October 1st, 1959

  It was a nice fall day, and Mr. Hutton, his wife Lizzy, a few members of the Roger Preservation Society, and some railfans were at the Waukegan Light Railway in Waukegan, Illinois to see a special railfan event, since the Waukegan Light Railway is closing for good, and the rolling stock will leave the area, with some already being purchased, and Benjamin Hutton from the Roger Railway, the Roger Railway Preservation Society, and the Hutton Steam Company and Museum, purchased the only diesel locomotive, a Ns2f field locomotive named Clair, two 0-8-0t steam locomotive, an 0-8-0 steam locomotive. While Clair is going to be used on the Roger Railway, the three steam locomotives are going to be in the museum collections for the Hutton Steam Company.

  Clair was in charge of operating an excursion special, though, with one coach, despite being an industrial railway, serving factories, mines, quarries, lumber, and even a sugar beet field, the railway also operates a passenger special for the local neighborhood. Clair is the only diesel locomotive in this railway fleet of many steam locomotives. Despite her being a small diesel locomotive, she proved to be a really useful engine, though that doesn’t mean her life on the Waukegan Light Railway was perfect.

  The coach is also new as well, built in 1950. This modern two-foot-gauge passenger car was used as a replacement after the last one was burned in a fire. This coach is named Sophia, named after the owner and general manager’s daughter, being a one-coach excursion, with limited offers, but many people came to ride the special, including Ben and Lizzy, it was a spectacular day with steam and diesel fun, and with Ben purchasing these engines for his railway and museum, it’s bound to be a new era for the Roger Railway.

  After the fun activities were over, Mr. Hutton, Lizzy, and the members started preparing to transport four locomotives to Pennsylvania. It took a while, in fact, it took hours, to make sure the engines are secured to the trucks, and to make sure that no engine falls into the road, or worse, the highway. After securing the four engines, Mr. Hutton and Lizzy, with the members, watch as the lowboy trucks leave in the distance for their new homes.

  October 3rd, 1959

  “I’m excited we’re going to have another new engine,” Robert told the old Porter excitedly. They were in the shed after the Saturday operation.

  “Yep,” Roger smiled, “It’s going to be a busy day.”

  “It’s a pity that Betty isn’t here,” Robert said sadly, “She’ll like the new engine.”

  “Yep,” Roger agrees, Betty was operating mainline excursions on the Simon Hill Railway, “But at least she’s coming home for Christmas, until after Christmas she’ll be going to her new home.”

  “Yeah, it is sad,” Robert admitted to the old Porter, “But at least we’re getting a new engine, speaking of which, isn’t she coming today?”

  “Yep, but Ben and Lizzy are stopping at the Hutton Steam Company and Museum to deliver three other steam locomotives,” Roger told the saddletank, “The new engine, named Clair, was supposed to arrive yesterday, but traffic problems caused them to be delayed for a day.”

  “John did a good job managing the railway while the two are gone,” Robert commented, “Great man, really.”

  “It’s been a year,” Roger admitted, “Mainline excursions, Edaville Railroad, NRHS Convention, Hawaii becoming a state, and now a new engine.”

  “This decade would be over, Roger,” Robert reminded, “Is there anything you’re grateful for?”

  “Hmm,” Roger thought for a sec.

  Before he could answer, he heard a sound in the yard, it was the lowboy truck, which made the old Porter excited, though, with no volunteers to push the two engines, they would have to wait, but it didn’t take long as the doors were open and Roger was happy to see Ben and Lizzy, pushing the brand new diesel locomotive into the shed. The new diesel locomotive was quite an interesting look, with a yellow-orange livery, outside frame siderodes, and an odd rectangular diesel locomotive design.

  “Sorry, we’re late,” Mr. Hutton said as he wiped off the sweat, “I had to drop off some new steam locomotives for the museum.”

  “It’s no problem,” Roger smiled, “Is this the new engine, Clair?”

  “Yes, it is sweetie,” Lizzy grinned, she turned to the new engine, “Welcome to the Roger Railway, Clair!”

  The new diesel locomotive looked around the engine shed.

  “Wow, it looks very comforting and quaint,” Clair commented, “I like it.”

  “We’re going to head home. Tomorrow, I’ll explain what you’re doing,” Mr. Hutton told the new diesel locomotive.

  “Goodnight, Robert, Clair, Roger!” Lizzy smiled at the three engines.

  With that, Ben and Lizzy left the shed, leaving the three locomotives alone.

  “So, Clair,” Roger looked at the new engine, “What kind of job did you do before coming here?”

  “I was in charge of the daily passenger special, which is a one-coach special,” Clair told Roger, “I also haul coal trains, mineral trains, agriculture trains, sugar beet trains, and even some livestock.”

