue restaurants in each town where the train is going to stop for dinner and to make barbecue sandwiches for the excursion.

  Johnny and a few hired crew from the Society were hired to work on the engine during the long hours between excursions. This was also another first for the Roger Railway in the preservation era, hiring staff, though, while this is part-time, Mr. Hutton wants this excursion to go very smoothly. He also rented a few bed and breakfasts in the town where the train stops for his volunteer and paid staff crew. One last thing is that Mr. Hutton used Train Magazine to advertise the excursions, which helps during the quiet months from January to April.

  Roger didn’t operate throughout the four months, from January to April; he was kept out of service for winter maintenance. Betty and Robert operate most of the January and February short-term sessions before the season starts; Roger’s coaches were also given some maintenance, with Taylor and Anabel getting sections of the inside rebuilt to accommodate food and drinks in addition to passengers. This was another major change that Mr. Hutton was planning, since it would help during the summer season, as folks want drinks and snacks during the railway's regular season service.

  Roger and his coaches left on Saturday, April 25th, in the dead of night, mostly to keep railfans and locals amidst, though, despite them knowing about the excursions, this was the old Porter's first time in the Southern United States. This would be the second time that Roger would operate a mainline excursion on a Class 1 Railroad; the Narrow Gauge Division was still steam powered, which was odd since Southern Railway had already dieselized over a decade earlier, so this was quite odd for any railfan of steam locomotives.

  When Roger and his coaches arrived at the yard at Alexandria, Virginia, this was a different feeling for the old Porter; the weather was a little humid compared to the Pennsylvania spring weather, but it felt nice and different. Roger and his coaches were lifted and placed on the tracks, where a 2-6-2 steam locomotive switched the old engine and his coaches onto a siding, which is also a station.

  2 days later, on the 27th of April, a truck arrived at the yard at 5 in the morning. Mr. Hutton and Lizzy climbed out of the truck and walked towards the old Porter.

  “Welcome to the Southern Railway,” Mr. Hutton exclaimed softly as he looked around at the yard. It was busy with different engines.

  “Such a different experience from the Simon Hill Railway,” Roger admitted as he looked around, “So many different engines.”

  There were 2-6-2s, 2-6-0s, 2-4-2s, and 2-4-0s operating in and out of the yard. It was a busy place, with two-foot gauge equipment next to standard gauge equipment; despite being very early in the morning, it was quite busy.

  “It’s an interesting railway,” Mr. Hutton agreed with the old Porter.

  “Are we operating a passenger train today?” Mary asks, sensing something since the two are here.

  “Well, while I was staying at the B&B, I got a phone call that we’re operating an Employee Appreciation Special today,” Mr. Hutton told Roger, who was surprised.

  “Today?” the old Porter asks, to which Ben nods.

  “Last minute,” Mr. Hutton shrugged, “But it’ll give you a chance to operate on the Southern’s mainline for the first time.”

  “It’ll be on a branch line that’s not used that much,” Lizzy smiled at Roger, “It’s called the Kiowa Branch, which isn’t used by the railroad much, but it’s only 10 miles long, another short branch of the Southern.”

  “Think of it as a test run today,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “The truck will follow us if you have any mechanical problems.”

  This made Roger feel hopeful, though not much.

  “Don’t worry, sweetie,” Lizzy assured the old Porter, “You can show these Southern Railway employees that you’re a great little engine!”

  Roger smiled. Mr. Hutton and Lizzy got into his cab and started to get his fire ready. Fresh coals were placed in the cold firebox before Ben lit a match and a piece of paper. Before putting the tinder into the firebox, the warmth of the fire made this a comfortable feeling. A few of the volunteers arrived, with one carrying a cooler that was filled with drinks and snacks. Mr. Hutton and Lizzy came out of the cab with rags and cleaned and polished the old saddletank.

  “From what I’ve been told, there will be a special lunch at Alexandria," Mr. Hutton told Roger, “But having snacks and drinks would be good so the kids and adults won’t be restless.”

  “Will there be enough for the passengers on the excursion day?” Roger asks Mr. Hutton.

  “We’ll stock up,” Mr. Hutton assured Roger, “But the branch line we’re going on has a gradient of 1.2 percent, which is quite powerful, so we’re going to be extra diligent since we don’t want to overwork you until the main event.”

  “Kiowa High School is right on the edge of the tracks. I’m guessing that students want to see a steam locomotive,” Lizzy said as she read a book titled, ‘Towns and Cities of Virginia’.

  “Knowing from our experience on the Simon Hill Railway, we made pamphlets for the main excursions so the local folks could visit our railway,” Mr. Hutton said as he was holding a folder filled with pamphlets.”

  “And from our experience on the Simon Hill Railway, we know how to operate mainline steam excursions,” Lizzy grinned as she kissed Roger on the nose before going back into the cab.

  A few hours after Roger was fueled, watered, and checked through before the employees came, they were very important folks, with suits and ties, some with their wives and kids, some with just their wives, with a small train, seating was limited, but Roger was quite excited, but what the old Porter didn’t know that one of the passengers is Harry A. DeButts and his brother, James A. DeButts, James was the reason why the weekend excursions was happening in the first place.

  Mr. Hutton and Lizzy had a brief meeting before the very important passengers arrived; it was like the one at the Simon Hill Railway, but much excitement made the crew happy and positive. After everything was set and ready, Roger blew his whistle, and with the points switched onto the Kiowa Branch, the old Porter slowly left the station and onto the branch line. Railfans who came to the yard to see the regular steam were treated to a special steam excursion leaving the Alexandria Yard.

