Postlude

 Setting: The Wickersfeld Railroad Station, on the first day of its first full weekend (5 June 1991, Friday)

 

John Smith had arrived in Wickersfeld on Thursday evening, before the first full weekend began, having booked a room at the old ‘hotel’ across and just down the street from the WRR station and railyard.  On Friday morning he was on the WRR grounds at 7 AM, walking about and taking a few pictures for his own albums.

At the station just after 8 AM, John was met at his kiosk by the Station Manager and the General Manager of the railroad who asked if he would be interested in piloting one of the trains again, once a day, on one, two or even all three of the days of this first full weekend.  He was elated at the chance and asked if he could at least pilot one on each of the runs.  He had not driven a train down to Spring Junction or up to Tannersville since the railroad closed in ‘69. 

The General and Station Managers were both pleased at his openness to the request, and so signed him up to pilot the 10 AM Spring Junction train on Saturday and the 4 PM Tannersville train on Sunday.  Both trains would be pulled by engine # 15.  He was of course told that Rudolf Petrie would be his co-pilot, to which arrangement he readily agreed, having liked the young man from the moment they met and got up into the cab of # 15 together the previous Sunday; a fact he’d been slow to admit to himself.

Robert Werner and his family showed up at 8:15 and found John at his kiosk arranging his books and the merchandise and ‘paraphernalia’ provided by the Company Store on the two long tables the Railroad had provided for their ‘honored guest;’ one-table more than he had had the previous weekend.  Sheldon stepped up to John and shook his hand, apologizing for having missed the opening event.  Veronica likewise shook John’s hand, and then formally re-introduced their children – Megan, Ingrid and little Edmund – to the old engineer.

Soon after, Lori Ann showed up with Eric and Abelene and their kids.  Eleven-year-old Theodore Grayson took up a ‘station’ behind the kiosk, obviously liking being near the old engineer.  The two younger kids looked at t-shirts, models of the engines and old pictures, while Eric asked John about his book and how he had collected all of the old photos, newspaper articles and interviews.  John told Robert and Lori Ann about his piloting two trains, at which they were eager to buy tickets for those runs for their families.  John hinted that he might be able to smuggle one of the kids or two up into the cab, though it would no doubt be against ‘regulations.’  Robert and Lori Ann reflected the idea, back and forth betwixt themselves, each imagining how they would love to have that experience again as in the old days long ago and now yet so near.

Vincent Lyman showed up just in time as the engine whistles were blown, announcing the opening of the railroad.  He came as if by a kind of magnetism to the kiosk to find John and his other two friends, and said, “Well, here we are again!” smiling joy from ear to ear.  Vincent greeted Lori’s and Robert’s families, and then – hearing about John being asked to pilot the trains again, said “O that we could go with you in the cab, just one more time!” 

The Station Manager, who happened to be standing nearby, overheard this, and asked what Vincent meant.  When Vincent explained, the Manager said he might be able to get permission for such an exception to “railroad policy.”  After Lori Ann repeated that they had been taken on such rides by John back in the 1940’s when they were young, the Station Manager called the Operations Manager on his two-way radio and, following a short conversation, told John and his friends they would have an answer for him by Saturday morning, “before John’s run, if not by end-of-day today.”

The Four Friends were joyed at this possibility, young Theodore asking if he could join them, as the ride up in the engine cab sounded “too cool.”  The Station Manager overheard this request, too, and just said, “we’ll see!” as he strode away, attending to another call on his radio.  As railfans and other visitors began gathering around the ‘author’ at his table, Robert, Lori and Vincent, after sharing a knowing smile with their friend, went inside to purchase family day-tickets and a single for Vincent, after which they all set off to explore the railyard and its buildings.  Vincent and Robert both had cameras and went about ‘documenting’ their experience as they walked around.

As they wandered, looking at the buildings and the rolling-stock that was out on display on various side-rails, Vincent thought how unique it was for Sheldon and Veronica to be walking about with them; talking and enjoying an event!  “Where’s your mother?” Vincent asked Robert.  “She stayed home with little Lillian, but she’ll come tomorrow, if it’s not too hot, and Veronica or I’ll stay home with the toddler.”  Four-year-old Edmund Werner – soon tired of walking around on the cinders and coal slag, turned to Vincent and reached his hands up to the towering adult, seeking a lift.  Vincent picked the boy up and ensconced him on his left arm as a seat, walking on proudly with the boy grasping his shirt-collar for stability.  “There you go,” Veronica said to her four-year-old, turning and smiling warmly at Vincent for his willingness to carry Edmund.  Vincent soared in recollection of holding young Robert in a similar way back in the ‘40’s, keenly aware of the grown man now walking along beside him.

Back at the station Geoffrey and Octavia showed up at 9:15 and dashed past John at his table – saying “hello” and “we’ll be right back!” – heading into the office to get last-minute tickets before the 9:30 trains departed.  Edward Whittier; the drummer for Llewellyn Rock – had come with them and stopped to say hello to John.  Edward was fascinated with the old pics of John at the WRR in the 1950’s and 60’s and purchased 2 for his scrap books.  John asked him what was up with the band, to which Edward replied they were leaving on their “short summer tour” on Monday and wouldn’t be back until “sometime in August.”  When Geoffrey and Octavia re-emerged from the station with tickets, they said a quick “hello” and “goodbye” to John and_ with Edward following fast behind them_ got on the train that was just leaving for Tannersville.  “Talk to you later” Geoffrey yelled back to John, who affirmed the intention with a heart-felt salute.

 “All Aboar-ard!” the conductor called out, as the whistle of engine # 14 blew, the driving wheels squealing as the steam pressure was put on, and the train jerked_ and then started rolling forward.

 _And this is where this story now ends_ 

and where others will no doubt begin.

 finis

 

 

 

 

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.”

 — Saint Thomas Aquinas