Steam engines, Skullgirls, and Universes

Christmas Special: Snow

December came quicker than expected. The temperature dropped and frost was visible on every street you'd walk. Frost on the rails made it more difficult for the engines to travel. December also brought the usual snow which blocked the mainline. James and another Canopy engine helped clear the line from snow drifts using the same tactic as Donald and Douglas. With a coach full of workmen and shovels in between them they would buffer up their tenders to the coach and pull it up and down the mainline. This would cut the need to get turned around, and if one ever got stuck in a deep pile of snow, the other engine could pull it out. This worked splendidly, and in no time the mainline was cleared. 

The frost on the rails would make it difficult for the engines to get around, so some engines were put in charge of pulling special wagons of salt. The salt would be sprinkled on the rails as they moved along them, the salt would dissolve the frost and services would run to time. Duck was put in charge of the salt run on the mainline. The sunshine line closed its passenger run for the season, as the boardwalk was typically slower during winter. Duck didn't mind this, and was eager for a trip down the mainline. He took great care with his job, making sure that the line was well coated in salt. Hills proved to be challenging for the great western pannier as he struggled up the big hill, his crew steadily dropping sand from Duck's sand boxes. 

The Maplecrest engines were just as busy with their line. Thomas handled the salt wagon, while Percy and Toby helped clear the line. The three's efforts ensured that the branch would run to regular time during this winter. School was out a few days earlier due to the snow, the snow and the icy roads made it dangerous for buses and cars to travel. This suited the students just fine. During Thomas, Percy, and Toby's trips past the park they could hear the faint sound of children laughing, snowball fights being held, and carols being sung. 

Christmas was coming to Canopy, this would be the first Christmas the kingdom would have with their visiting engines. The stations would be decorated with lights and festive reefs, everyone was getting into the spirit. Canopy's big station and terminal had giant Christmas trees. They were lit up with colorful lighting, ornaments hung from every branch, and wrapped gifts placed under them. Maplecrest's terminus had a tree on the platform as well. It too gave an atmosphere of Christmas cheer. 

Thomas and Percy's post trains were heavier than before. People of Canopy relied on them to deliver their parcels for Christmas. With their fires burning bright and snow plows firmly fitted, the two would venture out into the night and made good time in their deliveries. Children could be found waking up early to see the engines go by, their silhouettes against the rising sun and the shrilling sound of their whistles was a special sight to them.  

During one frosty morning Gordon arrived at the terminus with the express. The passengers spilled out of the coaches, all in clothing fit for the cold weather. Some wore big, fluffy coats, others wore thick jackets with big hats that would cover their ears. Gordon's crew were sitting near Gordon's firebox, the warmth was welcomed by them. 

"Enjoying my fire?" Gordon chuckled. 

"It's what's making this winter barrable." laughed his driver. Just then the three heard an unfamiliar whistle. 

"Is that the Medicis?" Gordon said. 

"Can't be. They're not due for another hour." his driver answered. 

The engine puffed into the station and stopped at the platform on the other side. The engine was a big like Gordon, but wore a Black and white livery. It had cowcatchers on its front, and had three domes. The tender had something on it, it read 'Chess rails' painted on it. Gordon was perplexed by this engine. The engine's crew stepped out of its cab. 

"There we are. Made it after all huh?" one crew member said. The other one he was talking to stepped out from behind the engine. 

"Yeah yeah. It was tough going up that hill though." he said. The two had a laughed. Gordon decided to speak up.