"Stoking fires, apple cidar, leaves are turning red. Wherever you go, the chimneys aglow with the smell of pumpkin bread."
These are the songs being sung as the farmers of Crotoonia finish yet another successful harvest season in time for the forthcoming Thanksgiving season. With bumper crops of pumpkins, apples, hay, and other produce, there's certainly a lot to celebrate!
Local ace reporter Bert Raccoon was invited to take a look at the busy Kahlville Freight Depot as such loads were being readied. In what has been reported to be one of the largest loading days yet, Celgreb Hills tractor Massey Ferguson made the lengthy journey of coming to the depot to drop off a road train of hay, whilst local traction engine Trevor was being loaded with packed crates of fresh tomatoes by farmhand Strong Mad. Alongside them, prized Inkblotian pumpkins and boxcars of Rotoslopian potatoes await transport to markets local and beyond. The depot was reported to be highly active, with trucks and lorries coming in not long after arriving. Delicacies from Brickerton raspberries and Bermaber peanut butter from this past summer's harvest were among the many other crops being brought in. But is it always easy to manage such big loads?
"Well, it's a tough life being a tractor sometimes," comments Massey, "especially when yer a smaller feller like me. But when a community comes together to share their work...it's somethin' beeeautiful I tell ye. And THAT'S the tractor factor."
With all these delicious details, our reporter was kind enough to bring our office some samples of such goodies. To find fine produce like this, visit your local farmer's market.
(And to all reporters out there, make sure to prepare seconds of anything peanut butter in case of Bert Raccoon. They may not last long.)
Locals may want to keep their eye out for a touring milk truck...he's bringing laughs with a cause!
Dodger, known as the Gridinia Bay Dairy Company's resident milk delivery vehicle, has embarked on a special country-wide tour this holiday season to raise money for the Crotoonian Children's Hospital in Celgreb City. Dodger will be touring festivals and special events as "The Wobbly Dodger" with a special show of horns, honks, comedy, and craning tricks.
"It all started when I heard about people who be funny to help those in need.", begins Dodger during an early rehearsal for his first shows. "I found it a bit strange at first, but when I heard about the Hospital trying to raise money to get a new extension built in the Spring and their presents fund for the kids being low...well, Dodger is ready to deliver with a laugh!"
Dodger's donation drum (keeping in theme being in the form of a banana barrel donated by Funky Kong's All-Organic Banana Farm, another donor to the Hosptial fund) will be present during shows and festivals to allow patrons to donate during his stays. The money will be matched 1-for-1 by the Crotoonian Fire and Rescue Service, who are contributing to the annual Toy Drive this coming Christmas. Guest appearances by vehicles from the fleet are rumoured to be joining Dodger on some stops of his tour.
The Wobbly Dodger tour begins at the Gridinia Bay Harvest Supper this Sunday. Please contact the Crotoonian Children's Hosptial for details and how you can help a little one this holiday season.
Welcome to our second edition of ASK A CROTOONIAN, where we ask a Crotoonian of your choice about their day-to-day lives on the railway and all the burning questions you've wanted to ask them! What coal do you take? What water works the best? What copies of bad movies are safe to chuck into your firebox?
Well, Pheobe can really get on my nerves at times. She doesn't take some of our work so seriously, and we have important orders to fille for the country and beyond! But, when all's said in done...it's kinda nice to have her around. She does a lot of the goods work for us, she gets work done when she needs to, and she helps out if things go a bit haywire here. But don't tell her I said that or I'll find you out.
I can sometimes hold onto chains or ropes if I need to help haul something from the front, but I'm usually careful with these things. One time, Strong Bad built me a gold putter. The Kahlville Stationmaster had two windows to repair that morning.
Well, we have a couple other cars on the squad. We normally all just watch out for speeding cars on the highways or help out if there's any REAL trouble going on. Why, the other week, someone stole Mulan's steam truck and tried to get away with two whole money bags! They made got as far as the next county junction. Mulan likes to open the tank valve in case someone mucks about with it.
PERP PORP PORPITY PORP PORP POOOOOP
Roja and Huey used to be a bit mean to me, but after I won a race against them and got a shiny big whistle...they ended up apologizing for teasing me and we ended up becoming friends! We don't talk a lot and they can still sometimes tease, but both are usually very busy. Roja takes fuel up to Fausten often, while Huey works at the big Logging Camp in the mountains! I haven't seen Señor Chugga in a while though...would be nice if he came to Crotoonia!
Not being a nightmare to other engines. But I know that won't happen.
If you wanna get your favorite Crotoonian on our next edition, get your butt over to