Outbound Velocity

The flatcar surged forward as the twin diesel locomotives opened full throttle past the yard limits. Ground ballast blurred into an unbroken gray streak beneath the side sill. Moving along the oxidized floor plate, I advanced to the forward bulkhead where a braided steel tie-down cable was ratcheted taut across the deck. I locked both gloved hands around the cold metal strand. The cable hummed with continuous, high-frequency vibration, transmitting the kinetic momentum of forty coupled cars driving into open terrain. Ahead, the steel rails stretch toward the horizon without a single signal obstruction. Cruising velocity achieved.