Rich Estate Open Dayby The Blue EM2ChaptersThe evening mealOpening proceedingsThe day commencesRescue RunCreditsThe evening mealIt was the late evening in February, on a Saturday like most other Saturdays. The snow still lay on the ground, and the temperature was cold. The sky was a shade that was not exactly describable, but sat somewhere between black and dark blue. This was most annoying, as it made it extremely hard to describe. However, there was not a cloud in the sky, and the moon produced a clear and wondrous light which illuminated the night. Not many people were there to see it. Quite sensibly on their part, they had chosen to remain indoors with the heating on, or enjoying a nice meal. Just out of town, about 5 miles to the south, lie a pair of large estates, each on opposite sides of the road. One of these estates was very large, at least 100 acres in total. It ran to the coast, and both east and west with green, landscaped gardens. In the centre of it all sat a vast country home, which was spread over 5 floors, and had more than 100 rooms, though nobody knew exactly why it had 100 rooms. This home and estate had belonged to an incredibly influential local family, there from Canterlot’s founding in the 1850s. That family had been the Milks, but now through marriage (which at times felt more like a business merger), the estate was now in the ownership of the Riches, who were somewhat ironically named until recently. On the other side of the road, there was an estate of similar size, with an equally large house. This estate had been owned by another family, the Cheeses. Sadly, the last of their line, Gruyere, had passed away 20 years ago, and the estate had been purchased by the Steel family, a line of steel barons from the north-eastern United States. In both estates, there were large sheds, and workshops, and a railway line that ran from one estate to the other, running under the road via a great double track tunnel. It soared over bridges, and through sweeping curves. But this railway was unusual. It was very small, as the rails were only 15 inches apart. This made it the smallest operating railway in California, but it was not always open. Inside the house belonging to the Riches, six individuals were seated around the great dining table that sat in the great hall. On the walls of the great hall hung many grand paintings, and the centre of the room was dominated by a fireplace so large three grown men had to stand on each other’s shoulders in order to reach the top. The table was a similarly grand affair, made of mahogany, and it was at least eight feet long. Our individuals in question were seated around the end closest to the door. Seated at the head of the table was a man with brownish skin and black hair. He was dressed in his usual attire of a blue business suit with black polished shoes and a red tie, meaning he had been compared to Donald Trump more than once. His name was Filthy Rich, though he generally went by the name of Rich. He had once been rather ironically named, as he was not rich at all when he started out. But, in the true American spirit, he had built himself up from the ground. He had a relaxed, easy manner, and was currently engaged in lively conversation with the other man in the group. This other man had tan skin and an impressive brown beard combined with grey hair, and was likewise dressed in a suit, just this one was brown with brown shoes, and a blue tie. This fellow was Dark Steel, who was from the Steel family, a long line of steel magnates that had once lived in the Chicago area, but now found its way down here. Dark Steel had started out fantastically wealthy, and had only become wealthier as time had gone by. It was therefore a good thing that he was a philanthropist, and had donated many millions of dollars over the years to good and charitable causes. He had a similarly easy manner, and was also engaged in conversation. Next to Dark Steel sat a woman. She had grey coloured skin and blue hair, and was formally dressed in a long green gown and red heels. Her name was Perfect Set, and she was the wife of Dark Steel. The Sets had been a family of relative obscurity in the American social network, but now was somewhat better known thanks to the connections with the Steel family. A kind, friendly woman, not to mention a rather hands-on mother, she was equally easy in her manner of conversation. The lady sitting opposite her, I am sorry to say, did not have the same easy manners. Although when I say Lady, it is perhaps a misnomer given that this individual did not strictly fit the definition. She had pink skin and purple hair, and wore a blue dress with golden heels. Her name was Spoiled Rich (formerly Milk), and it was thanks to her marriage to Filthy Rich that the Milk estate was now in the ownership of the Rich family. Somewhat snooty and stuck-up, she was aware of her social position and was keen to remind others of this, which sometimes let to clashes with her husband. Next to her was a girl, no more than 12 years old. She bore a strong resemblance to her mother, having pink skin and two-tone pink and white hair. She wore a black short-sleeved shirt, with a yellow jacket on top of that (though heavens know why she was wearing it indoors), a white skirt with black leggings, and a pair of yellow boots. The tiara lodged in her hair (which had diamonds in it) was somewhat a clue as to her name. This, indeed, was Diamond Tiara, the daughter of Filthy Rich and, by logical extension, Spoiled Rich. Once a bit of a stuck-up brat, she had changed her ways and become close friends with those she had once tormented the most, the Crusaders. Rounding out our little sextet was another girl, the same age as Diamond Tiara. She had grey skin and two-tone grey hair, and was dressed in a purple blouse with a white undershirt, a pink skirt with a white stripe toward the bottom, and a pair of purple boots with white lining. She also had a pair of blue, circle-rimmed glasses mounted upon her nose, and her hair was pleated on the back. Her name was Silver Spoon, as the pendant she wore more than made clear. The daughter of Dark Steel and Perfect Set, she had been friends with Diamond Tiara for longer than she could remember; on that note, Diamond was effectively the sister she had never had. This helped especially when your best friend lived across the road from you. Now close friends with the Crusaders, these two girls helped out in any way they could. Just as we enter the scene, the butler and serving staff were collecting in the plates from the main course, and glasses were being handed out for after-dinner drinks; champagne for the adults, and lemonade for the girls. We shall now listen in on their conversation. “And, by capturing the whole sale market, purchasing in bulk and slashing all prices, we undermine every other gift market in the state, and that's how Rich's Barnyard Bargains became the cornerstone of retail in California.” Filthy Rich had just been giving a long and proud history of his company, to a rather interested Dark Steel. Barnyard Bargains was on the verge of expanding into other states. Oregon and Nevada awaited. “Most fascinating!” Dark Steel replied, with his typical jovial manner. “I must say, you are the most astute of businessmen!” Dark Steel’s enthusiasm was not shared by Spoiled Rich. “Must you talk business at the dining table?” she asked, with a look of intense boredom on her face. “It was rather heavy,” Perfect Set added. “Sorry, what were you discussing?” Diamond Tiara asked, up to this point in her own conversation with Silver Spoon. “Nothin’ concerning you, princess,” Filthy Rich replied. Just then, the champagne was served, as was the lemonade. “You know we produced this champagne from apples?” Filthy Rich said proudly. “It was produced by my associates over at Sweet Apple Acres; Bright Mac and his associates.” Perfect Set looked down the table. “Bright Mac? Aren’t you friends with his daughter, Silver Spoon?” “Yes mommy,” Silver replied. Spoiled shook her head. “Ah yes. When Diamond joins them on their ‘crusades’, the amount of mud in the carpets increases exponentially.” Whilst Spoiled did not object to the Crusaders on principal, she did object to the colossal mess they sometimes made. Dark Steel then re-joined the conversation. “Rich, I believe we need to discuss tomorrow’s arrangements. Regarding the open day.” The two estates opened the rail system up to the public once a year. That was tomorrow this year. “Indeed,” Rich said, rising from the table. “Girls!” he called. Diamond and Silver’s heads turned immediately. “Yes father/Mr Rich?” they said together. “Would you mind joining us in the control room to discuss tomorrow?” Both of them got up from their seats and followed the two adults. Spoiled sighed. “Whatever next?” Later, Rich, Steel, and the two children had finished running over the plan. “We can get the engine crews over for 8 in the morning,” Steel observed. “I’ll light the fires at 4, assisted by the engine staff.” “You mean Silver Spoon?” “Yes.” “I’ll do the same at my end,” Rich noted. “We need 10 drivers in total, 5 at each end. Myself and Randolph will be manning the control room and operating all the switches and signals.” “You have 15 miles of railroad to look after,” Silver said. “Are you sure you can do it on your own?” “We’ll manage,” Steel smiled. “Focus on driving the engines.” That evening, Silver got an early night, hopping into bed with a cup of cocoa to help her into the land of dreams. “Hopefully he’ll be there,” she thought dreamily, as she drifted off. Things were not so quiet at Rich Towers, however. Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara had gone to the music room, and had gone to the piano. Diamond flipped open the case and began to play a fast, energetic tune. There was a shout in the distance. “DIAMOND TIARA RICH! STOP MASSACRING MOZART THIS INSTANT!” Author's Note Well, time for a story that combines the show's wealthy families with my favourite miniature railway, the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch. Opening proceedingsSpoiled Rich awoke the very next morning at 7 in the morning, as was her custom. The sun had just appeared in the sky, and the sky itself was clear of clouds. Looking around the room, the slight darkness was typical of this time of morning, as one of the maids came in to serve her the morning coffee. “Your coffee, ma’am,” the maid said to her, placing the cup and saucer on the bedside table. “Thank you, Mitzy,” Spoiled replied. Spoiled may have been rather conceited, but she had the decency to learn the names of all of her servants. She and her husband employed them, after all. It was a basic act of courtesy to know who they all were and what they did. Taking a sip of the coffee, brewed exactly as she liked it (slightly black, not too strong, and only one cube of sugar), she sat up and walked over to the chair positioned next to the window and looked out. This room was principally occupied by herself and her husband, but there were some occasions where it was mostly her. This was when her dearest Rich was away on a business meeting, and only she, the servants, and her daughter occupied their vast pile. Diamond herself was a most fascinating topic. Spoiled would have scoffed at the idea of being a mother, and truth be told, she couldn’t exactly recall how it had happened, given it all happened so long ago, consigned to the mountains of clutter in her brain. Something she could certainly remember was Diamond’s arrival, however, and the unconventional approach taken to waking her husband up at the appointed hour. But the pain of birth was easily offset by the wonder of seeing her daughter’s face for the first time. That girl really resembled Spoiled’s own mother, and by logical extension herself. Spoiled had been determined to raise Diamond as a lady, and to know her privileged position in society, something which had led to the occasional...disagreement with Rich. But no matter how many times they fell apart, they always came back together. True, Diamond and her friend Silver Spoon turning to bullying was regrettable, and not the course of action Spoiled would have recommended. Now Diamond was friends with many of the girls she had once terrorised. Which itself brought new challenges. Whilst Spoiled didn’t object to Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Cozy Glow per se, it was the mess they occasionally made that concerned her more. Since becoming friends with them, the amount of mud trailed through the halls had increased exponentially. That would simply not do. Spoiled finished her coffee, her nostrils greeted by the smell of burning coal and steam pouring...wait, coal? Steam? She opened the window and looked out, to see five miniature steam engines being lit up outside, steaming smoothly. Spoiled rushed through the shower, and got dressed in a similar manner to yesterday, then rushed down the stairs, grabbing a coat as she did so. It was a miracle she didn’t trip in her heels, although for outdoors she switched her usual 4-inch heels for 2-inch. It would not do to trip up outdoors. Apart from the endless social embarrassment it would cause her, the ground was cold and slippery. As she emerged outdoors, she saw her husband looking over the engines. “Filthy Rich!” she called. “Why have you fired up five steam engines?” Filthy Rich and his team, most notably his daughter, stepped back and forth along the line of 5 locomotives. Although the line had 10 locos, they kept 5 at each end of the line. The 5 kept here were the oldest of the fleet. The first of them was painted blue, with red lining and bearing the number 1 on the tender. The engine in question was an A3 Pacific, with smoke deflectors, and was named Magenta Rose. It had been a wedding present to Filthy Rich and Spoiled Milk from Dark Steel, and the engine had been named by Rich in honour of his wife. The second locomotive was painted black, with red and white lining with the number 2. It was an LNWR George V Class, named Princess. As the name implied, it was named in honour of Diamond Tiara. The third was painted garter blue, with golden lining, and had a streamlined ‘Bugatti’ front end, as well as the number 3. As you’ll probably be able from the description, this engine was an A4 Pacific, named City of Canterlot. There was a fourth, an A2 Pacific. This engine was painted dark green, with the number 4. A fairly new addition to the fleet, this was its first running day. The final engine at this end of the line was a Hughes-Fowler Crab, named Ugly. This engine had originally been acquired by for construction work, and was generally used on the freight trains. Rich turned when he heard his wife’s voice. “Hello Spoiled!” he called. “It’s the open day, remember?” Spoiled looked surprised, then showed a look of recognition. “Oh, so it is,” she replied. Diamond looked up at her father. “The engines are ready to go; all we need are the engine crews,” she said. Just then, four girls walked into the site. “Howdy ya’ll!” called Apple Bloom. Following her were Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Cozy Glow. Scootaloo was an especial relief, as she had been the subject of a