Logan faces the stress of maintaining a schedule when he pulls the Chessie's first test train across the entire CO mainline from Washington, D.C. to Cincinnati, Ohio. He has friends that support him, and despite his pessimistic brother's fears, he succeeds. Enjoy!
-Harizon
Washington, D.C, c. 1946
It was the day of Logan's test run of the Chessie. He had been thorougly checked over by the workmen at the D.C. roundhouse and was waiting at Sixth Street Station. The train was to start at noon, and would reach Cincinnati at a quarter till midnight. A paparazzi of people had gathered at the station, some to ride in the test train, while most arrived to take pictures. Logan smiled as he was showered with praise. But he knew he would have to work hard to impress Mr. Young. He felt dreadfully nervous inside as he waited to depart. As he waited, a streak of blue came heading into the station from the opposite direction on the other track. It slowed down to a stop at the platform. Logan recognized the engine, but she had no idea who he was. Nonetheless, she gave him a polite smile.
"Hello there," she said, "I've not seen you around here. Who are you?"
Logan grinned. "Don't you remember? It's me, Logan. I'm about to pull a test train for the Chessie. How have you been, Caitlin?"
Caitlin looked surprised. "Logan? I thought you were a Pacific. And last I checked, you weren't streamlined or painted orange."
Logan's grin widened. "Me and my brothers had a rebuild at the Huntington Shops."
"All aboard!" shouted the conductor.
"I better get going," said Logan, "Can you tell Connor that I said hi?"
Caitlin smiled. "I will. Good luck, Logan!" Logan whistled loudly before pulling out of the station.
The run was uneventful all the way to Charlottesville, apart from a water stop because Logan had not refilled his tender after arriving in D.C. This did not put them terribly far behind schedule. He pulled into Charlottesville Union Station, where his brother Lucas was waiting. Lucas had had his sense of pride greatly elevated by his rebuild, despite being 20 years old. He was also in a relationship with a NW J named Marley, who had previously dated both Charlie and Lord Baltimore.
"Hello Logan," said Lucas arrogantly, "you're 15 minutes late."
Logan sighed. "Had to make a water stop. I can make up for lost time on the way to Ashland."
"You'd better," replied his brother, "or else Young won't debut the Chessie if he thinks we're unreliable. Then we'll be scrapped for sure."
Logan was apalled at such an idea. "He wouldn't do that. He just had us rebuilt," he said, "Well, I should get to Kentucky so I don't delay Luther."
"Agreed," said Lucas, who was ready to depart for Norfolk with some of Logan's passengers. "Well, what are you waiting for? Marley is waiting for me to get off work so I can meet her."
Logan scowled as he watched his brother leave. Sure, Lucas had always been arrogant, but he was never this bad. Lucas' words about them getting scrapped circled in Logan's smokebox, along with Kaleb's fear that the regular steamers would be retired if the turbines were successful. He stopped for coal in Charleston, mostly so that he could calm his nerves. As he waited for the switches to be aligned, he heard a deep hooter whistle. At first, he thought it was either Kaleb or one of his brothers, but as the engine came into view, he learned that it was actually Sam, a Virginian Rail Company "Blue Ridge".
"Howdy. Who are you, little one?" he said to the Hudson. Like Caitlin, Sam did not know about Logan and his brothers being rebuilt. But he recognized Logan's face and his number. "Oh it's you, Logan! Long time no see, bud! I like your shrouding!"
"Thanks, Sam. It's good to see you again. I'm being reassigned for a new passenger train called the Chessie."
"That's awesome," said Sam.
"I thought so, too." Logan's face turned from a grin to a depressed frown.
"What's the matter? I thought you'd enjoy being pride of the CO."
"That's just it. Me and my brothers are meant to pull connections to Norfolk and Louisville for this train. Baldwin's building these new steam turbine engines to haul this train primarily, and I fear we may get displaced if they are successful. Even Kaleb is worried that he'll be retired in favor of a freight-hauling turbine. If that's the case, your brothers on the CO are in danger of being sent to the smelter!"
"Logan," started Sam, "that will not happen. Though you may be only intended for connections, what if the turbines fail? You'll be promoted to being pride of the line in no time! But if they do succeed, you've got nothing to worry about if you and your brothers do your absolute best. Though management may only award the results and not the efforts, it's worth a try. I know my brothers and I would push ourselves harder than ever go keep up with such demand."
Logan sighed. "Maybe you're right, Sam," he said, feeling a bit less terrified. Then he realized what time it was. "Oh crap! I'd better get to Ashland if I want the tiniest chance of success! Bye, Sam!" And before Sam could return with a goodbye whistle, Logan had raced towards Kentucky in a streak of silver.
