May 16th, 1960

  After the nice 10 days of excursion on the Byron Railroad, Roger returned home to the Roger Railway and enjoyed a relaxing 2 weeks, along with general maintenance. Monday was a normal day for some people, but in 14 days, it will be Memorial Day, which is a regular holiday weekend for most people. It’s a special day for the folks of the Roger Railway, as it marks the 80th birthday of the old engine himself and the 80th Anniversary of the railway's completion. The Hutton Steam Company has started laying track for the railway part. Ben also wanted the museum and railway to be ready before the end of summer, which work has been cranking up to 11 for the past few weeks.

  It was Monday, which meant Clair was on the regular-season passenger train, but Roger would be operating a few selected days before the big event. Monday was a display day, but tomorrow, he’ll be operating the regular season service, in the yard next to Roger, was Betty, despite moving to her new home. Ben started to have her visit the railway for a few special occasions; the 80th Birthday event is one of these special occasions.

  “So, how does it feel inside the building?” Roger asks the 2-4-2t type.

  “Not too bad,” Betty smiled, “Sure, it’s not a traditional engine shop, but it’s strong when a gust of wind plows through Hutton.”

  “I’m guessing he named the street?” Roger asks.

  “No, that’s the museum building name,” She told him, “But it’ll be a surprise.”

  “Knowing that Mr. Hutton named a station after me, I won’t be surprised if he names the street or shops after me,” Roger joked, “I’m still surprised how much progress he’s making; he could be done before the 4th of July weekend.”

  “Maybe not sugar,” Betty giggled, “But I’ve heard that the tracks are starting to be laid at the site, the C&NW delivered them just a few days ago.”

  “Much bigger progress!” Roger grinned happily, “I’m excited to see and operate on this new railway.”

  “Maybe…we could…celebrate the new railway with a doubleheader,” Betty fluttered her eyes, “I know how rarely you doublehead in general, but there will be a lot of passengers.”

  Roger noticed this and blushed a bit.

  “Yeah…it’s not a bad idea,” the old Porter looked at the ground, “Plus, a combined train is 7 passenger cars in total, which is not bad for a doubleheader.”

  “It is,” Betty smiled, “I was called the Dixie Queen due to my old railroad passenger service; I was considered the best on my old railroad.”

  “I could see that,” Roger smiled, “You’re a truly wonderful engine.”

  “Aw, thank you, sweetums,” Betty smiled, “Though, it’s always odd that the opposite sex that always gets the compliments, and looking at you, Roger, you’re a handsome engine, and even pretty as well.”

  “Pretty?” Roger asks, though, he does get compliments, mostly from railfans about his age and his endurance, women and girls about his size, and most of all, Lizzy, because of her motherly approach.

  “Yeah, I mean, looking at you, Mr. Hutton and his team have done a great job on keeping you well maintained,” Betty complimented, “That polish that Lizzy does always shines through the sun, and how your whistle always sounds very distinguished, 19th century, I didn’t ask you this, and I regret not asking, but is your whistle a single chime?”

  “Yep,” Roger beamed happily, “One long toot from me, and you hear it from miles, I love my whistle.”

  That night, the two would talk about their own past and achievements. Roger and Betty enjoyed each other's company, and it seems like their presence has certainly changed for both of them, though they weren’t alone, Clair and Robert in the sheds, noticing the two old tank engines.

  “These two seem to be nonstop talking,” Robert whispers to Clair, “Why do you think that is?”

  “Oh, Robert,” Clair smiled happily, the young saddletank wasn’t dense, but he didn’t have experience with love yet, “These two are in love with each other.”

  “Love?” Robert asks, “What’s that?”

  “It’s a feeling,” Clair answered, “Love comes in many ways, and the best part about love is that you can be together forever and ever.”

  “I don’t get it,” Robert said to the diesel. He didn’t understand this love feeling.

  “Well, when two people fall in love, they become girlfriend and boyfriend,” She told the young saddletank, “And if they love each other very much…then they can get married.”

  “Wow,” Robert said, he was in awe, “Can steam engines be girlfriend and boyfriend?”

  “They have in the past,” Clair responded, “But instead of using the term boyfriend and girlfriend, most engines used significant other, which sounded more serious and professional.”

  “Can steam locomotives get married?” Robert asks.

  “Well, from what my old director and general manager at my old railway told me, yes,” Clair told the young saddletank, “Only one railroad, and ironically, it’s a 2-foot gauge railroad in Oregon.”

  The young saddletank took the information and was quiet for a bit.

  “Wow, I would never think of getting a significant other and getting married,” Robert told the little diesel honestly, “Railroads are busy places to be in.”

  “That’s why you never see much of these anymore,” Clair told Robert, “Busy railroad life, and some of these engines never experience love, they just keep on working.”