miracle that had set the town gossip ablaze. She had been restored to life, despite being medically dead, and nobody understood how it had happened. “So,” Sweetie Belle called, “what’s the work for the day?” “Check the depot roster for details,” Filthy Rich called. “I wonder how Dark Steel and his team are getting on?” Elsewhere, Dark Steel and his daughter were lighting the fires on their 5 engines. These were a Duchess class painted red, called Refined Steel (in honour of Dark’s father), a pair of P2 2-8-2s, configured for freight work, a single 4-8-2, based on a French design, and a Beyer-Garratt, which could be used on either passenger or freight trains. Silver Spoon spoke up. “The fires are lit, and the engines are ready to run.” Dark smiled. “Good girl. Nice work on keeping the pressure up.” Silver grinned. “Thanks daddy!” Just then, some voices called from behind them. “We’re ready for work, if you need us!” Approaching from behind were Button Mash, Rumble, and Pipsqueak (although whether he would fit in the cab without falling out nobody knew). There was another boy approaching. He had blackish-grey skin, and blue eyes, and was wearing a grey shirt and green slacks, as well as grey trainers. Silver’s heart melted when he appeared. This was Thorax, whom she had a crush on. “Hello!” he called. “I heard you needed an extra driver, so I agreed to help out.” “Thorax!” Silver cried, running over to him and taking him in a tackle hug. “Hey, nice to see you too!” Thorax gasped. “Silver, please refrain from strangling the guests,” Steel called. Silver let him go. “So, did your sister come along?” Thorax looked back. “Ocellus!” he called. A girl suddenly emerged from behind a wall, who looked very nervous. She had blue skin and hair, as well as blue eyes. She wore a blue dress and red shoes, and walked over slowly. “Sorry,” Thorax said. “She’s just nervous, that’s all. Mom asked me to look after her.” “If we may get going?” asked Button Mash. “What’s the first working today?” “The nine o’clock from either end. The coaches are being moved into position, so all you need to do is get the engines there.” Author's Note Well, I wanted to introduce EqG Thorax and Ocellus, so here you go. The day commencesDiamond Tiara moved the locomotive around to the front of the train. As was convention, she was at the controls of Princess, which was a powerful engine, if not too large. She hoped the other engine crews wouldn’t make too much of a mess of the timetable. The engine collided with the coaches with a satisfying clunk. The plan was a synchronised departure from opposite ends of the railway. That way, they would pass just outside the tunnel. The radio suddenly buzzed, and Diamond picked it up. “Hello?” “Departure, this is control, over,” said the voice of her father. “Control, we are ready to depart, over.” The passengers got aboard, but there was one person who stood coldly at the side of the train, on the platform. Diamond hopped out of the cab and hopped over to her mother. “Come on, mother!” she said. “Won’t you have some fun with us?” Spoiled looked unconvinced. “This looks so uncomfortable and the carriages rock constantly. Are you sure it is safe, my dearest Tiara?” “Of course, it’s safe!” Diamond Tiara reassured her mother. “Please mother, just try it. Please?” Spoiled looked concerned, but then softened. “Well, I suppose that one ride can’t hurt,” she said. Spoiled took her seat in the carriage, which at least had the benefit of being enclosed with proper windows. Having said that, it was a bit of a squash and a squeeze, although it was entirely possible to sit two abreast. Spoiled would have preferred to not do that. She disapproved of being squashed. She had once, when on “business” alongside her husband, had to catch a commuter train to Crystal City and return. It was so crowded in the compartment of the electric train that she had had to stand, amongst a group of loud, irreverent commuters! As a result, she had acquired a private carriage that could be attached to the back of trains when needed. It certainly helped to be able to count President Hurricane as one member of her close circle of friends. “Well,” she said, “I suppose that it is rather comfortable.” “Hi!” said a girl sitting behind her, startling her somewhat. “Aren’t you Diamond Tiara’s mom?” Spoiled looked at the girl, to immediately realise it was Rainbow Dash, whom she had seen competing for Canterlot High School. “Yes, indeed I am,” she replied. “Is this something you do often?” “I travel by train whenever I can,” Rainbow replied. Just then Diamond could be seen proceeding up the platform and taking her seat in the cab. She sounded the whistle, and the train began to pull away from the station. Meanwhile, at the other end of the line, Rumble, at the controls of one of the P2s, took a coal train off down the line, whilst Silver sat at the controls of Refined Steel, awaiting clearance to depart. It wasn’t long before the train was full, and the signal dropped. Silver sounded the whistle, and away the train pulled. The Duchess class engine was very powerful, easily the most powerful engine they had in the collection. It could pull the 10 coaches coupled to it with ease, and that it was doing. They were limited to 5 miles an hour out of the station approaches, but as soon as the line opened up, they were cleared to run at 25 miles an hour, maximum line speed. This, on paper, did not seem fast, but it worked out to a scale speed of 75 miles an hour, which was very fast indeed, given how well machined these engines were. After all, Dark Steel and Filthy Rich would only accept the best in locomotive engineering, and as a result had built each and every one of these engines by themselves. They sped through the first station, the wind whipping through the air and down the side of the smoke deflectors and boiler. Silver’s hair would have whipping around had she not been of the mind to tie it back, and the lights up ahead shone green. The train rumbled onwards, toward the first loop. The express roared past the waiting goods train, Rumble waving as the train flew onwards on its journey. The train had covered about 5 miles by this point, and the line started to curl away to the left. In addition, it began to decrease in elevation, slowly dropping into a 1-in-200 gradient as it curled around a gentle gradient. Then, the train dropped into a steeper grade, as it flew into a cutting that had been passed over just minutes before by the railway. As they descended, the tunnel came before them. This had been built under the road, as the original plan to construct a bridge had not worked. This was for two main reasons. The first of those two reasons was the fact that it would have required a gradient so steep most engines would not have been able to cope. The second of those reasons was the fact that the City of Canterlot had refused the bridge planning permission, and as a result they went with the tunnel option. The train rolled into the tunnel, which was 500 feet long, and Silver Spoon held her breath. It would not do to suffer from the effects of smoke down here, which was why the tunnel was well ventilated. The express roared out the other end, passing the passenger train pulled by Princess going the other way. Diamond sounded the whistle as the train passed, and Silver responded in kind. The train climbed out of the cutting, and the line curved around to the left and ascended a steep grade of 1-in-100. When the track levelled out, the line had completed a 270 degree change in direction, and the railways ran completely straight, until the express reached