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Post by PercyFan1998 on Dec 11, 2022 1:38:39 GMT -5
The Continuing Railway Series No.28
Mountain Engines Again By PercyFan1998
Foreword Dear Friends,
It has been a while since you’ve heard from Culdee and his friends. It’s been quite eventful up there lately! Bad coal, rockslides, and general bad luck have caused a lot of chaos. Mr. Walter Richards is very exhausted from it all, but you’ll have to read to find out what happened.
The Author
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Post by PercyFan1998 on Dec 11, 2022 1:41:42 GMT -5
Ashes to Ashes THE Culdee Fell Railway’s engines need to use clean coal to operate at their best. It is possible to work with lesser-grade coal but it’s not ideal. One season, however, the Railway got a particularly dirty batch – Culdee and the three other older engines didn’t mind, but if you were to hear Eric talk, you’d think it the worse coal ever. “This is some terrible low-grade material,” he coughed one morning in the sheds. “Manager oughtn’t allow its use. It took my Fireman five extra minutes to clean me out yesterday.” “Stop fussing over it, young Eric,” said Ernest. “We dealt with even worse before you came here. Just you mind that we have a job to do.” Wilfred hummed in agreement. “A little bit of extra dirt never hurt anybody.”
But Eric was right, the coal was dirty and difficult to use, but it was all they could get with all the troubles in England. Time passed and days soon turned into weeks; the coal might’ve been bothersome but the engines kept going. Ernest’s coach was at the works. So he spent his days working with the other coaches and the Truck. He was late coming home from the Summit with the Truck one night. He and his crew were exhausted. The Fireman tried cleaning his smokebox, but he was too tired to finish. “It’s late, go home to your Missus, Fireman,” said Ernest kindly. “But what about all the soot? I’m almost done…” “Never you mind about that,” said the engine firmly. “I have a late start tomorrow – I’ll ask to have it cleaned before I start work.”
The next day came. Patrick hissed steam crossly when he saw the coal staithe. “Look at the state of the coal,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “You won’t catch me using the last of that stuff.” Eric had the first train, but he refused to move. “I’m terribly sorry but…I won’t go out if I have to use that coal.” “Rubbish,” said the Driver. “C’mon, Eric, it’s just coal.” “I’d rather wait till the new batch arrives.” “Being afraid of a bit of soot and ash is disgraceful behavior,” grumbled Ernest. “All right, Eric, I’ll do you a favor, I’ll take your train; you can take mine since the new coal will be here by then.” Their Drivers agreed to the swap. Ernest already had a fire going, so it was easy to prepare him, but the Fireman was not the same one that had tried to clean him out the night before. “Cheeky young’uns!” grunted Ernest as he puffed away. “Afraid of a bit of a soot and ash indeed. You’re supposed to be my replacements.” “Suit yourself,” sniffed Patrick, “but I still say it’s bad stuff.” Eric winced from Ernest’s rude remark and said nothing.
Eric’s coach was surprised when she saw Ernest coupling to her. “Oh? Good morning, Ernest. Where’s…” “Good morning, April. I’m afraid your Eric won’t come out, so I’ll be taking you instead.” Ernest took April to the station and left with a full train. As he headed out, he found it hard to breathe before he suddenly remembered. “Bother! I forgot about my smokebox. Never mind, I can manage…” But Ernest was wrong. His white smoke turned a sickly black as the Fireman shovelled more coal into his firebox. Mountain Engines and their Firemen work very hard to climb against the gravity, and Ernest soon felt hot and bothered. “Come on, old boy,” encouraged the Driver. “Just a bit further and you can rest at Halfway.” But Ernest never made it. To reach Halfway the engines have to climb a steep gradient before crossing a viaduct. The climb is heavy – Ernest’s Fireman tried adding coal to his fire, but the engine coughed and wheezed. “I can’t breathe,” he groaned. “No good,” said the Fireman, “he can’t keep going on like this. The fire is hardly growing, and his steam is low.” There was no need to stop. Ernest just grounded to a halt and sighed – he felt stuffed up. All he and his Driver could do was set off back to the last station for help. “Oh, the poor passengers. I hope this won’t take too long,” began April. “Ernest, what happened and how do you feel?” “Stuffed and clogged up. This is my fault…”
They reached the station safely and waited for help. Culdee came to take the train and Eric to help Ernest back to the Shed. The Manager was at the shed waiting for them. “Please Sir,” said Eric, “it’s my fault this happened.” “I am aware that it was your train, Eric,” said the Manager, “and while I am disappointed in you for refusing to take your train, it was Ernest who forgot to ask for a washout.” “Yes Sir,” said Ernest, “I’m sorry for all the trouble.” “I can’t blame you for the soot trouble but forgetting to look after yourself has clogged up your system. You’re going to have to be out of action for a while, we’re not sure if there’s any other damage. I hope this taught something to the both of you.” “Yes Sir, it has,” sighed the two engines. “Good,” said the Manager. “The new coal is here, Eric, so we’ll lay this issue to – er – ashes, as it were, and think about what we’ll do next.”