  “It’s sad,” Robert said sadly, “But I think Lizzy also gives love to Roger and all of us, too!”

  “That’s a different kind of love, sweetheart,” Clair told the young engine, “She loves all of us like how a mother loves a child.”

  “So there are more types of love?” Robert asks.

  “Yes, sweetie,” Clair smiled at the young engine.

  “Wow, that’s interesting,” Robert awed with surprise.

  But Clair did notice something.

  “I didn’t expect Roger to be…well, in love,” Clair said as she looked at the two engines, “Knowing he operated on his own for 80 years, I would expect him to be…a lone wolf.”

  “Lone wolf? What’s that?” Robert asks.

  “It’s where someone doesn’t get married or have a significant other,” Clair told the young engine, “They live their life without having someone to love or to be with.”

  The young saddletank was surprised.

  “That would’ve sucked,” Robert said sadly.

  “Though,” Clair said as she looked at the two engines, “Some say it’s better, not everyone wants to get a significant other or get married.”

  “Interesting, this love stuff is both fascinating and complicated,” Robert told the little diesel, then he looked at the two engines, “How do you think it’ll take for the two to become significant others?”

  “I’ll give it a few months, but from what both have told me, maybe 1 or two,” Clair told the young saddletank.

  May 28th, 1960

  Memorial Day is always a special event on the Roger Railway, because Roger was completed on the 23rd of May by H.K. Porter, and arrived at the Roger Railway on the 28th, starting an 80-year operation that made the old Porter famous. He always liked that day, not only is it his birthday month, but also the many passengers would truely ride the train pulled by yours truely. It’s always a special day, whether it's the year or the weather, and being his 80th year, his 80th birthday, he was excited.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Roger was in steam early in the morning in the yard. It was busy, the BBC, the British Broadcasting Company, decided to do a special piece on the little railway of Pennsylvania, the company already did a special in 1955, and now, back 5 years later, it’ll bring more passengers and fans from different countries. The event is simple, and it’s the most popular railway event of the regular passenger season, tied with the 4th of July event. The volunteers and the staff were working hard this month to make this special event, including helping with the BBC crew, well, special, everyone work hard this month, especially Mr. Hutton and Lizzy.

  “How does it feel to be 80?” Robert saw the morning sun glow in the yard.

  “Nothing to be honest,” Roger told the young engine, “I feel the same 80 years ago.”

  “That’s a long feat, not every engine can claim to be 80 and still operating,” Clair told the old Porter, “You’re an impressive steam locomotive.”

  “Everyone always told me that,” Roger smiled humbly, “But those massive mainline engines are more impressive than I am; these Steam Programs from the mainline railroads are quite popular.”

  “You’re always humble, Roger,” Betty smiled at the old Porter, “Most engines would boast or brag about their longevity.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with an achievement or doing something that hasn’t been done before and being proud of it,” Roger told 2-4-2t with a blush on his face, “But too much of it leads someone, whether an engine or a human, bragging or being boastful isn’t a good thing.”

  “I agree to that,” Betty winked at Roger, to which he had a slight pink tint on his cheek.

  “Hey, who’s that man talking to Mr. Hutton?” Robert asks.

  The engines looked at Mr. Hutton talking to an older gentleman, whom Roger recognized.

  “That’s the mayor of Westminster,” the old Porter told the engines, “He’s the one who helped our railway.”

  Betty was surprised.

  “He did?” She asks.

  “He donated 5k to the overhaul of the railway, and 5k for my overhaul,” Roger told Betty, “That donation helped with keeping the railway in good condition, and helped me on my overhaul.”

  “I’m guessing he loves the railway,” Clair guessed.

  “That, and a piece of history that needs to be preserved,” Roger told the little diesel, “When Ben started the Preservation Society, the mayor help advertised the movement, to help bringing in volunteers, he was also part of the original volunteers of the early days, working on dirty jobs, but he’s a good railroad man outside of his job.”

  “How long has he been mayor?” Robert asks.

  “Since 1940,” Roger told the young saddletank, “This is his 20th year, and he plans to retire when I hit 100th.”

  “I would too if I wanted my local railway and steam locomotive to hit 100,” joked Betty as she saw the interaction of the two gentlemen, “Does he still volunteer?”

  “He does on time to time,” Roger told the 2-4-2t, “But you know how important his job is, but he always has time during the holidays.”

  “I’m guessing the 80th birthday year is a special day for Westminster,” Clair looked around the yard and saw how busy the day had been.

  “It is a top tourist spot,” Roger told the little diesel, “With other lines that followed our movement, they want a piece of the pie, but Westminster gets the whole slice.”

  Just then, Mr. Hutton came with the mayor.

  “Hello, you four,” Mr. Hutton greeted the engines, “I know that you, Roger, you met the man before, but I know the others haven’t. This is Marcus Smith, the mayor of Westminster, Pennsylvania.”

