{"id":966,"date":"2026-08-20T18:12:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T18:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=966"},"modified":"2026-08-20T18:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T18:12:08","slug":"the-train-station-with-no-tracks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=966","title":{"rendered":"The Train Station with No Tracks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tales from the Universe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The station has been selling tickets for eighty-three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This would be less strange if it had tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are none.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No rails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No abandoned railway buried beneath weeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a small brick station at the end of Willow Street with a clock above the entrance and gold letters over the doors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MARROWVALE STATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every morning at 6:00, Mr. Finch unlocks the ticket window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every evening at 9:00, he closes it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And occasionally\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

someone buys a ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Fourteen-year-old Simon Reed has lived across the street from the station his entire life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has never seen a train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His mother says there used to be tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His grandfather says there were never tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His history teacher says the station was built for a railway project that went bankrupt before construction reached Marrowvale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This seems reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Simon asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy is it still open?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His teacher pauses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHistoric preservation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy does it have a ticket clerk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTourism?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHave you ever been inside?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you know anyone who has?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His teacher looks annoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSimon, sometimes old towns have unusual traditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon writes this down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nobody knows.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is becoming one of his favorite answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The first passenger arrives on October 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon is walking home from school when he sees her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small suitcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She enters the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon stops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five minutes later she comes out holding a ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She sits on the bench beside the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon watches from across the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twenty minutes pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The woman checks her watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At exactly 4:40, she stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picks up her suitcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And walks behind the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is nobody there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He runs around the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No back door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only a field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The woman is gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Simon tells his friend Priya the next morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe probably got picked up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA car.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere wasn’t a car.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo road.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHelicopter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you for your contribution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou asked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They visit the station after school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside are wooden benches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A timetable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ticket window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing particularly strange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Except the timetable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya reads the destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere’s Bellweather?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever heard of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSaint Orison?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNorth Mercy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGlass Harbor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon takes out his phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

None appear on the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Priya points toward the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMarrowvale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon looks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their own town is listed as a destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DEPARTURES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4:40 \u2014 Bellweather
5:15 \u2014 Saint Orison
6:03 \u2014 Marrowvale
7:22 \u2014 Glass Harbor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you take a train from Marrowvale to Marrowvale?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch speaks from behind the ticket window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou buy a ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither child noticed him sitting there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch is approximately seventy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or ninety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon cannot decide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wears a blue railway uniform with silver buttons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya approaches the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere are the tracks?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch looks over her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOutside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, they aren’t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot presently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon steps closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen are they present?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch smiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen they’re needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya points at the timetable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I buy a ticket to Bellweather?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don’t need one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause the window hasn’t offered you one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya looks at Simon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon looks at the ticket window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt talks?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch closes the little brass shutter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStation’s closing early.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is 3:17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

They return the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday afternoon, the station is open again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a boy standing at the ticket window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About sixteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon recognizes him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel Cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior at Marrowvale High.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel’s family has been having trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone knows because small towns treat privacy as a recreational challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father lost his job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His parents fight constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel has been sleeping at friends’ houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon watches him hand Mr. Finch money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch gives him a ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel leaves the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya intercepts him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel looks embarrassed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou bought a train ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I didn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon points at his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel looks down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a ticket between his fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His face changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a second he looks frightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don’t know why I have this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He drops it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walks away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya picks it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MARROWVALE STATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ONE WAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6:03<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Destination:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MARROWVALE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

They wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He does not seem surprised to find himself there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDaniel?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He barely looks at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 6:02, the station clock stops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every sound in town stops with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then they hear it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Far away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are still no tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya grabs Simon’s sleeve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grass behind the station bends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two steel rails appear beneath it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As though they had always been there and everyone had simply failed to notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wooden ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gravel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signal posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A platform extends from the back of the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon turns toward Willow Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The town is gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the station is darkness filled with distant lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black locomotive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven passenger cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No markings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The doors open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel steps forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya grabs his arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel looks toward the darkness where Marrowvale should be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Simon and Priya jump aboard before the doors close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is, both later agree, an extremely poor decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside, the train is warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old lamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe thirty passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An elderly woman in a green coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The woman Simon saw disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She recognizes him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou shouldn’t be here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat depends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looks at his empty hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhether you have a ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon looks through the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then lights appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marrowvale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Except different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train passes Simon’s house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father’s truck is in the driveway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon stops breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father has not lived there for six years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the kitchen window, Simon sees himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Younger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father lifts him onto his shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darkness again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya whispers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon cannot answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Another Marrowvale appears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This one is flooded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water reaches the second floor of the houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The school is gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willow Street is filled with apartment buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No town at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marrowvale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marrowvale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marrowvale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dozens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel stands near the door watching each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya understands first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat’s why his ticket says Marrowvale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old woman nods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe doesn’t want to leave town.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen what does he want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA different one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The train is not taking passengers to places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not exactly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It takes them toward versions of places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The life where someone stayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The town before something happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The house where the argument ended differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The school where you made another choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The family where someone never left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon understands why the station has no tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracks go from one location to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This train travels between something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nobody seems certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Simon asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan Daniel get off?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old woman says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan he come back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She does not answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

They find him three cars ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel is staring through the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another Marrowvale passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father is working at the hardware store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His mother is laughing outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel sees himself riding a bicycle with his younger sister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything looks ordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is what makes it powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train slows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A conductor appears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMarrowvale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel reaches for the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don’t know what that place is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, you don’t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy family’s okay there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou saw them for ten seconds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel turns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don’t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya starts to answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon stops her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because she doesn’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither does he.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel has lived inside something they only know as town gossip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon looks through the window again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other Marrowvale waits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warm houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evening sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel’s father walking home from work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it is better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe considerably better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon cannot prove otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So he asks a different question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat happens to the Daniel who already lives there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel freezes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conductor looks at Simon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time, his expression changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Nobody knows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not Daniel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not Simon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not Priya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps there is no other Daniel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps there is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps boarding the train creates the destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps it finds one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the entire thing is only something passengers experience while sitting inside an abandoned station with no tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are too many explanations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The door opens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel stands before it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His other life waits outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then somewhere farther down the train, a bell rings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conductor says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDecision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel closes his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And steps backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The doors shut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other Marrowvale disappears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

At 6:04, Simon and Priya are standing behind the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grass beneath their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel is beside them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The station clock begins moving again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traffic resumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birds sing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dog barks three houses away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel looks at the ticket in his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is blank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He folds it carefully and puts it in his pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon’t tell anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priya nods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon does too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel walks home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The next morning, Simon returns alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch is behind the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou boarded without a ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is generally discouraged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is that train?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch shrugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou rode it. You tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes it actually go to other versions of places?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan people change their lives?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople do that without trains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon dislikes this man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy did Daniel get offered a ticket?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch looks at him carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause he wanted somewhere else badly enough to see the station.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon thinks about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’ve seen the station my whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch reaches beneath the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He places a ticket in the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon does not touch it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His name is printed across the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SIMON REED<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Departure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4:40<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Destination:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOME<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon stares at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Finch says nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon thinks of the Marrowvale he saw through the train window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father’s truck in the driveway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His younger self in the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looks at the station clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4:12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time in his life, forty-eight minutes feels extremely short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind the station there is only grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Simon knows better now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A place does not need tracks until someone decides to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tales from the Universe The station has been selling tickets for eighty-three years. This would be less strange if it had tracks. There are none. No rails. No platform. No abandoned railway buried beneath weeds. Just a small brick station at the end of Willow Street with a clock above the entrance and gold letters […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Train Station with No Tracks - Depth Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=966\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Train Station with No Tracks - Depth Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tales from the Universe The station has been selling tickets for eighty-three years. 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