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Post by PercyFan1998 on Dec 11, 2022 1:43:01 GMT -5
With Ernest Intentions ALARIC was resting at the water tower between trains when the Manager came up. “As you know,” he said, “Ernest is out of action. His coach Edith is returning from the Works tonight and I want you to take her out tomorrow.” Alaric blinked in surprise. “Me, Sir? Can’t she wait till Ernest is fixed?” “No Alaric,” said the Manager, “she’s been couped up in the Works for a week – I don’t think it’d be fair to keep her waiting. You can manage, I’m sure.”
“I don’t know why the Manager wants me to take her,” sighed Alaric in the shed that evening. “Nothing wrong with it,” said Culdee. “But what about my Diana? Won’t she get jealous if I take out another coach?” “I doubt it. Patrick took out Catherine when I was away in Switzerland. All our coaches want to be out and useful – it doesn’t matter who takes them.” “But…” “If you’re still worried about it, just do what Ernest does and you’ll be all right,” added Patrick. “Do what Ernest does…” echoed Alaric. The others agreed with Patrick’s advice and decided to move onto other subjects. Unfortunately, none of the engines realised that Alaric’s impression of Ernest was very different from theirs…
He met Edith the next morning. “Hullo Alaric,” she began, but before she could say anything else, Alaric cut in. “I suppose you’ve heard about Ernest?” “Er, yes, I did. A shame, he’s normally very…” “Then you know that we’re only temporarily together. Just keep your eyes on the track heading up and we’ll get along just fine. Now come.” Edith blinked in surprise. She hadn’t been expecting that. “Well really!” she muttered as he buffered up. “Could’ve at least said ‘hello’.” Alaric heard nothing and quietly took her toward the station.
As they climbed the mountain, Edith tried to be friendly, but Alaric was having none of it. “Please do be quiet. I can’t concentrate on climbing when you’re talking to me. Please keep your eyes on the track and tell me when something’s wrong.” Edith fumed indignantly. “The cheeky little devil! It’s not impossible to multitask you know. Nothing wrong with admiring the scenery.” “Is the track ahead clear?” “Yes…” “Good. Now if you would please stop talking, we’ll get to the top a lot quicker.” The rest of the run was made in silence.
“I just can’t understand it,” thought Alaric to himself when they reached the Summit. “I’m treating her just as Ernest would. Why isn’t she satisfied? Maybe this is just how they are with each other.” Whilst Patrick had easily adjusted to working with the four elder Mountain Engines, both Alaric and Eric were still shy and nervous around Ernest who had been very stern when teaching them how to run the line. Soon Wilfred and his coach arrived at the next platform and Alaric set off back down the mountain. “Come,” he said curtly. Edith just rolled her eyes. But as they rolled along Devil’s Back, it happened. Out of nowhere a sudden wind picked up, catching the train halfway across by surprise.
“This wasn’t in the weather forecast!” the Driver yelled. “We have to hurry,” thought Alaric. He blew his whistle loudly as he approached the station. The sudden noise was a shock to Edith. “Hurry up! We’re in danger, so don’t stop!” But his words were lost in the wind and his whistling. Edith thought she heard something else. “Danger?!” she thought and applied her brakes. Alaric yelped in surprise as Edith’s weight left his front and he rolled back into the station. “Come on,” said the Driver, “let’s fetch her.” Alaric puffed quickly up toward Edith. “Off the side…horrid thing deserved it…” said Edith to herself. Then, she realised that Alaric hadn’t rolled down the mountain and was confused as he approached. “DON’T MOVE!” he shouted. But in the wind, she heard… “Move in this gale? Fine. He’s in charge...”