  Roger’s speed was going well, at a normal pace; he didn’t want to go slow or very fast, but the experience of being in this new area and location was something to get used to. His wheels rattle along the branch line, with his whistle echoing through the southern nature. It was different but exciting for Roger; some of the tracks were next to roads, which gave an odd perspective, and the people in their cars weren’t really surprised since steam locomotives already traveled on the branch line.

  The truck from this morning was following Roger and the excursion train, trying to keep up with the pace, but with the gradient getting tougher by the second, the old Porter had to work harder with the four coaches behind him. It was too bad for Roger, but it was tough. He blew his whistle multiple times; the sound is always wonderful, and it made him wonder how Betty and Robert are doing. He liked that new engine; she was kind, and her accent was oddly calming, maybe since he had lived in Pennsylvania all his life and only went to New Hampshire for a mainline excursion.

  Roger could see the high school, which was something Roger had never seen; mostly, it was elementary school children who rode the excursion trains. News must have spread fast since there were students near the tracks, and since Lizzy wasn’t kidding that the tracks were on the edge of the school property, teenagers came as close to the tracks. Roger slowed down and stopped. There wasn’t anything wrong with the old saddletank, but with the school and the Southern Railway being close together, quite literally.

  Many students came up to Roger, like the folks the old Porter at the Loon Branch, they weren’t used to seeing another steam locomotive that isn’t a Southern Railway steam locomotive, but Mr. Hutton and Lizzy passed the pamphlets to promote the Roger Railway, with some hopeful feelings of getting volunteers, and some students look at Lizzy with a confused and odd look, like it was strange to see a woman in a cab of a steam locomotive. Roger noticed that he may want to speak to Mr. Hutton and Lizzy after this. After taking a couple of photos and a handshake from the principal and vice principal, Roger blew his whistle before leaving the school area, with kids waving back, but what they didn’t know was that the old Porter would come back to the school on the return trip.

  Roger moved faster as the school disappeared in the distance. They weren’t late, but they did an unscheduled stop, since the very important passengers didn’t say anything, or weren’t angry, they did wave at the students, so it wasn’t a big deal to them, it was publicity after all. So far, Roger could feel like he was doing well on the excursion, with no problems, and the students were excited to see a steam locomotive.

  Roger could see the yard ahead, and sprinting to the finish line, he blew his whistle, mostly for excitement; he didn’t know what time it was; they left the yard at 8:30. The yard was coming closer and closer, and Roger blew his whistle again as a signal to his arrival. He slowed down since he doesn’t want to race to the yard at a fast speed. Arriving at the yard wasn’t that special, but many steam locomotives and yard workers eyed the new arrival; this wasn’t a Southern Railway steam locomotive.

  Roger slowly switched onto the station track and stopped. The very important passengers got out of the coaches, thanked the volunteers, thanked Mr. Hutton and Lizzy, and most of all, thanked the old Porter and his coaches. James told Ben that they’ll be taking a bus back to Alexandria for that special lunch, which means the Employee Special was completed.

  “That run wasn’t bad,” Roger commented, “I think I did well.”

  “I think you did wonderfully, sweetie,” Lizzy smiled at the saddletank.

  “But, the way some of the students were staring at Lizzy was odd,” Mr. Hutton said as he sat down on the station platform.

  “Yes…quite weird,” Roger looked at Lizzy with a worried look.

  “It was like that when we visited Tennessee for the first time,” Mr. Hutton commented, to which the old Porter suspected something.

  “I think the culture here is quite different from Pennsylvania,” Roger guessed, “They’re probably not used to seeing a woman operating a steam locomotive.”

  “I do agree,” Mr. Hutton said as he walked towards the engine, “Though it wasn’t much different when the railway became a heritage railway, though, that got over very quickly.”

  “Not every woman is a Southern Belle,” Lizzy grinned as she tossed a polish rag to Ben, “It didn’t really bother me since I knew I was going to receive unwanted attention, I could do the same job as Ben or any other railroad worker.”

  “Are you sure?” Roger asks, “I don’t want my engine crew to feel uncomfortable during the excursions.”

  Lizzy came up and cupped the old Porter’s cheek and smiled at him.

  “Trust me, if that was the case, I wouldn’t come with Ben on the trip to Tennessee,” She told Roger, “You’re a sweet engine, Roger, that’s why I love you.”

  Next to Roger was a 2-4-2 tender engine, which was switching some freight cars. He looked at the engine and his crew, weirdly.

  “You’re not from here?” the 2-4-2 asks Roger.

  “Yeah,” Roger smiled, “I’m Roger from the Roger Railway.”

  “You won’t last on this railroad,” the 2-4-2 said with a sneer.

  Roger was surprised by this.

  “What do you mean?” Roger asks.

  “Look at your crew, especially that engineer, it’s going to cause you trouble,” He told the old saddletank.

  Then the 2-4-2 left the yard, with a confused Roger. He wondered what the fuck just happened.

  “I didn’t expect something like this to happen,” Mr. Hutton commented as he got back into the cab, “What was he talking about?”

  “Potentially meeting racist folks, or misogynistic folks, since Johnny and his wife are the only African Americans in the Preservation Society, and Lizzy is only a handful of women and girls in the Preservation Society,” Roger said as he looked at the other engines, “Most engines are influenced by their surroundings and their crew.”

  “That’s sadly true,” Mr. Hutton sighed, “The engines of the S.D. Warren Paper Mill can be like that, a rough place really, but it’s a job that got me a chance to operate steam locomotives.”

  “I’m now worried for John and our crew,” Roger said as he looked at his general manager.