Logan took Sam's words with a lot of thought as he rushed through West Virginia. Kaleb's fears, Lucas' harsh words, and Sam's reassurance was all swirling in his smokebox. He was so lost in thought that he didn't realize where he was until he passed through Huntington, where Bob waved to him from the shops he was rebuilt at previously. Logan felt better and whistled back to Bob. A few minutes later, Logan pulled into Ashland where his brother Luther was waiting. Luther was much kinder than Lucas was, and was always there for his brothers when they needed him.
"Good evening, Logan," he said as his brother pulled into the station.
Logan smiled, but felt depressed inside. He'd had a good relationship with his brother, and would not want to see him smelted because of his own shortcomings.
"How was your trip?" asked Luther.
"Great. I got to speak with Caitlin and Sam today. Man, you should've seen their faces when they realized that I was streamlined!"
Luther chuckled. "I imagine they're doing well?"
"They are," said Logan. "But I am worried about the new turbine locomotives that are being built."
"It's alright, Logan," comforted Luther, "If for whatever reason Young retires us, remember that we've put out over 20 years of good service. Not many steam engines can say that."
Logan perked up. "You're right," he said to his brother. "Well, I'd better head on towards Cincinnati."
"Goodbye, Logan," said Luther politely.
As Logan departed Ashland, he pressed hard to reach Cincinnati on time. He was praying to himself that there would be no red signals, for that would be the only reason he would stop at this point. He had plenty of coal and water, he would have been told if there was an accident on the mainline, and all of the switches were aligned for him when the journey started. Logan was very worried that he would get caught by a red signal, and sure enough, he had to stop for one in South Portsmouth.
"Well there goes my chance at being useful," he said, irritated. Logan was thinking about what Luther had said in Ashland. It WAS true that he and his brothers had been in service for 20 years by this point, but what good would that be if they were not up to the task even after being rebuilt? As Logan waited, he heard a whistle that was similar to his own. He looked to his side as a black engine that was the same size as him stopped at the signal. This engine was yet another one of his brothers, Lenny. Though he was not streamlined like Logan, Lucas, or Luther, he was still proud of his enhanced abilities.
"Hey there, Logan," said Lenny, "How's the test train coming along?"
"Fine, except I might be running late. Damned red signal."
Lenny laughed. "I hope you enjoy the Chessie, because I'm content with the other trains."
"I'm not so sure about that," said Logan, "Matter of fact, I think you'd like being streamlined."
Lenny snorted. "Matter of fact, I think you'd like my wheel in your tender. Now move along."
Logan rolled his eyes and darted onwards when the signal changed to green. When Logan finally reached Cincinnati Union Terminal, he was relieved that he had arrived ahead of schedule. It may have only been by 4 minutes, but to Logan, it was the greatest feeling in the world to be on time, especially after the day that he had spent worrying over something that could end in his favor.
When he arrived, he found his last brother, Leon, waiting for him. Leon was kind like Logan and Luther, but he did not take any of Lucas' complaininh to heart.
"Logan! You're early!" said Leon, overjoyed that his brother had succeeded. Logan returned with an exhausted smile and a friendly whistle.
"I must say," said a voice, "that was the best demonstration I have ever seen, by any locomotive from any railroad!" Out of Leon's cab stepped a smartly dressed man. It was Robert R. Young, the President of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
"Mr. Young!" gasped Logan, not expecting to see his boss so suddenly. He was nervous, even though he knew he was getting praised for his efforts.
"Logan," continued Mr. Young, "as of this moment, you and your brothers are the pride of the CO! You have performed well, and I expect great things to come of you when the Chessie goes into full service."
"I won't disappoint you, sir," said Logan.
"Me neither," added Leon.
"And neither will I," said another voice. It was Kenny, a Kanawha who had witnessed the entire ordeal. He was a bit of a worrier, just like hia brother Kaleb. "Sir," he said, "please don't replace me and my brothers and cousins if these turbines are a success. We will work our absolute hardest."
Mr. Young chuckled. "I will promise you this, Kenny," he began, "you will not be replaced by turbines even if they are successful. As powerful and efficient as Baldwin says they will be, they are not well suited for freight service. Only you and your brothers can do that." He paused impressively. After a minute of silence, he spoke again. "However, I will gladly take you up on your offer to do your absolute best. That is all I ask of any of my engines."
Kenny smiled. "Thank you sir. We won't let you down."
At the end of the day, Mr. Young was the proudest president of any railroad in any part of the country. He was especially pleased with his engines, who were also proud to work for him.
A/N: This story IS canon with the official Thomas universe, so Caitlin, Connor, and Sam are in fact one and the same with their TV series counterparts. Other official characters may appear in the future.
Caitlin: BO P-7 #5304
Lucas: CO L-1 #491
Sam: VGN AG #906
Luther: CO L-1 #493
Lenny: CO L-1 #494
Leon: CO L-1 #492
Kenny: CO K-4 #2705