a smooth stop at the station at the other end of the line. This was the proceedings of the day, with passengers, goods, and many other workings intersecting perfectly. But the sun eventually began to set, and the last goods train, driven by Apple Bloom at the controls of the 4-8-2, pulled out of the Steel Estate station to return the trucks to the other end of the line. But the engine was steaming poorly, and Apple Bloom pulled the train over into a loop. “Control, Ah’ve got an engine that ain’t steamin’ properly,” she radioed. “Ah can’t get her back like this.” Just then, another whistle rang clear through the terrain. And there arrived Princess, pulling the last train of the day, with Diamond Tiara at the controls. Author's Note I strongly reccomend a visit to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway if you ever find yourself in Kent. Rescue RunDiamond slowed her engine down and brought it to a complete stop next to the stricken goods train. As the George V Class simmered there, the safety valve lifting, Diamond called over to Apple Bloom. “Are you in need of some assistance?” she asked. “What’s it look like ta you?” Apple Bloom snapped. “Ah can’t get steam pressure up fer some reason.” “How about we work together?” Diamond suggested. “I can couple my engine to the front of yours, then we attach both engines to the front of the passenger train. Then, we bring both steam engines forward, and shunt them backwards onto the goods train. That way, we can get both trains back to the other end of the line in one piece.” Apple Bloom thought. “Well, it’s better than just bein’ stranded here with no ability ta move. Ah’ll take yer offer.” Diamond nodded. “Excellent! Let’s get to work, shall we?” With that, she hopped out of the cab and went alongside the engine, uncoupling her loco and running it forward slowly. She then picked up her radio. “Control,” she said, “we have a goods train with a stricken locomotive. I’m requesting permission to back into the loop and couple up to the front.” “Are you planning on hauling it to the other end of the line?” asked the voice on the other end. “Yes, Control, I am,” Diamond answered. There was a pause that seemed to last for all eternity. Then the voice finally replied. "We are releasing the points now. Good luck.” With a loud clunk, and the rumble of an electric motor, the points behind her engine shifted to allow her to reverse. The engine began to back down on the much larger Mountain type locomotive and impacted the buffers with a soft clunk. Apple Bloom hopped forward, and coupled up the two locomotives. She then went further back, and uncoupled the trucks, before sitting back in the cab again. “Good ta go!” she called. Both engines rolled forward, steam leaking gently from their cylinders as they rolled forward and over the points, to hear them click back again. Both engines then backed down onto the passenger train, which a soft clunk that suggested good, experienced driving that could only be obtained through years of experience. They then drew the coaches forward slowly, until they were clear of the points. Diamond took out her radio again. “Control, requesting permission for loop switch to be changed again.” “To pick up the goods train?” the voice asked. "Are you sure the two engines can handle it?” “I am certain they can handle it,” Diamond replied. “Besides, we’ve got Apple Bloom driving one of them. If she can correct wheelslip on a 1-in-70 gradient, she can restart a goods train and passenger working combined.” Apple Bloom blushed at the compliment. “Good luck.” The points moved again, and the train was moved backwards onto the trucks. Apple Bloom hopped out and coupled the two formations together, the now 20 car train snaking away behind them. Jumping back into the cab, Apple Bloom sounded four long, deep, chime notes on the whistle. Diamond followed by four, high pitched notes on the whistle of her engine. And with a groan, the colossal train got underway. The two engines snorted and roared as they moved the huge working along the line. The sound would never be forgotten, as they flew along, driven by two girls who had once been mortal enemies, but were now close friends on the rails and off them. The train flew round the curves, and into the tunnel, reaching speeds of up to 25 miles an hour as it zoomed along the rails. It was after a long, epic journey, that would always be in the history books, that the train arrived at the Rich Estate station, coming to a stop in the station. Filthy Rich smiled with pride. “Good work Diamond!” he said. “Your quick thinking saved the day and prevented a lot of embarrassment.” “Thanks father,” Diamond replied. “But it wasn’t just me. Apple Bloom drove the second engine, and drove it very well.” Spoiled Rich came over. “I may have been wrong about all this, you know. That ride I had earlier was most enjoyable.” “Well, glad ya enjoyed it,” Apple Bloom said. That evening, the families and guests retired to the Steel estate for the after-event dinner and party, and took the opportunity to chat amongst each other. “That was great!” Scootaloo called over to Sweetie Belle. “I know, right?” Sweetie Belle replied. “We had so much fun!” Apple Bloom looked a tad down. “A shame Babs’ couldn’t be here,” she said. “She’d have loved this.” Cozy put a hand on her shoulder. “I know how much you miss her, but she can’t be down here all the time,” she said. “She has her own friends in New York, and besides, if she’s here, who will run the East Coast Crusaders?” Apple Bloom nodded. “True. But let’s have some fun!” Suddenly, all went dark, and a disco ball switched on. “Greetings everyone!” called a voice, that of Dark Steel. “I hope you are all having a good time. Now it is time for a bit of fun. Who better to host the next portion of our night, the disco, than the legendary DJ himself, El Dragonequus Espagnol!” There was a man sitting at the control booth, and he promptly started up a track which was an old disco classic. “Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Ey Macarena, ¡ay! Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Ey Macarena, ¡ay! Not entirely surprisingly, everyone joined in with the staple of dancefloors across the world. It looked most incredible, the sheer number of people in perfect sync. Except one person, however. Spoiled Rich stood off to one side, looking on in... nobody was entirely sure how she looked on. But she looked on in some manner. Diamond called over to her. “Come on mother, join in! It’ll be fun!” Spoiled pondered her options, looking over everyone else, and then shrugged her shoulders, joining in as she did so. “Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Ey Macarena, ¡ay! Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Ey Macarena, ¡ay! Once proceedings had concluded, Diamond helped to see everyone off. Apple Bloom was laughing. “Ya know, Diamond,” she said. “If y’all had told me last year that in a year’s time Ah’d be dancin’ the Macarena alongside you, Ah’d have called ya crazy!” “Same here,” Diamond smiled. “See you at school!” That evening, Diamond retired to bed, happy in her heart. It had been a good day, and an event that was always worth looking forward to. Author's Note Well, here this story ends. I hope you enjoyed this look at miniature railways in EqG, and my next story will appear shortly. CreditsBrian Drummond-Filthy Rich Brian Blessed-Dark Steel Chantal Strand-Spoiled Rich, Diamond Tiara Andrea Libman-Perfect Set, maid Shannon Chan-Kent-Silver Spoon Michelle Creber-Apple Bloom Claire Corlett-Sweetie Belle Graham Verchere-Pipsqueak Kyle Ridout-Thorax Blake Swift-Button Mash Ashleigh Ball-Rainbow Dash
