The Day America Stood Still-By Trainmaster97
December 7th, 1941
The weather was cold and wet on that Sunday afternoon. It seemed normal enough, especially for the time of year. It meant huddling up next to a fire and reading a nice book. Well, if you were a person anyway.
But if you were an engine, it would mean thundering down the line with cold rain splashing your face and clouding your vision. It meant drivers and firemen had to use any spare moment they could to get next to the fire to keep warm. It meant having to be careful of ice forming on the rails, and making sure to keep the passengers comfortable.
But it would seem that not all the engines were working.
12:40 PM
At this time, Ramsey Sheds would be empty. All the engines would be out doing their work. But today, all the engines were still in the shed.
The Baldwin Locomotive Works had built new steam engines, and they needed to be tested. So Mr. Copper was asked if they could test them on his railroad. He agreed, and it was decided that the new engines could take the jobs of his current engines for a week. So for now, the engines that stay at Ramsey sheds were allowed to "sit down" and relax.
And how do engines relax for a week, by listening to music, sleeping, and talking to each other.
The engines that were at the sheds were Sam, Roku, Matthias, Albus, Merida, Jake, Jaime, and Rose. But Albus' driver and Roku's fireman were there to.
Albus' driver wouldn't normally have been at the sheds on a week off. But his house was getting some repairs done, so he needed to go somewhere. And since all the bars in town were closed, this was the best he could do.
But Roku's fireman was here for a different reason. His house didn't need repairs, and he didn't drink on Sunday anyway. The reason he was here was because he needed to get away from a house with rowdy kids. His son kept asking him to tell him stories about his job on the railroad, and his daughters we having a dramatic argument about whose doll was prettier. So, he decided to come here, knowing it would be quieter than at home.
After the two had talked (to see why they were each here) they brought the radio in from the break room, and connected it to some speakers in the shed. The music flowed through them, and allowed engines on the other side of the shed to hear. But not all the engines were listening to music.
Sam, Jake, and Samantha were listening to Roku. He was telling stories of his time in Japan.
"I was an experimental locomotive. I was built in 1931 as a test engine for my class. But they were not completely convinced of my performance that they held off on building more of my class. Maybe they're building them right now. Anyway, after a year of testing, I was sent over here to work. And I'm glad I did. Turns out I came here because Mr. Copper needed me. If he hadn't bought me, they said I would have been scrapped" said Roku.
"Wow, that was a close call" said Samantha.
"It was" said Roku.
"But don't you miss Japan" asked Sam.
"At first I did, but I soon adjusted. Plus I've spent more time here than I have in Japan. I don't even sound Japanese anymore" said Roku.
"Do you still speak Japanese" asked Sam.
Roku smiled "実際のところ、私がやる" he said.
"What" asked Samantha?
"I said 'As a matter of fact, I do'" said Roku.
"Oh, I see. But I have to ask Roku, do you still support your country, even though they're the enemy" asked Jake.
"Well, I don't want my home country to be entirely annihilated. However, I don't want them to win either" said Roku.
"Well I'm sure that everything is going to be fine" said Samantha.
"I hope so" said Roku.
3:48 PM
The engines were now all listening to the radio. The song that was playing was Chattanooga Choo Choo by Harry Warren. The song had been released earlier that year, and was becoming very popular. And all the engines liked it, but that was expected, seeing as the song was about trains.
"Is there even a station at Chattanooga" asked Rose.
"Yes there is, I've been there. It's called Terminal Station" said Matthias.
"Wow, I wonder if I'll ever…" but then Rose was cut off. The song had ended right at the words "So Chattanooga Choo Choo" and a beeping sound could be heard.
"Attention, Attention, This Is An Emergency News Broadcast" said a man. The engines listened carefully.
"AMERICA HAS BEEN ATTACKED, I REPEAT, AMERICA HAS BEEN ATTACKED" shouted the man. All the engines gasped, and so did Roku's driver and Roku's fireman.
"We have witnessed this morning the attack on Pearl Harbor on the island Oahu by Japanese army planes. The city of Honolulu has also been attacked and considerable damage done. This battle has been going on for nearly three hours. It's no joke. It's a real war" said the announcer.
The engines were lost for words. Never had they thought that America would be attacked, especially since it wasn't taking part in the war. Now, Japan had attacked, and none of them knew what was going to happen next.
Most of the engines were listening to the broadcast, but Sam, Jake, and Samantha were looking at Roku.
His face was unsettling. He looked both shocked and scared.
"Roku" said Samantha.
"No Samantha, I think Roku needs to be left alone" said Sam.
Samantha looked at him, then at Roku. "I'm so sorry Roku" she said to herself.