Alaric’s eyes bulged in horror. “Horrors! Edith, stop! STOP!” “What the! BUT YOU SAID…!” A dull clang sounded the two bumped into each other. “ALARIC!” “ME? What were you thinking?!” “Shut up, both of you!” scolded the Driver. “We have to get out of the wind!” Alaric begrudgingly did what his Driver told him. As they got out of the wind, both engine and coach heard the passengers grumbling. Nobody was seriously hurt, but they stormed out and buzzed angrily around the Stationmaster, demanding a refund. “Manager won’t be pleased with this,” said the Guard as he rubbed his shoulder. “Oh, this is just perfect,” grumbled Edith. Alaric said nothing as he glared at the track and seethed in silence.
The Manager was furious when Alaric reached the Bottom Station. “I am very disappointed with what just happened. You’re lucky no one was hurt in that incident!” “It wasn’t my fault, Sir!” fumed Alaric. “She’s the one who moved…” “Silence! You are both to blame. I can’t allow either of you to work now. Go to your Sheds!” Edith glared back at Alaric. “It’s all your fault…” But the Manager turned to her. “I’ve heard all about what you two were saying to each other before this incident occurred. You are just as much at fault here. I must first pacify the passengers, and then you’ll both hear from me.”
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Post by PercyFan1998 on Dec 11, 2022 1:43:52 GMT -5
Culdee and the Trucks THE Manager spoke severely to Alaric and Edith in their sheds – both wished he hadn’t. Alaric was still silently brooding when Culdee came into the Shed for a rest. “Hullo Alaric, I heard about what happened earlier today,” said Culdee. “Are you all right?” “Yeah,” he replied curtly. “That doesn’t sound very all right…” Alaric sighed. “Saw right through me… It wasn’t my fault. It was that Edith, talked so much it distracted me and then when we separated at Devil’s Back, she didn’t listen to me at all. What was she even thinking?” “From the way I heard it, it could’ve happened to any engine and coach.” “But it happened with Edith! My Diana would never have made a mistake like that. She can roll off a precipice if you ask me…” Culdee shot him a grave look. “Alaric,” he said grimly. “I… Yes. Yes, you’re right. I-I’m sorry... I just really don’t want to see her again.”
Culdee considered for a moment. “Every engine can say something he doesn’t really mean, and sometimes even we don’t know what we need.” Alaric looked up at him, and so he continued. “Did you know that we once had trucks here?” “But…we have a truck.” “Yes, but that’s our current truck. Before she was built, we had trucks that looked like those nearly flat trucks that those big electric engines pull.” “Ah,” said Alaric as he slowly understood. “When our Railway was first built, the farmers wanted us to move their merchandise as the roads weren’t good at the time. You know that large open space at the top of Shiloh station’s loop? That’s where the old goods siding used to be. Every Market Season I or one of the others would take the trucks up there to be loaded. “The trucks were these grey, opensided things, and were quite amicable to be with. They knew the danger of what would happen if they dared play any tricks – they only weighed so much, after all!” “I suppose that made handling them easy.” “Sort of. The trucks arrived on the Railway at the same time as our original coaches, the ones that had curtains instead of windows. Those coaches had an attitude, I guess the trucks thought to be as equally arrogant so as to pay them back and teased them mercilessly. When they weren’t being used for the farmers, the Manager would have us bring one of them up to the Summit Hotel where we’d bring down the day’s rubbish inside them. All trucks and coaches played their part, none more important than the other.” Culdee paused and thought back. “I do remember one time though when the trucks proved very special indeed.”
Alaric looked intrigued, and so Culdee continued. “One of the Farmers who used our service was a sheep farmer named Randall Jorney. He’d need us to bring up feed for his livestock and to take wool down. When we first started working together his sheepdog was this old and grumpy thing. Always barking at the trucks. “ ‘Come on, ol’ girl,’ he’d say. But she’d never stop barking at me or the trucks ‘til we were out of sight. She must’ve not liked how we looked!”