The evening mealIt was the late evening in February, on a Saturday like most other Saturdays. The snow still lay on the ground, and the temperature was cold. The sky was a shade that was not exactly describable, but sat somewhere between black and dark blue. This was most annoying, as it made it extremely hard to describe. However, there was not a cloud in the sky, and the moon produced a clear and wondrous light which illuminated the night. Not many people were there to see it. Quite sensibly on their part, they had chosen to remain indoors with the heating on, or enjoying a nice meal. Just out of town, about 5 miles to the south, lie a pair of large estates, each on opposite sides of the road. One of these estates was very large, at least 100 acres in total. It ran to the coast, and both east and west with green, landscaped gardens. In the centre of it all sat a vast country home, which was spread over 5 floors, and had more than 100 rooms, though nobody knew exactly why it had 100 rooms. This home and estate had belonged to an incredibly influential local family, there from Canterlot’s founding in the 1850s. That family had been the Milks, but now through marriage (which at times felt more like a business merger), the estate was now in the ownership of the Riches, who were somewhat ironically named until recently. On the other side of the road, there was an estate of similar size, with an equally large house. This estate had been owned by another family, the Cheeses. Sadly, the last of their line, Gruyere, had passed away 20 years ago, and the estate had been purchased by the Steel family, a line of steel barons from the north-eastern United States. In both estates, there were large sheds, and workshops, and a railway line that ran from one estate to the other, running under the road via a great double track tunnel. It soared over bridges, and through sweeping curves. But this railway was unusual. It was very small, as the rails were only 15 inches apart. This made it the smallest operating railway in California, but it was not always open. Inside the house belonging to the Riches, six individuals were seated around the great dining table that sat in the great hall. On the walls of the great hall hung many grand paintings, and the centre of the room was dominated by a fireplace so large three grown men had to stand on each other’s shoulders in order to reach the top. The table was a similarly grand affair, made of mahogany, and it was at least eight feet long. Our individuals in question were seated around the end closest to the door. Seated at the head of the table was a man with brownish skin and black hair. He was dressed in his usual attire of a blue business suit with black polished shoes and a red tie, meaning he had been compared to Donald Trump more than once. His name was Filthy Rich, though he generally went by the name of Rich. He had once been rather ironically named, as he was not rich at all when he started out. But, in the true American spirit, he had built himself up from the ground. He had a relaxed, easy manner, and was currently engaged in lively conversation with the other man in the group. This other man had tan skin and an impressive brown beard combined with grey hair, and was likewise dressed in a suit, just this one was brown with brown shoes, and a blue tie. This fellow was Dark Steel, who was from the Steel family, a long line of steel magnates that had once lived in the Chicago area, but now found its way down here. Dark Steel had started out fantastically wealthy, and had only become wealthier as time had gone by. It was therefore a good thing that he was a philanthropist, and had donated many millions of dollars over the years to good and charitable causes. He had a similarly easy manner, and was also engaged in conversation. Next to Dark Steel sat a woman. She had grey coloured skin and blue hair, and was formally dressed in a long green gown and red heels. Her name was Perfect Set, and she was the wife of Dark Steel. The Sets had been a family of relative obscurity in the American social network, but now was somewhat better known thanks to the connections with the Steel family. A kind, friendly woman, not to mention a rather hands-on mother, she was equally easy in her manner of conversation. The lady sitting opposite her, I am sorry to say, did not have the same easy manners. Although when I say Lady, it is perhaps a misnomer given that this individual did not strictly fit the definition. She had pink skin and purple hair, and wore a blue dress with golden heels. Her name was Spoiled Rich (formerly Milk), and it was thanks to her marriage to Filthy Rich that the Milk estate was now in the ownership of the Rich family. Somewhat snooty and stuck-up, she was aware of her social position and was keen to remind others of this, which sometimes let to clashes with her husband. Next to her was a girl, no more than 12 years old. She bore a strong resemblance to her mother, having pink skin and two-tone pink and white hair. She wore a black short-sleeved shirt, with a yellow jacket on top of that (though heavens know why she was wearing it indoors), a white skirt with black leggings, and a pair of yellow boots. The tiara lodged in her hair (which had diamonds in it) was somewhat a clue as to her name. This, indeed, was Diamond Tiara, the daughter of Filthy Rich and, by logical extension, Spoiled Rich. Once a bit of a stuck-up brat, she had changed her ways and become close friends with those she had once tormented the most, the Crusaders. Rounding out our little sextet was another girl, the same age as Diamond Tiara. She had grey skin and two-tone grey hair, and was dressed in a purple blouse with a white undershirt, a pink skirt with a white stripe toward the bottom, and a pair of purple boots with white lining. She also had a pair of blue, circle-rimmed glasses mounted upon her nose, and her hair was pleated on the back. Her name was Silver Spoon, as the pendant she wore more than made clear. The daughter of Dark Steel and Perfect Set, she had been friends with Diamond Tiara for longer than she could remember; on that note, Diamond was effectively the sister she had never had. This helped especially when your best friend lived across the road from you. Now close friends with the Crusaders, these two girls helped out in any way they could. Just as we enter the scene, the butler and serving staff were collecting in the plates from the main course, and glasses were being handed out for after-dinner drinks; champagne for the adults, and lemonade for the girls. We shall now listen in on their conversation. “And, by capturing the whole sale market, purchasing in bulk and slashing all prices, we undermine every other gift market in the state, and that's how Rich's Barnyard Bargains became the cornerstone of retail in California.” Filthy Rich had just been giving a long and proud history of his company, to a rather interested Dark Steel. Barnyard Bargains was on the verge of expanding into other states. Oregon and Nevada awaited. “Most fascinating!” Dark Steel replied, with his typical jovial manner. “I must say, you are the most astute of businessmen!” Dark Steel’s enthusiasm was not shared by Spoiled Rich. “Must you talk business at the dining table?” she asked, with a look of intense boredom on her face. “It was rather heavy,” Perfect Set added. “Sorry, what were you discussing?” Diamond Tiara asked, up to this point in her own conversation with Silver Spoon. “Nothin’ concerning you, princess,” Filthy Rich replied. Just then, the