Chapters the Midwest and Southern railway story
The year was 2019. The engines and employees of the the Midwest and Southern railway or the MW&S were getting ready to celebrate 150 years of operation.
"Wow I cant believe its been 150 years already" Porter the small shunter engine said. "I remember when the railway first opened. That was a party let me tell you".
"Yeah you would know" replied Porter's brother Joe. "I hope this party is good."
"What's going on here?" A large booming voice said.
"Oh its nothing Mack" replied a scared Porter.
"Ok well the others will be here in about 3 hours so lets get going and clean this place up." The large k-37 class locomotive known as Mack said.
Que Thomas and friends music.
Let me take a minute to tell you about the railway. The railway spans about 110 miles from Calhoun city, Colorado to the towns of Pinewood, Timber Gulch, and Durango Colorado. There are 10 locomotives that run the railway. The locomotives are Porter an 0-4-0 locomotive built in the 1800s by the Porter Locomotive company. Next is his brother Joe who is 0-4-2 Porter locomotive built by the same company. Then there are the twins named Dutch and Lady Elgin who are 0-6-2 locomotive built by the D&RG as class 45 locomotives modified by the MW&S railway. Next there are the 3 freight engines Mack, Cass, and Dakota. Two being class k-28 locomotives and one being a class k-37. Finally there are the logger engines Case, Bulldog, and Ephraim. Case and Bulldog where climax locomotives and Ephraim being a huge class E shay locomotive (a class E shay is a locomotive with 5 cylinders and 4 powered 3 axel trucks). The railway runs logs from the towns of Pinewood and Timber Gulch to Calhoun city to be milled in to lumber. Then it is taken by other railways to places around the world.
Soon the other engines of the railway arrived at the main yard in Calhoun city and started to party with workers. After partying for hours, everyone left except the engines and the owner of the railway Mr. Sam Morgen.
"How is everything engines? Did you enjoy the party?" Sam asked the locomotives.
"It was great Sam" replied Ephraim.
"Great to" but Sam never got to finish his sentence because out of no where a huge bolt of lightening struck down right in the center of the yards. In an instant Sam and the locomotives ,along with everything else in the yard including the tracks, vanished into thin air.
Soon Sam woke up and looked around. The engines were out cold but what he saw made his blood run cold. Only a short distance away was a town he very much recognized.
"Well, we aren't in Colorado anymore!" Sam said.
There in front of him was Ponyville. A place he know well thanks to the engines loving the TV show My Little Pony.
Suddenly Sam heard what sounded like a yawn as Joe woke up.
"What's going on?" asked Joe as he woke up. "What the hell."
"Oh shit" was all Sam could say as the other engines woke up to Joe's yelling.
All Sam could do was wait and try to calm down his engines. Sam looked around only to think how it was possible for him and his engines to some how be teleported to the country of Equestria.
the Midwest and Southern railway story
In the last chapter, I gave a brief history on the railroad and what type of engines run it. In this chapter, I'll give you the full history about the railroad and the engines.
The railway officially opened on June 7, 1869 when the first train was run from Calhoun city the Pinewood about 30 miles away by the railways first locomotive number 1. The railway ran for about 12 years with the single locomotive until in 1881 they decided to extend to the logging town of Timber Gulch. Due to the small capacity of water and coal of the single engine the railroad contacted H.K. Porter & Inc to build a new bigger engine. At the same time the Denver and Rio Grand railway was getting rid of two old 0-6-0 class 45 saddle tank engines. The company bought the two engines dirt cheap before transporting them to their main engine works in Calhoun city. In 1890 the new porter locomotive given the number 2 arrived. Then in 1891 the two rebuilt class 45 locomotives emerged from the works numbered 3 and 4.
In 1903 two new climax locomotives were bought by the railway. One being a class B and numbered 5 and the other being a class C and numbered 6. About 4 years later in 1907 the railway made its final extension to Durango Colorado. The railway ran well for the most part but between 1914 and 1918 the railway was run hard to help produce timber for the great war. In 1925 the Denver and Rio Grand Western railway offered the Midwest and Southern railway two new class 28 locomotives. In desperate need of semi fast locomotives, the railroad agreed to buy the engines for $32,000 each. After receiving the two engines they where given numbers 7 and 8. Then in 1940 with war raging across the ocean the railroad contacted the D&RGW to see if they could buy one of there k-37 class locomotives for $40,000. In 1941 the new engine was delivered to the railway at the Calhoun city yards where it was rebuilt to increase its top speed to 70mph and it was given the number 9.