“Sounds irritating,” said Alaric sympathetically. “Oh, it was! Then one year she passed away and Mr. Jorney got a new dog to help him round up his sheep. I wasn’t too happy about it, I thought for sure it’d be yet another bark-happy dog with no manners. ‘Oh, wonderful,’ I said when Mr. Jorney came to the Bottom Station with that dog, ‘yet another barking nuisance.’ “I didn’t realise it then but the new dog, Sparky, was much more behaved that his predecessor. He’d round up the sheep and then watch the farmhands and our workmen do their jobs in silent peace. That silence would end up causing trouble.
“One summer’s day it was my turn on the farm train. I hadn’t had a good morning due to my fire being weak and I was keen to make up time. ‘Come along, comealong, COMEALONG,’ I barked to the trucks as I pulled them out of the siding. “ ‘Patience, patience,’ hissed the one closest to me. I didn’t listen and started off before they were ready. We reached Shiloh a few minutes late. Farmer Jorney didn’t mind but I was keen to go. Some sheep were grazing nearby and were bothering the farmhands. Sparky did his best to keep them in line when I saw him barking at the trucks. I was so hot and cross that I blew steam at him – he went silent and left. I thought that was best. “When it was time to leave I hurried out of the siding. That was when the trucks began to fuss. ‘Stop, Culdee. STOP!’ they cried. “ ‘Why?’ I grumbled as we crossed the points. ‘The work’s finished. Did we leave something behind?’ “ ‘No. It’s Mr. Jorney’s dog!’ “ ‘What about him?’ Then there was a shout followed by a woof and suddenly Sparky’s head popped out in front of me! ‘Whoa, boy! What’re you doing here?!’ “We stopped. Mr. Jorney came frantically and fetched the sitting dog. “ ‘Never would’ve noticed if we hadn’t stopped you,’ the trucks said to me. I couldn’t argue with that! Had it not been for them, I mightn’t have noticed ‘til we came home! “So you see,” Culdee said to Alaric, “I learned that day that all rolling stock, not just coaches, are important. Despite my treatment of them, the trucks stood up when they had no reason to.”
“That was a nice thing to do,” murmured Alaric. “Whatever happened to them?” Culdee looked down at the rails. “In the ‘30s the Island’s Council finally got to working on the roads up there. Farmers found it cheaper to have road vehicles do the work. Eventually we stopped the goods service and one day the trucks…were scrapped.” Alaric stared in horror. “Treat your rolling stock well, Alaric. You never know what might happen to them.” He left soon after, leaving Alaric with a lot to think about.
Alaric still had steam and with permission from the Yard Manager, made his way to the carriage shed. “Hullo, Edith…I’m sorry about today.” “I…I am too, dearie,” muttered Edith. “I was wrong to be so cross with you.” “No. No, it was me, really. I don’t take change well and I don’t know really talk much with anyone else besides my Diana. It’s my fault really for being such a cross engine. I’m sorry.” The old coach smiled wisely. “We all make mistakes, dearie. The best we can do is to learn from them and move on.” Alaric quietly agreed.
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Post by PercyFan1998 on Dec 11, 2022 1:44:55 GMT -5
Surly Old Shane! SHANE DOOINEY was furious. “Bother you and Ernest!” he grumbled to Alaric as he rolled past the Shed with his coach. “We’re short of motive power enough as it is and then you go and get yourself disgraced – it’s ridiculous. Now I must do your work as well as my own.” “Imagine grumbling about having work,” said Wilfred cheekily. “He’s right,” agreed Alaric quietly, “I thought you were the type who always kept busy.” Shane Dooiney just whooshed steam indignantly.
