I’ve been working on the railroad!
Chapter 3 – From simple beginnings

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Life back in Black Rock wasn’t the same when my family and I returned from Bittsburg. My friends at school congratulated me on my cutie mark. Darla Skydance had gotten hers as well while we were gone. Apparently she had received hers during a sky-ballet show she was performing in. The powder blue filly with a cream and pink mane had received a pair of winged ballet slippers as her mark. Sort of ironic for such a rough and tumble tomcolt.

Our friend Crab Apple had had his for nearly a year and Lightning Slinger had received his when he was five. The spark he’d made with his horn had shot his dad 20 feet across their parlor and into the kitchen. Darla and I were the last of our class to receive our marks. We soon became known as the Black Rock Rail Crew. Every spare minute we would play railroad. Slinger was Superintendent, I was engineer, Crab my firecolt, and Darla our conductor. We had tied our four wagons together and pulled the ‘train’ all over Black Rock. Sometimes we even made a few bits delivering groceries from the store or pastries from the Bakers. We even pulled coal for Crab’s family farm. Crab, Slinger, Darla and I straining with all our might to get the heavy loads up the steep hills of the town.

I first started working for the real railroad shortly after I turned 12. I was hired to ride the passenger trains selling the Daily paper as well as fruit and candy during the trips. I could also earn a few bits in tips helping the porter handle baggage for the passengers. I rode from our station in Black Rock all the way to Bittsburg and then return. Our conductor, Mr. Bray, made sure I had time for my studies during the lulls between stations.

Uncle Wheeler began sending me apprenticeship books and any materials he could about railroading. I was doing alright in school, but I devoured all the manuals and instructions from Uncle Wheeler and what I was allowed though our Division office.

In the summer I applied to work the Bittsburg – West line. Uncle Wheeler was on that line and He and I hoped I could get a chance to work one of his trains. I received a letter from our Division Super and was temporarily assigned to the western end. As I packed to leave my mom began to cry. Pappy, as my dad had insisted I call him once I had received my mark, said she was both happy and sad that I was going away like a full stallion.

Pappy, momma and my sister Rose went with me to the depot. My friends Slinger, Darla and Crab were there as well. Slinger and Darla had just gotten summer jobs with the depot delivering telegrams and small packages. Crab was happy working the small family farm. We said our goodbyes and momma cried some more. Pappy gave me a small pouch, and from the jingle I could tell there were more than a few bits in it. “Just in case”, he winked. “You’ve made me so proud. Do as your Uncle tells you too and don’t ruin his house while you are staying with him. Do any chores he asks…” he stopped, realizing he had begun to lecture. “I know you’ll do the right thing, you always do.” He smiled and for the first time in my life, he held out his hoof for me to shake.. just like any full grown stallion.

I boarded the train and was soon whisking off to Hoofington, riding my muzzle as we call it. I was on railroad business and was riding under my first official employee pass.

Work on the western line was a pure joy. The line had reached Appleoosa and was pushing westward through Bitsmarck and eventually would reach Salt Lick City. I was assigned Uncle Wheeler’s train and was soon under the watchful eye of the evil Mrs. Punch. It was a private joke among the crew.

Along with my new assignment I was also made an official assistant porter. I was allowed to wear the red cap and help Whiney, our porter, with his regular duties as well as my own as paper and snack vendor. The run from Hoofington to Appleoosa was long and our train was half Pullmane sleeping cars. Whiney took me in hoof and showed me how to properly convert the stalls into proper sleeping beds, how the bedding had to be just so, and also how to shine shoes so they would sparkle in the sunlight. Passengers would leave their shoes along the outside of their bed curtain and it was our job to have them polished and ready in the morning before they awoke. Some passengers would tip awful well for a freshly shined set of shoes.

It was on our third week of my working with Uncle Wheeler that our crew was assigned to run a special train to Ponyville. This was to take a business car, two special Pullmanes, a diner and a private car to pick up several dignitaries of the royal court from Canterlot strait through to Manehatten. The branch line through the mountains to the capital city had been slow work and was barely a quarter the way into the mountains at this time so all Canterlot traffic either went by carriage or balloon from Hoofington or Ponyville, and Ponyville was far closer to the great city.

We arrived with our special in Ponyville in the afternoon, a day before our V.I.P.s were to board. Once we had the train settled in the crew pretty much had the rest of the evening off. Uncle Wheeler and Mrs. Punch checked in with the Station Master and turned in the train’s paperwork.

I had received my first pay from the new assignment and was heady with the amount. That plus the tips I had received meant that for a young colt in a new town.. I was loaded.
Uncle Wheeler made arrangements for us in the local hotel for the night. I was a working pony and insisted that I pay my share. He just smiled and said I was too much like my sire for my own good and ruffled my mane.

Ponyville had always had a mystique about it for me. It was there that I had been accepted into the railroad community. This had been my first time back in all those years, and it looked almost exactly the same as I had remembered from the station.
Uncle Wheeler basically told me to keep my muzzle clean while he and the crew headed to a local pub. Whiney wasn’t old enough to drink yet either but he had decided to stay with the train and study for his next railroad exam.

I clopped along the streets of this wonderful little town. Much more prosperous than Black Rock, it had many brightly colored buildings and some grand architecture. I was surprised being so close to Canterlot that it still had a small town feel about it.

Walking along the main road I noticed a wonderful smell drifting on the air; apples, cinnamon, berries, slightly burnt sugar and all sorts wonderful things. Soon I was standing at the source of these wonderful smells. The sign read Sugarcube Corner.

Entering the store there were a few other ponies inside. Two teen fillies and a Pegasus colt at a small table chatting and giggling. A pale-green country pony with a large pie for a cutiemark was talking with the clerk behind the counter. “You’ve done good with the store Carrot. You and Cup should come out to the farm and have supper some time.” The green mare said. “I’ll give Cup your invitation Mrs. Smith, see you later.” replied the clerk. I held the door open for her as she walked past with her saddlebags full. “Ouch!” she yelped half way out the store. “Blasted lumbago” she snorted and limped slightly as she walked down the street.

“Hey look, the circus must be in town.. it looks like one of the monkeys escaped.. what’s with the red hat monkey!” It was the colt, the fillies with him began giggling louder. I made my way to the counter as the clerk retorted “At least he’s working Ace. He’s probably got more bits than you’ll see in a year.” The Pegasus just snorted. “Take your time son” said the clerk as I stared at the displays.

PLAY
There are times when something happens and it sets your memory in that moment forever. For me that often happens when music is involved. I hadn’t really been paying attention to the music in the shop until I heard the bell over the door. I glanced over just as the opening flute riff of Marshall Bucker Band’s song began to play, and in an instant I was captured by the most beautiful filly I had ever seen in my young life as she glided bouncing to the music into the store.

The purple filly had the most wonderful pink mane, long and sleek, that fell just to her shoulders. Her cutiemark a simple group of three smiling flowers. “Hi Mr. Cake” she yelled, “I’m here to pick up mom’s order.” “Right here Cheerilee, that’ll be 7 bits.” Said the clerk as he brought the bag up from behind the counter. “Thanks Mr. C!” she said placing the bits on the counter. As she turned to leave she glanced up at me “Nice hat” she winked and giggled, gliding once more out the door, the faint smell of lilac overpowering even the sweet smells of the shop.

Faintly from behind the counter I heard the clerk ask: “So young sir, is there any thing I can get for you today?”