The Midnight Train Crossing

The freight cars had been moved over to the sidings, out of the way. Only Rocky was racing tonight. Another engine was in the yard with him, he was also a steam engine, considerably older the Rusty.

"Woo!" the engine let out a long whistle, "Yeah!"
The trucks looked up. "Hey!" Rocky exclaimed, "Poppa's gonna sing!"
"Hey Poppa!" Rusty's voice sounded through before he arrived, "I need your help!"
Rusty was intercepted by Rocky. "Cool it, cool it man," Rocky said, "Poppa's gonna sing."
"Poppa don't sing often," Rocky two added.
"But he do sing mean!" All three finished. Rusty unwillingly sank to the ground, near his father's feet.

"Oh the first line of the blues is always sung a second time," Poppa sang, he turned to the boxcars, "You hear me talkin' Rockies?"
"Yeah we hear you Poppa," Rocky answered.
"I said the first line of the blues is always sung a second time," Poppa sang, "So by the time you get to the third line, you've had time to think of a rhyme. "

"Oh ain't no law that says third line's gotta be different at all," he continued. He looked over at the Rockies, "You've looking good Rocky."
"I said ain't no law that says third line's gotta be different at all," he repeated, "No there ain't no law that says third line's gotta be different at all."

Dustin had pulled out his harmonica and was backing Poppa's singing.
"Listen to me children!" Poppa said before starting the next verse, "Oh never borrow no mouth organ, not even from your best friend."
Rusty had slunk over to his father, "Poppa you gotta help me!" he exclaimed.
The Rockies pulled Rusty away and pushed him down to the ground again,

"I said: Never borrow no mouth organ," Poppa repeated, "not even from your best friend."
"Poppa please!" Rusty whined, bouncing a little with the effort, Stop singing and pay attention to me! He quickly shrank down to the ground before the Rockies could shush him again.
"'Cos you may survive the blowing," Poppa sang as Dustin blew a few complicated riffs on his harmonica, "But the sucking's gonna get you in the end! Oh yeah!"

Rusty had given up, no one cared about him, he might as well go home. He buried his head in his arms.
"Rusty why you lookin' sad?" Poppa asked.
"I got no hope," Rusty answered, It wasn't fair!
"What you mean?" Poppa asked, "I taught you all that I know."
"I know," Rusty answered.
"You'll surprise them when it's your turn to go," Poppa said proudly.
Rusty shook his head, "No sir," he said, "I lost the coach I thought I had."
"What Pearl?" the Rockies asked.
"Yeah Pearl," Rusty answered, "I went and asked her for a date."
"She wouldn't play?" Poppa asked.
Rusty shook his head, "And the rest said 'no,'-- I knew that they would," he added. None of them had ever taken him seriously, why should they now?

"Oh no," Poppa said rubbing his son's shoulder sympathetically, "We could find another... "
He stood up, he'd find Rusty a partner, in fact he had one in mind.
"Yes sir we could," the Rockies agreed starting to follow Poppa.
Rusty stood up quickly and swerved in front of Poppa, causing him to stop.
"No way," Rusty said, he took a breath, "Poppa listen it's too late," he finished with a heavy note of finality.

"Rusty you ain't got no faith," Poppa scolded.
Rusty looked down at his wheels, a little ashamed.
"I am a steamer, I was a champion once," Poppa continued.
I know, Rusty thought, but that almost makes it worse... and it doesn't change the fact that no one wants to partner me.
"You like the rest, you just blind," Poppa finished disappointed.
Rusty looked up, he hadn't wanted to disappoint Poppa, and it wasn't that he didn't think he could do it.
"No, no I see good," he said quickly, "I see with out no coach I got no chance in the race."

To Rusty's surprise Poppa smiled, "Look behind you," he said, "What d'you see?"
Rusty obediently turned and looked. "Nothing but an old sleeping car," he answered with out enthusiasm, just an old sleeper who had seen better days asleep on the side of the tracks. Rusty didn't see what Poppa was trying to show him.
"You got an alarm bell?" Poppa asked.
"I do," Rusty answered puzzled by the question.
"Then ring it boy," Poppa said.
"Ring that bell," the Rockies added.
Rusty looked from the Rockies to Poppa as he realized with growing shock what they meant for him to do.
"I can't pull that," he said softly so she wouldn't hear him, "It's peeling and... well old."
Rusty shrank under the Look his father gave him as he remembered something too late. When his father had been a champion racer he had always raced with one coach--her. He turned and felt even worse; she had heard him. Poppa grabbed Rusty by the wrist and pulled him aside to sit down as the sleeper stood up. Rusty wished he could vanish.

