I’ve been working on the railroad!
Chapter 2 – Finding Purpose

Recap:
Soon Uncle Wheeler was back in the cab, and Ms. Punch walked along the train checking things as she went. Then Uncle Wheeler gave me the greatest gift I ever received. He said Ms. Punch had authorized him to let me sit on his lap and see how the locomotive ran. I was speechless and overjoyed.

I looked out the cab window and Uncle Wheeler quickly showed me all the gauges, pipes, hoses, valves and levers along the back head. He explained what each was for and then he had me put on a spare set of gloves, a red neckerchief and the crowning glory, a blue and white striped cap just like he and Mr. Walker were wearing.

The last of the passengers had boarded and from the rear of the train Ms. Punch stood facing the locomotive, green flag and whistle in her mouth. Uncle Wheeler had told me to look out to see her. She blew the whistle and waved the flag. Mr. Walker pulled the bell rope and Uncle Wheeler set the reverser to forward from neutral, took the brake off, and then – he told me to put my hoof on the throttle.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I looked up at him with astonishment, but he just gave a smile and a wink and placed my hoof on the large lever along the back head, his hoof hovering over mine as he began edging the throttle back notch by notch. I could feel the great beast begin to stir as the throttle moved and instantly felt the connection. Again he moved the throttle back a bit more and again the engine responded; not instantly but with a slight hesitancy, as the engine seemed to think slightly before obeying its new commands.

Soon we were back up to speed. My uncle then taught me how to watch the water level, steam pressure gauges; how to listen to the engine to hear the works and the exhaust; what to look out for along the right of way and when we approached a tighter curve, how to gently slow the train with throttle and very little brake to enter the curve without disturbing the passengers in their travels. Coming out of the curve Uncle Wheeler took his hoof off of mine and said “Take her up to speed for me Coal.” Dutifully I edged the throttle back listening notch by notch as the great locomotive obeyed my silent pleas to help me get it just right. I felt it more than any real knowing. I held the throttle steady as we reached the maximum speed allowed for the run. I looked up at Uncle Wheeler and both he and Mr. Walker were grinning and beaming like proud parents – and then it happened. I felt a burning and tingling on my flanks like I had never felt in my life. It was like a sudden rush of hot steam throughout my whole body, from my hind hooves straight up and out my nose, into my ears, and out my horn.. I was woozy, and light headed. I could barely hear Uncle Wheeler and Mr. Walker as they both stared at me looks of astonishment on their faces.

Soon the sound of the engine returned and both Mr. Walker and Uncle Wheeler were yelling and slapping me across the back, congratulating me on getting my cutie mark.

I was stunned. Like every pony I had hoped one day to find my calling and receive my own mark, but all through magic school I had been only a fair student and didn’t have a lot of strength in my magic. I had always worried I might have to settle for some menial life that wouldn’t rely on my use of magic, but here, in the cab of this screaming beast, I knew I was destined to command her and her kind from this day forward. I rested my hoof firmly on the throttle, pulled my cap on a little tighter and stared down the track like a Pegasus through clouds. I was home.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As we neared Ponyville Uncle Wheeler instructed me in how to slow the train for an easy stop at the station. I was allowed to take it in only so far because I didn’t yet work for the railroad and besides, I was still far too young, so Uncle Wheeler brought the train into the edge of the town proper. But he allowed me to keep my hoof on his as he glided the train to his usual stop along the station.

Ponyville was the end of the finished line at the time and was the final stop for the train that day. As I slid off Uncle Wheeler’s lap I looked down for the first time at my new cutie mark, a red and orange flame with two black diamonds, one on each side of the flame. Quite nice against my butter-yellow coat if I do say so my self.

We waited until all the passengers had departed and then Ms. Punch gave us the signal to pull forward away from the platform. We were to store the train on a siding built just for this occasion. There was a temporary turn around in the shape of a Y at one end of the siding for the locomotive to be turned, and a water tank and coal stathe along the track to service the engine for the return trip in the morning. Uncle Wheeler and Mr. Walker insisted I help in oiling and polishing the engine. Mr. Walker showed me how to bank the coals for the evening and even gave me a watch time to look in on the fire over the night.

As the town of Ponyville celebrated the new railway, this being the first actual train into the town besides the team driven construction trains, a smaller celebration was held by the railponies – in my honor. I was accepted into the Eternal Herd of Railway Ponies and each imparted just a little piece of their own experience and wisdom as the night wore on.

Far too soon the evening was nearing its end. I checked the locomotive’s fire at my time and then headed for the lodgings the railway had arranged for the crew for the night. I drifted off to sleep, the sound of a town in celebration still in my ears; well tired from a long days work.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The morning came with the smell of pancakes cooking and strong bran coffee. Many of the construction gang were already up and getting ready for their day’s work. Uncle Wheeler, Mr. Walker and Ms. Punch were already at the table enjoying the conversation and camaraderie of fellow railroaders about their business.
I approached the table and was greeted with my own plate and cup, a full stack of wheat pancakes and raspberry/apple syrup and a cup of local apple juice. Ms. Punch had me sit next to her and the talk moved to the new rail route and how well the locomotive had done and the schedule for the trip back to Bittsburg. This was to be the first revenue trip open for general passengers behind the new steam locomotive and the president of the line was very insistent that everything be on time and to schedule.

Unfortunately, with the pressure of the President to be a perfect run, both Uncle Wheeler and Ms. Punch felt I should ride in the coaches with her, just to be on the safe side.

Ms. Punch allowed me to walk with her on her rounds of the train, collecting tickets, helping the passengers, and I even got a few bits as I helped some passengers with their bags. Ms. Punch explained her duties and more about how the whole railroad acts as one large family. Every part working with every other part to be sure the line was safe, that freight and passengers arrived and departed on time and safely. Most importantly, she impressed upon me the absolute authority of the Superintendent, the Dispatcher and the Rule Book. I didn’t know then just how important those three words would become for me, but her explanation gave me grave respect for each of them. "Go afoul of any one of them", she said, "and the moon would be a safer place to be."

When we finally arrived in Bittsburg my family were there at the depot to meet Uncle Wheeler and myself. Papa was so proud I had gotten my cutie mark, but he seemed a little stunned about how the railroad had seemed to snatch me away from a steady life behind a cart or desk. Uncle Wheeler just told him I’d make a fine hogger some day, whatever that was.

My markingday celebration was held and mother baked a wonderful cake with a picture of the first locomotive I had ever driven emblazoned in icing on the top. My friends were all there as well as Uncle Wheeler, Mr. Walker and his family and Ms. Punch and her husband. As a gift from my family, Uncle Wheeler had acquired an official railroad vest watch, including its certification from the railroad for official use. Inside the cover were inscribed these hallowed words – “Safety First and Always – And may Celestia guide your way.”