The Midnight Train Crossing

"Oh no!" Dinah whined.
"Oh shucks," Buffy complained.
"It's the freight train," Pearl announced unnecessarily.
"The dumb trucks," Ashley said.
"Forty tons of empty chrome," Buffy said.
"The lights are on... " Dinah started.
"But nobody's home," Ashley finished.
"Let's show them who's boss," Buffy suggested.
"Let's play a joke," Dinah said.
"Yeah lets have some fun," Pearl agreed.
"Let's have a smoke," Ashley said flatly.
The other three rolled their eyes.
"Here they come... " Dinah started.
"To fill our station... " Buffy continued.
"With witty sparkling conversation," Pearl finished.

A distracted Rusty came into the yard with the freight train, a line of heavy cars, in tow.
How can they expect me to do all these errands and still race? He wondered.
"Freight is great!" the trucks sang as they pulled into the yard.
The coaches were gathered in a group. The rivalry between the coaches and trucks was well known in this station.
"Freight is great!" the trucks repeated.
"That's brilliant!" Pearl giggled.
"Freight is great," the trucks repeated.
"Don't you wish you'd thought of that?" Ashley asked.
The cars ignored the coaches.
"We carry weight," the trucks sang, "'Coz we are freight and freight is great."
"One more time," Dinah said.
"Freight is great," the trucks repeated.
"Didja think of that all by yourselves?" Ashley asked a little too innocently.
The trucks were beginning to get annoyed. "Freight is great!" the trucks shouted.
"It's so profound," Buffy said sarcastically.
The lead car tapped Rusty on the shoulder. Faster! He thought to Rusty.
Rusty sped up obligingly as long as they left him out of it he didn't mind.
"We never sulk, we hulk the bulk," the trucks sang, "Coz freight is great!"
"Well I certainly learned something today," Ashley laughed.
Rusty smiled at Pearl. She giggled and hid behind Ashley.
Suddenly she felt very shy around Rusty. She had never felt that way before.
"We never make a fuss," the trucks sang as they circled the yard, "We got the goods on us."
Ashley whispered to Pearl to get Rusty's attention.
"Rusty," she called softly.
"We take the loads from off the roads," the cars sang, "And freight is great!"

"You just listen to what the coach says," Ashley said.
Rusty let go of the freight train and hitched the coaches behind.
"Take us fast, Rusty," Pearl whispered.
Rusty nodded and zoomed around the freight train, the coaches were so much lighter to pull.
"Couldn't stand gravel and sand," the coaches sang as they circled the freight cars, "Being ignored no one aboard. Nobody complaining we were late again."
"I should hate carrying freight," the girls sang horrified at the thought, "Nobody living in me, got to be a living breathing passenger train."

"Freight is great!" the trucks shouted, "Freight is great!"
"Couldn't stand gravel and sand," the coaches sang as Rusty pulled them.
"Freight... " the trucks sang not moving as fast.
"Being ignored, no one aboard," the coaches sang.
"Is great!" the trucks shouted.
"Nobody complaining we were late again," the coaches sang.
"We carry weight," sang the trucks.
"I should hate carrying freight," the coaches sang, "Nobody living in me."
"And freight is great!" the trucks shouted.
"Got to be a living breathing passenger train," the girls sang as Rusty pulled them around the cars.

Rusty backed up the coaches in a more or less straight line so they could be even with the trucks.
"It's mommas and poppas," the coaches sang.
"It's commerce and hoppers," the trucks countered.
"It's daughters and sons," argued the coaches.
"It's quarters and tons," the trucks said shaking their heads, "They get in your hair."
"It's the fun of the fare," sang the coaches.
"Freight!"
"Folks!"
"Tares!"
"Fares!" the coaches shouted.
Each coach skated around a truck singing, "Passengers, commuters and mail."
"Trees and meat, gravel and shale," the trucks said crossing their arms and skating off. They looked back at the coaches and weren't watching where they were going.

Rusty's attention was suddenly diverted back to the freight train. They were going to hit the bridge in a second. He disconnected the coaches and ran... and got there just too late. The freight train had turned aside but they still hit the bridge. He winced as he heard them connect. He was supposed to be pulling that train. He re-connected them and pulled them back over to the coaches and unhitched.
They face off in two trains. "Are great, are great, are great, are great, " they sang, "Are great!" Crossing their arms, they turned away from each other.
Rusty caught his breath, well it could've been worse.

"Control! Control!" Control announced, "Coaches and trucks stop dispute! Stop dispute!"
Everyone froze. Rusty slowly slid back, he knew what was coming.
"Trucks will identify themselves," Control said, "Boxcars."
Rusty hitched the boxcars behind and pulled them out.

"I'm Rocky," the lead car said unhitching, "There's lots like me."
"I'm Rocky two," the next one said.
"I'm Rocky three," the third said.
"The only time we get sick inside is when some bum hitches a ride," they said.
"We wait for a sharp corner to come... " Rocky 2 said.
"And open the door... " Rocky 3 continued.
"Bye, bye Bum!" the Rockies shouted tipping sharply.
"Freight is great!" the trucks shouted as Rusty went to get the next car.

"Brick Truck," Control ordered.
"Flat Top!" the brick truck said unhitching from Rusty.
"Who you looking at?" he snapped at the coaches, "Yeah there's bricks what's wrong with that? No your right they don't all match," he said rolling his eyes, "Yes they're heavy," he whirled, "Here catch!" he shouted launching a brick.
"Freight is great!" the trucks sang.

"Aggregate hopper," Control announced.
Rusty pulled the (heavy) hopper forward, but he was silent.
"Dustin that's you," Flat Top said.
"Come on Aggregate hopper!" Control said impatiently.
"Come on Dustin," Flat Top said gently.
Under Flat Top and Rusty's prodding, Dustin stepped forward shyly.
"I'm the big hopper," he said, "I'm not a box."
"Yeah your head is full of rocks," the Rockies said teasingly.
Dustin glared at them. "They ain't rocks, their aggregates!" he exclaimed, "And aggregates are really great!"
Rusty pulled Dustin and Flat Top around.
"Aggregates are really great," the two cars sang, "Aggregates never complain. Bricks and mortar are thicker then water, it's great to be an aggregate train."
Rusty disconnected them and picked up the last car, who wasn't really a freight car.

