Life up north is hard. It's cold, mountainous, and snows half the year. It takes a special pony to endure such a vital job as being the life blood that keeps the national economy going and food in their mouths. Axle Steel has spent the last seven years of his life in the Neighagra Division driving low speed drag freight. Along with a young inexperienced firepony, a boisterous brakepony, an overworked conductor, and the many others who work the road, they all share a common passion. To see their trains run. They know no other life and want none.