Rearden sells his ore mines to Paul Larkin and his coal mines to Ken Danagger, a hard-bitten Pennsylvania coal producer who started his career as a miner. Rearden’s calls to Wesley Mouch in Washington go unanswered, and he then receives a letter announcing Mouch’s resignation. Two weeks later, Rearden reads in the newspapers that Mouch has been appointed Assistant Coordinator of the Bureau of Economic Planning and National Resources.
Meanwhile, despite concerted public and government opposition, Dagny completes construction of the John Galt Line on time. She asks for volunteers among Taggart employees to run the first train, and she receives offers from virtually every engineer on the system. The volunteers draw lots for the run and, at a press conference, Dagny and Rearden announce that they’ll ride in the cab of the engine on the new line’s first train run. Although many people predict that the rail will crack and the bridge will collapse, the first run of the John Galt Line is a resounding success. Afterward, Dagny and Rearden have dinner privately with Ellis Wyatt at his home. When dinner is over and it’s time to retire, Dagny and Rearden make love for the first time.
