Hello there,
This is an area for short stories that happen in-between or during the Arc posts I make on here and hopefully will be the busiest. There will be focus on characters I probably won't focus on too much over the course of the Arcs. I hope you enjoy them!
Edward the Reliable
(Based on Edward the Great from the TVS)
Edward is not the oldest of the Fat Controllers engines, that honor goes to Emily. He is not the strongest of his engines, that is shared between Henry and Peter. Despite being built as an express engine by the Furness Railway he is definitely not the fastest on the NWR, that honor belongs to Gordon. Edward is the most reliable and one the most reliable engine on the NWR. Though it may seem boring and too practical, this attribute allows the Fat Controller to trust Edward with any load or passenger and expect them to be delivered well. One such occasion happened during the 1975 Spring opening of Ulfstead Castle.
Edward puffed into Wellsworth with some older coaches, Victoria and her siblings may have been revealed to him for his 80th birthday but they still needed carpets and upholstering. He didn't mind though, it would only be a short while until he could pull them. He then heard Emily whistle as she approached the opposite platform.
Instead of a cheery smile, there was a dark glare on her face. Edward wondered what happened but was nervous of starting a fight in front of the passengers.
Five minutes later, before both were due to leave a whistle sounded out and a silver flash passed them hauling two coaches. Edward raised an eyebrow and said "What was that?"
"Spencer." Emily said.
"Spencer?" Edward replied in surprise.
"A real fash in the booffers. Preevat ingine frae the mainland. Aab'dy wisses hae wuld eelie." Emily replied in Scots.*
Edward raised his eyes and said "That bad?"
"Ay, hae tae depairt. See ye the nicht."** She said as her guard blew the whistle. Then her whistle sounded out and she left.
"Well, this can't end well." Edward mused.
That night Edward stayed at Tidmouth sheds where the big engines were talking about a special train that would be going to the Earl of Sodor's castle for a party.
"It will be me, I just got a repaint." James said proudly.
"Na it will be me, I dow clim fell!"*** The other engines laughed at this while James fell silent.
Then Beetle came up and said "Announcement from the Fat Controller!" The engines fell silent as he came in.
The Fat Controller came out of the carriage with two men, "Hello engines." He began impressively before one of the two other men said "I am the Duke of Boxford, the Duke of Sodor is holding a party at his castle in Ulfstead as you are probably aware. The engine I wish to pull the train with the guests on it is fast, strong, and well-respected." All the engines beamed as they heard this announcement.
The Fat Controller harrumphed and the Duke of Boxford blushed, "I apologize." Then the Fat Controller said "The engine in question is going to be-."
James interrupted and said "Oh thank you sir! I'll do us proud."
"-Edward." The Fat Controller ended. The engines looked at Edward who said "Surely not me?"
"Oh yes, my wife was on a train some years ago when you lost your coupling rods and brought the train in only 10 minutes late! Your a credit to this railway and I want an engine whose reliable and determined to bring our guests to the party safely." The Duke of Boxford replied.
Edward smiled while Percy and Paxton whistled in approval. The other big engines, all harboring hopes at outrunning Spencer on this run glared at Edward who said "I thank you sir. I will be on time."
"Very good, you will leave at about 6 from Vicarstown while James will take your train from Knapford." The Fat Controller said. Edward said "I understand." The men all got back into the van and then Whiff left. As he did the big engines lashed out.
"Disgraceful!" Gordon sputtered.
"Disgusting!" James roared.
"Despicable!" Henry cried, "Now Spencer will be proven correct!"
"What do you mean?" Edward replied in confusion.
"Spencer said our railway was filled with slow and out of date rubbish." Henry sniffed. Percy and Paxton's whistle and horn replied with a vengeance.
Twelve minutes later Edward stopped as the engines argument had devolved (as they usually do) into petty squabbles. As a decade long veteran of Tidmouth Shed squabbles Edward had no problem falling asleep. The next morning he woke early and went to the station where as promised Victoria and her siblings were waiting.
He slowly backed onto Victoria who said "Rough night?"
"That obvious?" Edward yawned as an engine backed into a platform, "Morning." he said.
"Good mor-Oh my. This is the engine that's taking the guests? I should just take it and spare you the effort." The engine laughed. Edward took a good look and realized it was Spencer.
Edwards driver called out "Oy mate! Control that big mouth on him. Half the island wants him gone."
"Sez you. Spencer has a right to speak his mind!" Spencer's driver called. Edward sighed and said "It's Gordon all over again. I miss the days when I was the express engine, the engines treated me as their equal."
"You! An express engine! I don't believe it!" Spencer laughed.
"The old Furness Railway followed the small engine policy. I still wonder if it was such a wise idea to leave it." Edward replied.
"Why?" Spencer asked.
"The Gresley valve. Gordon had it replaced and he's been reliable." Edward winked.
Spencer sputtered and said "You!"
"Are a delight on this railway." Edward said, having learned to interrupt statements from the Twins whenever they tried to confuse him.
"I can beat you in a race anyday old timer!" Spencer said.
"I have no doubt, however my passengers won't resemble the contents of a mexican jumping bean can." Edward replied.
Spencer said "Now, I want a race now."
"No. I will see you later no doubt." Edward said as Spencer's guard blew his whistle. Spencer trundled out and said "Spoiled no doubt."
Edwards driver said "No good will come out of spoiling an engine like that." He sniffed and Helen said "I apologize for everything I ever thought of you. This engine is far worse."
The train left the station with Edward still in a poor mood.
Through the day the big engines passed him shooting angry glances and Edward held in his temper. Then Boco developed a fault and couldn't pull heavy loads meaning he had to pull trucks with Bill and Ben.