The sleeper had heard every word Rusty had said and was a little offended.

"Looks and youth ain't everything," she sang, "Experience is a quality that count's for a lot." She sighed, "The sad thing 'bout experience is by the time you've got it it's usually all you've got."
She skated out, "I'm Belle, Belle, Belle, the sleeping car," she sang, light reflecting off of her crystal earrings, "Doesn't matter who you are, just climb aboard to lie with me," she smiled, "And when you wake I'll make you tea."
She glided around. In her spotlight, she appeared to look the way she must have when she was a racer.

"A Pullman Car when I was made, I went down for the seaside trade."
"I'm peeling now," Belle admitted, "The light's too bright, I wear dark glasses day and night."
She smiled and glided off, "I had crystal lamps, Irish linen to set off my red velvet dress and those who rode on me compared me to the Orient Express-now that was excessive," she added modestly.
"But now they climb aboard, undress, don't wait for me to whisper 'yes,' don't say 'good night,' just hit the light," she sighed, "And worst of all turn over and go straight to sleep."

"Once I was a real main liner, enjoying the occasional smoke, now I hang around the fuel dump, sniffing the coke, it really chokes me."
She glided off more determined, "I'm Belle, Belle, Belle, the sleeping truck, I'm down at wind and off my luck," she turned to the two engines watching her, "I may not be first class, but I'm not yet worst class. I can still warm you when the night is cold, I'm a sleeper with a heart of gold."

Poppa stood, skated to Belle and bowed. The two joined hands and glided around together. He twirled her slowly. As Rusty watched them he could see how close they were. He sighed softly.
Belle skated over to Rusty, "I can still warm you when the night is cold," she repeated, "I'm a sleeper with a heart of gold."

Rusty had curled up into a ball. "No," he said in a strangled voice, "I'm out of it."
"Only believe son," Poppa said setting a hand on Rusty's shoulder, "The Starlight Express will help you."
The Starlight Express? But that was just a story. "Oh come on," Rusty groaned, "You don't believe all that stuff."
Poppa and Belle looked at each other with a brief worried expression. Then Poppa turned to Rusty again.

"How many times have you found, though you were firm on the ground still the world around you sways," Poppa sang, "You notice all that you've got does not add up to a lot and the way ahead's a maze."
Rusty, despite himself, was beginning to show some interest.
"You've used everything inside you," Poppa continued, "So maybe it's time you tried to find a brand new power - to shine a light."
"A light to brighten up your darkest hour," Belle added.
The two looked up at the night sky.

Rusty blinked, the light from the stars was reflecting off of Poppa and Belle.
"Starlight Express hears your distress," the two sang together, "He's there all around, Starlight Express will answer you 'yes,' he's - "

"Control! Control!" Control interrupted.
Poppa glared upwards towards the direction of Control's voice.
"Thirty seconds to close of entries for heat two," Control announced, "Engines report!"

Rusty stood up, Poppa was right. He would never prove anything if he didn't race, but after what he had said he didn't know if Belle would want to race with him. He skated over to her and half bowed.
"May I have the honor, will you partner me?" he asked offering her a hand.
Belle hid a smile, "Thank you kindly, I'd be proud to share in your race," she took his hand and hitched behind him, "I won't disgrace you," she added.
"She's Belle, Belle, Belle the sleeping car," Poppa and the Rockies sang as Rusty and Belle headed towards the racetrack, "Back again once more a star."

Spotlights trained on the entrance as the marshals skated out, ready for the second heat.
"Control! Control! Heat Two! Heat Two!" Control announced, "Race time minus one minute, race time minus one minute!"
As they were announced each engine took his place.
"In track one: Weltshaft the German engine with Joule, the dynamite truck.
In track two: Electra the electric engine with--" Control broke off seeing Electra wasn't with Volta, "Carriage Change! Carriage change! With Pearl!"
Pearl!?! Rusty thought indignantly, and here he was racing with the older coach Belle. Not Fair! Well, at least he was getting to race...
"In track three: Rusty the steam chugger with Belle the sleeping car!"

Pearl glanced at Rusty for a second, it had never occurred to her that she would be racing against him, She shrugged, Oh well.
Being on the racetrack had awakened a forgotten instinct deep inside Belle.

"Twenty seconds," Control announced.
Rusty took a deep breath, feeding his fire, now he'd show them all! They'd be sorry they had teased him and Pearl would... maybe she'd race with him in the final and he wouldn't be stuck with... no he shouldn't think like that.
The siren sounded and Control started the countdown, "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Trains gone!"

The engines took off, keeping even until they reached the real racetrack.