"The red caboose," Control said.
"At the back one every piece of track," the caboose, a shorter figure with blonde hair in red, sang unhitching, "I'm right behind you."
He turned to the others, "Can I be of help at all?" he asked, "The simply call on me."
"Hello CB," the trucks said.
"Hello," CB said, "The red caboose would like to be of use to every truck and show the world that... "
"Freight is great!" the trucks sang.
Rusty reconnected the freight train and pulled them along their line again.

"Down the track from A to B and back," the trucks sang, "We carry things, not people. People talk a lot, that isn't what we like."
"They're strong and silent," the coaches giggled.
Rusty slowed and turned to circle the coaches again, per the trucks request.
"None of us may be a genius," the trucks said, "But we know one thing. What we know is... Freight is great!"
Rusty pulled the trucks around the coaches.

"Freight is great!" the trucks sang.
"Couldn't stand gravel and sand," the coaches sang.
"Freight!" the trucks sang.
"Being ignored, no one aboard," the coaches sang.
"Is great!" the freight cars shouted.
"Nobody complaining we were late again," continued the coaches.
"We carry weight," the cars sang as Rusty pulled them at a quick speed around the coaches.
"I should hate carrying freight," the coaches sang, "Nobody living in me."
"And freight is great!" the trucks sang.
"Got to be a living breathing passenger train," the coaches sang.

The two trains pulled even with each other again. The coaches pulled Rusty over to their train and he wove them around the trucks.
"It's mommas and poppas," the coaches sang.
"It's commerce and hoppers," the trucks countered.
"It's daughters and sons," argued the coaches.
"It's quarters and tons," the trucks said shaking their heads, "They get in your hair." The trucks stole Rusty from the coaches and he wove them around.
"It's the fun of the fare," sang the coaches.
"Freight!"
"Folks!"
"Tares!"
"Fares!" the coaches shouted stealing Rusty back again, "Passengers, commuters and mail!" They sang skating off.
"Trees and meat, gravel and shale!" the trucks sang following, hitching behind the last coach.
"On the rails, on the rails, on the rails, on the rails," they all sang.
Rusty had had it and he disconnected the entire long train. Each coach paired up with a truck and they spun around together.
"Are great, are great, are great, are great," they sang, "Are... great!"
Rusty blew his hair out of his eyes and caught his breath. He'd gotten caught in the middle again.

Suddenly there was a huge explosion followed by sparks from the lights, then complete darkness. Several coaches screamed as the ground rumbled.
"Who's this?" Ashley asked.
"Me," CB responded.
"Just stay put everyone," Rusty said sounding a lot calmer then he felt.
He turned on his headlights and swept them over the yard. Dispute forgotten the coaches and trucks were huddled together on the ground. They slowly moved towards Rusty's light.
"What was that?" Dustin asked.
"I don't know," Rusty said, "C'mon let's get out of here."
They formed a long train and moved out slowly.

Belle steadied herself.
"What in Starlight's name was that?" she asked.
"Are you all right Belle?" her partner asked.
"Yeah," she said, "I'm okay."
"It was a power surge," he said, "but one that big?"
"Something strange is going on... " Belle said softly.

Rusty was thinking the same thing.
"What could have caused a power surge that big?" he wondered aloud.

"Control! Control!" Control announced, "Race delayed! Race delayed! We have a technical problem."
"No really?" Rusty whispered to Pearl, who giggled.
"Rusty... " Control started.
"I'm going," Rusty said. To Pearl he added, "But I don't know exactly what Control expects me to do."
He started off to find that all the cars were still hitched behind.
"The back up power should kick in, in a second," Rusty said as the lights flicked on.
They were dim and flickering but there was light.
They still stayed in a train. It was strange in the station and no one wanted to be alone.
The air was thick with electricity that made everyone's hair rise. The dim lights flickered and the only sound was an eerie humming sound. Then suddenly the humming stopped, the lights stopped flickering. Everyone relaxed, but the main power was still off.

Pearl licked her lips, it was time to drop the bomb on Rusty.
"Rusty... " she started.
"Yeah?"
"About tonight," she said, "Do you really want to race with me?"
"Well sure," Rusty said surprised by the question.
"'Coz I don't want you to feel you have to race with me," Pearl said her words tumbling out in a rush, "Just because you said so before. I mean if you want to race with another partner it would be okay with me."
"Oh," he said. He looked at her. The light from the stars illuminated her, making her strawberry blonde hair glow. She was pretty, no beautiful.
"All right Pearl," he said after a long pause, "If that's how you want it."
Pearl looked at him, the light from the stars reflected off of him. She nodded but she wasn't sure. The other coaches were right but in the starlight she wasn't sure.

"Try rewiring the panel," Rocky suggested breaking the silence.
Rusty nodded and opened the panel. "I wish I had more light," he said.
Suddenly a thin beam of light shone on the switches.
He turned and yelped as the light shone directly into his eyes.
"Sorry," Buffy said moving the flashlight.
"Where'd that come from?" he asked blinking as the spots faded.
"I found it," Buffy said shining the light on the panel again.
Their electrical power was usually reliable but it tended to blow fuses when all the lights were on.
"There's nothing wrong with our electrical system," Rusty said, "I don't... "
Another power surge blasted Rusty backwards, and threw most of the coaches off their wheels.
"Are you okay?" Pearl asked.
"Yeah," he said, he wasn't. He had never been shocked that much before. It wasn't pleasant.

The humming sound grew louder and an eerie cold blue light shone. A silver shape pulled in slowly.
"What's that?" Pearl whispered.
"Late entry! Late entry!" Control announced excitedly, "A super star challenger for the race. Stand by for electrification! Stand by for electrification!"
The door opened and a smoke poured out, filling the yard.
Rusty squinted through the fog. A figure emerged from the vehicle.
"These must be his minders," Control said.
The figure approached them; he carried something long and thin.
"He's got a gun!" Pearl yelped hiding behind Rusty, who was slowly slinking away.

