Title: All Aboard
Source: Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers
Word count: 175 words

This week’s photo prompt is provided by Akshata Ram. Thank you, Akshata!

Ricky slammed the door, dropped his backpack with a bang and raced to the basement.

“Whoa,” he said, skidding to a stop before the model he and Gramps had started during his holiday break.

Smoke billowed from the shiny black stack of the train sitting at the depot. In the town, lights twinkled, and tiny figures walked the streets. The train whistle blasted, shattering the ice crystals that coated every surface. Startled, Ricky jumped, running for the train. It couldn’t leave without him. He sprinted across the wooden platform and leaped into the cab as the fireman blasted the whistle once more.

“I’m here,” Ricky yelled, and the old man released the cord.

“About damn time. You gonna drive or what?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m driving,” Ricky grabbed the lever and pushed. The engine’s wheels spun on the iron rail, sparks spewed, and the boiler puffed.

“Slow. You gotta get traction first,” his fireman counseled.

Ricky eased back, the engine chugged, the wheels caught, and they were on their way as the first snowflakes fell.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer