Great Northern the A1 Pacific: Chapter 8
Super Rescues
It had been a rather nice morning for Great Northern, pulling into Vicarstown Station with his now terminated express passenger train. He watched as the passengers all disembarked and waved goodbye to him, thanking him for another lovely journey. The Gresley A1 had been a good mood as of late. Seeing Flying Scotsman and talking with him again had certainly lifted his spirits, as was the same with Gordon. He had also gotten a good kick out of how Duck had tricked Henry with his six tenders. However, Great Northern was sympathetic with Henry and comforted him after ditching the tenders in The Shunting Yards, asking whether or not the green engine had learnt a lesson in humility.
And indeed, Henry did.
As he waited for clearance to retire to the station sheds for a rest, Great Northern could hear the bridge between Sodor and the Mainland being lowered. Great Northern was confused. Had BoCo left with a late-night train to the Mainland last night and was returning now? Just then, he saw two blue and yellow diesels come to a stop at the station platforms nearby. One of them was a Class 46 Peak diesel while the other was a Class 35 Hymek diesel. Great Northern greeted them warmly, hoping they were like BoCo the first time he met him at Barrow two years ago.
"Hello there," he said. "Welcome to the North-Western Railway of Sodor, I'm Great Northern and-"
"Did I say you could greet us, steamer?" the peak diesel asked rudely.
Great Northern was stunned. "I beg your pardon!"
"Beg all you like, you're not going to get it."
"D199!" the hymek diesel scolded. "There's no need for you to act so rude!"
"I am not being rude, 7101," D199 persisted. "This steam kettle presumed that he could talk to an engine such as myself without permission. Steam engines like him should know his place."
Great Northern was speechless. He knew there were some rude diesels out there, but he had never expected one to be so extreme as D199 in front of him. Why, he even recalled that most of the diesels on the Eastern and North-Eastern Region were rather considerate, all until some of the newer diesels arrived and thought how more modern and reliable they were than the steam engines of old like him.
"I do know my place, thank you very much," Great Northern said in a stern tone. "My place is here on this railway, young one. And you'd best leave that superiority complex back where you found it. The other engines here won't like it and won't stand for it. And I certainly won't stand for it either. Neither will our controller. Besides, you have to work your way from the bottom and prove yourself here. We do not judge engines by their traction, only the content of their character."
D199 scoffed. "'Content of character'? Pah! You really are behind the times, old timer. Just you wait and see, I'll show that we diesels are far more reliable and up to date than you lot."
With that, D199 oiled away, leaving Great Northern and D7101 at the station. Great Northern looked to D7101 who seemed very ashamed and quite embarrassed by the actions of his compatriot. Great Northern had heard of these kinds of diesels before, they were from The Western Region and were hydraulic diesels, unlike that of D199. Great Northern was just glad this diesel had a sense of manners and respect.
"I'm sorry about D199," the hymek said to Great Northern. "He's been like this ever since I met up with him at Derby before arriving here on your railway. We're both on trial and I was scared he was going to start causing trouble. Again, I'm sorry."
Great Northern smiled at the down-trodden young diesel. "That's quite alright. I'm just glad to know that you know better. So, tell me, 7101, do you have a name?"
7101 looked down at his buffers meekly. "No, I don't have a name. I'm the last of my class and no one has ever given me a name." Just then his engine roared for a moment before he calmed it back down once more. "Sorry about my engine, it tends to purr a bit."
Great Northern snickered. "Purr? Don't you mean roar?"
7101 flushed, embarrassed. "I... I never really thought it was that loud. No other engine has ever really complained about it before."
"That's because you've been surrounded by engines who are no doubt like you," Great Northern explained. "But that's quite alright. I must admit though, the way your engine roars, it makes you sound like a bear."
"A bear?" 7101 asked, chuckling. "You know, I've never thought about it that way." 7101 then spied the A1's nameplates. "So, uh... you're Great Northern? As in the Great Northern?"
"I am indeed," Great Northern answered, smiling. "Why do you ask? Do you know of me?"
"Well, yes. You see, my mentor, Pendennis Castle always spoke highly of you back on The Western Region. He said that you were one of his best friends back during the old days of The Big Four."
Great Northern's jaw dropped. "You... You know Pendennis Castle?"
"Yes, I do," 7101 replied. "Or, at least I did. Pendennis was withdrawn in 1964 but was preserved in the same year by the Great Western Preservation Society and was moved to the railway depot in Didcot. I've heard that's where he is right now. What's going to happen to him, I can't say for sure."
Great Northern was absolutely delighted. He was so happy to learn that his old friend from the GWR wasn't scrapped and was now living a preserved life like himself. Not only that, but he had also met a young diesel protégé of Pendennis Castle and was eager to get to know 7101 better. For the next little while, the two engines traded stories together, some about Pendennis Castle until 7101 was given clearance to leave.
"Oh, just to let you know," Great Northern called out as 7101 began to leave. "We have two diesels here on Sodor already. Their names are BoCo and Daisy, you should introduce yourself to them and get acquainted. I'm sure they'll like you."
"I'll make sure to do that. Goodbye!" 7101 shouted, tooting his horn.
"Goodbye!" Great Northern called back, blowing his whistle before leaving the station to rest.
That night at the sheds, the engines were talking amongst themselves as usual. Flying Scotsman led the conversation, talking about his experience at the British Empire Exhibition where he had first met Pendennis Castle. There was also an N Class steam engine, No. 866 from the Southern Railway, along with two engines who represented the newly made LMS. A ten-wheeler LNWR Prince of Wales class and a Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway designed Baltic tank engine built by the LMS at Horwich Works.