"Halt!" he ordered, "I am Krupp, Electra's armaments truck."
Electra? Rusty wondered halting.
"Who's Electra?" Rocky demanded.
"We ask the questions," Krupp said loftily.
Rusty wasn't about to argue, neither was anyone else.
Another figure emerged. "I am Wrench," she said, "Electra's repair truck."
"This Electra must be rich to have his own repair truck," Dustin whispered to Flat Top uneasily.
"Or unreliable," Flat Top responded with a laugh, trying unsuccessfully to break the tension.
"I am Purse," the next component announced, "Electra's money truck."
He skated over to them. "Electra is rich," he said, "Switch your allegiance to Electra."
"I am Volta," the next one, a car in dark blue, said, "Electra's freezer truck."
"I am Joule, Electra's dynamite truck!" the last one said emphasizing 'dynamite.'

The components turned their attention back to the metallic vehicle. A smaller red and blue box rolled out, that was the only way to describe it. It was covered in dials. The components circled it.
"Clear Electra," Krupp said into a two-way radio, "Verify." His voice sounded strangely robotic.
"Go to Electra," Wrench said, "Load."
"Shift Electra," Volta purred.
"Space Electra!" Joule said her voice as explosive as her red and white hair,
"Enter Electra," Purse said, "Run Electra."
"What are they doing?" Buffy whispered.
"It sounds like a computer program," Ashley whispered back.
"Confirm, Confirm Enter!" the components said all hitting a key on their radios.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Rusty whispered.

"Who is this Electra?" Rocky asked a little louder then he intended for the components heard him.
"Who is Electra?" Krupp repeated as all the components came over.
"Electra is rich," Purse said.
"Electra is powerful," Wrench said.
"Electra is cool," Volta said.
"Electra is hot!" Joule added.
"Cool," Volta purred
"Hot!" Joule exclaimed.
"A mega star, a mega watt," the components chanted circling the others, "Rich hot powerful, rich hot cool, rich hot powerful, rich hot cool."
The humming grew louder and a light flashed.

As though someone had called the components began circling the vehicle.
"Electra... " they sang, "Electra... "
A door opened releasing more smoke, the sides swung away.
Rusty squinted through the smoke trying to see.
"Electra... " the components sang.

A figure in red and blue with wild hair slowly came into view. His eyes were closed and he sat motionless.
"Electra... " the components sang bowing as the last note faded.

Electra lit up, his eyes opened and a light flashed at his neck. It was strangely hypnotic.
"I am electric," he sang in a robotic voice, "Feel my attraction."
He stood and stretched out his hands, most of the coaches and trucks moved slowly towards him, a blank look in their eyes.
"Feel my magnetism you will agree," Electra sang.
The cars joined the components in circling Electra.
"I am electric, I have the contacts," Electra sang, "I am electric the future is me!"
Rusty turned to look at Pearl. She was focused on the light as well. The only reason she wasn't out there was because she was pinned between Rusty and the wall.
"AC DC it's OK by me," Electra sang his voice changing, "I can switch and change my frequency." The components sang wordlessly as they circled Electra.

"I am electric," he sang watching them, "Mind how you touch me."
He sparked, "I can shock you, I can set you on fire."
The sparks settled in his hands. The live electricity didn't bother him at all.
"I can reach up and pluck down the lightning," he sang, "Watch the conductor! See the live wire!" He let out a bolt of lightning.
Rusty gasped and ducked, pulling Pearl along with him. The lightning hit just above their heads.
"AC DC it's OK by me," Electra sang, "I can switch and change my frequency."
The components gathered around Electra.
Wrench set a black headband on Electra. Joule dropped to her knees and made sure his skates were tied. Krupp detached the cord that connected Electra to the vehicle that he had arrived in. He and Purse wound it up.
Electra stretched and experimentally sent out another bolt.
"Electra... Electra... " the components sang, "Electra... Electra!"
Electra spun and increased his power; he was charged and ready to show all of these trains who was the best. He had everyone's attention and adoration, no not everyone.
Rusty couldn't fight against Electra's magnetism much longer.

Electra switched modes. "I am electric, I'm a computer," he sang in a robotic tone as he looked over the coaches. Don't attempt to keep no secrets from me," he said, "If you make me bored, I'll hit my keyboard."
He pushed Joule out of the way.
"You'll be erased from my memory!" he sang, "AC, DC it's OK by me. I can switch and change my frequency."
Rusty lost hold of Pearl and she was drawn into the circle. He tried to catch her, but couldn't. He could barely manage to keep himself steady.
"I am electric resistance is pointless," Electra said, "Feel my magnetism you will agree."
The circle moved in closer around him.
"You can't ignore me, you must adore me," Electra sang, "I am electric come closer to me!"
"AC, DC, it's OK by me," he sang his voice becoming more and more robotic with each line, "I can switch and change my frequency, can switch and change my frequency, can switch and change my frequency!"
"Electra... Electra... " the coaches, components and freight cars sang, "Electra... Electra!"

Someone else was watching the proceedings and he wasn't happy.
In a last ditch effort Rusty crossed two wires (and nearly electrocuted himself) and the lights came back on.

Just as the lights flicked on a figure roared in, it was Greaseball, complete with leather jacket and sunglasses.
"Hold it!" he shouted breaking Electra's spell.
"Oh boy," Control announced, "Here comes trouble."
The coaches abandoned Electra. "It's Greaseball, It's Greaseball, Greaseball the diesel!" the coaches chanted their attention diverted to the new engine. Volta, Wrench, and Joule looked towards him curiously.
"It's the reigning champion," Control announced unnecessarily, "And he doesn't like this one bit!"
Electra backed away, taking Krupp and Purse with him. The other two components had wanted to talk to Greaseball's gang, but though better of it. Electra sank into the shadows with a very annoyed expression. Three of his components had left him.
Rusty pressed to the back along with most of the freight cars. Flat Top moved over to talk to Greaseball's gang.

"It's Greaseball, It's Greaseball, Greaseball the diesel!" the coaches shouted, "Choose me Greaseball, race with me!"
"Back off girls!" Dinah said trying to hold them back. "He's mine," she added adoringly.

Greaseball zoomed in. "Here comes the diesel train with it's steel refrain, hear me knocking," he sang.
The coaches shoved each out of the way running toward him.
"The diesel's on it's way, it's gonna win the day, hear me knocking," he sang.
He took off his sunglasses and put them in his pocket. He was obviously enjoying the attention of the coaches. "Listen to the chatter of the diesel force," he sang, "generating twenty seven hundred horse. Camshaft rolling while the rockers rock, hear me knock!"
"Ooo yeah," he sang starting to dance, the girls following made it a little difficult, but he didn't mind one bit.
Dinah tried to push all the girls away but she wasn't having much luck.
"See me hustle, feel my muscle," Greaseball sang, "Pumping iron, trying to build my body, think I'm gonna lose my mind."
Wrench, Volta, and Joule were having a blast. They had never met an engine like Greaseball before.
He danced with all the girls, Ashley, then Wrench, then Buffy, Volta, Pearl, Joule and finally Dinah. He danced a few beats with each girl and then gave her a spin, moving on to the next one.
"I love that rock'n'roll," Greaseball exclaimed.
He danced with Dinah the longest, she made sure of that.
"Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah!" Greaseball sang giving Dinah a spin.

"See me hustle, feel my muscle," Greaseball and the coaches sang, "Pumping Iron."
"Stretching my bullworker," Greaseball sang, "I'm heaving on my weights."
"See me flex my delts and pecs," they sang.
"I'm pumping iron," Greaseball sang, "I'm a diesel engine. I'm knocking," he sang twirling Wrench and Pearl, "you know I'm knocking," he twirled Volta and Buffy, "Said I'm knocking," he twirled Ashley and Joule and then Dinah.
"Hey-y-y!" he sang.

"Heading for the rally," he sang.
"Heading for the rally," the coaches repeated getting as close as possible to him in any possible way, including on the ground.
"Gonna win the first race," he declared stepping over Buffy.
"Gonna win the first race," they repeated.
"Gonna run the longest," he sang.
"The biggest and the strongest," the coaches sang.
"I'm knocking, said I'm knocking," he sang, "You know I'm knocking."
He surveyed the coaches and took out his sunglasses. "Well," he said, "I am so beautiful."
"Oh!" all the girls sighed, those that weren't on the ground yet sank down.
"I'm pumping iron," he said.

All the coaches fainted, or at least hit the ground. Greaseball carefully stepped over them."
"Excuse me girls," he said, "I've got a race to win."
"Oh... " Joule sighed, "Can you believe that engine?"
"Shh Joule," Volta warned looking around.
"So what's Electra like?" Ashley asked sitting up. The other coaches sat up and rose to their feet as well.
"He's... " Wrench started. She yelped and sat up. "Purse!" she shouted, "Don't do that!"
"Electra wants you back," Purse said gesturing behind at the very annoyed looking electric engine, "And unless you want him to come over... "
"Come on Volta, Joule," Wrench said getting up.
"Is he mad?" Joule asked.
"Not yet," Purse said.
His components scrambled over to him.
"Sorry... " Wrench started.
Greaseball returned and hitched the remaining coaches behind.

Rusty collected the freight cars (Except Flat Top).
The rest of the national engines filtered into the yard.
Rusty pulled the train past them.

"You, you're overloaded," Greaseball said pointing to one of the cars.
Electra skated over, components hitched behind. He sparked and Rusty swerved out of his way.
"I'm electric taking over!" he said.
"You'll have to beat diesel!" Greaseball said crossing his arms.
"Take on diesel!" Dinah said peeking out from behind Greaseball.
"Take on diesel!" she and Greaseball challenged.
Electra dispatched his components, who skated in a circle around them. "Electricity is taking charge," they chanted. Electra let out a bolt, shocking Greaseball and Dinah lightly.
"I will enter I will win!" Electra sang.
"You'll never win," Greaseball said unhitching the coaches, and skating up to Electra, "You'll never win!"
"It will be me!" Bobo declared coming down the ramp.

Rusty had been trying to get everyone's attention. "Listen to me, listen to me!" he said wishing he were taller.
"Vat vas that hiss?" Ruhrgold asked looking over Rusty.
"I'm gonna enter," Rusty said.
"Who eez thiez?" Espresso asked pushing Rusty.
The Prince of Wales looked down at him. "It's old and it's dusty," he said in a bored tone, "It can't be, it's Rusty."
Rusty bristled he was not dusty.
"He's going to race?" Turnov asked.
"He's going to lose face," Nintendo responded.
"I'm gonna enter," Rusty repeated.
The other engines all laughed.
"I'll be victorious, I'm gonna win!" Rusty said. He wove around the engines. "Earth water air fire," he sang.

"You'll never win, you'll never win," the other engines said watching Rusty, "I'm gonna beat you, I'm gonna beat you."
"See the steam rise higher," Rusty sang letting out a burst of steam.
"Haven't a chance, haven't a chance," the engines said, "I'm gonna win it, yes I'm gonna win."
Rusty ignored them, he'd show them all in the race.
He skated out in front of them. "Earth water air fire," he repeated.
"I'm gonna win, I'm gonna win," the engines sang challenging each other, "I'm gonna beat you, I'm gonna beat you!"
"See the steam rise higher!" Rusty sang, his voice rising above the others.
"I'm gonna win the race," the engines sang.
"I'll be victorious, I'm gonna win!" all, including Rusty, sang.

"Locomotion... Locomotion... " the engines chanted.
"Go electricity... go electricity," the components chanted.
The coaches and freight cars had resumed their argument.
"It's mommas and poppas!" the coaches sang.
"It's commerce and hoppers," the trucks argued.
The two trains came down the center.
"It's daughters and sons," the coaches sang.
"It's quarters and tons," the trucks sang, "They get in your hair."
"It's the fun of the fare!" the coaches countered.
"Freight!"
"Folks!"
"Tares!"
"Fares!" the coaches shouted, "Passengers commuters and mail!"
"Trees and meat, gravel and shale!" sang the trucks.
"On the rails, on the rails, on the rails, on the rails," they sang.
"Are great, are great, are great, are great," Engines, Trucks and coaches sang, "Are great!"