In early 1954 with most of the locomotives out of service or due for an overhaul, the then owner of the railroad Zachery Morgen ordered a new engine to be built by their own engine works to be stronger than the engines they had. Finally in 1955 the new engine emerged from the works. The new engine, a shay locomotive, was given the number 10 and joined the ranks of engines on the railway. In 1969 the railroad celebrated its 100 birthday with locomotive number 1 taking a train to the very first stop the railway ever went to. Finally in 1970 locomotive number 9 received a major rebuild resulting in his top speed being increased to about 105 mph. The locomotive emerged from the works in 1972. Between 1972 and 2019 nothing major happened until you know they where teleported to Equestria.
That is the history of the railroad now its time to talk about the engines.
Locomotive number 1 also known as Porter is a 0-4-0 side tank engine built by H.K. Porter company in 1869. He is a very old and wise engine who although says sometimes doing things the old fashion way is better knows that sometimes doing things the new way is also good. Porter works as the yard engine for the railyards in Calhoun city.
Locomotive 2 who's name is Joe is the younger brother of Porter. Being a 0-4-2 he has a little more powerful than his older brother and loves to show off. Being an old engine also he knows the meaning of hard work and loves to tell story's about the good old days to the new engines. Joe works as the yard engine in the railyards of Durando.
locomotive 3 and 4 who are named Dutch and lady Elgin. both engines where built by the D&RG as 0-6-0 saddle tank class 45 locomotives. Dutch is a wise old sage who likes to work and do his best know matter what. lady Elgin is a grand and elegant engine who loves to look her best. Although she does not like to get dirty she will if it means getting the job done. when the railway bought both engines they extended the coal capacity and added a set of wheels for stability turning them into 0-6-2 locomotives. Both engines run goods trains from Calhoun city to Pinewood.
locomotives 5 and 6 called Case and Bulldog are two large climax gear logging engines. Case is a large 55 ton class B two truck climax where as Bulldog is a 70 ton 3 truck class C climax locomotive. Both engines are fun and carefree being the pranksters of the group they love being out in the wilderness running log trains. Both run log trains from both Pinewood and Timber Gulch to the timber mill in Calhoun city.
locomotives 7 and 8 named Cass and Dakota are two large 2-8-2 Mikado k-28 locomotives. Cass is a very quiet engine who loves to pull freight trains. Dakota on the other hand is a very loud and out going engine who loves to pull passenger trains. Both engines run passenger and freight trains between Calhoun city and Durango.
locomotive 9 named Mack is another 2-8-2 Mikado locomotive but is a k-37 class and not a k-28. being more powerful Mack is often seen taking heavy freight or long passenger trains. When he was brought to the railway, Mack received bigger driving wheels and roller bearings moving his top speed from 44 mph to about 70mph. Mack was also rebuilt in 1970 to increase his top speed even more to 105mph. Mack is a cool level headed individual who always has an answer for every thing. Mack works between all 4 places on the railroad.
Finally locomotive 10 also known as Ephraim is an experimental shay locomotive and the youngest of the fleet. Being built with 5 cylinder and not 3 he has far more power then any shay and locomotive on the railway. Named after the man who designed his kind of engine gives him great pride but he does not let is go to his smoke box. Always eager to learn Ephraim is a kind and caring engine. You can see Ephraim running log trains from Pinewood and Timber Gulch to the timber mill in Calhoun city.
And there it is the history of the railway and the engines that run it. Be on the look out for more chapters to come.
Author's Note
the Midwest and Southern railway is not in anyway owned by the Denver and Rio Grand railway. it is a separate company and railroad.
the Midwest and Southern railway story
"What is going on, where are we". Asked a confused Case.
"Are we in Equestria". Yelled a worried Ephraim.
"Ok now clam down and I'll try and explain". Sam said to the engines.
"Yes lets all calm down and think about this reasonably". Mack said to the other engines.
just as Mack finished his sentence 8 large ponies in gold armor stormed up to the group with weapons ready.
"Uh oh". Was all the engines could say as they stared at the pony's.
"Surender or we will take you by force". A large stallion said.
"Yea or what". Replied a very irritated Cass.
"yo-yo-you can talk". Another on of the solders said.
"Yes we can". Replied Porter.
just then the captain of the guard that where there yelled to get princess Twilight and the mane 6.
At twilights castle
"What there are talking trains and an unknown creature"? Twilight asked almost hyperventilating.
"Yes your majesty". Replied the guard.
"Wow that is sooooo cool ill have to though a party". Pinkie pie yelled be fore running off.
"Maybe we should go and see what they want". Applejack said.
