Sean was pulling into Impala Station with a passenger train. He had 7 Amfleets, as usual.

Hannah: *Stops পরবর্তি to Sean while pulling 8 passenger cars*
Sean: নমস্কার Hannah. Long time no see.
Hannah: Hi Sean. I see আপনি still got your Amfleets.
Sean: Yep, they're good passenger cars. I wouldn't give them up for anything.
Hannah: আপনি ever wonder if they could talk like us engines?
Sean: *Follows Hannah to the turntable* Possibly.

Song: link

The two engines continued their conversation as they got closer to the roundhouse.

Sean: *Racing Jesse to Nova Station*
Makenzie: *Switching tank cars in the yard*
Grayback: *Doubleheading a freight with Dan*
Panzer: *Taking a nap at the Mossberg Freight Depot*
Kenny: *Waiting in the yards with Jeff, and Bryce*
Marisa: *Laughing with Hilary, and চিরশ্যামল গুল্মবিশেষ in the roundhouse*
Ian: *Overtakes Dave while pulling a freight train*

TRAINZ

Megan & Sarah: *Pulling an express together up a পাহাড় toward a sunset*
Mason: *Pulls his train out of Zorrin Union Station*

Starring Sean of the Eastern Pacific
Makenzie of the Mossberg Narrow Gauge Railroad
Grayback of the Hunterdon Central
বর্মাবৃত of the Northern Errol Line
Kenny of Kenny's Line
Marisa of the Eastwood & Mossberg
Ian of the Zorrin & Southern
Sean Bodine as S.B.
And many more!

Jerry: *Taking Jesse to the repairs*
Grayback: *Talking to Dan at a freight depot*
Hilary: *Blowing steam while backing out of the repairs*

Episode 173: Speak

Sean: *Drops his Amfleets off in the yards* Now to hear Mr. Baldwin's announcement.

He arrived at the roundhouse where Austin, Shayne, Jesse, Mily, and Jazlin were waiting.

Mr. Baldwin: I've been receiving positive feedback about the Amfleets on Sean's trains. Therefore I have ordered আরো to be used দ্বারা other engines.
Austin: Does everyone have to use Amfleets?
Mr. Baldwin: If আপনি prefer different passenger cars, I won't stop you. However, it is recommended to use the Amfleets as much as আপনি can since they provide superior quality to the other cars we have.
Sean: That won't be a problem for me. I always enjoy using the Amfleets.
Jazlin: We've noticed.
Mily: I wouldn't mind giving them a try myself.
Mr. Baldwin: You'll have the opportunity to do so tomorrow. For now I need আপনি to return to work. Sean, before আপনি go, I need আপনি to wait for the Amfleets. They'll be arriving at Mossberg Harbor in half an hour. When they do, bring them to the yards.
Sean: Sounds good.

The F40 went straight to the harbor. He topped off on diesel, and sand while waiting, then stayed near the টার্নটেবিল to pick up the arriving Amfleets.

Sean: I wonder how many Mr. Baldwin ordered.
Crane: *Turns around, and sees Jim guiding a cargo নৌকা towards the harbor*
Jim: Almost there fella. Turn to the right, and I'll push আপনি into the proper unloading position.
Crane: Mornin' Jim. Working alone as usual, huh?
Jim: This guy's got a pretty light load. He's delivering Amfleets to the Eastern Pacific.
Sean: I better get over there. *Moves towards the cranes*
Crane: *Unloading the Amfleets from the boats* Well guys, I hope আপনি enjoy your পরবর্তি journey.
Jim: Nothing special for me, I'm just going back to San Francisco.
Sean: *Slowly passing the Amfleets* They look beautiful. *Goes over a switch* Just need to wait for two আরো to be placed on the tracks, then I can back up.
Crane: All clear Sean, take 'em away.
Sean: Thank you. *Gently backs up to the Amfleets*

With the new cars ready to go, Sean took them to the yards to be checked over. He was close to the wye used to enter the yards when this occurred.

Sean: Ten new Amfleets. It'll be weird seeing other engines pulling these cars, but who am I to complain?
???: Hey! Wait a second!!
Sean: *Stops* Who ব্যক্ত that?
???: Your passenger.
Sean: There's not supposed to be any people on these cars.
???: I'm the car. Come back here, and I'll প্রদর্শনী you.

Sean uncoupled from the Amfleets, then used another track to go to the rear. He then saw an Amfleet with a face.

Amfleet: Now do আপনি believe me?
Sean: Huh. A talking passenger car. What's next, a talking dog?
Amfleet: That's been done already. Now listen. If it's not too much trouble, can আপনি have me at the front of the pack when we get backed into the siding? I'd like to see something other than the buffers.
Sean: No problem. I'll just couple up to you, and push আপনি guys so আপনি can get your better view.

And that's exactly what Sean did. When the cars were safely in their siding, the Amfleet began speaking again.