  “Don’t worry,” Mr. Hutton said as he leaned out of the cab, “I spoke to John, and he knows how the South is, but he’s going to do it anyway because he’s not scared of racist folks.”

  Roger looked at the yard, then back at Ben.

  “Let’s show the Southern Railway what the Roger Railway is made for,” the old saddletank smiled, “Let’s go back.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  May 1st, 1959

  After the success of the Employee Special, James A. DeButts gave Mr. Hutton another check, this time for 10,000 dollars, which was a good amount for one Employee Special and could help fund the Hutton Steam Company and Museum. Returning from the special to Alexandria went as the same, though they didn’t stop at the high school since they didn’t want to waste any time, but Roger did give the students a whistle salute as he passed the high school. The next few days were spent getting the big event ready, and the snacks and drinks were restocked from the Employee Special. The old Porter was getting some maintenance, with the coaches getting the same treatment; it was a busy few days.

  It was a nice spring morning, and Roger was already in steam, and the first day of this mainline excursion would be operated from Alexandria to Rupert on the Rupert Branch, 20 miles long, and from what Mr. Hutton has told Roger is that the branch crosses a bridge and has a spiral loop track, which was something Roger was curious to see, the food for the trips were made, barbecue sandwich, which a local barbecue restaurant in Alexandria help made for the excursion.

  The weekend excursions were titled the ‘Roger Heritage Special’, which was something the volunteers chose after sifting through different names, from the ‘Roger Limited’, to the ‘Roger Choo Choo Special’, and the ‘Moment in Time with Roger’, but the ‘Roger Heritage Special’ was the winner. This excursion was also a fundraiser for the Hutton Steam Company and Museum formation, and the Roger Railway Preservation Society. The passengers who purchased the tickets were at the station, waiting to get on board.

  Some of the passengers came extra early for this excursion, with an 8:00 departure time. Everyone was excited and also scrambling inside the coaches; some of the railfans who didn’t purchase the ticket were filming the train for moments and memories. Mr. Hutton and his team of volunteers made a small headboard which sat on top of Roger’s lamp; this was something that Lizzy requested to give it a touch of class, since this was something exciting for the general public.

  Though Roger was still thinking of what the 2-4-2 had said, he looked around the yard to see the engine, but couldn’t find him, though, despite this, the old Porter was ready for the Southern Railway. The old saddletank made sure not to get egotistical, on what the 2-4-2 had said or this excursion in general, that won’t help anything. After the passengers got into the coaches, everyone was ready, but before leaving, Mr. Hutton sanded the rails. There was dew this morning, and it can cause the tracks to be slippery, and with fully loaded coaches, it can be a challenge.

  Roger blew his whistle and started to move slowly out of the station, where the points were set to the Alexandria to Rupert Branch, and knowing the challenge of what this branch line has to offer, it was something to look forward to. The railfans watch as the passenger train slowly enters the branch line, and Roger blows his whistle as he enters the spur with the old Porter starting to increase his speed.

  Roger thundered on unfamiliar territory; the weight of the train wasn’t a problem for the old saddletank, and the foliage of the trees and bushes created a weird scenery. The old Porter thundered on with the excursion train, despite operating an Employee Special a few days earlier; this was the first time that Roger was going deep into the Virginia countryside. The grass was growing near the tracks, and it looked like the old Porter was gliding through the grass like an animal.

  The passengers were enjoying the excursions, snacks like cookies and doughnuts were offered to the guests, and drinks like juice and soda were offered. It was simple, mind you, and made the passengers satisfied. The old Porter was belching steam and smoke; it was a tough line, and it made Roger wonder how a 2-4-2 could operate on a tough branch line like this, which was something Roger was hoping to ask when meet that 2-4-2 again.

  The old Porter, realizing he was way up high and on a bridge, remembered being told by Mr. Hutton that the branch line has a bridge and a spiral loop, which makes an interesting perspective for a railfan. As Roger was crossing the bridge, swimmers who were swimming in the river saw the passenger passing by and waved at the old Porter and his train, the old saddletank whistle back, the swimmers didn’t know that Roger wasn’t a Southern Railway steam locomotive. After passing a bridge, there was a water tower, and it was still working, which made the old Porter and Mr. Hutton have an idea.

  They stop at the water tower, rewatering the old saddletank. The passengers got out and stretched their legs and arms, which probably felt good for them. Many railfans and locals who had houses in the area came by to see the train, since the water tower and the engine are parked in a bottom-of-the-hill type area, where the hill slopes down to the tracks, which gave the railfans and passengers an odd look, above the excursion train. The stop also gives Mr Hutton and the crew time to eat their lunch, and some of the passengers eat their food as well.

  After getting watered, the passenger train went back to the coaches, where the crew were ready to continue the excursion, Roger blew his whistle and slowly left the area. The railfans and locals dispersed, and the passenger excursion continued. The old Porter was now operating at a field, which was nice and beautiful. He made track speed since he was worried that the rest stop made him late, but they were having a great time, and Roger was feeling happy.

  Roger went through a tunnel, which was short but dark, and when the excursion went out, the old saddletank was going through an elevated track, realizing that they were going on the spiral loops. This is where the power of an 1880 steam locomotive was put to the test. The old Porter charged right through the curves of the loops; the sound of his stack talk was loud, and everyone on the train leaned out of their windows. This was a show of steam power, and they had an audience; the bottom of the loops was a group of railfans and locals who came to see Roger through the loops. They were cheering, like the old Porter had done something that was extraordinary, which he whistled back as a compliment.

