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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 14, 2016 20:32:04 GMT -5
3WSR Series No.1
Diesel 9
Dear Friends,
The Numbered Diesels were a true engineering marvel. Though most worked for British Rail, one found employment on a private railway. Built only a few months before Diesel 10, Diesel 9 is a narrow gauge engine that spent most of his life working on a private railway. This is his story.
The Author
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 14, 2016 20:48:36 GMT -5
Departure
At the workshop of Reginald Walkins, the British Engineer was putting the finishing touches on his latest diesel. "Your brother has gone off to the Snowdon Mountain Railway, and you are off to your new home tomorrow" he explained.
"Where am I going, father?" Diesel 9 asked.
"You're off to a private railway. A gentleman owns a stretch of track on an estate, and along a small town. He's only had one engine working it for years, but the poor fellow is getting old and needs help. You will assist him on the little railway; pulling trains and the like. In fact, the new owner should be coming by for a visit within the hour" Walkins explained.
"On the contrary, I am here now" the private railway owner said as he walked up to Walkins.
"Oh, Mr. Price! I beg your pardon, I wasn't expecting you so early... I had not finished polishing, you know" Walkins said nervously.
"That's quite all right... the appearance does not so much matter to me as whether or not it works" he explained.
"He works just fine, I assure you. I had him tested over at the Talyllyn Railway" Walkins assured.
"Splendid. I'll be staying at the hotel just down the road; I wish to be here while he's getting loaded." Mr. Price explained.
"I see. Well, nine here is in good working order, there should be no problems" Walkins explained.
"Very well. Good night Mr. Walkins; I will see you tomorrow" Mr. Price said as he departed.
The next day, Diesel 9 was loaded onto a flatbed, to be taken to his new home.
"You're in good hands nine; work hard and you'll have a good life" Walkins said.
"I understand; goodbye father, I hope you come and visit." Diesel 9 said.
"I'll have to; no one else knows how an A.P.S. works after all" Walkins quipped. The two shared one last laugh before the truck set off to Diesel 9's new home.
"Well, that does it for Phase III; now how about Phase IV..." Walkins said to himself as he went back to work.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 14, 2016 21:02:28 GMT -5
Arrival
It took several hours, but at last Diesel 9 arrived at his new home.
"Welcome to the Wellmouth Falls Railway" Mr. Price said as they pulled up to a platform where there was road on one side, and rail on the other.
"This is Platform 3, one of four platforms on this railway. We handle goods at the platforms, and there are two stations where we handle passengers" Mr. Price explained.
"It's not that big a railroad, is it?" Diesel 9 asked, curious.
"It's big from your perspective, I assure. There's 18 total miles of track, and that's not counting the tunnel, bridge and shunting yard" Mr. Price assured.
"I heard there was another engine here." Diesel 9 asked.
"Indeed; oh, here he comes now." Mr Price pointed.
Coming towards Diesel 9 was a diesel engine slightly smaller than him. His paint was peeling and the smoke coming from him seemed blacker than it should have been, but he maintained a smile.
"Oh, you must be the new engine. Hello there, I'm Richard; I've been working here for many years."
"I'm Diesel 9; it's a pleasure to meet you" Diesel 9 replied.
"Well; I think you two will get along nicely. Say, Richard, why don't you show Diesel 9 around the line? He could use the orientation so he does not get lost." Mr. Price requested.
"But what about work?" Richard asked.
"Oh, don't worry about it; there's no shipments or passenger trains today, I only brought you out of the shed to show Diesel 9 around after all. Better get started." Mr. Price ordered.
"But of course. Come on lad, let's go" Richard said.
Diesel 9 had been put on the rails by now, so he was ready. "All right, I'm good to go".
"Not so fast; I want a driver on you for this run" Mr. Price said.
"But my A.P.S. works" Diesel 9 said.
"Yes, but this is just a precaution in case anything came loose during transport" Mr. Price assured.
Diesel 9 understood, and waited for the driver to board.
With Richard leading the way, the two diesels set off. Richard giving a couple coughs before going.
"You ok Richard?" A concerned Diesel 9 asked.
"Yes; just haven't had a good clean out in a while" Richard assured. But this was not the full story.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 14, 2016 21:20:16 GMT -5
Introductions
Richard showed Diesel every part of the line. They sped through the tunnel, rolled across the bridge, and sometimes slowed down to take in the woodland scenery. Near the bend, they came to a stop for a while.
"What's the matter Richard?" Diesel 9 asked.
"Oh, nothing. This waterfall is my favorite part of the line. It is so lovely this time of day" the old diesel replied.
"It does look nice" Diesel 9 said; he was used to the urban sprawl of Walkins' workshop, so this was all new to him.
"Come on then, I'll introduce you to the others" Richard said as they started off again.
"I thought we were the only engines?" A confused Diesel 9 asked.
"Who said anything about engines?" Richard winked.
Soon, they had made their way to the shunting yard. There were 15 pieces of rolling stock.
"Say hello to our coworkers on this railway" Richard said as he introduced everyone.
"Uh... hello?" Diesel 9 said, confused.
"Hello" they rolling stock collectively replied.
"Well, let me properly introduce you 9. These over here are the boxcars Roger, Robert and Roland, and that brakevan over there is Randell. These trucks over here are Charles, Chadwick, and Chester. Then we have the coaches over here. For most days, we use these ladies over here. These coaches are Donna, Dana and Dinah, and the guard's van is Hannah. When it is nice out and the temperature is just right, we take out these three open tops. This is Olivia, Patti and Tammy" Richard said, rounding out the lot.