  “Wow,” Robert said in awe, “That’s a lot of trains.”

  “You’re a versatile engine,” Roger smiled, “Your class must be useful in a lot of industrial lines.”

  “Yeah, all around the world, from the European countries, to Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, and in America, not just me, but a few in Hawaii,” Clair smiled, “Versatile class.”

  But Robert was confused.

  “Mr. Hutton said that your railway is an industrial railway?” Robert asks curiously.

  “He’s not wrong,” Clair answered the saddletank, “Most of the Waukegan Light Railway is a bunch of industrial railways that are connected, but we do have a few lines that are connected to schools and some suburban parts. So the passenger train is operating on that particular line.”

  “Wow, what an interesting railway,” Roger commented, “My railway is simple, just some freight and passenger service, though, passengers are our bread and butter. I’ve heard from Ben that your railway is huge.”

  “Yep, 30 miles of track,” Clair smiled, “Before closure, the railroad employed 15 steam locomotives, and me, and being the only diesel locomotive gave me perks.”

  “Perks?” Robert asks.

  “I could operate on any day without needing to refuel, I could operate on the lighter track that the big engines are too heavy for, and I have my own engine shop and shed,” Clair told Robert, “Despite being built in 1950, I was the big sister to the line.”

  “Big sister?” Roger asks curiously.

  The diesel locomotive looked at the ground.

  “There were…tensions,” Clair sighed, “Because for the last few decades, most of the owners and general managers were of German ethnicity, and some born in Germany, before moving to America, so some of the engines that were purchased were used during the line's early years, though some were taken by the Alien Enemies Act, the last big purchase was in the 1930s till 1950, and me being the part of that last big purchase. And many of the American-built engines don’t really like Germans on their line…including me, so I’ve become a big sister type figure for the other German-built engines that are getting bullied.”

  “That’s very nice,” Robert beamed, “I like to have another big sister on the railway, especially since Betty is moving to her new home.”

  This made Clair curious.

  “Who is Betty?” Clair asks.

  “She’s a 2-4-2t that Ben bought, her old railway was taken over by the Southern Railway,” Roger told the new diesel locomotive, “She’s been helping us on the railway with passenger service before going to her new home.”

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  “Oh, that’s nice,” Clair smiled, “Glad she has a new home.”

  “It is,” Roger smiled sadly.

  Though Robert has an interesting question.

  “How come your general manager and owner never purchased more of you?” Robert asks curiously.

  Clair has a somber look.

  “Because of budgets,” Clair said sadly, “If my railway didn’t get defunct, they would’ve purchased more of my class, like 2-3 more. I was good at my job.”

  “You’ll be a great help with our railway,” Roger smiled at the diesel locomotives.

  “Speaking of your railway,” Clair changed the topic, “How does your railway work?”

  “So the season starts in March and ends in December,” Roger told the diesel locomotive, “Then we’ll get limited operations around 3-6 days in January and February, the volunteers spent the off-season getting the railway in good running order.”

  “With you here, you could probably operate the January and February service,” Robert said to Clair, “Mr. Hutton is planning to add more full-time staff for the new decade.”

  “The holiday season is so goddamn busy,” Roger groaned, “But it gets the passenger seats filled, but it’s tiring.”

  “Holiday is extra busy during my old line,” Clair chuckled, “I would carry families to the town for Christmas shopping, cold weather, icy rails, and snow.”

  “Sounds like home,” Roger chuckled.

  Clair and Robert laughed as well. The old Porter liked the new diesel; hearing her story was comforting. It was starting to become a family for Roger.

  “And with more steam locomotives coming this way,” Robert gleefully smiled.

  “More engines are coming?” Clair asks.

  “Ben got this Garratt locomotive from a line on the Isle of Peter next to the U.K.,” Roger told the diesel locomotive, “And a few of its engines and rolling stock, including coaches, the coaches and the new Garratt will be for our railway, but the other engines are for the museum.”

  “Your owner really loves preservation,” Clair smiles, “I’m excited about what to do tomorrow.”

  “He really is,” Robert agrees, “Though, since you know how to operate passenger trains, will she need to operate a test run, Roger?”

  “Probably not,” Roger told the saddletank, “But Sunday is going to be busy, because I’m going to be part of a movie again.”

  “Movie?” Clair asks.

  “The railway would be used in some feature films,” Roger told Clair, “We get a hefty sum to be featured in a movie, for about a minute or two, but it does help the railway.”

  “Maybe I could also be in the movie,” Clair joked to the old Porter.