  It was high up, and Roger did look down. He wasn’t used to being up this high, but it was also kind of fun as well. The old Porter eased his way through the valley, and as the track descended, he was out of the loops, while this was a huge challenge for Roger, but what he didn’t know was that this was a feat for the Narrow Gauge Division.

  “That was breathtaking and scary,” Mary admitted to Roger.

  “It was I’m going to lie,” Roger agreed with the coach.

  “There were many railfans,” Taylor noted, “They were flocking along the tracks like puppies.”

  “Also, the locals,” Charlotte added, “Being a freight-only line, you don’t get a lot of passenger specials, so this is like a new experience.”

  “And the passengers are enjoying the excursion as well,” Mary smiled, “It’s like being back at home.”

  “And hopefully we’ll get cleaned up,” Anabel sighed, “I could feel the mini trash can had been tipped over, not pleasant.”

  “Don’t worry,” Mr. Hutton said as he leaned out of Roger’s cab, “Johnny and the staff are going to clean up during the night servicing.”

  “That’ll be lovely,” Anabel sighed happily.

  To which her sisters agree as well.

  “Though,” Roger said, looking ahead, “The people on trackside were cheering like we won a prize or something.”

  “Well, you did operate a passenger train over the loops on the line that was meant for freight trains,” Mary reminded the old Porter.

  “That’s probably an achievement that no one ever did,” Mr. Hutton smiled.

  The train was getting closer to Rupert Yard, which, despite thundering over the loops, Roger still had the energy to arrive in the yard at a fast pace. He whistled as he was getting closer and closer. The old Porter could see the locals and railfans on the tracks, taking photos and waiting for the train to arrive. Seeing the yard in the distance was the next stage in the adventure. Roger arrived at the yard, and he was glad that nothing bad had happened during the whole excursion run.

  It was late 3:00 as the excursion train arrived, and the crowds were huge; a once simple yard was filled with locals and passengers. Rupert Yard is an example of a town dominated by the railroad industry. After stopping, the passengers got out of the train. There were charter buses that would take the passengers home to Alexandria, but there was another bus, you see, during the ticket sales, there was another ticket called the ‘Grand Excursion with Roger’, which was 500 dollars for families, and 800 for singles, and it was limited to 5 tickets, and they were sold out instantly, the charter bus is taking the ones who is staying for the long excursion to motels to stay for the night.

  Roger was photographed by the locals, railfans, and reporters from Alexandria, Roanoke, or Virginia Beach. It turns out, the old Porter was the steam locomotive to operate the loops without any helpers, which was a feat that no engine, steam or diesel, can do. Mr. Hutton, Lizzy and the volunteers serviced the old Porter as the passengers were bused to a local restaurant sponsored by the Preservation Society, before going back to Alexandria. Johnny came with the team that Mr. Hutton assembled, though people eyed him like a hawk; Johnny didn’t notice nor cared.

  “I’m beat,” Roger groaned a bit, “Who knew running excursions through new territory would be tiring.”

  “I agree,” Mr. Hutton said as yawn loudly, “But we did it.”

  “Tomorrow’s excursion is going to be the longest,” Mary reminded Roger about tomorrow.

  “I know,” Roger smiled tiredly, “But it’s going to be a blast, though. Anything about this branch line should we be worried about?”

  “Nothing much, but it does parallel the standard gauge track,” Mr. Hutton noted, “And this yard connects to the general mainline, which is around 20 miles with double track in some parts, which also connects to another branch line that traverses over the steepest narrow gauge line of a two-foot gauge railroad, 4.0 percent.”

  Roger was awed by the information.

  “You think?” the old Porter asked.

  “It’s a stretch,” Mr. Hutton shrugged, “But if the excursions do well, it’ll be an adventure, plus, I just learned before this excursion that Betty’s old railroad was absorbed into the Southern Railway, and they sold her.”

  “Really…that’s unnerving…” Roger commented.

  “It is, I didn’t know,” Mr. Hutton said sadly, “I met the owner of her old line, nice chap, and purchased her with a good price, until a worker came up to me yesterday that Betty’s old line was taken over by the Southern.”

  “Are you thinking of operating her on the Southern?” Roger asks curiously.

  “Maybe, hopefully, as I said before, if the excursions are done well, maybe,” Mr. Hutton said as he leaned on the old saddletank’s saddletank, “She did well for her first mainline excursion last fall.”

  “I bet she did,” Roger smiled.

  Lizzy noticed the happy smile; she grinned.

  “Did my eyes deceive me, or does my little cutie have a crush on Betty?” She patted his cheek.

  Roger didn’t say anything, but a tinge of pink appeared on his cheeks.

  May 2nd, 1959

  The first excursions of the Roger Heritage Special were a big success, and with the news that the old Porter crosses the loops without any helpers was a big deal, and with the Roger Railway Preservation Society doing the excursion, they were quickly interviewed by a local newspaper company for the next paper. This was a big deal; not only could the publicity help the railway gather more volunteers, but also more passengers. Roger was in another station siding waiting for the passengers for the next excursion. His coaches were cleaned and ready, snacks and drinks were refilled, more barbecue sandwiches arrived, and so far, everyone was ready.

  Mr. Hutton and Lizzy relaxed and rested after the first excursion, they were happy that their sons will be joining them, due to school, they couldn’t come, but after school, with a friend’s father, who also purchased the Saturday excursion, drove all the way to Pennsylvania to Virginia, which took them 6 hours, a feat for a railfan and a family who operates a narrow gauge railway. Samuel and Samson arrived late last night, but were happy to participate in the volunteering work of the excursions.

  “How are you feeling, Roger?” Mary asked as the old Porter was getting fueled.

