Chapter 2

Frank was riding on the train, Amtrak’s “Southwest Chief,” when the conductor
came through to check tickets.  She was a short, stocky woman, not pretty, but
not bad looking either.

He leaned back in his seat as the train’s speed slowed as it began encountering
grades.  It would be slow going through Raton Pass, the highest point on the
railroad.  As the train rounded a sharp curve, he could easily see the two
locomotives on the point.  He closed his eyes as he began thinking.
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Home for Graduation
By Joel

Annie was a big woman, not tall, just big, Tom noted as she took his ticket.  He
was aboard the “Southwest Chief,” heading for northern New Mexico. 

The train began slowing as it encountered the steep grades of Raton Pass.  From
his seat, Tom could see the two locomotives on the point, belching diesel smoke
as they struggled to maintain speed.  Suddenly, there was an explosion inside
the lead unit, followed by an immense cloud of smoke coming from the engine
compartment.  The train quickly came to a halt.

Annie soon appeared, running through his car as she shouted into her hand-held
radio.  “Damn it, my daughter is graduating from High School today, and I’m not
going to miss it!”

Tom soon saw her outside the train, standing beside the lead locomotive, talking
to the engineer and fireman.  He watched as Annie opened a service door on the
unit and retrieved a large logging chain.  She attached the chain to the front
coupler on the locomotive.  She then wrapped the other end of the chain around
her waist.

Tom was fascinated.  What was she doing?  He soon found out, as Annie dug her
heels into the ballast and began towing the train!  And not just towing it,
either; the train began picking up speed as she began running.  Soon, the train
was moving faster than it had before, the scenery was zipping by!  They were now
ahead of schedule!
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Bah!  Frank thought, that would never work.  She could never get enough traction
on the ballast.  She would have to brace against the ties, and they would crack
and break with the strain.  And once the ties broke, the rails would separate
and the train would derail.  Not only that, but if she pulled the train faster
than the speed limit, it would never make it around the sharp curves on the
line.

Another thought entered his mind.  What kind of conductor would endanger their
train and its passengers just so she could be home on time?  Why were his super
women always so unthinking, so cruel?

Oh well, he thought, maybe I’ll have better luck after I’m settled into the
cabin.