Post by frankthetriviaman on Jun 24, 2016 18:02:41 GMT -5
(NOTE: This story takes place after Reginald Walkins and his Numbered Diesels was published, but before Diesel 15 went to Australia)
It had been a rough week for Reginald Walkins. After effectively losing his diesels, it was like he had lost his family.
Though he had remained in touch with his siblings, nieces and nephews, the old engineer never had a chance to find love for himself. His diesels were the closest things to sons that he knew. He remained depressed for a long time.
He spent two weeks indoors, only leaving to get food and the newspaper. Finally, one day he got a phone call.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Walkins?"
"Yes; who is this?"
"This is Sir Alan, from the narrow gauge railway"
"Oh, hello there. How is Diesel 15?"
"Locked up in the shed I'm afraid. My regular passengers and customers still see Diesel 15 sympathetically, but the great majority of my clients and such, I had no choice but to relegate him to the shed after a few months. Some of his friends I let visit, but it's all been in vain. I've had to close my line now."
"I am sorry to hear that."
"It's all right; the important part is that I've managed to save my engines."
"that is a relief; 15 too?"
"Surprisingly, yes. I want to discuss something with you. Would you be ok if I sold Diesel 15 to a Garratt railway in Australia?"
"A-Australia?!"
"Yes; there are people more sympathetic to 15 there. It will give him a new chance at life. There are some other aging Garratts over there too, so he will be in good company."
"I...I don't like the thought of being separated from one of my diesels by such a long distance... but if it will give him a second chance, I will support his sale to Australia"
"Excellent. Now, what I need you to do is come over, and fix his A.P.S. I'd rather he be fully functional before I send him off."
"Very well; I will get my equipment and see what I can do"
"Thank you; goodbye, Mr. Walkins."
"Goodbye."
After the conversation, Walkins looked over on his wall; it was the only picture he was able to take of all his diesels before they were separated once again. Well, his civilian diesels anyway; Diesel 18 and Diesel 19 had their own, separate picture off to the side.
"Well, I've already lost so many of my engines; may as well allow Diesel 15 to have the second chance he deserves" he said to himself. So he set off to get his tools and supplies; he had much work to do.
It had been a rough week for Reginald Walkins. After effectively losing his diesels, it was like he had lost his family.
Though he had remained in touch with his siblings, nieces and nephews, the old engineer never had a chance to find love for himself. His diesels were the closest things to sons that he knew. He remained depressed for a long time.
He spent two weeks indoors, only leaving to get food and the newspaper. Finally, one day he got a phone call.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Walkins?"
"Yes; who is this?"
"This is Sir Alan, from the narrow gauge railway"
"Oh, hello there. How is Diesel 15?"
"Locked up in the shed I'm afraid. My regular passengers and customers still see Diesel 15 sympathetically, but the great majority of my clients and such, I had no choice but to relegate him to the shed after a few months. Some of his friends I let visit, but it's all been in vain. I've had to close my line now."
"I am sorry to hear that."
"It's all right; the important part is that I've managed to save my engines."
"that is a relief; 15 too?"
"Surprisingly, yes. I want to discuss something with you. Would you be ok if I sold Diesel 15 to a Garratt railway in Australia?"
"A-Australia?!"
"Yes; there are people more sympathetic to 15 there. It will give him a new chance at life. There are some other aging Garratts over there too, so he will be in good company."
"I...I don't like the thought of being separated from one of my diesels by such a long distance... but if it will give him a second chance, I will support his sale to Australia"
"Excellent. Now, what I need you to do is come over, and fix his A.P.S. I'd rather he be fully functional before I send him off."
"Very well; I will get my equipment and see what I can do"
"Thank you; goodbye, Mr. Walkins."
"Goodbye."
After the conversation, Walkins looked over on his wall; it was the only picture he was able to take of all his diesels before they were separated once again. Well, his civilian diesels anyway; Diesel 18 and Diesel 19 had their own, separate picture off to the side.
"Well, I've already lost so many of my engines; may as well allow Diesel 15 to have the second chance he deserves" he said to himself. So he set off to get his tools and supplies; he had much work to do.