"And if they want trouble they will get it". Rainbow dash said in a very confident tone.
"Ok let go and see what they want". Twilight said as she and the mane 6 head for the yard of Ponyville.
Back at the Calhoun city aka Ponyville railyard
Soon the mane 6 arrived at the railyard only to see 10 locomotives talking and an odd humanoid sitting on one of the engine front.
"Hello there my name is princess Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends". Twilight said to the engines and human.
"Howdy ma names Applejack". Applejack said.
"I'm Fluttershy". Fluttershy said almost whispering.
"I'm Rarity pleaser to make your aquatone". Rarity said.
"And I'm Rainbow dash fastest flyer in Equestria". rainbow dash said.
"Um its a pleasurer to meet you". Sam said. "My names Sam morgen I'm the owner of the Midwest and Southern railway and these are my engines. Introduce yourselves".
"Hi my name is Porter the oldest engine on the railway". Porter said with a little pride.
"My name is Joe I'm the forth oldest and Porters younger brother". Joe said.
"I'm Dutch and this is my sister Lady Elgin". Dutch said introducing himself and his sister.
"It's a pleasurer to make your acquittance". Lady Elgin said in her semi snotty voice.
"I'm Case and this is Bulldog". Case said as Bulldog just grunted.
"Why did he just grunt"? Asked twilight.
"Because I've lost my voice". Replied a very squeaky and crack voice as Bulldog spoke.
"Ok moving on, I'm Cass one of the fastest engines on the line". Said a very happy Cass.
"And I'm his brother the names Dakota". Replied the gruff voice of Dakota.
"Hello my name is Mack it is so nice to meet you". Mack said in his usual nice soothing voice.
"And finally I'm Ephraim the strongest engine on the line". Replied a very confident Ephraim.
"So how did you get here". Asked a confused twilight.
"Well". Sam said as he started the story. "We had just finished celebrating the railways 150 year birthday when a bolt of lighting struck down in the railyard and next thing we know we are here".
"Wait 150 years". Yelled twilight.
"Yes". All the engines and Sam replied at once.
after talking and asking questions all day. Twilight said that Sam could stay in a spare room in the castle until princess Celestia and Luna could come down and meet the new arrivals.
"Well good night you lot see you tomorrow". Sam said as he left the engines for the night.
"Good night Sam". Replied the engines as Sam left.
Little did Sam and the engines know that it would be a long time until they returned home.
Author's Note
In the world of Equestria all the railroads run American 3 ft narrow gauge
the Midwest and Southern railway story
The next morning Sam woke up to Twilight telling him that princess celesta and Luna would be coming to see him and the engines.
"So what time will they be arriving" asked Sam?
"They will be arriving approximately about 10:30" replied Twilight
Sam nearly spit out his orange juice that can with his breakfast.
"But that only gives me 2 hours to get the engines ready" Sam said freak out.
"But darling why do they have to be ready" asked Rarity?
"Because they haven't had a wash in over 5 months" replied Sam.
Everyone turned to Sam and looked on with disbelief.
"Well don worry we'll help you right girls" Twilight said.
"Yes" was the reply Twilight got.
Sam and the mane 6 headed down to the yards and woke up the engines. Sam with help from the Ponyville railyard fired up Porter to move the engines outside to wash them. All the engines laughed and talked with everyone as they helped make the engines ready for the royal visit.
"Here they come" Applejack said as the royal train an old American 4-4-0 type pulled into the station.
The two royal sisters exited the train and went over to the railyard to meet the new comers.
"Hello my name is princess Celestia and this is my little sister princess Luna" princess Celestia said introducing herself and here sister.
"It is a pleasurer to meet you" Sam said as he bowed.
"Thank you" both princess Celestia and Luna said at the same time.
the engines couldn't help but laugh at that. this startled the princess for a minute but quickly regained themselves.
"Now what type of organisms are you" asked princess Luna to Sam and the engines?
"Well I'm a human and they are locomotives" replied Sam.
"But engines cant talk" princess Luna said a little to loud.
"Oh but we can" replied one of the engines.
"What are your names and what type of engines are you" Princess Celestia asked?
"Well my name is Porter and I'm an 0-4-0 porter shunting engine" replied Porter.
"My name is Joe and I'm a 0-4-2 porter shunting engine" Joe said.
"I'm Dutch and this is my twin sister lady Elgin, we're modified 0-6-2 class 45 D&RG locomotives" Dutch said introducing himself and his sister.
"I'm Case and I'm a climax logging locomotive like my brother over there Bulldog" Cass said.