Amfleet: I'm grateful for this.
Sean: I'm sure আপনি are. আপনি got a name?
Amfleet: Nope. আপনি can just call me the talking Amfleet.
Sean: Okay. If আপনি ever change your mind, and want a name, just ask.

Back at the roundhouse

Mr. Baldwin: ......a talking Amfleet?
Sean: Look in the siding if আপনি don't believe me.
Mr. Baldwin: I believe আপনি Sean, but how do we take care of this?
Sean: I don't know. He's like every other passenger car in our fleet. The only exception is that he can talk.
Mr. Baldwin: Can he সরানো on his own?
Sean: He would have told me if that was the case. Besides, I would have seen him moving out of here on the wye if he could সরানো দ্বারা himself.
Mr. Baldwin: Well...I guess we just gotta inform the other engines.

When Jazlin, and Mily heard about it, they went to the yards to see the talking Amfleet.

Jazlin: Mr. Baldwin wasn't joking.
Mily: This is the first car on our railroad to talk.
Amfleet: Well. That's shocking. There aren't other forms of rolling stock capable of speaking?
Mily: It's hard to if they don't have a face.
Amfleet: Good point.
Jazlin: We were told to have Amfleets on our trains as well, so hopefully we'll see আপনি again soon.

Song: link

Amfleet: Oh I'm sure আপনি will.

The following দিন however, when the talking Amfleet was placed into service, his attitude toward the other engines changed.

Amfleet: *In the yards with Tabby, watching her pull two PRR heavyweights* Well well. Too ignorant to know a good car when আপনি see one?
Tabby: *Ignores the Amfleet as she puffs away*
Amfleet: *Behind Jazlin as she takes him, and seven other Amfleets into Delta Station* This পরাকাষ্ঠা is ugly. আপনি should be blue, অথবা silver. অথবা both.
Jazlin: *Looks back at the Amfleet, but doesn't say anything*
Amfleet: *At Mossberg Harbor, watching Austin stop পরবর্তি to him* A male steam engine? What are you, transgender?!
Austin: *Shocked*
Mily: *In Mossberg Harbor. She's slipping while trying to সরানো 12 coaches, but can't সরানো her train* NNnnnnnnn
Amfleet: How was I supposed to know she'd be too weak to handle one extra car?
Jesse: *Next to the Amfleet at Nova station*
Amfleet: I've seen আপনি before pulling freight trains. I guess আপনি don't have enough brain cells to properly pull passengers.
Jerry: *Leaving the yards with a freight*
Amfleet: If the Union Pacific didn't want you, it's only a matter of time before আপনি get retired from this railroad! *Laughing*
Bri: *Waiting with 3 passenger cars in Impala Station*
Amfleet: There's a lot of girls here. Don't আপনি worry about all that pollution আপনি cause with your smoke?
Bri: Wha-?
Amfleet: It smells really terrible too.
Jazlin: *Angrily staring at the Amfleet in the roundhouse*
Amfleet: I know, I know, I shouldn't be here...but I saw a magician, and I just had to ask him to teleport me in here. I hope আপনি don't mind, I borrowed someone's laptop to watch a few movies, and ate some pretzels. Were আপনি saving them for me, অথবা someone else?
Mily: *Waiting for a green signal, as she sits পরবর্তি to the talking Amfleet*
Amfleet: I heard some people nickname আপনি four and a quarter. আপনি could say it's because of your number, but it's really how much you're worth when আপনি get sold to another railroad! *Laughing*
Mily: That's it! I'm done! *Leaves the harbor*
Amfleet: Aw come on, was it something I said?

The song fades away as Mily goes to the turntable. Jesse, Jazlin, and Austin are already there.

Austin: I have had it with that Amfleet! He had the nerve to use an offensive insult towards me!
Jazlin: He ব্যক্ত I looked ugly in pink! I really প্রণয় this paint scheme too.
Jesse: He keeps calling me unintelligent, all because I pull freight!
Mily: *Stops on the turntable* Oh, নমস্কার guys.
Jesse: You're upset with that Amfleet too?
Mily: Yeah. What's with all those insults he keeps throwing at us?
Austin: I don't know, but when Mr. Baldwin gets here, he better do something about it.
Mr. Baldwin: *Arrives in his car* নমস্কার guys. What's the matter? I've been getting complaints about আপনি not doing your jobs.
Jazlin: How about আপনি ask that talking Amfleet?
Jesse: He's been rude to everyone ever since he got here.
Mr. Baldwin: Seriously? Everyone?
Mily: This is the first time in years that I've gotten mad at someone, but that Amfleet has got to go!
Austin: We don't want to work with anyone rude, and offensive.
Mr. Baldwin: Well আপনি four, I'm sorry to hear that. Where did আপনি last see him?
Mily: Mossberg Harbor.
Mr. Baldwin: Who's pulling him?
Mily: I think it was Sean.
Mr. Baldwin: I'll check his schedule, and see if I can find that Amfleet.