"And this is Diesel 9 everyone, he'll be working with us from now on" Richard explained.
"I hope he knows how to properly run a coach train" Donna said, concerned.
"I don't mean to cause any problems; I will do my best to learn quickly" Diesel 9 assured.
"Well, that is all for now; come on nine, let's go to our shed. That is where we will stay" Richard explained. The two diesels set off, but Richard coughed again, more intense than last time.
"Richard, you sure you are ok?" Diesel 9 asked again.
"Of course, just need a good cleaning" Richard assured. But he knew there was more to it than that.
Diesel 9 looked forward to the start of his new life. He went to sleep that night, thinking about the nice railway he found himself on.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 14, 2016 21:47:53 GMT -5
Replacement
A few years went by. Diesel 9 had become a pivotal part of the railway, and got along with the workers, passengers, coaches and freight cars alike. But something did not seem quite right. Richard seemed to keep getting slower and weaker as time went on. They did their best to maintain him, but there were some things that just could not be repaired or replaced.
"He is an older model I am afraid; replacement parts that we need are rather difficult to come by. All we can do is maintain as best we can" Mr. Price explained one day. It did not make Diesel 9 feel any better, but at least he understood what Richard was going through at the time.
One day, Diesel 9 was to pull a freight train with Roger, Robert, Roland and Randell. He left quickly and on time. As for Richard, he was assigned a special job that day.
"There's a family reunion, and they would like an excursion of the full loop. You will board them at North station, take them around, stop at South Station for a while, then finish the loop and return to North Station."
"I understand sir." Richard assured.
"One more thing; it is a large family, so you will need all the coaches today. Good thing it is a lovely day" Mr. Price explained.
"Understood; I will leave immediately." And Richard Set off.
Richard was a very polite diesel; he decided to have the covered coaches directly behind him and then the open coaches, so the passengers behind him would not get breaths full of smoke. It seemed to be very black today, despite the clean-out he had last week. Directly behind him, therefore, was Donna, Dana and Dinah. Behind them was Olivia, Patty and Tammy. And bringing up the rear was Hannah the guard's van. It was the first time in years that Richard had pulled a "full special" with all the coaches.
"Oh dear; I certainly wish I was younger for this; but I must fight on for that family" Richard said to himself. So he set off for the North Station. An hour later, Richard was doing well. He was making good time, and the family was enjoying the ride. As he pulled up to the South Station though, the poor diesel began wheezing.
"You ok Richard?" His driver asked while the family got out of the coaches to stretch their legs and use the bathroom.
"I'll be fine sir; nothing to worry about" Richard explained. But the smoke was the blackest it had ever been.
The family was having such a good time, no one really noticed. They soon set off again.
They were crossing the bridge when suddenly, the unthinkable happen. With a sputter and bang, Richard's engine blew out and he came to a halt right on the Bridge. The smoke was so thick, Richard's Driver had to risk getting out of his cab, and clambering on top of one of the coaches just to escape it.
Once the smoke cleared, Richard's driver called out "Richard, are you all right?"
"No..." Richard replied, defeated.
"Bother. I'll see if I can run for help." The Driver said as he ran back to the station.
Half an hour later, Diesel 9, who had finished his train, came to help out.
"It's quite all right Richard, happens to the best of us" Diesel 9 assured.
"I'm so sorry Diesel 9" Richard said.
"Don't be; the owner told me about the parts; it's not your fault he cannot find them" Diesel 9 assured.
Despite the accident, the family had a great time and did not complain about the accident. That night though, mechanics and Mr. Price came to see Richard and Diesel 9 in the shed. It was not good.
"The parts that broke we can't find replacements for. I'm afraid that... Richard will never run again" the mechanic said grimly"
"I'm sorry Richard, but it looks like you will have to stay in the shed for a while. Diesel 9, can you run this railway on your own?" Mr. Price asked.
"I will give it a good go sir" Diesel 9 assured.
The years went by, and Diesel 9 handled the light workload of the private railway rather well. He missed having Richard run it with him though, but did find comfort in being able to talk to him at the end of the day in the shed.
"It's quite all right nine; I've needed a good rest for a long time" he assured.
Nothing changed for years, until one day, Richard heard Mr. Price and some others talking outside his shed.
"Are you sure about this, sir?"
"Yes, I am afraid so; I hate to see it go, but regretfully repairing him will cost more to repair than he is worth. He's a pile of scrap metal now. I'm sure Diesel 9 can due without him"
"Are they talking about... me?" Richard said, confused.
Sure enough, a couple days later, workmen proceeded to load him onto a flatbed; one of the new ones brought in some years ago.
"Ah well, what use am I now anyway? I have lived a good, long life, and I accept this fate" Richard said to himself.
He sat there, waiting for Diesel 9 to come and take him to platform 3.
"I wonder if I can see the waterfall one more time; it would be nice to see it before I go off; I'll ask him when he gets here" Richard thought.
Sorry this book ended on such a sad note, but if I wrote more, it would spoil Diesel 11's novel. If anyone wants to write a "Happy ending" Sequel though, I'm ok with that.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 14, 2016 22:24:21 GMT -5
Very good book Frank.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 14, 2016 22:39:32 GMT -5
Thanks; im sorry it ended on a sad note though.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 14, 2016 22:41:51 GMT -5
Could've gone a step further... but at least it'll entice people to read my novel.
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