  “Despite having a nice long rest, I’m still feeling tired from yesterday,” Roger told the coach, “I’m glad that there’s no gradients.”

  “At least you could pace the standard gauge passenger train,” Taylor noted, “That’ll be fun.”

  “Though,” Anabel wondered, and asked, “When the excursion is over, do we go back to the beginning?”

  Mr. Hutton popped out of the cab with a nod.

  “It’s common for some mainline excursions to go back to the beginning of the yard or station where they started,” Roger told the coach, “But in this case, and on the first mainline excursion we did at the Simon Hill Railway, we usually go back with an empty train and no paying passengers, usually that’s called a ferry move.”

  “Plus, we already experienced a ferry move after we pulled the Employee Special,” Mary reminded the coach.

  “Oh yeah, I forgot, busy few days,” Anabel chuckled a bit, “Though, it means we’ll cross the loops again.”

  “Hey, a second chance isn’t bad,” Taylor chuckled, “It’ll give our friend here a chance to do it again.”

  “The scenery at the loops was very nice though,” the old saddletank smiled.

  Roger could see Johnny and the maintenance crew leaving after giving the old Porter some general maintenance since Mr. Hutton and Lizzy were exhausted from the first excursion. The old Porter waited for the volunteers to arrive, and the morning light glistened on Roger as he could see the volunteers arriving at the yard, including Samuel and Samson.

  “Hello, Samuel,” Roger smiled at the young man, “How are you feeling this morning?

  “Excited,” He grinned, “I didn’t get much sleep, but today is going to be a fun day.”

  “You’re right, it is,” Roger smiled.

  After getting some coal and water, the old Porter was excited and ready for the run of the Rupert to Franklin Branch excursion, 30 miles of two-foot gauge track was something that Roger couldn’t wait for. The passengers arrived in the yard to board the train; most of them were new riders, who wanted to ride the excursion, and some were passengers who purchased the Grand Excursion with Roger ticket. The chartered bus left the train ahead while the passengers were settling in. Lizzy was busy oiling the engine and making Roger clean before the run.

  After the check-up was completed, the old Porter blew his whistle before leaving slowly with the points switching to the Franklin Branch, or known as the Franklin Route to some people, Roger slowly made his way through the spur. The train was going through the entrance of the Franklin Branch, with weeds and grass near the tracks. This was another adventure that Roger and his coaches are going to experience.

  Unlike yesterday’s excursion, this one was more straightforward, quite literally, just a straight track. Roger was quite surprised; he would expect some curves or gradients, but it was just a straight track. The old Porter and the coaches thought that they were going the wrong way, but Mr Hutton confirmed that they were going the right way. This was a weird feeling, but Roger went with it. The passengers were hanging their heads out of the window, which must’ve been a wonderful feeling.

  Then, right next to him was another line, and looking at the wide gauge, this was the standard gauge track. They were only a few miles into the branch line, and now Roger is parallel next to the standard gauge Southern Railway, the old Porter felt excited, but nervous, since the old Porter had never parallel with a standard gauge train before.

  “Wondered if the line is a passenger line?” Taylor wondered.

  “Could be, but it could be a freight line,” Roger guessed, noting that the Franklin Branch is a freight-only line.

  "I remember that dad showing photos of huge standard gauge steamers next to the Maine Two Footers,” Samuel leaned out of the cab.

  “But that time is gone,” Roger said sadly, “2102 is probably scrapped, and the Southern already ended steam before even the Preservation Society was formed.”

  “Little correction, Southern retired their last steam locomotive during the first two years of the Preservation Society in 1953,” Samuel noted.

  “Still,” Roger said sadly, “No steam on this line.”

  The old Porter went back to pay attention to what was in front of him. So far, nothing; it was mostly the straight track, and with the standard gauge next to the excursion train. Roger could see a signal in the distance, which was bright red. The old Porter slowed down, hoping there wasn’t an accident on the line. As he got closer, the red light became brighter and brighter. By the time that Roger arrived, the red light was on the narrow gauge side.

  “What seems to be the problem?” Mary asks.

  “I don’t know, sis,” Taylor commented.

  “I think we’re waiting for a train to pass by,” Roger told the coaches.

  And he was right, as the excursion train waited, with passengers leaning outside of the windows, a green and white diesel made his way, passing the excursion train. This was the daily Southern Railway passenger train, the Tennessean, or the Crescent; either way, the passengers were quite surprised to see a passenger train on a freight-only line. Roger whistled the diesel locomotive, and the diesel honked his horn as a salute. It was a meeting of two different gauges and two different motive power, the old Porter got the oddest looks that he ever got from passengers who saw the excursion train out of the window.

  “Didn’t expect that,” Mr. Hutton admitted.

  “Do you see those passengers?” Charlotte calmly exclaimed, “They were surprised to see us.”

  “We’re operating on a freight-only line,” Roger commented, “It makes me wonder if Southern did operate narrow gauge passenger trains.”

  “They did,” Mr. Hutton answered the question, “But that ended after the war; freight is more revenue-making here than passenger trains.”

  “The contrast colors of Green and Gold, and black are an interesting perspective,” Mary commented, “It makes me wonder if there are any narrow gauge steam locomotives that have the Southern green livery.”

  “We’ll wait and see,” Roger assured the coach.

  Nothing really happened much after that encounter, but Roger and his excursion train made their way onward, and nothing much happened right after that. It was longer miles, but it was just straight track; though there were curves, they weren’t crazy or steep, but it did give a nice contrast to the straight track. It was mostly like that until they arrived at the yard, with the longer miles and the red light, they arrived much later than anticipated, which was close to 5:00.