"My name is Cass I'm a k-28 D&RGW locomotive" Cass said.
"I'm Dakota and I'm also a k-28 locomotive" Dakota said.
"I'm Ephraim I'm a prototype shay logging locomotive" Ephraim said with enthusiasm.
"And my name is Mack I am a heavy modified k-37 D&RGW class locomotive its a pleasurer to meet you" Mack replied.
"Well it is a pleasurer to meet all of you" Princess Celestia said.
"Um sister can I talk to you in private" Asked princess Luna.
"Of course you can Luna" Princess Celestia said as she made a bubble of magic.
As the two royal alicorns talked the engines seemed worried. suddenly the bubble disappeared.
"My sister and me have discussed it would like to do some test on your engines Mr. Sam" princess Celestia said.
Sam looked at his engines before turning to the princesses and say flat out no.
"And why not" asked princess Luna.
"Because just cause I own them doesn't mean I make discissions for them. if they agree to the test then ok but ask them not me" replied Sam.
"I see well um engines are you ok with us doing some test on you" asked princess Celestia.
The engines looked back and forth from each other before Mack started talking "I'm sorry but we will have to politely decline."
"I see well we best be on our way back to Canterlot" princess Celestia said with a little bit of sadness in her voice.
just then the engineer for the royal train came running up almost out of breath.
"What is it Mr. whistle" asked princess Celestia.
"I'm afraid that the engine has failed and there are no spare locomotives available" replied Screaming whistle as he bowed his head in sham.
just then Ephraim had an idea.
"How about you have Mack pull the train he's fast and very strong" Ephraim said.
"Would you mind doing this Mack" asked Sam.
"I don't see why I cant" replied Mack as he lit his fire and started to build steam pressure.
"Wait you can start your selves" Twilight said gob smacked.
"Yes and we can also drive ourselves but it helps to have at least on crew member handy" Porter said.
To say that everyone was surprised was an understatement. soon Mack was steamed up and ready to go. Mack with the help of Sam made his way through the yard to the station and coupled up to the long train.
"Are you ready" yelled Sam over the noise Mack was making.
"I'm ready" replied Mack.
"Wait can I ride in the cab with you" asked princess Luna.
"Yea hop in" Replied Mack.
so the guard blow his whistle as Mack gave 2 quick blasts from his 6 chime Lukenhimer steam whistle causing pony's to drop there ears to the noise. Soon Mack had the train up to an impressive 70 mph. Princess Luna looked out his window.
"How fast are we going" asked princess Luna.
"About 72 mph" replied Sam.
"What how can he go that fast" princess Luna asked in disbelief.
"Well Mack here is a modified k-37 class locomotive with parts designed by Henry Dreyfuss" replied Sam.
"I was rebuilt twice, the second time they semi streamlined me and increased my top speed to about 105 mph" Mack said
Luna sat on the fireman's set in disbelief at what she had just heard. Half an hour latter at a railroad crossing filthy rich and spoiled rich where in there car when they heard a Strange sound.
"What is that" asked spoiled rich.
"I don't know" replied filthy rich.
Suddenly a huge locomotive blasting its whistle roared by at a very high speed before disappearing around a bend up the track.
"What was that" spoiled rich asked.
"I don't know but I have to get it" replied filthy rich.
After about another hour Mack started to slow down to enter the station. Both Mack and Sam where gob smacked at the city they saw before them. Mack slowed down as pony's stopped and stared at the huge engine that was entering Canterlot station
"welcome to Canterlot" Luna said with enthusiasm.
"Wow" was all that both Mack and Sam could say.
Just out side of Canterlot station filthy rich and spoiled rich arrived to see the huge engine inside the station. getting out of the car they made there way inside to talk to whoever owned the impressive locomotive.
the Midwest and Southern railway story
As spoiled rich and filthy rich entered the station they saw a creature looking over the strange engine.
"What is that" asked spoiled rich.
"I don't know but if its looking over the engine then it might know who owns it" replied filthy rich.
The rich's made there way over to the strange creature and engine.
"Excuse me" filthy rich said to the creature.
Sam who was oiling Mack's driving rods looked up two see two pony's.
"Are you talking to me" asked Sam.
"Yes" replied filthy rich.
"What can I do for you" asked Sam.
"I was wondering who owned this locomotive" filthy rich asked.
"Oh well I own Mack" replied Sam.
"I would like to buy it from you" filthy rich said.
"I'm a he not an it" Mack said.
"It talks" spoiled rich said very surprised.
"Of course I can talk" Mack said.
