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Having finally finished Book 2/3 of Infinity Train, now more than ever can I appreciate the journey Tulip took through the train in order to get her exit.
Tulip’s lessons were all about accepting change, good or bad, and forging your own path in the wake of these changes. An extensive lesson of “rolling with the punches” and doing your best to make something out of yourself from it. That’s why it’s so fascinatingly ironic that Tulip’s journey to accepting change created the biggest changes in the Infinity Train universe.
Whilst Tulip is only occasionally referenced in the next 2 books, her presence and actions are distinctly felt — beyond even Lake and their identity/journey. Without her, 1-1 would’ve never returned to being the true conductor, Amelia would’ve never stepped into the path of redemption, and the easy-to-follow guide of the train would’ve never been reintroduced.
It definitely could be argued that Jesse had a significantly easier time of the train than Tulip, having known what it was about from the beginning with 1-1’s video. Tulip had no clue about the train or her number, but somehow managed to set right dozens of wrongs.
By sorting Amelia’s whole situation out, there would’ve never been anyone to help Grace take that last step in recognising her belief in ‘the conductor’ was wrong, and allow her to complete her own redemption arc. Apex would’ve likely fallen apart sooner or later with the conflict between Simon and Grace around Hazel, but no one would’ve been there to make that push for Grace to question everything and fight to set it right.
Even without physically being there, Tulip’s actions to accept change in her life allowed her to fundamentally change others. The train allows people to change their lives for the better, but Tulip shows that becoming a better person can extend to helping others.
TLDR: Infinity Train is a fuxking sick story and I love it.