Rusty flew across the rails, Belle was very light to pull. Electra took the lead with Rusty and Weltshaft close behind.
Rusty passed Weltshaft and gained on Electra, then he passed him and shot forward. The other two chased him but he managed to keep just ahead. Electra raised his hand. Belle dragged Rusty off to the side as Electra let a thunderbolt fly. The electricity hit the wall harmlessly. Both engines were surprised and Electra sped up, gaining on Rusty. Weltshaft took advantage of the other two engines' distraction to creep up on Electra. Electra whirled and zapped Weltshaft. The electricity momentarily stunned the German engine. Once again Electra zapped Rusty and again Belle pulled him out of the way. Electra sped up and slammed Rusty into the side as they took the curve. Weltshaft passed Rusty and chased Electra. Electra growled and gave Weltshaft a shove, the German engine narrowly missed crashing into Rusty. Rusty was beginning to feel dizzy but Belle would allow him to stop. She gave him a shove, forcing him on.
Electra couldn't believe it, Rusty was gaining on him again. The Rusty passed him. Electra shot forward and hit. He missed Rusty and collided with Belle instead. While she didn't scream she did let out an audible gasp of pain, losing control over her engine. Electra let out a lightning bolt.
Rusty slowed as electricity surged through his frame. Once his vision cleared he kept going but it was too late.

"Winner of Heat Two Electra and Pearl!" Control announced, "Electra and Pearl have a place in the final!"
Electra was out of breath but he still managed to strike a victorious pose at the finish line.
Weltshaft collapsed as soon as he reached the edge of the track. His partner Joule was furious and kicked him. He half crawled away, still being hassled by his racing partner.

Rusty fled the track, tears burning in his eyes. He lost, he hadn't won, hadn't proven he could do more then just haul cars around. Maybe they were all right, maybe he was out of date and worthless.
Belle unhitched once they reached the freight yard. She looked at Poppa sadly and shook her head.

"Boy, boy, boy, what's this I hear?" he asked.
Rusty brushed the back of his hand across his eyes. "I lost the race Poppa," he answered in a strangled voice. He looked up at his father angrily, "Wasn't no Starlight Express!"
Poppa looked sad, but Rusty didn't notice. He took a shaky breath before continuing on, "There ain't no power in steam no more," he continued, spitting out the next word, "E-lec-tri-ci-ty is faster now!"
Belle and the trucks were stunned and backed away from Poppa.

"No!" Poppa exploded grabbing Rusty's wrist and pulling him over. Rusty pulled back but couldn't get loose. Uh oh, he'd gone too far.
"Let me hear you say 'steam'!" Poppa commanded.
"Steam!" Rusty sang out, he figured that was the best thing to do.
Without letting go Poppa turned to the others, "Let me hear you all say 'steam'!"
"Steam!" Belle, Dustin and the Rockies sang.

"Oil! Oil! Oil!" Flat Top shouted, letting out a laugh.
Letting go of his son, Poppa turned on Flat Top, giving him a smart rap on the head.
"Oil?" Poppa repeated; he shoved Flat Top away in disgust, "Oil is the work of the diesel himself!"
He turned back to Rusty, who automatically backed away, keeping his wrists well out of Poppa's reach.

"I'm gonna show you that a steamer with the power within him can take on oil, can take on 'lecticity," Poppa sang.
Rusty had a sinking feeling as he looked up at his father, he couldn't, he wouldn't, would he?
Poppa looked around at the trucks, "Who'll come with me? Who'll come with me?" he asked, "Race behind me?"
He would! Rusty looked up at his father, "Poppa you're mad! Poppa you're mad!" he exclaimed, he backed down again at the Look Poppa gave him.
"I'm gonna find me somebody who'll go with me," Poppa said looking around, "Hey come on Rocky!"
Rocky shook his head as he and his brothers backed away.
"I can't I'm reserved," he said, "I got me a ride."
"Okay Flat Top, you'll do," Poppa said turning to the brick truck.
"No way not with you!" Flat Top exclaimed horrified, "Me go with a steamer all smelly and smoking and ancient and filthy? You gotta be joking!" He bolted before Poppa could hit him again.

"I'll got with you, I'll go with you!" Dustin volunteered.
Poppa looked over the hopper, "I maybe strong son," he started.
Dustin nodded, he knew what was coming, "Okay I know, I'll be too slow."
"Take too long son," Poppa said not unkindly.
"Please Poppa take me!" Dustin begged.
Poppa considered; he did need a partner.

