Since that night, Thomas and Johnny had gotten along even better than before. Thomas whiled away the journey time by telling Johnny about his adventures or the adventures of his friends. There were a lot of stories! Thomas even mentioned the Skarloey Railway, a so-called "narrow-gauge" railway that he'd seen once while visiting the works. Johnny found it very difficult to wrap his head around the concept of a different width between rails.
Johnny also listened to stories of the evil Diesel, who tried to get Duck thrown out of the yard by lying.
"It just goes to show that diesels have always been cruel and evil," observed Johnny.
"Nononono!" exclaimed Thomas. "Don't get the wrong idea! Diesel was a jerk, and these diesels are jerks too. But not all diesels are bad, and not all steamies are good. Remember Rusty? Or Boco? Or Daisy? There are good diesels, kid, remember that."
About a week after leaving the Auction House, they finally approached the Capitol. As they got closer, more and more diesels started to appear, and the going got slower.
"What are we gonna do when we get to the city?' asked Johnny.
"I know a guy," said Thomas.
Thomas led Johnny to an older yard, mostly full of rotting coal hoppers, where few diesels worked. There, Thomas stopped at a turntable in front of an old shed.
"Hey, Leo!" called Thomas.
Johnny was surprised. Could a steamie really live this close to the Capitol 10/20?
"Remember what I said earlier," whispered Thomas.
Johnny didn't have a chance to say anything, for, just then, a battered but young-looking freight diesel rattled out of the shed. Johnny started to run away, but the diesel stopped and just glared at him.
"Who're you?" Leo asked in a gruff voice.
"We're looking for passage into the city," said Thomas nonchalantly.
The diesel laughed until he choked. "Two steamers wantin' passage INTO the city? Ha! Ya gotta death wish or summat?"
"I've got oil. High quality," said Thomas.
"I already got oil," said Leo dismissively.
"It's Arab," said Thomas.
Leo whistled. "Arab? That's good oil. The Arabs ain't been shipping since their "Federation" got bombed by China. Where'd ya get it?"
"Places," said Thomas with a straight face.
Leo sighed. "Rations have been tight . . . Bring me twenty car's worth tomorrow at six on the dot. I think I can getcha in."
Johnny choked. "You could fly a plane with that much oil!"
Leo smiled. "And a train's gonna fly in it?"
Johnny scowled, but a glare from Thomas kept him quiet.
Leo continued, "Now, I don't know whys two steamers wanna get into the city, but I can guess there's gonna be trouble down the line."
"Just remember, I didn't say nothin' 'bout getting you out."