Belle entered to see the commotion in the yard. She rolled her eyes, it happened every year."
"Cut it out!" Control ordered, "This is turning into a real grudge match!"
As usual all activity stopped and everyone looked up.
Belle snapped her fingers to get everyone's attention. "Coaches here, Freight cars there, Engines there!" she directed.
The coaches and trucks obeyed. The engines hesitated for a second and then most moved; their neighbors pulled those that didn't along.
"Even I listen to her," Greaseball said to Electra.
Volta, Wrench, and Joule hesitated and then joined the coaches.

"Take a chill pill everyone!" Control said, "Listen up, here are the rules. Four eliminator heats, three trains in each heat, the winners race in the final."
Control paused to let the rules sink in.
"Four heats, winner in the final," Control repeated, "Any foul play and you're eliminated!"
Belle gave the coaches a meaningful look. Pearl smoothed her hair; this was it, time for the engines to pick partners.

"Selection time," Control said, "The reigning champion has first pick of partners."
Greaseball skated over and circled the coaches pretending to consider it. It was a wasted effort, they all knew who he was going to pick.
"Dinah," he said taking her hand.
"A lotta locomotion I've got already," she sang, "I've got Greaseball, he and I go steady."
"A wise choice," Control commented, "A perfect couple."
"The rest of you got five minutes 'til race time," Control said, "So hitch up."
Greaseball was looking around. "Hey Dinah, I'll be right back," he said, "There's someone I need to talk to."
"Hurry back," Dinah said.
Greaseball zoomed off; he tapped CB on the shoulder and the two of them left together.
Belle stretched, "Good luck girls," she said, "I'll see all of you later." She left, to get ready to watch the race.
"Get a move on," Control said, "If you ain't in twos you lose!"

"Come on Rusty," Ashley started.
"You heard what he said," Buffy finished.
Rusty looked at all the coaches who were slowly edging away.
"Alright wait a minute!" he exclaimed skating over to them.
"What's wrong?" he asked, "Don't any of you want to race with the fastest engine in the world?"
The coaches all looked at each other
"Well sure Rusty," Buffy said looking around, "But where is he?"
"Right here!" Rusty exclaimed indignantly.
The coaches looked at each other, thinking, 'here he goes again.'

"Where I go the rest better follow," he said, "Look out everybody! Move aside!"He skated through them causing them to scatter.
"May go now or may go tomorrow," he sang hitching one of the coaches, Pearl, behind.
"Hold on," he said, "I'll take you for a ride." He zoomed around the coaches.
"Crazy," the coaches sang, "Can you believe him?"
Rusty swung Pearl around in a circle.
"He's crazy," the coaches sang, "Love him or leave him, he's crazy, goin' crazy, goin' crazy!"

"Watch me," Rusty sang, "See me hit that horizon."
"Take it slowly, what you got to prove?" Pearl asked.
He turned to the coaches. "Ride with me, you'll know you've been riding," he sang, "No one can move the way I move." He skated around them.
"Crazy, Can you believe him? He's crazy," the coaches sang, "Love him or leave him, he's crazy, goin' crazy, goin' crazy!"
"You know I'm crazy," Rusty sang. It didn't matter what they thought.
He hitched all the coaches behind and pulled them around.
"Crazy," the coaches repeated, " Can you believe him? He's crazy, love him or leave him, he's crazy, goin' crazy, goin' crazy!
"Woo!" the coaches exclaimed uncoupling.

The coaches do-wapped while Rusty danced with each of them.
"You know I'm crazy yeah!" he sang dipping Ashley. He moved onto Dinah and then Buffy.
"Woa, woa," he sang. He let go of Buffy and moved on to Pearl. She hesitated for a second before dancing with him, but he didn't notice.
He hitched all the coaches behind again and sped across the yard. "Woo!" the coaches sang feeling the wind rush past.

"Hold on tight," Rusty said to the coach behind him, "I'll turn up the pressure. Must be right, no way it can be wrong," he said turning to see Pearl, "you and me go steaming together."
"'Till someone better comes along," Pearl sang softly.
He uncoupled all the coaches.
"Crazy," the coaches sang as he danced through them again, "Can you believe him? He's crazy, Love him or leave him, he's crazy, goin' crazy, goin' crazy!"
"You know I'm crazy," he sang agreeing with them. He was crazy, but that didn't mean anything.
"Crazy, Can you believe him?" asked the coaches, "He's crazy!"
"You know it, I'm crazy," Rusty sang.
"Love him or leave him, he's crazy," the coaches sang.
"I'm just so crazy!" Rusty sang with a shrug and a smile.
"Goin' crazy, goin' crazy, goin' crazy, goin' crazy," the coaches sang.
"Goin' crazy!" they all sang.

Greaseball came over to see Rusty and the coaches, or more accurately Rusty and Dinah.
He gave Rusty a shove and sent him flying.
"Greaseball!" Dinah exclaimed, "He wasn't doing anything!"
'Rusty?' Pearl mouthed at him.
'I'm O.K." he mouthed back.
"Oh Dinah," Greaseball said putting an arm around her, "I just can't bear the thought of you with anyone else."
Greaseball's sugary sweet tone was making Rusty's teeth hurt.

As Greaseball left with Dinah Espresso skated over. He stepped carefully over Rusty. Espresso looked over the coaches.
Pearl's heart skipped a beat, and she stood up straight. The other coaches were fixing their hair.
'I have to be certain, I have to be sure,' she thought.
Espresso offered an arm to Buffy.
"Buffy at your service," she said with a bow, "Try my special pasta."
Espresso twirled her and they left together.
Bobo approached next and looked over the remaining cars.
'I have to be certain, I have to be sure,' Pearl thought again.
Bobo nodded to Ashley.
"My name is Ashley," she sang, "Do you have a light?"
Other engines came and went in a confusion of engines, cars, and components.
Rusty wasn't all that worried; he hadn't wanted to race in the first heat anyway.
Suddenly the yard cleared, all the coaches were gone.
"Pearl?" he called, Where did she go?

"Control! Control!" Control announced, "Thirty seconds to close of entries for heat one, engines report."
Rusty stopped one of the marshals.
"Not now, Rusty," she said trying to go around him.
"Who's in the race?" he asked.
She consulted her clipboard, "Greaseball, Espresso, and Nintendo."
Then she skated off.
"Who's pared with Nintendo?" he asked following her.
"I don't know Rusty," she said exasperated.
"Alright thank you," he said politely, not that he wanted to be.

Nintendo wanted a light car so he approached the lightest one he could find CB the caboose.
CB nodded. "The red caboose would like to be of use... " he said as he hitched behind Nintendo.

Greaseball pulled into the starting gate. He had exchanged his sunglasses for a pair of goggles and a helmet. He turned to make sure Dinah's racing gear was secure.
In the track next to them, Espresso was getting ready with Buffy.

"Control, Control! Heat one! Heat one!" Control announced, "Race time minus one minute! Race time minus one minute!"
The engines were pumped and ready to go. The coaches could all feel it.
"In track one: the reigning champion, Greaseball the diesel with Dinah the dining car!" Control announced.
Greaseball waved to the cheering spectators as he pulled into place.
"Let's hear it for the reigning champion!" a marshal yelled over the cheers.
"In track two: Espresso the Riviera Express with Buffy the buffet car!"
Espresso acknowledged the applause.
"Let's give a salute to the Italian!" the marshal shouted.
"In track three: Nintendo the bullet train with CB the red caboose!"
"Let's hear it for the mighty Japanese train!" the marshal shouted.
As Nintendo took his place the applause faded and everyone waited tensely.
"Trains to your tracks," Control said. A siren sounded. "Twenty seconds."
Greaseball's engine purred and he tensed up.
Control started the countdown. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!"
The light changed and the engines roared out of the starting gate.
"Trains gone!" Control shouted.

Greaseball pulled into the lead immediately. Espresso and Nintendo were close behind. The first stretch was easy, flat and straight. Greaseball had no trouble keeping the lead.
He glanced back and saw Espresso. He was coming too close too fast. The curve was approaching and Espresso was on the inside.
The Italian train pulled even with Greaseball and Greaseball slammed him into the side.
Greaseball pulled ahead and went up the hill. Espresso wasn't too shaken and he was on Greaseball's tail again. Then Espresso pulled between the other two. Greaseball slammed into Espresso again. The same idea had occurred to Nintendo, he hit Espresso from the other side.
Dazed, Espresso dropped back.

On level ground again Greaseball but Nintendo was close behind, he couldn't shake him. Then in a burst of speed Nintendo passed Greaseball.
Greaseball growled and sped up. He hit Nintendo and the bullet train went flying. Greaseball took the lead again and Espresso passed Nintendo. He shook his head to clear it and then chased the other two.
They continued on. Espresso tried, but Greaseball kept his lead. Suddenly Nintendo sped up, he passed Espresso and then Greaseball.
Greaseball clenched one of his hands into a fist squeezing something in his glove. The finish line was approaching.
Suddenly Nintendo swerved, Greaseball sped up and scooted past him as he plowed off the track.
Greaseball crossed the finish line.

"Winner of heat one Greaseball the diesel!" Control announced over the applause.
Greaseball pulled off his goggles and waved. He panted, out of breath from the race.
"Greaseball has a place in the final!" Control shouted.
Greaseball grinned and unhitched Dinah. He pulled his partner forward and they bowed together.
"I knew I was right to race with you," he said softly.
Dinah was a little upset, something had happened and she didn't like it. Silently fuming she followed Greaseball.
His gang flocked around him and Dinah, congratulating them, and offering them help.
"You won boss!" one shouted.
Greaseball took the offered water bottle and sat down, he put his sunglasses back on and put his feet up. Dinah refused the attention of two of the gang members. After a glace at Greaseball they backed away.

Dinah took a breath and glared at Greaseball
"That was cheating!" she accused, "What you did to him there wasn't fair!"
"Hey come on!" Greaseball said, "We won!"
She crossed her arms not mollified.
He sat up, "Quit that kind of talk," he warned, "you take care."
"No I must say it," Dinah said, "It just wasn't fair."
Greaseball stood up angrily, "Okay that does it," he said ripping off his glasses, "I'm giving you air!"
Dinah backed away as he glared at her.
"From now on Miss America go preach at someone new," he said, "race with me you use my rules! You had your chance, you blew it," he said, "So we're through!"
He turned his back on her and skated away. She gasped.
"Oh Greaseball!" she called chasing after him, "I'm sorry!"
"Get lost!" Greaseball snapped.
Dinah stared after him dumbly for a second then covered her face with her hands. She dropped to the ground and sobbed.
Greaseball went on. He felt a little bad, but she had asked for it. Nobody crossed Greaseball and got away with it.

CB, who had escaped from the crash with relatively little harm, passed by.
"Hi CB," Greaseball called.
"Hi GB!" CB said skating over, "Hey what a race!"
"What a race," Greaseball agreed starting to put his glasses back on.
"What a team," CB said with a smile and a wink.
"Shh!" Greaseball hissed looking around.
CB's smile became a little confused.
"Oh," Greaseball said relaxing, "you mean me and Dinah."
CB nodded. What else? he thought, where is she anyway?
"Not a team anymore CB," Greaseball said putting on his glasses, "She's on her own."
Waving goodbye to the caboose Greaseball skated away.

Dinah was curled up in a ball crying her eyes out.
CB looked at her. He started to skate towards her, stopped, started to leave, turned around and headed towards her again.
Dinah didn't hear him approaching. He dropped to the ground and uncertainly set a hand on her shoulder. Dinah shuddered and looked up.
"Go away CB," she said, "Leave me alone!"
He pulled his hand back. She put her head back down hoping he would leave. He didn't.

"All alone," CB sang softly, "you think you're on your own."
Dinah sat up but pointedly didn't look at CB.
"You think there's no one in the world who cares for you," he sang putting his hand on her arm.
"That isn't true," he shook his head, "There's me."
Dinah looked up, then down again shaking off his hand.