The engines remained silent for the rest of the day. Roku's fireman went home to his family. But Albus' driver stayed until evening with the other engines. The radio was on constantly, and even when music filled the shed once more, none of the engines bothered listening. The only thing they would listen to was news on Pearl Harbor, and what the Government was going to do.
It wasn't until the next day that they got any answers.
December 8th, 1941
12:30 PM
The engines all listened carefully to the radio. President Franklin Roosevelt was about to come and address the situation. None of the engines knew what to expect. What was he going to say? Finally, the speech started.
(Over Radio)
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
The engines were all silent. The crowd may have been cheering over the radio, but none of the engines where.
"Did he just" started Samantha.
"Yes Samantha…they've declared war on Japan" said Matthias.
"Oh my Gosh" said Rose.
"What'll happen now" asked Jaime.
"I don't know, but it isn't going to be good" said Albus.
Sam looked over at Roku, who had remained silent since yesterday. "Roku, please say something. What do you think of all of this" he asked.
Roku sighed "It's my worst nightmare. I never wanted America to get involved in this war. And never did I think Japan would be stupid enough to actually ATTACK America" he said sadly.
"None of us did. But remember, we're all here for you Roku" said Merida.
"That's right, you're not alone" said Jake.
A small tear formed in Roku's eyes, and he smiled. "Thank you everyone. I…I don't know what to say" he said.
"Just know one thing, everything will work out fine" said Sam.
December 9th, 1941
The week of the engines rest had ended, and they were now going back to work.
Matthias had to leave early for his morning train, and puffed out of the shed, hoping work would take his mind off the craziness that was going on.
The other engines were simmering as their crews prepared them for work. Roku had to leave first, since his train was next.
"I'll see you all when I get back" said Roku, and he headed towards the station.
But not a moment after he left, the engines heard puffing. Then, an engine pulled up to the shed. All the engines gasped.
Roku puffed into Heartland Station, ready to pull his morning train. The platform was full of people. But as he puffed through the station, people started looking at him. However, it wasn't in a normal way. They looked disgusted by him, and some look cross.
"What's a JAP engine doing here" shouted a man. Roku was taken back, he had never been called something so insulting.
"My children aren't getting on a train pulled by our enemy" said a woman, who held her children closer.
Roku's driver climbed down from the cab. "Hey, Roku may be Japanese, but he isn't supporting their actions. He's an American just like you" he said.
"Wrong, any Jap is an enemy. And you're going against your country by driving that thing" said a man, point at the driver.
"We're not boarding our train unless an AMERICAN engine is brought in" shouted a man.
"But this is my job, it's what I do. I'm just as sick at Japan as you are" said Roku.
"LIER" screamed someone, and then a rock was thrown at Roku.
"Hey, who threw that" asked the fireman. But then another rock was thrown.
"Get out of here" shouted a man as more rocks were thrown. One even went through Roku's cab window.
"HEY" screamed someone, then something flew through the air and smacked into Roku's boiler. It was a paint can, which had cracked open, and now red paint covered the side of the boiler.
"That's it, let's get you out of here Roku" said the driver, and he reversed Roku out of the station and back to the sheds.
When Roku got back to the sheds, he expected it to be empty. But it wasn't…Matthias was there as well.
"Matthias, what are you doing here. I thought you had to take your morning train" asked Roku as he puffed onto the turntable.
"When I got to the station, people started yelling and throwing things at me. Someone even painted the Nazi sign on my tender when my Driver and Fireman were distracted" said Matthias.
Roku looked back, and saw the Nazi symbol on Matthias' tender. "I'm so sorry Matthias" he said.
"Well it looks like you got a beating to" said Matthias, looking at the dents, broken window, and paint blob on Roku.
"I'm just surprised people think I'm the enemy. I've been on this railroad for 10 years" said Roku.
But before more could be said, a black car pulled up. Mr. Copper stepped out and walked over to the two.
"Roku, Matthias, I heard about what happened at Heartland Station. I can't believe people would attack you" he said.
"It's because of the attack on Sunday sir. People don't trust us anymore" said Roku.
"They don't just not trust us, they hate us" said Matthias.
"So the question is, what are we going to do with you two" asked Mr. Copper.
"What do you mean sir" asked Matthias.
"I've gotten calls from passengers left and right tell me to scrap you two" said Mr. Copper.
Roku and Matthias gasped. "I didn't think they hated us that much" said Matthias.
"You're not actually going to scrap us, are you sir" asked Roku.
"Of course not, you are two of my best engines. But, I don't think its safe having you two in service" said Mr. Copper.
"So, what are we going to do. Just sit here in the sheds from now on" asked Matthias.