"Yea and he is not for sale now please leave" Sam said
Filthy rich tried to say something but Sam jumped into Mack's cab and the train reversed out of the station and went to the railyard.
"Can we head home tomorrow" asked Mack.
"Ok I got a sleeping bag ill ask where we can stay" Sam said.
Sam went to talk to the yard manager and he told them to stay in a siding that night. Later that night four stallions went to the railyard and saw the engine they were told to get. Sam was just walking around Mack who was asleep with an old oil lantern. The four stallions jumped into Mack's cab to see that the fire was out but steam was up.
"Lets go" one of the stallions said.
The stallions started to move the engine. Sam saw this and started to run after them. Unknown to the stallions Sam had his 50-110 Winchester rifle with him. Sam worked the lever action and fired a round up in the air. The blast echoed around Canterlot. The royal guard heard the gunshot headed for it's source.
"Stop or I'll shoot" Sam yelled at the stallions.
The stallions laughed and opened Mack's regulator who was still fast asleep. Sam took careful aim and fired a round at the stallion who was driving Mack. The round hit the stallion right in the shoulder and he screamed in pain. This woke Mack up and he turned on his headlight illuminating Sam. The three other stallions saw this and stopped Mack before coming out with there hands up. just then the royal guard arrived.
"Drop the weapon" yelled a royal guard.
"But he stopped them from trying to steal me" Mack who was tired and a little grumpy said.
"Is that true" asked a royal guard.
"Yes" replied Sam as he lowered his rifle.
Just then the princesses arrived after hearing the gunshots.
"What was that noise" asked princess Celestia.
"Sorry I was trying to stop those four from stealing Mack" Sam said explaining the situation.
"Ok but what was that noise" Celestia asked.
"Oh that was my Winchester rifle" Sam said.
"A what" asked Luna.
"Its a lever action rifle that holds 12 rounds of 50-110 Winchester cartages" Sam replied.
"That is incredible" Celestia said.
"We can talk about this tomorrow. if you want you can stay in the castle" Celestia asked.
"I cant leave Mack hear alone" Sam said.
"I can have the royal guard stay with him" Celestia said.
"Oh go on Sam I will be fun" Mack said.
"Well ok I guess I can do that" Sam replied.
"Great I can show you to the castle" Luna said as she took Sam's hand and dragged him away.
"Uh oh" Mack said.
"What's wrong" asked Celestia.
"Oh I'm going to fell bad for him" Mack replied.
"Yes my sister is easily excited" Celestia said.
"Well good night and sleep well" Mack said.
"You to" Celestia said.
And with that the first true day for Sam and the engines ended. But little did they know that there adventure was only just starting.
the Midwest and Southern railway story
Luna dragged Sam around the castle as she showed him the sights.
"So what do you think of our castle" Luna asked.
"it looks great, but I need to get some sleep" Sam replied.
"Oh well have a good night" Luna said.
"I will thank you Luna" Sam said as he went to the room Celestia said he could stay in.
The next day Sam woke up extra early and headed down to the rail yard to wake up Mack and head back to the railyard. As he left the castle he was surprised to see Celestia and Luna waiting for him in the rail yard talking to Mack.
"Good morning what brings you two out hear" Sam asked.
"Well we have a surprise for you at the Ponyville rail yards" Replied Princess Celestia.
"Well why didn't you say so" Mack said " hop in".
Sam and the princesses climbed aboard Mack as he set off down the line at nearly 70 miles an hour.
"So last night you used a weapon on those thief's" asked Princess Luna.
"Yea sorry about that" replied Sam.
"Its ok we where just wondering what kind of rifle that is for we only have flintlocks" Princess Celestia said.
"Well" Sam said as he grabbed the rifle to show them "this is a model 1886 Winchester repeating rifle. It is chambered in Winchester 50-110. that means it is a 50 caliber bullet with 110 grains of black powder housed in the cartridge. it holds 12 rounds and will fire as fast you pump the lever."
"That is an incredible weapon can I barrow it for studying" Princess Celestia asked.
"Yea I have 4 more Winchester rifles back at the yard" replied Sam.
"Thank you" Princess Celestia said.
Mack ran down the line and within the hour they had arrived at the Ponyville railyard and headed for the Calhoun city roundhouse. Mack stopped so Sam and the Princesses could get off.
"So what is this surprise" asked Sam.
"Well we have been talking and decided that you and your engines can work hear in Equestria until we can send you back" Princess Celestia replied.
"That's great" Sam said.
Sam and the engines cheered as Princess Celestia and Luna headed back for Canterlot leaving the engines and there owner to have fun.