champagne was served, as was the lemonade. “You know we produced this champagne from apples?” Filthy Rich said proudly. “It was produced by my associates over at Sweet Apple Acres; Bright Mac and his associates.” Perfect Set looked down the table. “Bright Mac? Aren’t you friends with his daughter, Silver Spoon?” “Yes mommy,” Silver replied. Spoiled shook her head. “Ah yes. When Diamond joins them on their ‘crusades’, the amount of mud in the carpets increases exponentially.” Whilst Spoiled did not object to the Crusaders on principal, she did object to the colossal mess they sometimes made. Dark Steel then re-joined the conversation. “Rich, I believe we need to discuss tomorrow’s arrangements. Regarding the open day.” The two estates opened the rail system up to the public once a year. That was tomorrow this year. “Indeed,” Rich said, rising from the table. “Girls!” he called. Diamond and Silver’s heads turned immediately. “Yes father/Mr Rich?” they said together. “Would you mind joining us in the control room to discuss tomorrow?” Both of them got up from their seats and followed the two adults. Spoiled sighed. “Whatever next?” Later, Rich, Steel, and the two children had finished running over the plan. “We can get the engine crews over for 8 in the morning,” Steel observed. “I’ll light the fires at 4, assisted by the engine staff.” “You mean Silver Spoon?” “Yes.” “I’ll do the same at my end,” Rich noted. “We need 10 drivers in total, 5 at each end. Myself and Randolph will be manning the control room and operating all the switches and signals.” “You have 15 miles of railroad to look after,” Silver said. “Are you sure you can do it on your own?” “We’ll manage,” Steel smiled. “Focus on driving the engines.” That evening, Silver got an early night, hopping into bed with a cup of cocoa to help her into the land of dreams. “Hopefully he’ll be there,” she thought dreamily, as she drifted off. Things were not so quiet at Rich Towers, however. Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara had gone to the music room, and had gone to the piano. Diamond flipped open the case and began to play a fast, energetic tune. There was a shout in the distance. “DIAMOND TIARA RICH! STOP MASSACRING MOZART THIS INSTANT!” Author's Note Well, time for a story that combines the show's wealthy families with my favourite miniature railway, the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch.
Opening proceedingsSpoiled Rich awoke the very next morning at 7 in the morning, as was her custom. The sun had just appeared in the sky, and the sky itself was clear of clouds. Looking around the room, the slight darkness was typical of this time of morning, as one of the maids came in to serve her the morning coffee. “Your coffee, ma’am,” the maid said to her, placing the cup and saucer on the bedside table. “Thank you, Mitzy,” Spoiled replied. Spoiled may have been rather conceited, but she had the decency to learn the names of all of her servants. She and her husband employed them, after all. It was a basic act of courtesy to know who they all were and what they did. Taking a sip of the coffee, brewed exactly as she liked it (slightly black, not too strong, and only one cube of sugar), she sat up and walked over to the chair positioned next to the window and looked out. This room was principally occupied by herself and her husband, but there were some occasions where it was mostly her. This was when her dearest Rich was away on a business meeting, and only she, the servants, and her daughter occupied their vast pile. Diamond herself was a most fascinating topic. Spoiled would have scoffed at the idea of being a mother, and truth be told, she couldn’t exactly recall how it had happened, given it all happened so long ago, consigned to the mountains of clutter in her brain. Something she could certainly remember was Diamond’s arrival, however, and the unconventional approach taken to waking her husband up at the appointed hour. But the pain of birth was easily offset by the wonder of seeing her daughter’s face for the first time. That girl really resembled Spoiled’s own mother, and by logical extension herself. Spoiled had been determined to raise Diamond as a lady, and to know her privileged position in society, something which had led to the occasional...disagreement with Rich. But no matter how many times they fell apart, they always came back together. True, Diamond and her friend Silver Spoon turning to bullying was regrettable, and not the course of action Spoiled would have recommended. Now Diamond was friends with many of the girls she had once terrorised. Which itself brought new challenges. Whilst Spoiled didn’t object to Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Cozy Glow per se, it was the mess they occasionally made that concerned her more. Since becoming friends with them, the amount of mud trailed through the halls had increased exponentially. That would simply not do. Spoiled finished her coffee, her nostrils greeted by the smell of burning coal and steam pouring...wait, coal? Steam? She opened the window and looked out, to see five miniature steam engines being lit up outside, steaming smoothly. Spoiled rushed through the shower, and got dressed in a similar manner to yesterday, then rushed down the stairs, grabbing a coat as she did so. It was a miracle she didn’t trip in her heels, although for outdoors she switched her usual 4-inch heels for 2-inch. It would not do to trip up outdoors. Apart from the endless social embarrassment it would cause her, the ground was cold and slippery. As she emerged outdoors, she saw her husband looking over the engines. “Filthy Rich!” she called. “Why have you fired up five steam engines?” Filthy Rich and his team, most notably his daughter, stepped back and forth along the line of 5 locomotives. Although the line had 10 locos, they kept 5 at each end of the line. The 5 kept here were the oldest of the fleet. The first of them was painted blue, with red lining and bearing the number 1 on the tender. The engine in question was an A3 Pacific, with smoke deflectors, and was named Magenta Rose. It had been a wedding present to Filthy Rich and Spoiled Milk from Dark Steel, and the engine had been named by Rich in honour of his wife. The second locomotive was painted black, with red and white lining with the number 2. It was an LNWR George V Class, named Princess. As the name implied, it was named in honour of Diamond Tiara. The third was painted garter blue, with golden lining, and had a streamlined ‘Bugatti’ front end, as well as the number 3. As you’ll probably be able from the description, this engine was an A4 Pacific, named City of Canterlot. There was a fourth, an A2 Pacific. This engine was painted dark green, with the number 4. A fairly new addition to the fleet, this was its first running day. The final engine at this end of the line was a Hughes-Fowler Crab, named Ugly. This engine had originally been acquired by for construction work, and was generally used on the freight trains. Rich turned when he heard his wife’s voice. “Hello Spoiled!” he called. “It’s the open day, remember?” Spoiled looked surprised, then showed a look of recognition. “Oh, so it is,” she replied. Diamond looked up at her father. “The engines are ready to go; all we need are the engine crews,” she said. Just then, four girls walked into the site. “Howdy ya’ll!” called Apple Bloom. Following her were Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Cozy Glow. Scootaloo was an especial relief, as she had been the subject of a miracle that had set the town gossip ablaze. She had been