They were still at Mossberg Harbor when he arrived.

Sean: *Backs up to his train* Alright, everyone ready to go?
Amfleet: I think so.
Mr. Baldwin: Not yet! *Stops his car near Sean* Sean. May I please speak to your speaking companion behind you?
Sean: দ্বারা all means sir. *Uncouples from his train, and pulls away*
Mr. Baldwin: Now listen. I was really excited to have আপনি on this railway, but I just received complaints from four engines that আপনি were being very rude. What do আপনি have to say for yourself?

The Amfleet stayed silent.

Mr. Baldwin: Perhaps আপনি didn't hear me. WHAT, DO আপনি HAVE?! TO SAY?! FOR YOURSELF?!!?!!
Amfleet: *Nervous* I..I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-
Mr. Baldwin: Yes?! Hurry up, and tell me!!
Amfleet: I-I-I-I-I-I.......I guess I'm just not ready for change.
Mr. Baldwin: What does that mean?!?!
Amfleet: What do আপনি think it means?!! I usually have Amtrak engines like Sean over there pulling me. How would it look to have Amfleets being pulled দ্বারা a different engine?
Sean: *Stops পরবর্তি to the Amfleet on a different track* Look, I know change can be difficult. I was nervous, and a little jealous that Mr. Baldwin planned to have other engines pulling Amfleets. But আপনি don't see me running around insulting everyone. Do you?
Mr. Baldwin: Sean's right. I know this might be hard for আপনি to deal with right now. আপনি need to know though, I do not accept rude, and offensive insults directed towards anyone on my railroad. আপনি even made the most cheerful engine upset with your actions.
Sean: আপনি insulted Mily?
Amfleet: Uh, who's that again?
Mr. Baldwin: Like I said, I was really excited to have আপনি here. After what you've done however, I think it's best if I send আপনি back. I may try to have আপনি return within a couple of months. If I do, I hope আপনি learn your lesson, and never be rude again. Offensive, and toxic behavior is unacceptable, under any circumstances. Cranes!!
Crane: Yes Mr. Baldwin?
Mr. Baldwin: Please contact a নৌকা to take this Amfleet off our island.
Crane: Right away sir.

Sean removed the Amfleet from his train, and moved him towards the crane.

Sean: We were really getting along too.
Amfleet: Are আপনি mad at me as well?
Sean: Disgusted would be a আরো appropriate term. Not only were some of your insults offensive, but they were just straight up lies. Especially the one towards my cousin Jerry.
Amfleet: Let me guess. He was the U.P engine?
Sean: Yeah. I hope আপনি do come back, but only if আপনি act civil towards everyone else. *Leaves*
Crane: *Picking up the Amfleet* Okay, time to take আপনি onto your boat.

The Amfleet sadly watched Sean return to his train, and leave the harbor, 3 মিনিট behind schedule.

That night, Sean was in the roundhouse with Jesse, Austin, Jazlin, and Mily. The other engines were worried as Sean angrily looked at the ground to his left.

Jazlin: Sean? You've been unusually quiet.
Sean: *Looks at the others* I guess I'm just depressed.
Mily: What's on your mind?
Sean: That talking Amfleet. We had good potential for that guy, and he was very friendly to me. Once I heard from Mr. Baldwin that he was being rude to আপনি guys..it just shocked me.
Jesse: Sorry to hear that.
Sean: He ব্যক্ত he was rude to আপনি guys, because he didn't want engines that weren't from Amtrak pulling আপনি around. আপনি guys might hate me for this, but I kinda felt the same way as him. Obviously I wouldn't insult any of you....but, seeing other engines pull Amfleets is something আপনি don't see very often. I would like to see it, but I wouldn't blame আপনি if আপনি chose not to.
Austin: I don't see any reason to hate you. What about আপনি guys?
Jesse: No.
Mily: Of course not.
Jazlin: In fact, I'm glad আপনি told us.
Sean: আপনি are?
Mily: Yeah. Dealing with change might be difficult, but at least আপনি were willing to let it happen.
Austin: Without calling me transgender.
Sean: I'm glad we're still friends. Thank আপনি everyone.
Jazlin: Anytime, but আপনি do know. Me and আপনি are আরো than friends. Right?
Sean: Right. Just the way I like it.

The engines laughed, and then paused in place to end the episode.

Ending theme (Start it at 1:10): link

Cast Of Characters

Sean
Hannah
Austin
Shayne
Jesse
Mily
Jazlin
Mr. Baldwin
Jim The Tugboat
Talking Amfleet
Tabby
Jerry
Bri

Soundtrack

CHiPs Theme: John Parker & Alan Silvestri
Double Fault: Hawk On Flight

The End

This has been a SeanTheHedgehog Production from February 5, 2023