Chapter Text
The blazing sun’s light shone across the land as golden hour approached, and the soft tweeting of birds could be heard alongside the clanking of railroad tracks as a young red caboose made his way towards the East Union Pacific Railyard. He had an excited smile on his face, as he knew there was someone there waiting for him.
The caboose had finally made it to the entrance, when he was unexpectedly stopped by a security truck. which he thought was weird as he didn't remember there being one; then again, he had only been living at the railyard for a year before he left on his railtrip around the U.S.A.
“Hault! State your name and purpose.” The security truck commanded, towering over the caboose. He held the records of who lived there and who was expected to come in his hands.
“C.B, or just Caboose!” Caboose chirped, slightly stunned at the sudden question.
“...Your real name, please.” The security truck sighed.
“Oh, Charlie-Brakes Trucker.” Caboose stated. He always thought his full name was a handful, and that he found it easier to abbreviate it or just go by a nickname.
“And purpose for being here..?”
“I'm this railyard’s only caboose.. and I live here.”
The security truck quickly flipped through the records of who lived at the yard, finally finding his name with a scoff. “Very well.” The security truck huffed, letting the caboose in.
‘Finally..’ Caboose thought as he skated into the yard. Everyone seemed rather busy, like they were preparing the place for an event of some sort. He was about to get lost in thought when a blonde blue and white dining car began rapidly skating up to him, squealing excitedly.
“BOOOOOSE!!!” The coach yelled out, giving the caboose the biggest hug ever.
“DINAH!!” Caboose responded, hugging her back. The two shared some giggles, basking in the warmth of their hug.
“Oh I'm so glad you're back!” Dinah said in a distinct southern accent, placing her hands on the Caboose's shoulder boxes.
“I sure am too, Di.” Caboose said, placing a hand on one of hers. “I haven't missed much, have I?”
“Ahh, just the last 3 world championship railroad races.. but that's all!” Dinah chirped. “Oh! you gotta tell me all about ya railtrip! I'm sure that was more interestin’.”
“It was amazing!” Caboose perked up, hearing his trip mentioned. “Loads of job opportunities, sights, and the food.. starlight, I miss it all already.” He sighed.
“You miss the food!?” Dinah scoffed. “It was probably not as good at the stuff I make!” She joked. “Besides, you must be hungry. Want me to fix ya somethin’ up?”
“Oh, please!” The caboose sighed, patting his belly. “All that skating here has sure made me peckish.”
— — —
The two were in Dinah’s kitchen, Caboose slurping up his fresh spaghetti as Dinah told him all the gossip he had missed out on.
“No way! You and Greaseball are together!?” Caboose squealed. “I knew you were gonna win him over! How far long are you two?”
“3 years!” Dinah giggled, as she focused on the washing up. “We got together shortly after you left, and I was gonna tell you before I remembered I didn't have a way to contact you.” She frowned for a split second, before returning to her cheerful look.
Caboose kept slurping at his spaghetti, trying to remember what he wanted to ask.
“Oh! What was up with that security truck at the entrance?” He asked, a puzzled look on his face “I don't remember him being there before.”
“Ah, he's just there so that the nationals arrive safely and that no foreign train folk try to sneak in wanting to see them.” Dinah calmly said, stacking the now clean pans to dry.
“Nationals..?” Caboose said, as he thought about what she meant by that.
Dinah pointed towards the window, showing all the temporary train sheds with different countries' flags on them. “Yeah! You came just in time for the next World Championship Railroad Race!”
It suddenly all clicked for the caboose. “OH, Awesome!” Caboose exclaimed. “I'm assuming you and Greaseball are taking part?”
“Well, Duh! He's been winning the championships for the last 7 years!” Dinah laughed. “Unless someone else is gonna come and take our spot- Wait, no. I think there can be 3 entries per country, but the countries only send one to save money...”
She continued to ramble on for a good few minutes, which was typical of Dinah. Caboose sat there in silence eating his food as she continued spewing her seemingly endless knowledge about the championships.
“...and there's gonna be a party tonight! You’ll be able to get to know some of the nationals there.
“Do they send the same engines every year?” Caboose asked, finishing up his food.
“Yah, pretty much. But that's good because you’ll be able to build up friendships with them.. and maybe something even mooooreee~!” Dinah cooed, nudging the Caboose that was now next to her washing up his plate and fork.
“Hey!!” Caboose playfully nudged her back, giggling to himself. “Besides, I'm not even sure if I want a relationship yet.”
“You don't have to be in a relationship! You can always just be their race partner if one engine happens to show up without one.” Dinah jokingly counterargued.
“Ehh, I did wanna rest a bit since I'm back here now but..” Caboose hesitated.
“I'll see.”