  The man awed the new engines.

  “I know I was away a couple of times, and you told me Ben about the new engines, and boy, they’re a fantastical bunch,” He told Mr. Hutton as he eyed the new engines, “Though Roger will always be my favorite since I was a little kid, no offense.”

  “None taken,” Betty replied, “I agreed with you, he’s my favorite as well.”

  Roger blushed a bit, to which Betty grinned, seeing that the old Porter could be so swoon so easily.

  “I was able to get some food vendors for this event, despite being miles away from Strasburg, I do love a good amish desserts,” Marcus grinned happily, “I wish I could stay and chat, but it’s a busy day, well, it’s nice meeting you three, I’m sure for the couple of decades later we’ll meet again, and for Roger, thank you for the memories.”

  Marcus left, with Mr. Hutton alone with the engines.

  “Did he help you at the Hutton Steam Company and Museum?” Betty asks.

  “He helped me find the land,” Mr. Hutton told Betty, “But that’s mostly it; he’s just a railfan like me, though, also a very important mayor, but don’t expect him to give us his life savings unless something drastic happens.”

  The other engines murmured in agreement.

  “So what’s the plan for this weekend?” Robert asks.

  “Same as last year,” Mr. Hutton responded, though Clair was confused.

  “How does this type of event work?” Clair asks, since she arrived at the railway after the summer season.

  “It’s quite simple,” Mr. Hutton explained to the little diesel, “Robert would operate the passenger trains, and Betty would operate her own trains, then from the afternoon till night, Roger would operate the trains.”

  “And don’t forget the speech,” Roger reminded Mr. Hutton.

  “Oh yes, the speech,” Mr. Hutton quickly remembered, “Thank you for reminding me, Roger.”

  Clair was curious.

  “What kind of speech?” She asks Mr. Hutton.

  “It’s usually done on special years,” Mr. Hutton answered, “I did one on the 1st anniversary of the Preservation Society, I did one on the 5th Anniversary of the Preservation Society, Roger’s 75th birthday, and the 5th year of the railway becoming a preserved railway.”

  “It’s usually done on special days,” Roger told the little diesel, “And next year would be the 10th anniversary of my home being a preserved railway.”

  “Wow,” Clair was surprised to hear the past events, “I’m sure there’s more this year.”

  “Oh, there is,” Mr. Hutton grinned, “I’m planning to host a special gala reenactment of the handover ceremony of the Roger Railway; it’s been in the works since the beginning of the year.”

  Clair's eyes were wide, though. Robert and Betty grinned a bit; they had heard about the ceremony and couldn’t wait for the event. Roger, on the other hand, chuckled, seeing Clair's reaction to the new information was funny, respectfully.

  The railway has started their Memorial Day Weekend event, with food vendors, and live music made this weekend fun, and enjoyable, but the passengers train were always a favorite, Roger is in steam, on display at the yard, it was a nice day, the weather is just getting warm, meaning that summer is almost here, though, it would be a month before the summer season, being on display is not too bad, the old Porter could see the people, their families, children walking on the yard, looking at the rolling stock, and taking a peek at the engine shed and shop.

  Lizzy wasn’t here today. She got a very bad case of food poisoning, which caused their bathroom to smell like vomit on a drunk’s bad night, and cow shit, as Lizzy herself calls it, so she would be missing the event, hopefully, better by Monday. Clair was moving around the yard, showing a demonstration of how a diesel locomotive works. Betty was in the yard, displaying next to Roger.

  “It seems like the day is going well,” Betty told Roger happily.

  “It is,” the old Porter smiled at the 2-4-2t, “I do love a weekend event.”

  Mr. Hutton came with a soda bottle in his hand.

  “Everything is going well,” He told the two, “Robert is doing fine, and Clair has impressed a lot of folks.”

  “Seems like it’s going well,” Roger smiled.

  Mr. Hutton took a swig of his cola and looked at the busy event.

  “Doing events like these makes me happy,” Mr. Hutton looked at the old Porter, “Seeing the happy folks, happy passengers, and happy engines.”

  “How are you feeling, Mr. Hutton?” Roger asks.

  “I’m fine,” Mr. Hutton said, looking at the bottle, “Talking to my therapist is the best decision ever.”

  “Therapist?” Betty asks.

  “Mr. Hutton started going to a therapist after the handover ceremony,” Roger told the 2-4-2t, “Only Lizzy, me, Robert, and Clair know about this, with the rest of the volunteers and some of the staff knowing about it too.”

  “Why keep it a secret?” Betty asks.

  “Because people think therapy is for crazy people, stupid people,” Mr. Hutton told the 2-4-2t, “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, but I felt…weird telling people about me going to therapy, with steam locomotives, it’s a different story.”