  The Franklin Yard is similar to the other yard on the Southern Railway, with many different steam locomotives, this wasn’t new, but as Roger arrived, the old saddletank noticed something in the yard, amongst the 2-4-2s, 2-6-0s, and 2-6-2s, there was a saddletank locomotive in the yard, in a siding, which looks like Roger, though, this wasn’t a surprised, Mr. Hutton has told the old saddletank in the past that there were other H.K. Porter 0-6-0st that were built in the two foot gauge in different countries, from South America, Australia, and to the European countries, but Roger could feel like this engine isn’t a Porter locomotive.

  After arriving at the station siding, where the passengers got off and enjoyed the nice barbecue meal sponsored by the Preservation Society. Roger was glad to have another rest, but he was curious about the saddletank; unlike the other engines, the saddletank was cleaned, had the Green and Gold livery, and the wheels had whitewalls. Roger was impressed; even during his pre-preservation years, he was kept clean, but not smart.

  The saddletank moved around the yard, and Roger was impressed. The saddletank is a powerful brute, and seeing the engine hauling 20 empty coal cars without any help is impressive, even though they were empty. Roger was impressed by the performance of this saddletank locomotive, so the old Porter bravely decided to have a simple chat with him.

  “Hello,” Roger said as the saddletank pulled up to him, “I’m Roger.”

  “So you’re the famous Roger,” the saddletank smiled at the old Porter, “I’m Samuel Spencer.”

  “You’re named after Southern Railway’s first president?” Mr. Hutton asks.

  “Yep,” Samuel smiled, “I was built in 1880 by Baldwin, and was used to build the Narrow Gauge Division. I didn’t have a name, I was No.1, until the Southern Railway purchased my railroad.”

  “I knew you weren’t a Porter locomotive,” Roger smiled triumphantly, “But what were you doing for the last 14 years?”

  “It’s a wild story, but I was built for a simple common carrier,” Samuel explained, “It was a simple line, 10 miles, nothing much, but my president of the time wanted to grow the line, so he purchased 5 more steam locomotives, and lay down over 100 miles of track in the last 8 years, by the time that the Southern Railway was formed, the railroad already have 150 miles.”

  “I’m guessing Southern Railway purchased the line?” Roger guessed.

  “Yep, you’re right,” Samuel smiled, “The line was purchased that same year, and purchased more locomotives and expanded over 900 miles of track, but by the time 1899 rolled around, it was 1,500 miles of track, and it was still growing. The final expansion was in 1912, 250 miles plus.”

  “Well, now the line is 800 miles,” Taylor said sadly.

  “Yeah, it is sad,” Samuel agreed with the old Porter, “Though funny enough, the line was 780 miles long, until last year, when the railroad purchased another two-foot gauge railroad in Tennessee.”

  “That’s where my friend Betty lives,” Roger informed Samuel, “My general manager and the owner of my railway in my cab is her owner.”

  Mr. Hutton leaned out and waved at Samuel.

  “So what was your job during all these years?” Mary asks.

  “Passenger trains,” Samuel told the coach, “Mostly in lighter branch lines, they were fun, and I got to enjoy the countryside of the Southern Railway, but that ended after the war, passenger service ended, and I’m mostly used as a switcher.”

  “That sucks,” Roger said sadly, “Imagine losing your job you've worked hard for years.”

  “It wasn’t all that bad,” Samuel smiled, “I was able to make some excursions for the last few years, the biggest one was when I operated a special NRHS excursion on the Blue Ridge Branch, which is in Roanoke.”

  “I can see that you’re a favorite,” Mr. Hutton noted.

  “I am,” Samuel smiled, “The railroad painted me in the Green and Gold Livery in the 1920s, which made me a smart-looking engine.”

  “Have you ever thought of being preserved?” Roger asks Samuel.

  Samuel was quiet for a few moments before looking at the old Porter.

  “I have,” He admitted to Roger, “I’m almost 80 years old, and I’ve been working for the Southern longer than my old company. I feel like I’m ready to retire.”

  “I see,” Roger looked at Samuel, “Maybe you can ask James for a retirement, he can’t say no to this.”

  “I know, but I’m going to miss some friends, but not Howard,” Samuel told the old Porter.

  Roger was curious.

  “Who’s Howard?” the old Porter asks.

  “He’s an asshole 2-4-2, he usually belittles me because of my age, despite being built in 1900,” Samuel told Roger, “He usually tells me that I won’t last long on this railroad.”

  “I think I’ve met him,” Roger sighed, “He said that to me when I pulled my first excursion. I think he’s a racist or misogynistic.”

  “Ugh,” Samuel groaned, “Sorry you have to meet him.”

  “It’s no big deal,” Roger smiled at Samuel, “I’m just glad that he isn’there in the yard.”

  “But he will be,” Samuel noted, “He’s pulling a long freight train tomorrow, and I’m going to assist him.”

  “What time?” Roger asks, “I have an excursion at 8, and I don’t want to be delayed.”

  Which caused Samuel to blink a couple of times.

  “I’ve been told there will be an excursion on the Sheldon Branch tomorrow,” the Baldwin saddletank looked up and down at Roger, “And seeing you, I put two and two together, but don’t worry, we’ll leave before your excursion.”

  “It’s been a journey so far,” Roger sighed, “After this, and I’m finished for my first mainline excursion.”

  May 3rd, 1959

  Meeting Samuel, or Sammy as he likes to be called, was a delight for the old Porter, while he isn’t an H.K. Porter steam locomotive like he was, it’s nice to be another 19th-century steamer. Roger was excited for the third and last day of the excursion, which was going to be grand, unlike the last two; the Sheldon Branch is only 15 miles long, so this wouldn’t be a long excursion, but the line does have gradients, 1 percent, which wasn’t crazy compared to the other steep lines of the Southern, but this one can pose a challenge.