Surprisingly the twins weren't in the mood to disturb Edward and even played a trick or two on the big engines to cheer him up after seeing Henry sneer at the blue tender. Slowly, his good mood returned and at 5 o'clock he was cheerful again.
As he came into Vicarstown an hour later his mood soured as he saw Spencer at another platform with Gordon in between him.
"Well Edward, you pull those coaches as fast as you can. They have to be at the cas-" Spencer never got to finish as Edward whistled in reply.
"Alright you two! I have never in my 8 decades of existence had to deal with the sludge you big engines have force on me than this week. I thought your strike in 34 was bad, I was unaware it was the tip of the iceberg. And you mister! Your crew lets you run around and slander us but this railway let you on these rails as a favor the Duke! Not to polish your ego. You are a disgrace to your owner, the men who repaired you, and the class you represent. Now, I am going to pull my train and be on time. If you have a problem with that, send it in writing to my crew. Kindling is a bit rare these days." Edward exploded.
Spencer and his crew fumed while the silver engines pressure rose in anger. Gordon sadly looked down at his buffers. Although he had relentlessly mocked Edward over the years, the big engine held a lot of respect for the smaller express over the years. He concluded that he was wrong and as Spencer left, "I apologize Edward. As you know I have a fiery temper and Spencer's words got to me. As one express engine to another can you accept my apologies?" Gordon apologized.
Edward breathed in and calmed down, "Yes I can Gordon. In the future please restrain yourselves though. I have heard many of your insults over the years despite the tank engines repeated efforts otherwise. I'm not asking you to become overly friendly. Just be respectful. That's all I ask."
Gordon sighed and said "I'll try to." Edward smiled and said "Good, I will see you tonight." as his guard blew his whistle. Then the small engine left the station hauling the Pullmans as the big engine reflected on his words.
A little later at Crosby Spencer shunted himself into a siding, "What are we doing here?" he asked.
The Duke came out, "I wanted to get something small to eat and pick up the mayor here. We'll be back soon." Spencer smiled and said "Well, that's a relief. I just wish we had a better siding."
"Best I could do. Just cool your heels and we'll be back in 40 minutes at the latest." The Duke said, Spencer was used to his odd habits and watched the yard around him shift.
The warm springtime weather caused him to yawn and fall asleep. Edward passed and did not notice him.
Gordon did as he passed 50 minutes later, laughing the big engine realized a way to apologize for his abominable behavior. He told his driver who had also been shaken by Edwards speech, the man agreed and wrote a message and put it in his empty lunchbox. As they passed a signalbox the engine slowed and the fireman threw it next to the door as Gordon whistled.
The signalman read the message and as it was a quiet night spread the word, Edward is beating old Spencer! Spencer slept through it as his crew tried to restore pressure, however Spencer himself was stopping it as the air he drew in extinguished the embers of the fire.
The news spread quickly along Edwards route and as he entered Peel Godred was surprised by workers cheering him on. The engine gave a quick whistle and slowly climbed the slope until he reached the castle.
As he reached the platform Edward realized something, Spencer wasn't around. Then he heard a whistle and Spencer flew in 50 minutes late.
"Well Spencer." Edward said with a smile. He didn't need to say anything else.
Spencer was about to retort when a shaken Fat Controller and Duke of Boxford talked to him. Edward didn't listen but the sounds were quite angry. They then walked into the castle and the sounds of the party reached him. Edward was lulled to sleep as the warm weather took its toll on his constitution.
A little after 2, his driver said "Wake up Edward, his highness wants to talk to you." Then the Duke of Boxford walked over to Edward, "A very good run. Your passengers included the head of a local BR region and he complimented your speed, comfortable run, and timekeeping. I wish to teach Spencer a lesson, your crew informed me of his insults towards the other engines and the trouble you had. I understand your branchline was strengthened for mainline engines?" He asked.
"It was your lordship." Edward replied.
"Very good. Would you like to be my private engine for a week?" The Duke asked, "Your controller informed me that it would be no trouble."
Edward raised an eyebrow and thought, then he gave his answer.
The Next Morning
Edward pulled into the station and sat as Emily came up to her platform. Before he could say anything Emily said "Edwart. Aboot yesterday."****
"Say no more. I understand Spencer was a nuisance. Just keep your temper in for the future?" Edward asked. Emily whistled to show she understood.
"I would change that expression, you're about to see something interesting." Edward said as he focused his eyes forward and his ears picked up a noise.
Emily then saw Boco shoot by, "Whit be gaun here?"*****
"The duke offered to make me a private engine for a week. Bocos out of commission for heavy loads right now and Crovans Gate is giving Peter and Rosie their overhauls. So I offered Bocos assistance as its light work."
Emily replied "Hou anent Spencer?"******
"Oh you'll find out." Edward said as the angry chuffing got louder and Spencer came through the yard pulling a line of trucks.
"The good duke found out about his insults and decided to punish him. I decided to stay on to protect him from the twins." Edward said and Emily smiled.
"Sers he richt." Emily laughed as her guard blew his whistle. "Guid day Edward!"
Edward smiled, he knew that Spencer would continue his activities but hopefully this would give him pause in the future.
-Fin-
*-A real pain in the buffers! A Private Engine! Everyone wishes he would depart!
**-Yes, have to depart
***-No, it will be me! I can climb hills!
****-Edward, about yesterday
*****-What is going on here?
******-How about Spencer?
(I have Emily being a very heavy Scots speaker here. She was on a branchline there from 1923-1968. Thoughts comments?)