  “Speaking of therapy,” Roger looked at Mr. Hutton, “I’d like to visit a therapist.”

  Mr. Hutton looks surprised.

  “Is there a reason why?” He asks, he didn’t mind Roger having a therapist, but there should be a reason.

  “During the Byron Railroad visit…I started feeling sad, depressed, mostly from how the railway is quickly moving into a new decade,” He told Mr. Hutton, “I feel like my purpose in life…doesn’t mean anything anymore.”

  “I see,” Mr. Hutton said as he put his hand on his chin, “Maybe it’s the best, but you’re going to use my therapist; she’s a good person, and it’ll probably be cheaper to use her than to afford another therapist.”

  Roger looked at Betty, then looked at his owner and general manager.

  “I thought you were going to have your long talks again,” the old Porter told Mr. Hutton.

  “You did look glum and sad, especially all the news about the railway,” He told Roger honestly, “I was planning to talk to you at the perfect time, but like always, you beat me to the punch.”

  Roger smiled a bit.

  “Maybe being the only engine on my railway has put a lot of expectation on myself, and probably you,” the old Porter told Mr. Hutton, “To a point where both of us need therapy.”

  Mr. Hutton chuckles.

  “You and I both,” He told Roger. He looked at the crowd, “Do you like the mainline excursions?”

  Roger was surprised by the different question.

  “Yes,” the old Porter told Mr. Hutton, “The thrill of operating on high speeds, and going through different towns and communities.”

  Ben turned to Roger with a smile that meant something happened outside the railway.

  “Well, I got a call yesterday, from a group of Japanese rail enthusiasts, from a society called, the ‘All Small Steam Locomotive Society’, and they wanted to sponsor a mainline excursion on the Simon Hill Railway,” Mr. Hutton told Roger, “The society itself is an impressive group of folks, started in 1955, and already have a steam locomotive that is already running, impressive group of folks.”

  Roger thought for a second. It’s been a while since he visited the Simon Hill Railway, but realizing that this would be a great opportunity to stretch his wheels again on the mainline after the Southern Railway Narrow Gauge Division a year prior.

  “I’ll do it,” Roger smiled, “It’s nice to visit the line again and meet Simon once more.”

  Mr. Hutton smiled at Roger.

  “That’s good,” He happily told the old Porter, “I’m going to call them after the event, and we’ll schedule a month, date, and time, since this summer is going to be busy, fall is our best bet.”

  “Well, that’s one event I can’t wait for,” Roger smiled happily.

  “Can I join?” Betty asks.

  Roger looked at Mr. Hutton, to whom he nodded.

  “Yes, you can,” Roger smiled.

  After Robert and Betty operated their own passenger trains, it was Roger’s turn, the event for the first has done so well, people enjoyed the event, with food and train rides, what’s not to love, the old Porter was the star of the show, being the last one operating today, but before he would pull his first train of the day, Mr. Hutton is planning to do a speech at the station. Roger was checked and made sure he was in good working order, and after switching through the yard and coupling onto his coaches, he moved to the yard to the station.

  Passengers were waiting for Roger; some were older fans since the very beginning, and some were new fans. As summer became closer and closer, the railway had anticipated the big event, and luckily, the passengers weren’t too rowdy. Mr. Hutton got out of the old Porter’s cab and walked onto the station, and the crowd slowly dispersed, knowing that the man who saved the railway was going to make a speech, being Roger’s 80th birthday, everyone shut up and listened to the man speak.

  “80 years ago, a railway was built, an engine, and his coaches were built,” Mr. Hutton begins, “And that engine, railway, and coaches are still with us today.”

  The passengers clapped excitedly.

  “Just 10 years ago,” Mr. Hutton continued, putting his hand up, “My friends and I, with a few folks, formed a volunteer Preservation Society, which became the Roger Railway Preservation Society, and started a new journey in a new world of preservation.”

  He looked at Roger, the old saddletank was surprised that he was going to continue the speech, which made him nervous.

  “80 years ago, I left the H.K. Porter Company,” Roger started, though he was nervous, “I was built and designed for an industrial railroad, but placed into service for a common carrier, for limited freight and passenger service, mostly tourism, and I served that railway for over half of a century later, and being saved by a man you visited the railway since he was a young boy, I’m grateful, 80 years old feels like nothing to me, and I’m proud of my longevity, I thank everyone, from the passengers to the Preservation Society.”

  The passenger cheered happily. Roger admitted it wasn’t a good speech since he didn’t know that he was going to give a speech, but he could see the happy passengers, which made him happy. After the speech, everyone got into the coaches. The sisters were packed, but they were happy nonetheless. Mr. Hutton got into the cab with John Taylor as the fireman. Roger blew his whistle and started leaving the station, 80 years old and still going strong!