  “There’s a chance,” Roger smiled, “The BBC is planning to be here for my 80th birthday in May, it’s going to be a grand time.”

  “I bet,” Clair smiled.

  Roger looked at the shed clock.

  “It’s almost 12, let's get some sleep,” the old Porter told the others, “We have a busy day tomorrow.”

  October 4th, 1959

  The next day was bright and early, and Clair was out of the engine shed, including Roger, the old Porter was in steam, mostly for the Sunday passenger train, but since this was Clair’s first day to operate a passenger train on the Roger Railway, she would be used first, there were bunch of people at the railway yard, which Roger noted to the diesel locomotive about the filming of the movie last night, but some are unfamiliar, many railfans came to the railway to ride the regular fall season train, but also seeing the new engine.

  “So what’s the plan?” Roger asks Mr. Hutton.

  “Clair would operate first,” Mr. Hutton told the old Porter, “She’ll operate as a morning special until around 11, and that’s when the film crew would start filming.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Roger smiled.

  “I’m excited,” Clair smiled.

  “Knowing that this is the first passenger train you operated for preservation purposes, let me give you some tips,” Roger said to the new engine, “Don’t go too fast or slow, and being a one-coach special, make sure you don’t bump the train too hard, not good for your friend and passengers, and make sure you watch what’s in front of you, since there’s going to be objects on the track time to time.”

  “Is that all?” Clair asks.

  “Mostly,” Roger smiled, “But since you already have experience in operating passenger trains at your old line, I think giving you some simple tips can help you in the long run.”

  “Thanks, Roger,” Clair smiled, “You’re such a sweetheart.”

  “He is, isn’t he?” Lizzy agrees with the diesel locomotive.

  Roger saw the coach that Clair owned; it was simple, reminding him of his own coaches. The color was simple, forest green, but the old Porter could see the craft of this passenger car, crafted by people who care, and he couldn’t believe that the coach was built in 1950.

  “Who built your coach?” Roger asks.

  “My shop crew,” She told the old Porter, “After I was built, they took some of the local materials and built my coach. Her name is Sophia, named after the owner and general manager’s daughter.”

  “That’s sweet,” Roger smiled, “Hello, Sophia, I’m Roger.”

  “Hello, Roger,” the coach smiled, “You have a lovely little railway, the carriage shed is nice and well-maintained, and your coaches are very nice.”

  “Thank you,” Roger smiled.

  Clair noticed the film crew in the yard.

  “So, what are you going to do in this movie?” She asks the old Porter.

  “Operating a freight train,” Roger told the diesel locomotive, “Which is a first, since in the past, it’s usually a passenger train.”

  “Speaking of freight trains, how many freight stocks does this railway have?” Clair asks.

  “Just some boxcars, at least before the Preservation Society,” Roger told the diesel, “The railway isn’t a freight railway by heart, but it does help us get extra revenue in the past.”

  “I see,” Clair said, and she looked at the station, “Is that where the passengers board the train?”

  “Yep,” Roger smiled, “It’s where the passengers get in and get out, same with the Roger Station.”

  “The station looks very nice,” Clair commented, “Your general manager of the railway did a good job preserving the station.”

  “Yeah, he did, and the volunteers,” Roger smiled, “He used boxcars as the main building until two years ago, and got refurbished to look more like a railway station.”

  “Wow, talk about many feats,” Clair smiled.

  As much as Roger wants to talk more to the new engine, she has a passenger train to run, which she switched to the other track, and coupled up to Sophia, before switching to the track that leads to the station. The passengers were quite surprised to see the new engine and the one-coach train, but they still purchased the tickets anyway. Clair blew her horn and slowly left the station, and on her way through the Roger Railway, her first revenue passenger train in her new home.

  “I think she’s going to do well,” Roger told Mr. Hutton.

  “I think so too,” Mr. Hutton agreed, “Her owner and general manager told me that she’s the best of the fleet.”

  “What plans are for next year, Ben?” Roger asks curiously.

  “With the high amount of revenue we’re getting in the last few years, I think it’s enough to hire paid staff, for limited seasons and operations, to test the waters,” Mr. Hutton told the old Porter, “I think to test it during the January and February limited operation, and when we get Elizabeth, probably the spring or summer season depending if the arrival doesn’t take months again, to test the waters. Clair is a good engine for this test.”

  “I also saw some unfamiliar people in the yard this morning,” Roger told Mr. Hutton, “Are they from Clair’s old railway?”

  “They are.” Mr. Hutton nodded, “Though some are retired, but join the railway as volunteers, but one man, who’s the engine driver for Clair from 1950 to 1959, the same age as me, joins the railway as a full-time driver, which he’ll start today, a Monday to Thursday operation.”

