The Nighttime Express
Some time ago, I write this little drabble for fun--and I've decided to make a Halloween consist. I'm not planning on something like you see in stores for Halloween villagesw, but a somewhat reasonable consist for the Grim Reaper's train. Details of the consist after the little drabble here
A soft, gentle, rhythmic beat echoed in the distance. It almost might be a ghost, as sounds like that hadn’t been heard in over a half-century in these areas. A low, moaning whistle in the distance added to the eerily regular beat—some sort of animal, perhaps? Whatever it was, it was slowly growing louder—but too far away to be seen in the foggy evening.
Another eerie moan—louder this time…drifted across the prairie as the strange rhythmic beat grew louder—a very loud animal’s breath? But what could be so loud?
As the beat grew even stronger, a single light gleamed through the mist—and another howling moan commanded the night—this one loud enough to wake the dead, as quieter clanks were added to the mix.
That yellow glow down the tracks suggested that it could be a train—but where was the roar of the diesel engine, the paired lights lower down, and why would it be moving this slowly?
One more howl, and then—it was a train—but one seen only in old books and movies. A dead black locomotive steamed into sight, her black paint glistening in what light there was, coming through the clouds. The only color to be seen was a bit of shiny brass. As she steamed past, there was narry a mark on her—no road name, no number, from her pilot to her wood tender. In profile, two normal sized wheels could be seen—then six huge wheels, driven by a convoluted arrangement of rods, the rhythmic sounds matched with the pumping steel rods, as smoke billowed from her.
Behind the mysterious locomotive, and her gold trimmed wood tender, was an old style wooden box car, likewise dead black—in perfect condition—and once again, every fitting gleamed of polished brass—or was it gold. Behind it trailed a small stock car—dead black once again, except for gold lettering declaring, “horses.” Following that was a flat car with some sort of horse drawn wagon on it, and a black motorcar from a bygone era. And trailing these cars was a short wooden combine and a businesses car, likewise dead black, with perfectly gilded trim—and once again, no name or number on the immaculate coach. The observation platform’s rail shone in what little light there was—the red marker lights gleaming in the darkness, giving a red ambiance to the gold rail. On the platform stood one single cloaked figure holding onto a pole—perhaps for stability, although the train was moving without the slightest trace of any bouncing—smoother than the finest car on a perfect road. Then, the figure turned, the hood falling free. The pole was no pole, but a sythe.,,and beneath the hood was a skull.
Tonight, Death rode the rails…
The consist will start with a B&M Mogul by Bachmann--though contrary to the discription in the story, it will be labled for the B&M; I'm planning on getting the Bachmann sound value 2-6-0 for multiple uses.
An Accurail outside sheathed boxcar will be the first car; it carries the Grim Reaper's supplies of various sorts. Then comes a stock car it carries his house, and the horses for the hearse--stock car likely also an Accurail product. Following that will be a flat, with a Jordan Highway Miniatures horse drawn hearse, and perhaps a fancy era appropriate motorcar. I have some older flat cars that can be sacrificed for a seasonal train, painted black.
The combine and observation car will be Roundhouse short Overton coaches. I did these up some time ago.
I might put a derrick car right after the flat for unloading.
The Grim Reaper is a Preiser figure.
