Chapter 14: Michigan Daylight

July 20, 2009, Owosso, MI

Dawn had just broken over the grounds of the Steam Railroading Institute and volunteers were busy putting together the last minute arrangements for what was to be the railroad event of the year, Train Festival 2009.

This festival was organized to not only celebrate the role of railroads in the United States, but to also serve as a fundraiser for Peter's next overhaul, which would was to be federally mandated by the end of the year.

Peter had just got himself situated into his display spot for which he would reside for most of the weekend. In addition to Peter, several other engines were attending, including his traveling stable mate, Hank, a small saddle tank engine who had gotten quite popular with tourist railways and museums that do not have the funds or facilities to operate steam engines.

"Morning Hank," Peter greeted, "ready for this weekend?"

"You bet," Hank smiled with his Upstate New York accent, "I can tell you I love this job. Much better than shuffling rock cars in the quarry in New York. And it just got better since Frederick and Tina are here to help out."

Peter looked over and saw two more saddle tank engines being fired up as well. Frederick, like Hank, was a privately owned locomotive that travelled to tourist lines and museums throughout the country. Tina on the other hand was owned by the Little River Railroad in nearby Coldwater, MI. Nearby sat Leviathan, a replica 4-4-0 locomotive of the Central Pacific #63. Having just been built, the festival would mark his public debut.

"Yeah, with what I've heard, the crowds are supposed to be huge," Peter said, "so you'll need all the help you can get."

"What about me?" said an elderly voice.

Rolling up next to Peter was very small 4-6-2 Pacific, coming to about Hank's height.

"Lisa, there you are," Peter said, "how are you feeling?"

"A little nervous," she said, "I've gotten so used to the trains in Coldwater, that I'm not sure I can haul these 2 hour trips they want me to do."

"Ah, don't need to worry about that," Peter said, "April volunteered to help you out since those will be push-pull. So she'll give you the extra push if you need it."

"Oh bless her heart," Lisa smiled.

"Speaking of which," Hank said, "where is your girlfriend anyways?"

"She said she got called out to Durand to pick up something from Huron guys," Peter said, "probably just the daily chore or something. Man, when is Nick getting here? He should've been here two hours ago."

"I know nothing about mainline railroading, so you've got me," Hank said.

Right as he said that, a familiar whistle was heard in the distance.

"There he is!" Peter said with a grin the size of Lake Superior. From around the bend, Nicholas came up to SRI grounds with his tool car and a short freight consist. Much like they did back in 1991, the two Berkshires gave off whistle salutes, which echoed throughout the town.

"Looking good, Nick!" Peter said as Nicholas was rotated on the turntable, "the guys in Ft. Wayne did a great job."

"Thank bud," Nicholas grinned and chuffed up to his friend, "man it has been way too long."

"Eighteen years is nothing compared to Forty," Peter chimed.

"True," Nicholas said, "it does feel great to be out and about again. Hopefully I can at least get up to 50 MPH this weekend. So far I've been restricted to tourist lines since CSX won't let us on their lines anymore and Norfolk Southern quit the steam business years ago."

"Oh yeah, I'm sure Great Lakes Central will let you," Peter said, "let me introduce you to everyone. This is my mate Hank, this little lady here is Lisa, and over there is Frederick, Tina and Leviathan."

"Nice to meet you all," Nicholas smiled.

"Likewise," Hank said, "well I best be off, the Gramlings need me."

"I must say Pete, you got quite the place here," Nicholas said, "I mean you've got a much bigger shop and a turntable. Makes my place in Ft. Wayne look puny."

"Nah," Peter said modestly, "I'm sure it's…"

Peter let his sentence hang when he saw large plume of smoke in the distance.

"Wait, was there supposed to be another engine here this weekend?" Peter asked.

"I'm not sure," Nicholas said, "everyone kept telling me it was just going to be us two as far as mainline power was concerned."

Nicholas' crew looked over to Tony, who was sitting in Peter's cab.

"Guys, I think it's time you've met the Daylight," he said.

"The what?" Peter said, but before Tony could answer, a loud and deep whistle echoed from the approaching engine. The engines went wide eyed as none of them had heard something so demonic sounding.

From behind the line of passenger cars, appeared a freshly painted in April in sky blue and white paint scheme, courtesy of the Great Lakes Central. From behind her however, was what made the engine's jaws drop in awe. There a, stood a beautiful streamlined 4-8-4 Northern, painted in a stunning orange and red paint scheme. The name 'Southern Pacific' stretched across the tender and a Lima's builder's plate was proudly mounted on her smokebox.

"Holy…" Nicholas said, as he observed the engine, "I have never seen an engine like that before."

"Neither have I," Peter said, before giving an impressed whistle.

"Doyle McCormack," Tony greeted a middle aged man as he stepped off the engine, "I'm glad you guys made it safely."

