Sorry for the VERY long wait. However, the series is back, and ready to introduce a character from Thomas and Friends.
Pennsylvania Power Part 1-By Trainmaster97, Co-Written by D.J. Scales
Freight trains are a big source of income on the Grand Central. They are pulled by the railway's most powerful engines. These include Sam, Jake, Hercules, Xander, Selina, Allie, and Andrew. However, Salvatore had recently been added to the team. However, he was a diesel engine, and was able to pull more cars than Sam and Jake could, but was still outmatched by the others.
However, recently, it seemed like there was too much freight for even those eight engines. They were all pushed to their limit pulling trains that seemed much too heavy for them. "This, is, ridiculous. Why (huff) is there (huff) so many (huff) CARS" asked Jake while he pulled a fifty car long train to the yards.
The drivers could see that this was taking its toll on the engines, and decided to speak to Mr. Copper about it.
"If this keeps up, you'll be spending more money on repairs than you will be earning from the runs" said Jake's driver one day. He was in Mr. Copper's office, talking about the situation.
"Yes, I do see what you mean. But what shall we do then" asked Mr. Copper.
Jake's driver pulled out a piece of paper and set it on the desk. It had many calculations on it "Me and the other freight drivers have done the math, and we think that just one more big engine could help out a lot" he said.
Mr. Copper looked over the paper, seeing that each calculation was right. "Well it seems you did your math correctly, however, I did promise myself that I wouldn't buy anymore engines. I don't see how we can afford it at this time" he said.
"Well the call is up to you sir, we are just making a suggestion" said Jake's driver, and then he turned and walked out. Mr. Copper looked at the door, then down at the paper again. "Can I still keep a promise when my engines need help" he asked himself. He continued to think about it for the rest of the day.
Two Weeks Later
Selina had just arrived back at the shunting yards. She had taken a large shipment of steel to the smelters yard. Now she was back, and had to take a load of machinery to the Munitions factory.
"Great, just more heavy loads to take long distances" she said angrily as she was coupled up. Selina was a large cab-forward engine, so the loads were never too heavy for her. However, the constant running around was starting to wear her down.
She was constantly tired, and didn't pay much attention to her surroundings. So, she didn't hear another engine approaching her.
"I just wish we had some help. Me and others can't do it by ourselves" she said.
"Then, I guess it's a good thing I'M here to help" said a voice. And then, a dark blue Pennsylvania Railroad K4 with red wheels, and red lining pulled up next to Selina.
"Hey, were did you come from" asked Selina, a little surprised.
"You mean what state, or where I was before I was here right now" asked the engine.
"Uh, I don't know, both" said Selina, a tiny bit confused.
"Well before I was here, I was back a few feet. And as to what state, I'm from Pennsylvania" said the engine.
"Oh, well, okay than. So, what's your name" asked Selina, now a little less confused.
"My name's Hank, what's yours" asked Hank.
"My name is Selina" said the cab-forward engine.
"Well howdy Selina, it's going to be a pleasure working with ya" said Hank. He had a nice Texas accent.
"Uh, same. Hey, if you don't mind me asking; if you're from Pennsylvania, then how come you sound like you're from Texas" asked Selina.
"Well that's an easy one; I've been down ta Texas so many times, I've adopted their accent. Suits me don't ya think" said Hank.
Selina thought it over; that voice did suit that accent. "Yes, I suppose so" she said.
"Great, now it's been great talking to ya Selina, but I have work ta do. Hope ta see ya later" said Hank as his whistle blew. Then he puffed away from the yards pulling a train of seventy cars.
Later, on the main line, Hank was puffing towards New York. His large supply of furniture and appliances were going to a distributing site by New York Harbor. It seemed like a normal run, but Hank would soon learn that this wasn't going to be a normal haul.
Hank left Ohio and rolled, ironically, into Pennsylvania. "Aw, it's good ta be home" he said as they rolled over the state line. "Though, I haven't been gone too long. But it feels nice non the less" he said with a smile.
But as Hank looked around at his home state, him, his driver, his fireman, and Conductor didn't see that a black ford car was running alongside the train. Inside it were three men, and one woman. All the men were dressed in black suits, but the woman was wearing jeans, a brown trench coat, and she had a black cowboy hat over her waist length raven black hair.
"You sure about his Boss? It looks like a normal freight train to me" said the man in the front seat.
"I'm positive Fred, I've gotten knowledge telling me that there's more than furniture on that train. And if the info is right, then we score this, and we'll do more good for America than ourselves" said the woman in the coat.
"If it does more good to America than us, why are we doing it" asked the man next to her.
"I say that in a rhetorical way. We'll still profit the most from it, but America will get a slice of the pie to" said the woman.
"Oh, I like pie, can I have a slice to" asked the driver.
"IT'S A METAPHOR YOU IDIOT" screamed the woman, clearly annoyed.
"Oh, sorry Jessie" said the driver. But he suddenly let out a yelp because the woman had slapped the back of his head.
"AND DON'T CALL ME THAT, STICK TO BOSS" she screamed. She leaned back in the seat and regained composure.
"So, how did you get that intelligence you talked about" asked Fred.
Jessie thought back to when she had.
Two Days ago
The Yard Manager was busy overlooking the schedule when he heard a feminine voice.
"Hello there sir," Jessie said showing up in a pink and white dress and her hair was tied into a ponytail, "Wha'cha doin?"
"Nothing much miss, just going over the schedule for the trains in the next two days," the Manager said.
"Well what's going in them?" Jessie asked turning up the charm.