  The night went well, except for Howard and Sammy arguing about the Baldwin steam locomotive being his banker for the freight train, which luckily ended before 12 in the morning hits the clock, though Roger was worried, Howard is almost 60 years old, and isn’t the most modern of steam power, or strongest, he’s going to hurt himself. The morning of the third day of the excursion was the same as the last two days, but in the yard was Howard, and he was getting ready to operate his freight train.

  “I think you need a helper engine for this job,” Roger suggested, “How many freight cars are you pulling?”

  “10 coal wagons, 10 boxcars, 5 flatbeds, 10 tankers, and 5 gondolas,” Sammy told the old Porter.

  “That’s 40 freight cars!” Roger was surprised, “Yep, you need a helper.”

  “No, I don’t!” growled the 2-4-2, “I can handle this train myself.”

  “With this load, Sheldon Hill would win this fight,” Sammy bluntly told Howard, “Let me help you, Howard.”

  “Fuck off, old timer,” Howard angrily exclaimed.

  He blew his whistle and left the yard with the long train without letting Sammy speak. Roger looked at the long train; he was surprised at first that Howard could pull this train, but knowing that the challenge of the gradient could hinder his operation.

  “I think we need to follow him,” Mary suggested to Roger.

  “I agree,” the old Porter agrees with his coach, “I’ll speak to Mr. Hutton and Lizzy.”

  Mr. Hutton and Lizzy left a few minutes ago to grab some supplies for the last excursion, and when they came back, Roger told them what had happened.

  “Well, that doesn’t sound cute,” Lizzy grumbled.

  “And worse, he could be in a lot of trouble with James,” Mr. Hutton added.

  “Maybe if we leave a few minutes early…” Roger suggested, to which Mr. Hutton nodded.

  “It’s not a bad idea,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “We got mostly everything, and the passengers arrived, we just need you to re-water and refuel before you leave.”

  “That’ll be wonderful,” Roger smiled sadly, “Because I feel like Howard is pushing himself too far.”

  After Roger got water and fresh coal, and everything was ready for the last run, the excursion train left a few minutes early, which wasn’t a bad thing; the passengers didn’t mind. What they didn’t know was that Roger and his crew were behind Howard’s train a few minutes apart, since they were operating on the same branch line, but the old Porter is worried that the 2-4-2 is pushing his limits too much, and knowing that can be a huge problem later on.

  The branch line itself was nice, and the fields in the background gave it a soft and gentle feel to Roger. Despite the grim look of the Southerns’ two-foot gauge system, there were some nice and scenic moments; the old Porter hopes that some of the line will be preserved for passenger operation, the mainline operation so far was very nice, and the Southern was kind enough to treat the Roger Railway Preservation Society on their first sponsored mainline excursion.

  “Are you going to push that jerk up the gradient?” Mary asks Roger.

  “It’s the only way,” Roger told Mary, “If not, then the train is going to be late, he’s an asshole, but the customers don’t deserve their freight to be delayed.”

  Mary and the sisters smiled.

  “That’s very mature, Roger,” Mary smiled.

  “Very mature indeed,” Charlotte agrees with her sister.

  “Indeed, sis,” Anabel agrees as well.

  “You’ve really come a long way, Roger,” Taylor smiled, “First a preserved railway, now operating on the mainline.”

  But that comfort moment stopped as they saw a railroad workman at the side of the tracks, waving his arm like a flag, the old Porter slowed down to a stop.

  “I’m guessing that Howard got stuck?” Roger asks the worker.

  “Sadly,” the railroad worker nodded, “He’s stalled on Sheldon Hill, and you’re only a few minutes behind the train.”

  Roger looked at the mainline track and looked at the railroad worker.

  “I’ll push him,” Roger said with a serious look.

  The railroad worker nearly choked.

  “But that’s a heavy train!” He exclaimed.

  Mr. Hutton leaned out of the cab.

  “He pulled an injured engine with boxcars by himself,” Mr. Hutton told the railroad worker, “And he could very well push this train.”

  The railroad worker looked at Roger and Mr. Hutton, then he sighed.

  “I’ll let you do it,” He told the old Porter, “Mostly because I hate to see Howard in a stage like this.”

  “You’re Howard’s engineer or fireman?” Roger asks.

  “Former,” the railroad worker responded.

  It didn’t take too long for Roger to arrive at the end of the train, a caboose with a crewman with a flag, the old Porter stop, before Mr. Hutton got out and talked with the crew in the caboose, during that, Lizzy and the volunteers sanded the rails, being a long train, it was a long walk, but it seems like they got the okay. Mr. Hutton got back into Roger’s cab, and he gave the old saddletank a thumbs-up, to which the old Porter smiled and started moving up to the caboose.

  He coupled up to the caboose, and the passengers were leaning out to see what was happening. Roger slowly moved, bringing the pressure of his coupling to the caboose coupling; he could feel his wheels gripping on the sand. Roger could see he was moving, slowly, but he was moving, Mr. Hutton was leaning out of the cab, making sure that the old Porter wasn’t slipping and losing his traction. The passengers were now watching, taking photos, and taking film of this rare phenomenon. Roger blew his whistle, and to his surprise, he heard a whistle back.

  It was a slow process, but knowing that the train was moving made Roger happy, and happy that Howard was sharing his part of the process, the gradient could be felt on the old Porter’s wheels, the passengers on the excursion train couldn’t believe their eyes that their engine for the excursion train is pushing a stalled freight train, this was unbelievable, even Mr. Hutton and Lizzy were quite surprised of Roger’s own power, his coaches encourage him on.