"Same here, Tony," the man greeted, "I'd like you to me my fireman, Samantha."

"Hello," the woman greeted.

"Same to you," Tony said, "Doyle you ready to head to the hotel?"

"Sure thing," Doyle said, "just let us get Erika positioned and we'll join you shortly."

And with that, they climbed back into the streamliner's cab and guided her into the SRI grounds.

"Erika, so that's her name," Nicholas said, "It's fits her well."

"I agree," Lisa said, "and she, just by looking at her, I can tell she has 'bitch' written all over her."

"Oh Lisa, don't say that," Peter said, "she may surprise you."

Once Erika had been turned and positioned to her display track, Doyle and Samantha depart to rejoin Tony.

"Okay Erika," Doyle said, "go ahead and get acquainted with everyone and we'll be in a little bit to grease your rods."

"Sure thing, Doyle," Erika said a bit reluctantly.

"And you behave," Samantha said once Doyle had turned around, "I don't want a repeat of what happened in Seattle."

"Yes, mommy," Erika said sarcastically.

"I mean it," Samantha said warningly, and turned to catch up with Doyle.

Erika looked all around, her expression as a clear sign as she was not impressed with the situation she was in.

"Well, it's not Sacramento or Los Angeles, but it will do I suppose," she said.

The other engines glared. Peter decided to break the silence.

"Well, my name is Peter," he said, "I'd like to welcome you to my home as my most honored guest. Tell us about yourself. What's your name? Where are you from?"

Erika looked at Peter with content. Peter swallowed assuming this wasn't going to end well.

"What is my name?" Erika asked as if she was offended, "there should be no need for introductions from me as you should know who I am."

Peter looked at Nicholas who simply shrugged. He had no idea who she was.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he said, "I'm we may be excursion engines like you, but we've never heard of you at all."

Erika gawked at Peter's response.

"Of course, bunch dumb rednecks who live in the middle of Buttfuck Nowhere would be so far off the grid that they would have never heard of me, Erika, the most beautiful locomotive in the world!"

"Hey, hey, hey," Peter shouted, "who are you calling 'rednecks'?! Nick and I here happen to be Detroit and Chicago raised! We've spent most of our lives here in the industrial Midwest that we've never really been in any contact with railroads from wherever the hell it is you're from?!"

"Told you she has 'Bitch' written all over her," Lisa stated matter-of-factually, but Peter ignored her.

"Look, I don't care if you're the most beautiful train in the world or not," Peter said, "you in my yard and you will follow both mine and SRI's rules. Got it missy?!"

"Also, get that ego of yours looked at, Princess," April called over, "it's about as big as your tender!"

Erika growled angrily.

Nicholas was taking no part in this banter, as for some reason he just had his eyes glued on Erika's tender. Its sleek design was like nothing he had ever seen.

Erika turned back and just starred at Peter, but from the look on his face she could tell he meant business.

"Fine," she sighed frustratingly, "I just want to get this weekend over with."

Everyone was quite for a few moments to let the tension between Peter and Erika die down before Peter spoke again.

"Okay, we got off on the wrong…driver…sort of speak," he said, "let's start over. I'm Peter and I'd like to welcome you to Owosso."

"Erika," the Daylight replied with a more relaxed tone, 'he seems nice. Maybe this weekend won't suck after all.'

The festival was soon under way as crowd from around the country, and possibly then entire world, gathered at the SRI grounds. In addition to the all day excursions and the one-hour rides, there were model railroads of all difference scales, a fully operational live steam railway, and various vendors selling souvenirs.

Photo sessions were held for photographers each night with all the engines gathered around the turntable.

The tank engines and Leviathan were kept busy with "At The Thorttle" sessions, which gave the general public a chance to operate a fully functional locomotive.

Peter and Nicholas meanwhile sat over at their displays sights. Erika at this time was out with the first excursion of the weekend to Alma.

"You know I'm curious as to why no one told any of us that she was coming," April said passengers boarded for the next run.

"Your guess is as good as mine, babe," Peter shrugged, "though, you've got to admit, her appearance here sure has boosted the amount of crowds. So that means more funding for my rebuild."

"Well I just hope she has a major attitude adjustment soon," Lisa added, "amazing that she was saved from the scrap yard."

"Hey guys, come on," Peter said, "cut Erika some slack will ya? I mean she's traveled all the way from Oregon to here. And this may be the only time we get to know her. So…"

"Wait, how did you know she was from Oregon?" Nicholas asked.

"She told me last night when everyone else was chatting. Originally she's from the Bay Area in California, but she's lived in Portland since '59, I think."

'She already has with that tender of hers,' Nicholas thought.

"And she told you and no one else?" April asked, growing suspicious.

