Sorry guys been busy lately and haven't been able to write much. I should be uploading more stories soon, but for now enjoy.
It was Christmas time on Dotson island. Snow was falling heavily, and everyone was excited for the holiday, including the engines. Donavan and Halee were working overtime to get passengers to their destinations. It was mainly the tree cities that were the busiest. For the first time, Halee was getting to work on the main line. Even thought the railway had not opened it was one of the busiest seasons. The morning of Christmas Eve, Halee was sitting at Weston station when ghost pulled up beside the tracks. Ghost beeped his horn. "Good morning Halee." He said as he stopped. "Good morning indeed." Replied Halee. Mr. Jarrell stepped out, he was looking very happy. "Good morning Halee." Mr. Jarrell said happily. "Good morning to you to sir. You seem very happy this morning." Replied Halee. "It's the holiday season. It's our busiest time of the year." He said. Then he continued. "Halee, I would like to give you a brake from pulling passengers and let you pull freight for a day." Halee smiled, he had wanted to pull freight for some time. "There is a train waiting for you In Fadeville. It is box cars, they are marked fragile on the sides, you need to be extra careful. These cars are filled with Christmas ornaments for the tree that will be put up here in Weston. Have them back here by 3:00 o'clock this afternoon." Finished Mr. Jarrell. "I won't let you down sir." Said Halee cheerfully. Then he steamed away.
As he came into Barkers Bay, his driver was having trouble maintaining Halee's steam. His fireman had fell ill the day before. He stopped next to one of the ships. This ship was different, it was heavily armed with weapons, and had sailors in white uniforms inspecting them. Some of the sailors were in the bay. One of them walked up to Halee's cab. "Hello?" Said the sailor. Halee's driver looked at them and then replied "Hello. How may I help you?" "I was wandering if you were heading to Weston, my family is there? I'm a sailor on that battle ship. My shift is over and were docked here for the holidays." Said the sailor. "Well, were going to Fadeville, but after that we can drop you of there." Replied his driver. "Thank you. And I notice that you seem to be having trouble maintaining steam and driving. I would be more than happy to help." Said the sailor happily. "Why thank you. Welcome aboard." Said Halee's driver. The sailor began shoveling coal in Halee's firebox as he began to puff forward.
Before long they were at Fade Station in Fadeville. As Halee chuffed into the station, he saw the boxcars that he was to collect. He backed to the boxcars. As he did he heard a voice. "We're gonna have some fun aggravating this one. Am I right guys!?" "Right Alex!" Said the rest of the boxcars. Halee knew the voice, it was Alex the other leader of the freight cars. "No!" Said Halee. "Not today!" he continued. They began to giggle. When they were coupled up Halee blew his whistle and chuffed away.
As they chuffed down the line Alex began making trouble. "Oh no!" He cried. "I'm coming off the rails because Halee is riding rough. Maybe Halee should get that fixed. Oh wait, he's always like this!" He said and all the boxcars giggle and laughed. Halee then said to his driver. "I would biff them but the ornaments would shatter." The sailor heard Halee say this. "Pull off at the next siding. I have a plan." The sailor said with a grin on his face. A few minutes later they saw a siding and Halee stopped. His driver got out to switch the points. "What happened?" Said Alex. "I guess the stupid steamy ran out of puff. I told you he was worthless. Their are better engines to pull us. Actually any engine is better that Halee!" Alex said insultingly. That made the boxcars laugh even louder. Halee was now sad. He was really begging to think what Alex said was true. The sailor was now cross with Alex. Halee's driver climbed back in and he pulled on the siding.
The sailor climbed out of Halee's cab. He angrily stomped to the boxcars. "Hey! Listen up!" He screamed. "You are the most disrespectful set of cars I have seen yet! You need Halee and the other engines to be useful! With out them you would be scraped, or rotting in a yard somewhere! Now, for the rest of the trip all you can say is positive things! If not I will take you aboard my ship, and personally dump you in the middle of the ocean! Do I make myself clear!?" He finished. The boxcars began to rattle, including Alex. They were scared of the sailor. "Yes!" They said. Without a word the sailor climbed back into Halee and began shoveling coal.
When they arrived in Weston, John was there at the station with a large flatbed. "Hey John!" Said Halee. "Halee! Your pulling freight looks like you got what you wanted!" Replied John. "What were you pulling?" Asked Halee. "I was hulling the Christmas tree!" He replied. Halee could see the top of it in the center of town. Later, after the mayor gave a speech and while children were playing around the tree, Halee spoke to the sailor. The sailor walked up to him. "You wanted to speak to me." Said the sailor. "Thank you for helping me with Alex and the boxcars." Said Halee. "No problem, nobody needs to be treated like that." Said the sailor. He and halee talked for the rest of the evening until Mr. Jarrell made an announcement. "Good evening everyone." He began. "This tree would have not been possible if it wasn't for my engines. One sailor helped made this possible. If he would come up here I would like to give him something." Said Mr. Jarrell. The sailor walked up to him. "Sir, I am proud and honored to give you this badge. You are now a honorary railroad engineer." Everyone cheered and clapped. Halee whistled a loud and long toot.