A Firm Whistle

Silence. Absolute, intolerable silence. Then, a sudden spark stirred deep within my boiler. My driving rods gave a rigid shudder. I looked ahead across the vast white expanse. Wheels firmly planted, tender coupled tight, I knew my duty at once. I summoned all my steam and let forth a resounding, triumphant toot that echoed across the open stretch. Ready for service, precisely on schedule.