"I may not be the one you want to see," he continued honestly, "but if you need someone who's kind," he set his hands on her shoulders, "Then look behind, then you'll find there's me."
He stood up and skated around her. "I'll be near," he sang, "Standin' by."
Dinah looked up and him through her tears. He stood over her. Standing guard, she thought.
"Never fear," he added, "you can cry." CB sank to the ground again." In a while you will smile," he sang giving her one, "And I'll be there to see."
Dinah sniffed, she didn't think she'd ever smile again.
"By yourself," he sang, "you have to cry yourself, nobody else can dry the tears you have to cry." Gently CB brushed away one of her tears. "But I will try," he said softly, "There's me."
He gave her a small smile, it wasn't as wide as his usual one. She felt warmth and caring come from him.
"Until then," he sang getting up, "When you're okay again you look around find I'm no longer there. I'll still be near somewhere," he skated around behind her., "You're not alone there's me," he sank to the ground next to her, "There's always me."

Dinah turned suddenly and threw her arms around him.
CB looked startled then slowly he smiled and put his arms around her. He rocked her back and forth gently.
"You're not alone, there's me," he repeated, "There's always me."
He rocked her as her tears slowly stopped.

"CB?" she asked in a thick voice, a little muffled.
"Yeah Dinah?"
"Stay here," she said.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said softly.
Dinah let out a huge sigh and relaxed into his arms.

Rusty jumped over a gate expertly. Opening and closing it took too much time. Ever since he and Pearl had figured out how to jump it, they came here all the time. The abandoned yard was their place. Although he had the key now he still jumped the gate.
Just as he suspected Pearl was there. He approached her cautiously, letting out a low whistle.
She looked up, "Oh, hi Rusty," she said a little disappointed.
"What's wrong Pearl?" he asked skating over to her, "Got no partner?"
"No," she answered sadly. She smoothed her skirt, she had been so excited about racing and then no one had chosen her. Dinah, Buffy and Ashley had all been chosen but not her.
"No one wants to race with me," she said sadly.
Rusty's heart leapt, he choked back a happy whistle. "Never mind," he said.
Pearl looked up, he knew how much she has wanted to race.
"I'll take you," he said offering her a hand.
"No Rusty," she said, "I know you mean to be kind... "
"You'd rather have no one then race behind me?" he asked a little hurt.
"You don't understand," she said shaking her head, she sighed, "Why don't you see?"
He sank down to the bench next to her, "Tell me then," he said, "please."
Pearl gave him a long look. She had always been able to talk to him before, why was it suddenly so hard?

"I have this train I dream about," she said, "And engine moved by steam."
Rusty smiled. "No problem," he said, "I'm a steamer."
"Maybe I could be the engine of your dreams," he suggested hopefully.
Pearl studied him, she had never really thought of him, sure he was her friend but...
"Can you whistle?" she asked.
"Sure I can," Rusty said. He took a breath and let out a long soft whistle, "Woo-woo-woo."
As the notes faded he looked at Pearl expectantly, waiting for her appraisal. Suddenly what she thought mattered very much
Pearl hesitated, Rusty's whistled was pretty but... "Yes it's close," she said finally, "but it's not like my dreams."
"Oh," Rusty said disappointed.
"Sorry Rusty, I know how it must seem," she said, She stood up, "No one else can take his place," she said dreamily.
A change came over the yard. A distant whistle sounded, "Woo, woo, Woo, woo."
Rusty looked up startled, where was it coming from?

"Nobody can do it like a steam train," Pearl sang.
"Woo, woo, Woo, woo," the whistle sounded.
"Nobody can do it like a steam train," Pearl repeated.
Suddenly they were in a station.

"I was waiting at the station," Pearl sang, "I was all anticipation, I was painted, I was polished, I was shining like a star,"
She snapped her fingers and was completely drawn into the dream.
A dark steam engine appeared; his face was shadowed.
"And then he whistled at me," Pearl sang.
The engine turned to Pearl and whistled, "Woo, woo!"
"He looked in my direction," she sang, "He whistled at me."
"Woo, woo," he whistled again.
"This could be my connection," she said hopefully, "All because he whistled at me," she picked up speed. "He sure knew how to woo me," she sang gliding into his arms, "He whistled at me, they're gonna hitch him to me."

She sat down. "I'd been out of circulation, I had lost my motivation," she said, "rejected and dejected... " She stood up, "Then he was on the line," she said pointing as he skated over to her. "In an atmosphere all steamy he said things I thought were dreamy," Pearl sang.
The engine set his hands on her shoulders.
"He said I was good looking, said I was divine," she sang. She stepped forward with a secretive smile.
"Then he started getting fresher," she sang, "Started putting on the pressure."
He let out a burst of steam.
"From the sounds that he was making I could tell that he was mine," Pearl sang, "because he whistled at me."
"Woo, woo" he whistled offering her a hand.

"I knew he had to choose me," she sang taking it, "He whistled at me."
"Woo, woo," he whistled.
"And now he'll never lose me," Pearl sang. He twirled her.
"All because he whistled at me," she sang.
"Woo, woo!" the steam engine whistled.
"Now every time you find him," she sang, "He whistled at me... "
He whistled again and she hitched behind him.
"You'll find me there behind him," she sang.

"Woo, woo! Woo, woo!" the whistle sounded, louder and closer then before.
"Nobody can do it like a steam train," she sang.
"Woo, woo! Woo, woo!" the whistle sounded again.
"Listen to the rhythm of the steam train," Pearl sang, "he whistled at me."
"Woo, woo!" the engine whistled.

"He sure knew how to do it," she sang, "He whistled at me... "
He whistled and twirled her again.
"This time he really blew it," she sang.
He took her hand, kissed it, and slowly backed away.
"Mmm, I'm sure he whistled at me," Pearl sang.
The engine slowly vanished.
"Since then I've been a dreamer," she sang watching him leave, "He whistled at me, it had to be a steamer." She glided around on her own.
"Only he could whistle at me," she sang, "I'm waiting for that day when he'll come back and whistle at me, then every time you find him, I hope that he will whistle at me, you'll find me there behind him."