He brooded at the platform as he waited for Patrick and the Truck to clear the path. His coach Serena eyed the bustling passengers when she noticed one behaving strangely. “That’s queer,” she remarked, “why’s he at the end of the platform eying your Shed with a camera?” “Probably just an enthusiast,” drawled Shane Dooiney. “Most likely trying to get a shot of Culdee as he’s getting ready. They all come for him. Not for the rest of us…” Soon Patrick arrived and Shane Dooiney set off. He was in a right state as he stormed along. “It’s not fair, it’s not fair,” he chuntered as he clawed up the line. “Overworked and underappreciated. Overworked and underappreciated, that’s what I am! And look, look at that, Serena!” he added when they stopped at a platform. “Taking pictures of me when I look a mess. How dare they!” “Calm down,” giggled Serena. “I’m sure they’re just thinking about what a useful little engine you are.” “A background engine covered in soot, that is,” he muttered quietly. As soon as they were off, he began to complain again. “I bet you those passengers don’t even know how significant that station is for me.” “Oh, and pray tell why that is.” “Because just southerly of it you can see the mountain I was named for. I’m named for a mountain, but no passenger ever seems to care about that!” “Yes, but of course. Because it’s so important to know that you’re named for a mountain that means ‘The Old Man’!” “Pah! Then you should’ve been named Shen Venn since it means ‘The Old Woman’. That would suit our pairing.” “Oh hardly, my dear! Compared to you, I’m still green! You’re just being sulky.” “Am not.” “Oh yes you are!” she teased. “Being sulky, silly, surly, and old, Shane.” Then, Serena began to sing. “Sulky, silly, surly old Shane! Surly old Shane who was ashamed! Surly old Shane who feels so plain!” Serena continued to sing, her voice echoing over the valley. Shane Dooiney pouted and looked at the track, but secretly he was smiling with amusement.
They reached the Summit without any further issue. As they waited to head Down, Shane Dooiney looked out into the valley below. He sighed. “It’s beautiful from atop here,” he said to Serena. “Being here, and looking down, just makes everything so…trivial. All our problems are tiny compared to this mountain that pierces the clouds. I only ever complain when I’m climbing. The effort it takes makes all my worries seem so pointless.” “The purification of the journey, right?” replied Serena softly. “Yes… The ever-omnipotent challenge to claw the skyline. Thank you, Serena, for listening once more to the gripes of this Old Man. I know it can be tough.” “I recognised you were trouble the moment I met you!” laughed Serena. “I’ve been your sound board for nearly fifty years now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Shane Dooiney smiled with content.
Later that day, he stopped at Devil’s Back station on his way Down. A man who hadn’t been onboard his train tried to get in but his Guard denied the ticket. “Apologies sir,” said Shane Dooiney. “We’re a full train and we can only allow you to go back down on the one you rode up in. One of the others at Summit should have a few seats available at this time of year.” The man thanked Shane Dooiney for his advice and left. Serena frowned. “Shane, I believe that that man is the same one I saw photographing the Shed.” “I wonder… He could be an Inspector on a surprise visit. Botheration, I hope he isn’t here because of Alaric’s incident.”
He couldn’t help but worry all the way down. At the Bottom Station, however, bad news came. “There’s been a rockslide in the ridge at Devil’s Back. Patrick managed to avoid colliding with it,” reported the Manager grimly. “Blast! Whole trains of passengers having to walk themselves down is the last thing we need.” “Then there’s no time,” said Shane Dooiney. “I have to get back up there.” “Shane?” The Manager was surprised. “You’ve only just gotten back from your trip. You need to rest first. Leave this for Eric.” “Hang my rest, this situation needs all wheels on deck. It wouldn’t do to leave passengers to walk after they paid for their tickets. I’ll get water on the way up.” “Oh dear, oh dear,” tittered Serena with a smile. Without another word Shane Dooiney stormed back up the mountain. The Manager couldn’t help but smile and shook his head as he started coordinating the rescue.
A system was quickly put into place, Culdee and Patrick brought down visitors from Summit to the rockslide, and Shane Dooiney, Eric, and Wilfred on the other side took them all the way down the mountain. At the end of the day they finally were able to clear the rockslide. Shane Dooiney was exhausted. “You are a credit to this line,” said the Manager to him. “You can have a day off tomorrow, you deserve it.”
The engines were surprised to see the Manager with a special visitor the next morning. Shane Dooiney recognised him at once. “Engines,” said the Manager, “allow me to introduce this man from the Crovan’s Gate Gazette. He came to our Railway in secret yesterday and wants to talk to you.” “I do indeed. I’m sorry, Shane Dooiney, if my actions seemed suspicious.” “You can say that again.” “Quite. I’ll admit, I came here a bit worried. The public were worried that Alaric’s accident the other day was cause for safety concerns. Your actions yesterday, though, proved to me that you’re still a reliable and responsible Railway. I’ll be more than happy to clear the air with my article.” “We’re glad of it, sir,” said Shane Dooiney. “And I’ll make sure to mention you especially, Shane Dooiney. I couldn’t help but hear your complaints and I think you’re deserving of attention.” Shane Dooiney went red whilst the other engines snickered at his embarrassment.
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