restored to life, despite being medically dead, and nobody understood how it had happened. “So,” Sweetie Belle called, “what’s the work for the day?” “Check the depot roster for details,” Filthy Rich called. “I wonder how Dark Steel and his team are getting on?” Elsewhere, Dark Steel and his daughter were lighting the fires on their 5 engines. These were a Duchess class painted red, called Refined Steel (in honour of Dark’s father), a pair of P2 2-8-2s, configured for freight work, a single 4-8-2, based on a French design, and a Beyer-Garratt, which could be used on either passenger or freight trains. Silver Spoon spoke up. “The fires are lit, and the engines are ready to run.” Dark smiled. “Good girl. Nice work on keeping the pressure up.” Silver grinned. “Thanks daddy!” Just then, some voices called from behind them. “We’re ready for work, if you need us!” Approaching from behind were Button Mash, Rumble, and Pipsqueak (although whether he would fit in the cab without falling out nobody knew). There was another boy approaching. He had blackish-grey skin, and blue eyes, and was wearing a grey shirt and green slacks, as well as grey trainers. Silver’s heart melted when he appeared. This was Thorax, whom she had a crush on. “Hello!” he called. “I heard you needed an extra driver, so I agreed to help out.” “Thorax!” Silver cried, running over to him and taking him in a tackle hug. “Hey, nice to see you too!” Thorax gasped. “Silver, please refrain from strangling the guests,” Steel called. Silver let him go. “So, did your sister come along?” Thorax looked back. “Ocellus!” he called. A girl suddenly emerged from behind a wall, who looked very nervous. She had blue skin and hair, as well as blue eyes. She wore a blue dress and red shoes, and walked over slowly. “Sorry,” Thorax said. “She’s just nervous, that’s all. Mom asked me to look after her.” “If we may get going?” asked Button Mash. “What’s the first working today?” “The nine o’clock from either end. The coaches are being moved into position, so all you need to do is get the engines there.” Author's Note Well, I wanted to introduce EqG Thorax and Ocellus, so here you go.
The day commencesDiamond Tiara moved the locomotive around to the front of the train. As was convention, she was at the controls of Princess, which was a powerful engine, if not too large. She hoped the other engine crews wouldn’t make too much of a mess of the timetable. The engine collided with the coaches with a satisfying clunk. The plan was a synchronised departure from opposite ends of the railway. That way, they would pass just outside the tunnel. The radio suddenly buzzed, and Diamond picked it up. “Hello?” “Departure, this is control, over,” said the voice of her father. “Control, we are ready to depart, over.” The passengers got aboard, but there was one person who stood coldly at the side of the train, on the platform. Diamond hopped out of the cab and hopped over to her mother. “Come on, mother!” she said. “Won’t you have some fun with us?” Spoiled looked unconvinced. “This looks so uncomfortable and the carriages rock constantly. Are you sure it is safe, my dearest Tiara?” “Of course, it’s safe!” Diamond Tiara reassured her mother. “Please mother, just try it. Please?” Spoiled looked concerned, but then softened. “Well, I suppose that one ride can’t hurt,” she said. Spoiled took her seat in the carriage, which at least had the benefit of being enclosed with proper windows. Having said that, it was a bit of a squash and a squeeze, although it was entirely possible to sit two abreast. Spoiled would have preferred to not do that. She disapproved of being squashed. She had once, when on “business” alongside her husband, had to catch a commuter train to Crystal City and return. It was so crowded in the compartment of the electric train that she had had to stand, amongst a group of loud, irreverent commuters! As a result, she had acquired a private carriage that could be attached to the back of trains when needed. It certainly helped to be able to count President Hurricane as one member of her close circle of friends. “Well,” she said, “I suppose that it is rather comfortable.” “Hi!” said a girl sitting behind her, startling her somewhat. “Aren’t you Diamond Tiara’s mom?” Spoiled looked at the girl, to immediately realise it was Rainbow Dash, whom she had seen competing for Canterlot High School. “Yes, indeed I am,” she replied. “Is this something you do often?” “I travel by train whenever I can,” Rainbow replied. Just then Diamond could be seen proceeding up the platform and taking her seat in the cab. She sounded the whistle, and the train began to pull away from the station. Meanwhile, at the other end of the line, Rumble, at the controls of one of the P2s, took a coal train off down the line, whilst Silver sat at the controls of Refined Steel, awaiting clearance to depart. It wasn’t long before the train was full, and the signal dropped. Silver sounded the whistle, and away the train pulled. The Duchess class engine was very powerful, easily the most powerful engine they had in the collection. It could pull the 10 coaches coupled to it with ease, and that it was doing. They were limited to 5 miles an hour out of the station approaches, but as soon as the line opened up, they were cleared to run at 25 miles an hour, maximum line speed. This, on paper, did not seem fast, but it worked out to a scale speed of 75 miles an hour, which was very fast indeed, given how well machined these engines were. After all, Dark Steel and Filthy Rich would only accept the best in locomotive engineering, and as a result had built each and every one of these engines by themselves. They sped through the first station, the wind whipping through the air and down the side of the smoke deflectors and boiler. Silver’s hair would have whipping around had she not been of the mind to tie it back, and the lights up ahead shone green. The train rumbled onwards, toward the first loop. The express roared past the waiting goods train, Rumble waving as the train flew onwards on its journey. The train had covered about 5 miles by this point, and the line started to curl away to the left. In addition, it began to decrease in elevation, slowly dropping into a 1-in-200 gradient as it curled around a gentle gradient. Then, the train dropped into a steeper grade, as it flew into a cutting that had been passed over just minutes before by the railway. As they descended, the tunnel came before them. This had been built under the road, as the original plan to construct a bridge had not worked. This was for two main reasons. The first of those two reasons was the fact that it would have required a gradient so steep most engines would not have been able to cope. The second of those reasons was the fact that the City of Canterlot had refused the bridge planning permission, and as a result they went with the tunnel option. The train rolled into the tunnel, which was 500 feet long, and Silver Spoon held her breath. It would not do to suffer from the effects of smoke down here, which was why the tunnel was well ventilated. The express roared out the other end, passing the passenger train pulled by Princess going the other way. Diamond sounded the whistle as the train passed, and Silver responded in kind. The train climbed out of the cutting, and the line curved around to the left and ascended a steep grade of 1-in-100. When the track levelled out, the line had completed a 270 degree change in direction, and the railways ran completely straight, until the express reached a smooth stop at the station at the other end of the line. This was the proceedings of the day, with passengers, goods, and many other workings intersecting perfectly. But the sun eventually began to set, and the last goods train, driven by Apple Bloom at the controls of the 4-8-2, pulled out of the Steel Estate station to return the trucks to the other end of the line. But the engine was steaming poorly, and Apple Bloom pulled the train over into a loop. “Control, Ah’ve got an engine that ain’t steamin’ properly,” she radioed. “Ah can’t get her back like this.” Just then, another whistle rang clear through the terrain. And there arrived Princess, pulling the last train of the day, with Diamond Tiara at the controls. Author's Note I strongly reccomend a visit to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway if you ever find yourself in Kent.