"Woo, woo! Woo, woo!" the whistle sounded closer then ever.
"Nobody can do it like a steam train," she sang.
"Woo, woo! Woo, woo!" the whistle sounded.
Pearl's imaginary station faded and she was back in their yard again.
"Patiently I'm waiting for my dream train," Pearl finished slowing, "He whistled at me."
Woo, woo, Rusty thought, she hadn't even seemed to hear him before.

"Control, Control, entries closing for heat two," Control announced, "Engines report!"
Pearl sighed, "Too late again."
"Pearl," Rusty started, he took a breath, "Until you find your dream train will you race with this steam train?"
"Well," Pearl said.
"It's better then no one," he said.
"They'll all think we're crazy," Pearl said.
"So then we'll be crazy," he said with a smile, he stood and offered her a hand.
"Control, Control, heat two! Heat two!" Control announced faintly, "Race time minus one minute. Race time minus one minute!"
"In track one: Bobo the French TGV with Ashley the smoking car."

Belle set down her binoculars, "Nope, not yet," she said, "Not this heat."

Purse returned to Electra slowly.
"You still haven't found her?" Electra asked sparking.
Purse shook his head, they all ducked automatically as Electra's lightning flew.
"Electra... " Volta purred moving closer to him.
"You still have a headache," Electra snapped, "Go look again Purse."
Purse bowed his head and took off in a different direction, Electra's command hanging over his head.

"Winner of heat two, Bobo the French TGV," Control said, "Bobo has a place in the final."
"Ready Pearl?" Rusty asked.
She was silent for a few minutes. "I guess," she said.
Rusty felt a little hurt. Why can't I just tell her? He thought frustrated. "Pearl I-" he started.
"Look!" she said, "Isn't that one of Electra's components?"
Rusty turned to see Purse approaching.
"Yeah," he said without enthusiasm, "What does he want?"
"Rusty be nice," Pearl said.

Purse skated over, (and shoved Rusty out of his way) and bowed to Pearl.
"Pearl, you've been honored," he said, "Pearl, you've been chosen, Electra has selected you for the race."
"He has a coach," Rusty said.
"His coach has a headache," Purse responded, "He's chosen Pearl to race in her place."
"Please come, I'll be fired if you won't," he added. Pearl looked from Rusty to Purse.
"Can he whistle?" she asked.
Purse shook his head, "No AC trains don't."
Rusty relaxed, he could whistle, he was glad he was a steam engine.
Pearl looked back and forth between the two. Now what was she supposed to do? Ten minutes ago she hadn't had a partner, now she had two.
"Rusty needs me, which way should I go?" she asked the sky.
"Thank him kindly," she said to Purse, "Say 'I'll let him know'."
Purse bowed again and left, he stopped and hid behind a pillar, listening.

"What's all this?" Rusty asked, "You have a partner."
"We-ll-" she started.
"Yes you do," he said, "We're all set."
"I always said that if someone new... " she started.
"You fell for the posing," he accused, "you fell for the star."
"You don't understand," she said, "That's not how things are." She drifted away from him slowly, "I must have time... "
He followed her. Tell her! He ordered himself. "But Pearl," he said catching her arm, "I-"
"No!" she said starting to get irritated. She tried to shake him off, "let me work it out my way."
"I must be free to leave you Rusty," she said, "That's the only way I'm free to stay."
She was serious, he realized. He let go and slowly backed away. It was one of the hardest things he'd ever had to do. But if she wanted to be alone he'd respect her wishes.

Pearl sighed, now she had two engines. She sat down.
Rusty was her friend and had always stuck by her. Electra was new and exciting. Rusty could whistle and Electra couldn't. But she wanted to try everything before she decided.

"It's time to choose between the two of them," she sang, "I'd better make a start. Someone help me make up my heart," she begged, "Tell me how to make up my heart."
She stood up. "One of them is strong," she held out a hand, "one of them is good," she smiled and held out the other hand. "But both could turn out wrong," she added, "So who gets the part? Make up my mind, make up my heart." Pearl started to pace back and forth.
"I don't want one to win and one to lose," she said, "Can't tell them 'yes' or 'no'."
"Choosing one means letting one go," she shook her head, "I can't face letting one of them go." She sighed, "you'd think two lovers would be twice the fun." She shook her head.

Her heart was pulling her in two different directions. "It's tearing me apart," she said, "Someone help me make up my heart. Tell me how to make up my heart."
"One of them has style, sets the world alight," she sang, "The other makes me smile, So who gets the part? Make up my mind, make up my heart.
She closed her eyes and tried to see it. She glided around with an invisible partner, but he was her dream train from before. She opened her eyes, pulling herself back to reality. She sighed, she didn't have time to think about her dream train now, she had to choose an engine.
"It's time I choose between the two of them," she repeated sitting down, "I'd better make a start." She looked up to the sky, "Someone help me make up my heart," she begged the stars, "Tell me how to make up my heart." She stood up, "One can make my laugh," she sang with a smile, "One can make me sigh."
"Why tear myself in half?" she asked, "So who gets the part?" She folded her hands, "Make up my mind, please make up my-"

Electra came over, Pearl was young and beautiful, the perfect partner for him. He whooshed in and zoomed around Pearl, sparking and shining. He pulled her in with his electricity, hitched her behind and took off.
Pearl was startled and then she shrugged. Electra was fast and different. And after all she had decided to test them all before she decided. Rusty would understand.
When Electra had zoomed in Rusty hadn't had time to react. As he watched him leave with Pearl he felt something inside of him break. Electra might as well have had run him over.
"Did you have to break up my heart?" he called after her. It hurt, more then the other engines teasing had, more then being rejected by all the other coaches.
"Get lost Rusty," Control snapped.
Rusty blinked up towards Control and then slowly moved out.
What am I going to do now? He thought Mechanically he headed away from the racetrack down a familiar line.

"I have been all over this stupid station looking for that-" he started.
"Shh, they're coming," Volta said laying down.
Purse shut up, if Electra had heard him complaining about his new coach...
He stood up as Electra approached.
"How are you feeling Volta?" Electra asked.
"I still have a headache," she said, she knew the routine, "I am so sorry Electra."