"No, it's not safe for you two" Mr. Cooper paused "Unfortunately, you two need to go into hiding".
"What, go into hiding" said Roku.
"How can engines go into hiding" asked Matthias.
"We'll have to find a place to hide you until the war is over. Some place where you won't be found" said Mr. Copper.
"But what about our jobs" asked Matthias.
"I'll have to get other engines to take your place" said Mr. Copper. "Now I'd better start looking for a safe place for you two". So Mr. Copper got back into his car, and left.
That evening, when the engines came back from working, Roku and Matthias told them everything.
"I can't believe that did that to you" said Samantha.
"And now you have to go into hiding" said Albus.
"It isn't ideal, but Mr. Copper thinks it'll be safer than staying in the shed" said Matthias.
"So when are you leaving" asked Rose.
"When Mr. Copper finds a place for us" said Roku.
"Let's hope he takes a day or two. We want to give you a proper goodbye" said Jake.
"Hold it Jake, it's not like were being scrapped" said Matthias.
"Yeah, but who knows when we're going to see you again" said Jaime.
"He's right ye know. We want ta make sure ye leave with a big hara" said Merida.
"Thanks everyone, but don't go through too much trouble" said Roku.
"Don't worry, we won't" said Sam.
Soon the engines began to fall asleep. The last one to fall asleep was Roku. He thought about all the events that had happened in the last two days. "Living the American Dream" he said, and soon fell asleep.
The next morning, Matthias was woken up by hissing steam.
"Hu, what's going on" he asked. Looking around, he saw that the other engines were asleep, except for Roku. He was awake to, and letting off steam.
"Matthias, what are you doing up? We're supposed to stay here until Mr. Copper finds a place to hide us" said Matthias.
"That's what's happening. Mr. Copper found a place, and we're leaving now" said Roku.
Matthias looked over, and saw that he was in steam to. "But, shouldn't we wake the others and say goodbye" he asked.
"No, we've been told to keep quiet. We have to move stealthily so no one will notice us" said Roku.
The driver and fireman opened the shed doors. It was still dark out, not even the sun could be seen coming over the horizon.
"But, we won't get to say goodbye" said Matthias.
"That's how it has to be, now come on, we have to go" said Roku. Then he slowly puffed out of the shed. Matthias gave everyone one last look, and then fallowed, leaving Ramsey Sheds for who knows how long.
The two left the yards and headed along the main line. They didn't blow their whistles, and all tracks were made clear.
Soon they pulled up to a signal box. It sat next to a set of points that lead away from the main line. The track was rusty and overgrown, and the switch was set towards the track.
"Down this way" said Roku's driver. So the two engines left the main line and headed down the branchline.
The two pushed past overgrown wagons and abandoned buildings. And soon they came up to an old shed. It was a large brick one, which could hold up to four large engines. Plants were growing all over it, and the windows had been covered in new wood.
Mr. Copper and a few workmen were there, standing next to a flatbed. Large rolled up tarps were on it.
"Glad you two made it here safely" said Mr. Copper.
"Thank You sir. So is this the place" asked Roku.
"Yes. Until the war ends, you will be staying here. It's far from any nearby towns, and this line is no longer in use. Now one will find you here" said Mr. Copper.
"And in case anyone does come looking, we've put up a fence saying "Restricted Area: All Trespassers will be arrested" for extra protection" said a workman.
"So, this is it" said Matthias.
"For now, but remember, once the wars over, we can come back" said Roku.
"He's right, but enough talking. Let's get you two in the shed" said Mr. Copper.
The engines were taken to a nearby turntable that still worked. After being turned around, they were backed down into the shed. After that their fires were put out, and their tenders drained of coal and water. Then the men brought in the tarps, and covered the two engines. Their faces were left uncovered so they could both see.
Finally, the men prepared to shut and lock the shed door. But before they did, Mr. Copper talked to the two engines.
"This will be very difficult, I know it will. But I ask you to be strong, and remember that you are being kept safe. This is only temporary, and you will be back at work as soon as this war is over" said Mr. Copper.
"We will sir. As long as we keep calm, we'll be fine" said Roku.
"And besides, it's better than being scraped" said Matthias.
Mr. Copper let out a small smile, then turned his back on the two, and walked to the door.
When he was out, the men shut one door, and were preparing to shut the next one.
Mr. Copper looked at his loyal and hardworking engines one last time for a while. "Good Luck" he said, and the door closed.
The men locked the door, and used a pump wagon to get back to the main line. Later that day, men came and took up the rails to the branchline, so no engine would be sent down there. Unless you were one of the men who helped, you wouldn't know that a branchline was there, let alone two engines stored in a shed down the line.