Rescue RunDiamond slowed her engine down and brought it to a complete stop next to the stricken goods train. As the George V Class simmered there, the safety valve lifting, Diamond called over to Apple Bloom. “Are you in need of some assistance?” she asked. “What’s it look like ta you?” Apple Bloom snapped. “Ah can’t get steam pressure up fer some reason.” “How about we work together?” Diamond suggested. “I can couple my engine to the front of yours, then we attach both engines to the front of the passenger train. Then, we bring both steam engines forward, and shunt them backwards onto the goods train. That way, we can get both trains back to the other end of the line in one piece.” Apple Bloom thought. “Well, it’s better than just bein’ stranded here with no ability ta move. Ah’ll take yer offer.” Diamond nodded. “Excellent! Let’s get to work, shall we?” With that, she hopped out of the cab and went alongside the engine, uncoupling her loco and running it forward slowly. She then picked up her radio. “Control,” she said, “we have a goods train with a stricken locomotive. I’m requesting permission to back into the loop and couple up to the front.” “Are you planning on hauling it to the other end of the line?” asked the voice on the other end. “Yes, Control, I am,” Diamond answered. There was a pause that seemed to last for all eternity. Then the voice finally replied. "We are releasing the points now. Good luck.” With a loud clunk, and the rumble of an electric motor, the points behind her engine shifted to allow her to reverse. The engine began to back down on the much larger Mountain type locomotive and impacted the buffers with a soft clunk. Apple Bloom hopped forward, and coupled up the two locomotives. She then went further back, and uncoupled the trucks, before sitting back in the cab again. “Good ta go!” she called. Both engines rolled forward, steam leaking gently from their cylinders as they rolled forward and over the points, to hear them click back again. Both engines then backed down onto the passenger train, which a soft clunk that suggested good, experienced driving that could only be obtained through years of experience. They then drew the coaches forward slowly, until they were clear of the points. Diamond took out her radio again. “Control, requesting permission for loop switch to be changed again.” “To pick up the goods train?” the voice asked. "Are you sure the two engines can handle it?” “I am certain they can handle it,” Diamond replied. “Besides, we’ve got Apple Bloom driving one of them. If she can correct wheelslip on a 1-in-70 gradient, she can restart a goods train and passenger working combined.” Apple Bloom blushed at the compliment. “Good luck.” The points moved again, and the train was moved backwards onto the trucks. Apple Bloom hopped out and coupled the two formations together, the now 20 car train snaking away behind them. Jumping back into the cab, Apple Bloom sounded four long, deep, chime notes on the whistle. Diamond followed by four, high pitched notes on the whistle of her engine. And with a groan, the colossal train got underway. The two engines snorted and roared as they moved the huge working along the line. The sound would never be forgotten, as they flew along, driven by two girls who had once been mortal enemies, but were now close friends on the rails and off them. The train flew round the curves, and into the tunnel, reaching speeds of up to 25 miles an hour as it zoomed along the rails. It was after a long, epic journey, that would always be in the history books, that the train arrived at the Rich Estate station, coming to a stop in the station. Filthy Rich smiled with pride. “Good work Diamond!” he said. “Your quick thinking saved the day and prevented a lot of embarrassment.” “Thanks father,” Diamond replied. “But it wasn’t just me. Apple Bloom drove the second engine, and drove it very well.” Spoiled Rich came over. “I may have been wrong about all this, you know. That ride I had earlier was most enjoyable.” “Well, glad ya enjoyed it,” Apple Bloom said. That evening, the families and guests retired to the Steel estate for the after-event dinner and party, and took the opportunity to chat amongst each other. “That was great!” Scootaloo called over to Sweetie Belle. “I know, right?” Sweetie Belle replied. “We had so much fun!” Apple Bloom looked a tad down. “A shame Babs’ couldn’t be here,” she said. “She’d have loved this.” Cozy put a hand on her shoulder. “I know how much you miss her, but she can’t be down here all the time,” she said. “She has her own friends in New York, and besides, if she’s here, who will run the East Coast Crusaders?” Apple Bloom nodded. “True. But let’s have some fun!” Suddenly, all went dark, and a disco ball switched on. “Greetings everyone!” called a voice, that of Dark Steel. “I hope you are all having a good time. Now it is time for a bit of fun. Who better to host the next portion of our night, the disco, than the legendary DJ himself, El Dragonequus Espagnol!” There was a man sitting at the control booth, and he promptly started up a track which was an old disco classic. “Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Ey Macarena, ¡ay! Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Ey Macarena, ¡ay! Not entirely surprisingly, everyone joined in with the staple of dancefloors across the world. It looked most incredible, the sheer number of people in perfect sync. Except one person, however. Spoiled Rich stood off to one side, looking on in... nobody was entirely sure how she looked on. But she looked on in some manner. Diamond called over to her. “Come on mother, join in! It’ll be fun!” Spoiled pondered her options, looking over everyone else, and then shrugged her shoulders, joining in as she did so. “Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Ey Macarena, ¡ay! Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Ey Macarena, ¡ay! Once proceedings had concluded, Diamond helped to see everyone off. Apple Bloom was laughing. “Ya know, Diamond,” she said. “If y’all had told me last year that in a year’s time Ah’d be dancin’ the Macarena alongside you, Ah’d have called ya crazy!” “Same here,” Diamond smiled. “See you at school!” That evening, Diamond retired to bed, happy in her heart. It had been a good day, and an event that was always worth looking forward to. Author's Note Well, here this story ends. I hope you enjoyed this look at miniature railways in EqG, and my next story will appear shortly.
CreditsBrian Drummond-Filthy Rich Brian Blessed-Dark Steel Chantal Strand-Spoiled Rich, Diamond Tiara Andrea Libman-Perfect Set, maid Shannon Chan-Kent-Silver Spoon Michelle Creber-Apple Bloom Claire Corlett-Sweetie Belle Graham Verchere-Pipsqueak Kyle Ridout-Thorax Blake Swift-Button Mash Ashleigh Ball-Rainbow Dash
