It was early morning, with some patches of lingering ground fog and mist that hadn't burned off yet. Mike had drawn his assignment and engine, and while the assignment to drag a short consist of freight to the Pittsburgh Strip District and spot them at several industries was no surprise, getting "Old Bessie" certainly was. She was one of the few Atlantic 4-4-0s left in the yard. He hadn't expected Bessie to be pulled into service after her last overhaul, but here he was, gently easing her into the Island Avenue Yard to locate their short freight.
Earlier, the Dispatcher had advised that they'd also need to pick up all the freight cars on the strip, as he'd been noticed by numerous customers that they had cars that needed to be removed. When Mike gave him a long look, the Dispatcher smiled and reassured him that there couldn't be that many to pick up.
Mike was feeling a little better when the Dispatcher called over his shoulder that Mike was getting "One-eye" Bob for his fireman. Mike started to protest, but the Dispatcher had moved really fast after this last bombshell, and was just turning the corner of the station, calling back that he had complete confidence that Mike would be just fine.
Mike was in a really fine mood when he headed to the shed to collect One-eye. It wasn't that Bob had one eye. The nickname came from the fact that you had to keep one eye out for Bob at all times, as he had a tendency to let his mind wander or get himself into dangerous situations. Rumor had it he'd been a brakeman, and got launched off a runaway boxcar, clipping his head on a light pole. He'd never been the same since, but he was related to some higher up muck, so he somehow got promoted to fireman. He was pleasant enough to deal with, but you always had to keep a close watch on him to keep him out of danger. Just great! mumbled Mike.
Mike and One-eye Bob meet a Decapod pulling a long freight as they exit out of "the Trench" at the Island Avenue Yard East junction and head for the Pittsburgh Strip District.