"No Poppa don't listen!" Rusty begged sliding between the two, "Besides, where's the point?" he continued, "There's three trains in each heat." He almost took a step back away from his father, but instead remained firm, "They've got all three trains," he continued practically (he hoped), "The race is complete!"

"Control! Control!" Control called, "Cancellation, cancellation! The British train has been scrapped!"
Rocky's face fell. He was supposed to partner that engine.
"Space for late entry! Space for late entry!" Control continued.
Poppa looked at Rusty smugly. Rusty sank to the ground in defeat.

"There's a light at the end of the tunnel," Poppa sang softly.
"There's a light at the end of the tunnel," Belle and the trucks joined in.
"C'mon Dustin," Poppa said hitching Dustin behind.
Rusty looked up after they had gone, Good Luck Poppa, he thought.

For the third time the marshals outlined the race course as the engines lined up.
"Control! Control! Heat Three! Heat Three!" Control announced, "Race time minus one minute! Race time minus one minute!
In track one: Turnov the Russian engine with Wrench the repair truck.
In track two: Bobo the French TGV with Ashley the smoking car.
In track three: Late entry! Late entry! Rambling Poppa McCoy with Dustin the aggregate hopper."

The marshals lined up the engines and pointed down the track, everyone knew the rules but they went over them anyway.
Being on the track was bringing the same feeling over Poppa that it had over Belle.
"Twenty seconds," Control called.
The marshals sped off down the tracks, getting out of the way, as the siren sounded.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!" Control counted down, "Trains gone!"

The three engines took off. Turnov took the lead with Bobo close behind and Poppa a distant third.
Bobo pushed Turnov off to the side as they reached the real racetrack. Bobo took the lead and held it. Turnov, after a glance backward decided that Bobo was his main worry.
Poppa wasn't doing well, Dustin was not built for racing and he pulled Poppa all around the track. Poppa gritted his teeth, trying to bring Dustin back under control.
Turnov pulled even with Bobo and smashed the engine into the guardrails before taking the lead. Bobo detangled himself from the rails and chased after Turnov. At the curve, Bobo retaliated, shoving Turnov aside. Both engines were considerably rattled but they kept on.
Suddenly Poppa shot forward, he had been conserving power and now he used it. He passed Bobo and Turnov to take the lead. Bobo hugged the inside of the curve. Poppa tried but Dustin's momentum carried him aside. Bobo took the lead again.

Poppa sped up, letting out a defiant whistle. The finish line was approaching, that's all he could see. Something snapped inside him but he ignored it. Poppa whooshed past the finish line with Bobo and Turnov close behind.
"Winner of Heat Three: Poppa McCoy and Dustin!" Control announced, "Poppa has a place in the final!"
Poppa stopped, still riding high on his adrenaline rush. Dustin unhitched excitedly; he'd raced and won!
Bobo and Turnov slunk off stunned that they had lost to an old steam engine.

Rusty, Belle and the Rockies ran over to the track, Rusty was so proud!
As the adrenaline rush faded, Poppa gasped as intense pain shot through his frame. He'd over done it. He caught hold of the guardrail, trying to keep his balance.
"Hey there Poppa, you were great!" Rusty shouted.
He got a better look at his father and helped him down. Belle hovered around him concerned. Once they got him comfortable on the ground Rusty made a startling discovery, his father, normally hot from the hot water, was ice cold.
"Poppa look at you, you're boiler is cold," Rusty said helplessly.
"My fault," Dustin said miserably, "I'm too heavy for an engine that's old." He flopped heavily down, " 'E should not be pulling freight."

"Rusty," Poppa called weakly, "Listen to me."
Rusty sank to his knees next to his father. He had never seen him like this before. Sure Poppa was old, but he had never seemed old... until now.
"I can't carry on," Poppa said, "Looks as though my racing days have just come and gone." He smiled despite the pain, "Proved I could do it, showed I was once great," he winced, "Can't do it now though, can't manage the weight."
Rusty shook his head slowly, fighting down panic.

Poppa looked down at Rusty, "But got me a position, got a placing in the race," he reached out and touched his son's hand, "Now Rusty I can trust you, take if for me, go and enter in my place." Poppa smiled, "Get in there and win the game!"
"No Poppa, no," Rusty said shaking his head, he couldn't keep the quiver out of his voice. He was terrified, he couldn't race again, he'd lose, he'd already lost once. A small voice told him that this was all his fault and he had to fix it. He ignored it.
Poppa frowned, he reached out and grabbed Rusty's wrist. "Must I kill myself to make you see sense?" he demanded, all right then he would. He started to rise.
"Poppa!" Rusty exclaimed gently pushing his father back down and pulling loose from his father's grip, "I do not believe, no point in pretense."
He looked down, avoiding Poppa's eyes, "And I couldn't face that losing shame."
Poppa glared at his son, but Rusty remained firm.

