Steam engines, Skullgirls, and Universes

Detour: Sea life

Duck worked on the Sunshine Line proudly. He enjoyed coasting up the coastal line, letting the gentle sea breeze swirl around him. His trains were often hours apart so he'd have to return to the yard and help out there as there was little for him to do at the end of the branch. Water towers or coal stages so he hand to top up at the big station. Often times during his trips other engines would pass him with truck loads of materials. Their trains would be filled with either glass, clay, or logs. The various factories that were close to the Sunshine line had already begun operation, day and night they would produce their goods then rely on the railway to deliver them all around the kingdom. 

It was early one morning when the yard master came to the sheds to speak to Toby and Duck. 

"You two, changes of plans for you guys. One of the engines at the harbor has been taken out of service due to mechanical issues. Doesn't help that they're going through a locomotive shortage as is. I was originally going to just ask Toby to fill in for him, but Duck you will need to help too. Your service has been suspended until the engine gets back into working order." he explained. 

"No problem at all sir." Duck said confidently. 

"Great to hear. See to it that the harbor be in ship shape." he said before making his way out. 

"I wasn't aware there was a harbor." Toby said. 

"Of course there would be a harbor. What proper railway doesn't have one to export goods and passengers." Gordon said.

"I guess this will be an experience for us both Toby." said Duck to the little tram engine. 

"Guess you'll have to do Duck's shunting work too aye James." Thomas said cheekily. James snarled and puffed off angerly to organized the day's trains. 

When Duck and Toby were steamed up they set off to the harbor. They left in the same direction of Duck's line, but as they made their way down and passed the station of Innsmouth they came to a switch. One way kept going up the branch, and the other led to the harbor. The points were already set to the harbor, so Duck and Toby kept going. 

The town of Innsmouth has relied heavily on the fishermen, and the harbor industry. The harbors made by the locals were crude, but got the work done. However they didn't have the capacity to hold a railway. New Meridian struck a deal with them to build a joint harbor so that both may use it. New Meridian didn't have to rely on the towns locals to transport their goods by roads or provide their own, and the locals of Innsmouth could have rail access for their industries. The harbor was constructed on the edge of New Meridian, and close enough to Innsmouth, the trip wouldn't take to long by rail. Many people of Innsmouth went to work in the harbor either escorting passengers to the city of New Meridian, manning machinery, or odd jobs. Fishers would dump their harvest of various aquatic creatures and sell them to various restaurants or companies. Some of the people of Innsmouth actually moved to New Meridian and founded Little Innsmouth as its own community. 

When Toby and Duck finally arrived to the harbor they stared in awe. Giants cranes dominated the sky, impressive cargo ships sat in port unloading their crates, and trucks lay in sidings being filled to the brim with goods. Workmen bustled around, getting everything that needed doing done. Some of the local goods for New Meridian were packaged away in lorries, and they drove off to the city. 

Duck and Toby were impressed by this, it didn't feel too off from what they had back on the island. A foreman approached them. 

"You two Duck, and Toby?" he asked. He looked rugged, he had side burns and messy hair. 

"Yes sir." they answered. 

"Thank trinity, we need you two to get this yard organized, and these trains to the yard for the local goods train to take. With that engine breaking down it's blocked us up, we fear we might lose more goods to the roads. Can you help get us back up to schedule?"