  “That’ll keep the railway busy,” Roger smiled, “As a test, right?”

  “Mostly,” Mr. Hutton nodded, “We’ll test it in the 1960-1961 season, and maybe the 1962 season. If it goes well, we’ll do it full-time.”

  “Do you think the change is for the best?” Roger asks, with a nervous tone.

  “We’ll still have our volunteers,” Mr. Hutton assured the old Porter, “But tourism is becoming a huge deal in Westminster, and all over the United States, and with our railway becoming an important icon to the city, things are eventually going to change.”

  “I know,” Roger looked at the distance of the railway, “Sometimes I wish it hadn’t.”

  Despite being a one-coach special, Clair did extremely well with her first job of hauling passenger trains; despite a movie shoot happening, the regular fall season train went as planned. The diesel locomotive arrived back at the yard after hauling the morning-to-noon passenger train. Clair was resting, and Roger was in the yard, getting ready for his movie shoot.

  “Are you excited, Roger?” Mr. Hutton asks the old Porter.

  “Not the first time,” Roger chuckled, “Can’t wait to be on the big screen again.”

  Then the director and the film crew came into the yard, and he looked at Clair. Then an idea came to his head.

  “Instead of Roger hauling like usual, we could borrow this diesel engine,” the director told his producer, to which he agreed.

  “Not a bad idea,” the producer nodded. He turned to Mr. Hutton, “What’s this engine’s name?”

  “Her name is Clair,” Mr. Hutton told the producer.

  Clair is curious about what’s happening.

  “What’s going on?” Clair asks Roger.

  “I think you’re going to be their vehicle to the shooting location,” the old Porter told the diesel locomotive, “Back when it was just passenger trains, the film crew would ride in the coaches to get to the location. I thought it would be like that, basically a mixed train.”

  “I’m guessing that with me being here, it saves you using your coach?” Clair guessed.

  “Basically,” Roger replied.

  Mr. Hutton, the director and producer, came up to the diesel locomotive.

  “Hello, Clair,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “These fine gentlemen here are going to use you for their vehicle for today’s shoot.”

  “Really?” Clair was surprised.

  The director nodded.

  “Mostly taking us to the film location,” the director told the diesel locomotive, “At least we don’t have to leave the coach as the other directors do.”

  Clair was curious.

  “Have you worked with Roger before?” the little diesel asks.

  “In the past, I was mostly a producer working with the director, so yes,” He responded, “And this is a first for me as a director.”

  “I see,” Clair understood, “Well, my coach, Sophia, wouldn’t mind helping out.”

  “I’m glad to help a movie crew,” the coach responded happily.

  “Then it settles!” the director smiled.

  The old Porter and Clair were quite surprised.

  “Well,” Roger chuckled, “Your first day on the railway and now you’re helping with a big project.”

  “I know,” She giggled, “It’s an exciting year.”

  The film crew climbed on board Sophia, Clair moved around so she was in front of Sophia, and coupled up to her, with Roger already having his freight train. The film train unit is ready. The old saddletank blew his whistle, and as Clair blew her horn, the film unit train left the station and yard, on their way to the film location. So far, Clair is enjoying her new home.

  October 1st, 2021

  Esmee shivered; she hated the cold. To Roger, it was another fall season starting, with the year almost ending, and a wonderful 70th Anniversary, though it’s not finished yet. The old Porter has just finished telling the story of Clair's first day on the line, the old saddletank is at the yard with his crew, relaxing after pulling the first train of October.

  “This fall season will be packed,” Skylark took a sip of her hot chocolate, “I’m glad I’m not working this weekend.”

  “The tickets for the Halloween Special were already sold out,” Roger reminded the blonde driver, “But luckily, Clair is handling the nighttime part.”

  “Clair is really versatile,” Esmee awed as she rubbed her hands for warmth.

  “It’s not that cold,” Roger rolled his eyes, “She is really a great helping hand, especially last year, oh boy, back-to-back operations, I’m glad fall is here, I don’t have to work on the weekends anymore.”

  “No charters this fall?” Esmee asks.

  “There’s still one photo charter for November,” Roger told his crew, “And it’s the 70th Anniversary passenger and freight charter sponsored by the Narrow Gauge Society on the 22nd and 23rd.”

  “Samuel did say something about a special charter,” Skylark looked at her phone, “I’m guessing we got the information early.”

  “Clair is also getting a charter as well,” Roger told the female crew, “On Friday after Thanksgiving.”

  The two women chuckled.

  “I’m not surprised,” Skylark giggled, “She's a popular little diesel.”

  “And a damn good one,” Clair said as she backed herself into the shed, making Roger chuckle.