Dear Pioneer,
Venus had to explain what “controversial” was before we got too far into your last letter. She said it’s when a lot of people are in disagreement about something. That was easy enough to understand, but I’ll admit I had a hard time picturing you causing any kind of disagreement, even unintentionally. Minerva said most new inventions are controversial for a little while because change can be hard to adapt to. (Babies aren’t exactly new though, so I’m still not sure what that’s about…) It made sense when she put it like that, but I can’t help but think that the people who weren’t sure about diesel engines at first must have changed their minds when they saw how fast and brilliant you were! I’m sure premiering at the Century of Progress probably didn’t hurt either.
Seems like that’s the way to become a famous engine if you and 999’s histories are anything to go by. I didn’t realize how many World’s Fairs Chicago had or that the MSI was kind of like its own exhibit at one! They could easily have called the MSI the World’s Fair Museum instead. I’m glad they didn’t though, otherwise 2903 and U-505 wouldn’t be in your yard the same way I wouldn’t be at the IRM if they’d only stuck with preserving electric cars. Being about science and industry lets them have more exhibits anyhow, and switching them out means the MSI can still show art and fiestas and things! It’s still a Fine Arts museum, in a sense. All this to say, the MSI sounds wonderful. I’m so glad to have a friend who lives there!
It was very thoughtful of you to offer to send us coal from the mine! I passed along your message through CE 5 and he just laughed. He was delighted to report back that the whole steam fleet now considers you to be a regular comedian. I think they must know more about where coal comes from than we do. Or maybe they just think coal from a museum sounds silly. Either way, CE 5 seemed interested in the idea of a mine inside a building. He asked if I had a postcard of that too. I said I wasn’t sure how they’d fit a whole mine on one, but I told him I’d ask. Personally I’m more interested in the baby chickens. If there are new ones hatching every day, you must be overrun! …And now my letter-writer is laughing at me. I guess we’re both comedians.
We started weekday operations last month so it’s been a bit busier! Ridership is still down compared to what it was last year, but it’s not stopped the L cars from having a good time. They reopened operations on the west end of the line and installed a flagman at the street crossing, so on Sundays the Chicago Rapid Transit cars 1808 and 1024 can speed through without having to stop. The staff here are very pleased with the arrangement, since it’s much more in line with how they used to operate when in service. The visitors like an authentic experience! 1808 and 1024 are in agreement that it’s just more fun not having to stop for cars for a change.
The local summer festival, Schwabenfest, is at the end of the month and we’re all expecting a big turnout regardless of gas prices. IR 65 got a coat of wax for the occasion and the Goddesses are a little jealous. I told them they don’t need wax to look impressive, they’re magnificent enough as it is! (Am I getting better at this?) It’s too hot to expect someone to wax our whole train anyway. Stay cool by the water for us!
Your friend,
Pilot