  “You could do it, Roger!” Mary cried out, “Go on, buddy!”

  “Push on, Roger!” cried Taylor.

  “Come on, honey!” Anabel cheered on.

  “Let’s show the Southern on how we do this!” Charlotte cried happily.

  Those words of encouragement made Roger happy, and touched, he could feel the train and the weight on his coupling, the passengers were cheering him on, and the speed was slow enough that Lizzy got out and added sand to keep traction, Roger kept on going, it seems like it was a long gradient, and he could feel the hill getting to him, but he must not give up, he knows he could do this. Then all of a sudden, he could feel the train, much lighter, not heavy and straining his coupling. He looked at the side of the tracks, and he was on level track; he had completed the climb of Sheldon Hill as a helper engine.

  The train naturally uncoupled from Roger; the train wasn’t coupled on the old saddletank in the first place, but he was happy that he helped a stalled freight train. There was a passing loop that could be an ideal rest stop. After a pilot crew from Howard’s train switched the points to the passing loop siding, Roger slipped into the siding and stopped. He was exhausted.

  “You did it, Roger!” Mary cried happily.

  “Well done, sweetie!” Lizzy cried out happily as well and kissed Roger on his nose.

  “You’re the pride of your railway!” Mr. Hutton smiled proudly.

  The passengers got out of the train and thanked Roger. The old Porter was tired, but happy, knowing that he helped a train get through a tough situation. The same railroad worker came up with a surprised look on his face.

  “Of all 20 years of railroading on the Southern, this is a first for me,” the railroad worker said with complete shock, “Your engine is incredible.”

  “If you want, you could volunteer at our railway,” Mr. Hutton suggested as he pulled a small flyer out of his short pocket, “Your railroad expertise could help the volunteers.”

  The man looked at the flyer, which he grabbed from Mr. Hutton’s hands, and smiled.

  “I’ll be there before the summer season,” the railroad worker smiled.

  The man left the area soon after, before turning the points back to Roger so he could get back on the mainline. Meanwhile, the volunteers and Lizzy were servicing the old Porter, who felt relaxed and ready to continue on with the excursion. After the servicing, Roger blew his whistle and left the siding, making his way down the track. He was quite proud of his accomplishment of helping Howard and his freight train.

  Roger arrived at the yard, exhausted, but happy. He could see that the other railroad workers were looking and pointing at him; they were talking to him, the news of the old Porter being the helper engine spread around the yard, everyone came to Roger, locals, railfans, and even the railroad workers came up and talked to Mr. Hutton. The old Porter could see Howard in the yard; he looked at the 2-4-2, and he could see that the engine was ignoring him, probably feeling embarrassed by what just happened.

  Going through the crowd was James A. DeButts, who was making his way through the crowd like branches in a foliage, but smiled as he came up to Roger.

  “Roger,” He begin, “You and your crew did wonderful job operating three days of excursion on my railroad, and your general manager, and owner of the Roger Railway, and the Roger Railway Society did wonders preparing this excursion, and to think, I have to convince my brother to let you operate a weekend of excursions to prove him and I just did. You’re welcome to come back to our railroad anytime you want, as Mr Hutton said, you are the pride of your railway!”

  Mr. Hutton looked at Roger.

  “You’re a superstar locomotive, Roger, and I’m proud to have such a wonderful engine to work with,” He smiled at the old Porter.

  “You’re our favorite little engine!” Lizzy cheered as she kissed his cheek.

  “Here, here!” Mary agreed.

  “Our favorite little Porter!” cried out Taylor.

  “You made us proud!” Anabel smiled proudly.

  “Pride of our railway!” Charlotte grinned happily.

  Roger beamed happily, these 3 days were a success for him, and experiencing this run has made him grateful and humbled, and knowing that he’ll be coming home as a proud engine and the pride of the Roger Railway.

  June 14th, 2021

  “I’m still impressed with that mainline run,” Skylark commented on a warm Monday afternoon, “Didn’t that make it into the Guinness World Record?”

  “Yep,” Roger grinned, “Beat it a couple of times, 1968 and 2005.”

  “Anyway,” Esmee said, she came up to the cab and handed a soda to Skylark, “What happened to Howard?”

  “He died sadly,” Roger told the redhead, “Shed fire, he was too burnt for an overhaul, and scrapped him right on the spot, 1969.”

  Silence came to the two.

  “That’s terrible, despite he’s an asshole,” Skylark sighed, “Did you two make up?”

  “Kind of?” Roger guessed, “I know he made up with Sammy after he retired in late 1959.”

  “What happened to Sammy?” Esmee asks curiously.

  “He was purchased by a railfan, and operate at a railroad museum that connects to the Southern,” Roger told the redhead, “He would operate excursions on the Southern starting in 1960, and would often exchange passengers with 4501, though, his museum would have financial troubles, and it was closed in 2005, he was donated to the Hutton Steam Company and Museum, would operate there until 2008, where he would stay with us until 2010, where he was purchased by the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.”

  “Wow, talk about connections and revolutions,” Esmee said as she sat down on Roger’s footplate, “Anyway, it’s nice to operate you after a week-long rest after all that operation.”

  “Esmee, he worked back-to-back trains here, and the Hutton Steam Company,” Skylark shook her head, “Samuel wants Roger to be in good working order before the 70th Anniversary Event, he’s the pride of the Roger Railway after all.”

  This made Roger chuckle, which she’s right, he is the pride of his railway after all.