"Just some furniture," the manager said keeping a straight face.
"Is that all?" Jessie asked moving closer till she was within arm's length.
"That's pretty much it," the manager said still doing his best to keep a straight face but what he didn't know was that as Jessie was flirting with him she took a sheet of paper from his pocket.
"Oh, well thanks for letting me know. I'm just really interested in railways" she said before walking away.
Back to Present
"Let's just say I was able to persuade a workman" said Jessie, taking the paper from her trench coat. "This is what we're shooting for" she said, handing the paper to the one on her left.
He took the paper, unfolded it, and read it.
"Dear Mr. Copper
As you are aware, soldiers across the sea are in need of weapons. We have given them as much as possible, but it seems that they need newer, more advanced weapons. Because of this, we have arranged for new M1941 Johnson machine guns to be sent to them. However, it has become clear that multiple munition trains are being robbed all over America. So to keep the weapons from thieves, we are arranging for the guns to be smuggled to New York Harbor. A train of furniture is due to depart to the Harbor within the next few days. We will use this as a cover for transporting the guns. The crates they will be in look the same as the ones used to hold the furniture. However, they will have a special symbol on the side to alert the men which crates they are in. We appreciate your cooperation, and promise that no harm will come to your railway.
Signed, Dwight D. Eisenhower"
"So, were going to rob the train of the guns" asked the driver.
"No, I am" said Jessie.
The men, except the driver, looked at her in shock. "What do you mean you're doing this. We're all a part of this" said the one in the front.
"Yes, but we need to be quick and sneaky, and that will be accomplished if I go in alone. Any Objections" she asked bitterly. None of the men said anything.
"Good, now keep an eye on the train. The moment is stops at a signal, I'll jump on. You fallow it, and if it stops again, we'll unload the weapons" said Jessie.
"And what if it doesn't stop before it reaches New York" asked the man in the front.
Jessie gave an angry look "I hope that doesn't happen, because I would really hate to have to use one of those guns" she said bitterly. The men were silent the rest of the time.
Meanwhile, Hank was having a polite conversation with his driver. It was hard to do, mostly because of the sound Hank was making. But it wasn't hard if they kept shouting.
"SO WHAT'S IN THESE HERE CARS ANYWAY" shouted Hank.
"FURNITURE, IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE DISTRIBUTING PLANT NEAR NEW YORK HARBOR! AND WE HAVE TO GET IT THERE FAST" shouted the driver.
"WHY" asked Hank.
"BEATS ME, BUT WE JUST HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO" shouted the driver. Then he looked ahead, and saw that they were approaching a red signal. "Slow him down" he said to the fireman as he applied Hank's brakes.
"Now's our chance. GO GO GO" shouted Jessie. The driver turned the wheel and rolled off the road. They pushed past some bushes, and soon were right next to the train. "You lot fallow that steam engine. I'll find the weapons and get them ready" said Jessie as she stepped out of the car.
"You got it boss" said the man in the back. After Jessie was out, the men headed back towards the road.
"Alright, let's get this over with" said Jessie as she turned to the train. "Now how to get in quietly" she asked.
But up at the front, the red signal turned green. "Off we go" said Hank as his driver started to move him forward.
"Okay, right now, just get on" said Jessie as he moved to keep up with the train. She looked at the cars, hoping to find a door that wasn't locked. But instead, she found a latter leading to the roof. "It'll have to do" she said, and she grabbed it and pulled herself up. And just in the nick of time, because just then, Hank sped up, which would have left her far behind.
Hank and his crew were completely oblivious to the fact that they had an extra passenger aboard. They were more concerned about the signalman flagging them down. The driver stopped Hank again and went to see what was wrong.
"Work is being done on some old track up ahead. It lasts for a good distance, and could cause damage. I can switch you to another line, but it will take longer to get to New York" said the signalman.
"Oh no, we can't do that. We have to get to New York as fast as we can. If it's possible, can we just take the bumpy track. We have experience, and all our cargo is completely secure, so no damage to either engine or cargo" said the driver.
"I'm going to need some paperwork first, showing that you absolutely need to arrive on time" said the signalman.
"Very well, hold on one moment" said the driver as he walked back to the cab to get the papers.
Meanwhile, Jessie had climbed to the top of the car. "Good, now to find a way in" she said. She scanned the top, and saw something that made her day much easier. There was a hatch right in the middle of the car. "Bingo" she said as she walked over to it. She undid the lock, opened the hatch, and peered in. It was dark, but it was okay since Jessie had a flashlight. She turned it on and pointed it inside. There were stacks upon stacks of crates. "Now all I have to do is find the one with the symbol on it" said Jessie.
Up at the front, the driver had collected the papers and handed them to the signalman, who was reading them. "Well everything seems in order, and you are sure you can handle the rails and your cargo is tied down" he asked.
"Yes sir, did a thero check before we left" said the driver.
"Very well then, I'll send you down that line. But be careful now" said the signalman, handing back the papers.
"Will do" said the driver, and he walked back towards Hank.
So the signalman set the points, and soon Hank was ready. "Let's go. If we need ta get to New York Harbor' on time, then we need to get this train a moving" said Hank.
"Alright, Alright" said the driver, and with a pull of a leaver, Hank was off.
Jessie felt the movement and almost fell over. "Darn, were off" she said. Looking down at the hatch, she lowered herself down into it. Soon, only her hands were holding her up. She grabbed the hatch "Hre wve goa" she said (she had the flashlight in her mouth, meaning to say "Here we go"). And she let go of the edge, dropping and slamming the hatch shut as well.