Greaseball and his gang skated over and Rusty quickly stood up.
The diesel engine regarded the steamers and then turned to his gang.
"Well lookey here, they said this train could go," he said, "If it can go at all it sure goes slow." His gang laughed, Belle glared at the diesel, who ignored her.
"Don't stop now, you gotta keep it going all night," he sang. He turned to Rusty, "Will you be racing in the final then?" he asked, "You lost it once, you're gonna lose it again!"
Rusty back away, finding himself surrounded by the gang again.

"Don't stop Poppa, Don't stop Rusty," Greaseball sang.
The Rockies surrounded Poppa protectively, as the gang skated over.
"Leave old Poppa, leave young Rusty," the gang sang tauntingly, shoving Rusty around.
"Don't stop/Leave old Poppa, Don't stop/Leave young Rusty," they all sang together.

"Clear my track!" Electra sang out as he and his train approached.
The gang retreated to behind their boss, leaving Rusty.
Electra looked around, "What's all this rubbish?" he demanded, "This Rusty junk must go! Clear my track!" He gave Rusty a shove, shocking him. Rusty landed on all fours near his father.

"Clear my track!" Pearl sang from behind Electra, "This is my train now!"
Rusty looked up, hearing her and seeing her being Electra cut into his heart. He stood up slowly, that had hurt more then anything anyone else could've done.
"This could be my dream," Pearl continued, "Clear my--"

"Stop!" Rusty shouted. Everyone stopped in surprise. Rusty's hands balled into fists at his sides. He glared at the diesel engine. "I'm gonna race you Greaseball!" he said. He whirled and glared at the other engine, "And I'm gonna race you Electra!" He took a breath, ignoring the laughter from the components, "And I'm gonna show you all just what steam can do."
Greaseball, Electra and their trains looked at Rusty.

"Rolling Stock, he'll be a Laughing Stock, he hasn't got a chance," they sang.
"Rolling Stock, Laughing Stock," Greaseball and train started.
"He hasn't got a chance," Electra and train responded.
"Rolling Stock, Laughing Stock," Greaseball and his train sang as they left.
"He hasn't got a chance," Electra and his train sang as they skated away.

Rusty had stood still while their laughter rang in his ears. Slowly he realized what he had said. Once they were gone he collapsed to the ground, his wheels couldn't support him anymore.
Poppa smiled and then winced.
"That's my boy," he said through the pain, "I knew you'd believe."
Rusty looked up at his father helplessly for a few long seconds.
"Poppa," he started, taking a breath, "I have to believe," he sighed shakily, "I have no choice."

With the help of Belle and the trucks Poppa left, leaving Rusty alone. After a few minutes he stood up and moved out. He reached a darkened area and sank down again.
Poppa had said that if he looked the Starlight Express would be there to help him. Well if he ever needed help, he needed it now. But the Starlight Express was just a bedtime story.
Rusty sighed and looked up at the star speckled sky. The stars silently winked down as if they held a secret.

"When your goodnights have been said and you are lying in bed waiting for the morning light," he sang, "And though ya count every sheep you get the feeling that sleep is gonna stay away tonight." He looked up and around, "That is when you hear it coming, that is when you hear the humming of the midnight train, here again," he sighed, "Can't explain that midnight train, that midnight train."
Rusty rose to his wheels and looked up, "Starlight Express, you must confess are you real? Yes or no?" he asked the sky, "Starlight Express answer me "yes." I don't want you to go."
He started pacing the length of the small yard.

"Want you to take me away but bring me back before daylight," he sang, "And in the time between take me to everywhere--but don't abandon me there. Just wanna say I have been."
He closed his eyes and took a breath, "I believe in you completely," he opened his eyes, "though I may be dreaming sweetly," Oh I hope not, he added silently. He had to believe he just had to. He could almost hear it coming.
"I can hear the train, here again," he sang, "Can't explain that midnight train, that midnight train!"

He glared up at the silent sky, "Starlight Express you must confess! Are you real? Yes or no? Starlight Express, answer me yes! I don't want you to go."
He closed his eyes again and glided around. Suddenly he felt... something. His eyes flew open but there was no one there.

"Starlight Express answer me yes, I don't want you to go," he repeated, "I don't want you to go, I don't want you to go!" He called out into the darkness.

He sank to his knees. "Starlight Express, you must confess are you real?" he sang softly, "Are you near? Starlight Express answer me yes," he took a shaky breath, "I need you to be here."