"April…"Peter said before chuckling, "it wasn't like that at all. Sheesh, you need to let talk to other girls without you getting jealous. I'm surprised you never did when Lisa and Tina got here."

"Shut up," April said slightly embarrassed.

"What I'm getting at is that, she's not as bad as you guys think. Give her a chance, she may surprise you."

No one had noticed that Erika had just returned with her excursion and she practically heard their whole conversation. But much to her surprise, she smiled after hearing what Peter had said.

"I think that's the first time since Kollsvik someone's ever thought that about me," she said to herself. She then trundled over the others.

"Hey everyone," she announced, "I'm back. I have to say that wasn't the smoothest ride I've ever had, but I've had worse."

"Oh hi Erika," Peter said, "didn't notice you there. We were just talking about you."

"I can see that. I just want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. This is the longest trip I've done in decades, I've hardly had any sleep, and I'm in unfamiliar turf. I know I'm just making excuses, but all the shit I said yesterday was clearly uncalled for. So…uh…sorry?"

The other engines stayed silent. Peter coaxed them as best as he could.

"Alright," Lisa said, "I believe it."

"Me too," Nicholas agreed.

"Thank you," Erika smiled and the other engines went about their assignments. All except April. When Peter was out of her sight, she rolled up towards Erika.

"I forgive you," she said catching the Daylight off guard, "but if you try any funny business with Peter..."

And she ended her sentence with that and proceeded to catch up to Lisa, leaving Erika terribly confused.

"What the hell was that about?!" she exclaimed.

By the second night of the festival and Erika had pretty gotten accustomed to everyone and the festival activities. After a long day of pulling another excursion to Alma, she wanted to rest her wheels, but not before having another opportunity to pose for photographers during the evening photo session. Placed between Peter and Nicholas (who still was desperately trying to keep his eyes off Erika's tender) like she had the night before, she made sure her orange and red stood out as much as possible from everyone else.

The other engines meanwhile just put on the best smiles that they could.

It was then all hell broke loose.

"Has anyone ever told you that you have a fine looking tender," came a deep voice next to her.

Erika's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she glanced over to Nicholas, who had just then clamped his mouth shut after realizing what he just unintentionally blurted out.

The yard went silent except for the all the cameras still clicking. The other engines with wide eyes starred at Nicholas who was frightened for his life. He watched as Erika face went from shocked and surprised to twisted and angry like someone ready to kill.

"EXCUSE ME?!" he bellowed, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?!"

"Uh...I...uh...uh..." Nicholas stammered, still too scared to properly form a sentence.

'Smooth move dumbass,' Peter thought as he gave Nicholas a disapproving look. But before Nicholas could finally get his words put together, Erika suddenly moved forward onto the turntable and rotated towards his line. She then moved forward until her face was a millimeter from his. All the while, the photographers just thought this was part of the session.

"How dare you," she growled, "how dare you say that to me! No one speaks to me like that!"

"Well so much for being nice," Lisa whispered to April, although they were both in full support of her ranting.

As Erika continued to bellow into Nicholas' face, he glanced over to Peter with a pleading look.

"Sorry Nick," Peter said, "you're on your own with this one. Well, I'm going to sleep night everyone."

And with that Peter reversed back to his display spot.

"I'm confused," said Leviathan, "what's so wrong about him complementing her tender?"

"Since you're the new guy, I'll enlighten you," said Hank, "he basically just said the engine equivalent of a human female having a nice ass."

Leviathan processed this information for moment.

"Oh!" he laughed, "I get it now!"

Sodor 2015

"BWAHAHAHA!" Daemon laughed, "boy I wish I coulda seen da looks on Nick's and on Lil' Darlin's faces! HAHAHA!"

"Hell maybe you will this summer!" Peter laughed as well.

Erika laughed as well, but wasn't too amused with Peter bringing that part up.

"You're not still mad at him for that are you?" Peter asked.

"No not really," Erika sighed, "I've moved on from that. I mean, he did apologize…with me screaming in his face."

"I'm sure he's forgotten about it too," Peter yawned, "I think we've been up long enough. I think I'm gonna get some shut eye. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Erika said, but then she remembered something, "Oh and Peter?"

"Yeah?"

"Does Nick really think my tender looks good…?"

Okay everyone, this will be the last chapter for the next six to eight weeks. Why do you may ask? Well, during that time I will be busy with BNSF Railway and the National Academy of Railroad Sciences for training to become a conductor and later on engineer, a dream almost 20 years in the making. You guys have been awesome! Next chapter will written sometime in early June.

Lisa = Little River 4-6-2 #110

Hank = Flagg Coal Co. 0-4-0T #75

Leviathan = Central Pacific 4-4-0 #63 Replica

Frederick = Viscose 0-4-0T #6

Tina = Little River 0-4-0-T #1