"Even the Metropolitan Railway showed off an engine of their design," Scotsman continued. "They showed off one of their Inner Circle cars which is like a trailer which had been built in the same year I was first built at Doncaster."
As Scotsman recalled his tale to the other engines, D199 and D7101 backed down into their own berths of the sheds. As Flying Scotsman continued to talk, the two diesels surveyed the sheds.
"It's time, 7101," said D199. "That we took this railway over."
Silence immediately fell over the sheds, glares and daggers were shot at the diesels. D199 looked stuck-up and snooty while D7101 was quick to admonish.
"Shush, 199! It's their railway after all."
"Not for long," 199 persisted, he looked over to the other engines. "Our controller says that steam engines spoil our image."
"Of course, we do!" Duck snapped. "We show what frauds you are. Call yourselves engines? If anything happens to you, you care nothing for your train and moan for a fitter. We bring it home, even on one cylinder."
"Nothing," boasted 199, "ever happens to us. We, unlike you lot, are reliable." Vulgar noises or insults and whistle blowing greeted this. "How rude," said 199.
"You asked for it," 7101 growled. "Now, shut up!"
The sheds fell silent again, the steam engines were all taken aback by 7101 telling off the now mockingly called 'Old Reliable'. Nothing more was said by the engines for the rest of the night. When morning came, Great Northern and 7101 were left in the sheds. The poor hymek looked even more down after what had happened.
"Again, I'm really sorry about 199," he sighed. "I tried speaking to him before we came to the sheds last night, but he just wouldn't listen."
"That's alright, chap," Great Northern assured. "Sometimes, engines are just too far gone to listen. By the way, did you happen to meet BoCo and Daisy yesterday?"
7101 beamed. "Oh, yes! I did. They met them both at Elsbridge. They're both very nice and they helped me with some questions I had about this island and railway." Then he exhaled deeply. "I really hope I pass my trial here. But knowing my luck, 199 could ruin it for me and make me look bad in front of the other engines too."
"Now, now, no need to act so pessimistic," Great Northern said. "If it helps, I'll put in a good word for you with The Fat Controller. All I ask is for you to do the best you can here on this railway. That's all we ever ask."
"Then I'll be sure to do so," 7101 grinned again. "Now, uh, if you'll excuse, I've got my first passenger train to run."
And with that, 7101 left the station with Great Northern trailing behind.
Later that afternoon, Henry was rolling home tender first. He was feeling very down, almost as down as he was back in his old hybrid shape long ago.
I'm a failed engine, he thought. Lost my regulator, driver says it jammed wide open and he can't mend it until I'm cool again. However, I've got steam and driver can use my reverser, but it would happen after Duck fooled me with those blasted tenders. Now they'll all laugh at me again.
Soon, Henry reached a signal-box and stopped, whistling for a road. Opposite the box, on the up-line, stood D199 with a train of oil tankers.
Oh, great. Worse and worse, Henry thought drearily. Now 'Old Reliable' will laugh at me too.
Just then, the signalman came out. "For pity's sake, take this spamcan away! It's failed and the Limited is behind now thanks to him. And all he does it wail for his fitter!"
"Spamcan?!" D199 fumed angrily. "I'm-"
"Stow it!" snapped the signalman. "Or I'll take my tin opener to you! Now then..."
199 subsided at this dreadful threat, and Henry pulled the train out of the way. The diesel didn't help, he just sulked. The Limited, being pulled by 7101, rushed by a growl and a roar. Henry gave a chuckle.
"Look there, Spamcan," he said. "There's your little pal."
D199 said nothing, hoping 7101 hadn't noticed. 7101 hadn't noticed, because he was having troubles of his own. He was getting crosser and crosser with his coaches. They felt as though they were getting heavier by every wheel turn he made. He roared at them to move, but it did no good.
Engines have a pump called in injector, it draws air of the train's brakes pipes to keep the brakes off. If it fails, air leaks in and the brakes come on. Gently at first, then harder and harder. Unfortunately for 7101, his injector had failed. His brakes were already leaking on as he passed Henry. He struggled on for half a mile before being brought to stand, growling furiously unable to move a wheel under his own power.
"Well, well, well, did ya hear what the signalman said?" Henry's fireman asked.
"I'd thought they'd be laughing at me!" Henry chuckled. "Now the jokes on them."
"Moving two dead engines and their trains? his driver said thoughtfully. "That's no joke for a failed engine, is it? Do you think you can do it, old boy?"
"I'll have a good try!" said Henry with spirit. "Anyway, 7101's much better than old Spamcan here. He did try to shut him up last night, and Great Northern speaks highly of him too."
"Come on then, old boy," coached his driver. "We mustn't keep our passengers waiting."
"Get moving you!" Henry puffed as he pulled the sulking Class 46 into the motion and started to the rescue.
Henry gently buffered up to The Limited Express train. While the two drivers talked, his fireman join his front brake-pipe to the last coaches.
"It's better than we thought, Henry," said the driver. "7101 call pull in front if we keep the brakes off. So, the only weight we'll really have is Spamcan and his goods."
"Oh," Henry said in relief. "That's quite a mercy." He was, by now, feeling rather puffed.
"Poop, poop, poop, poop!" 7101 tooted. "Are you ready?"
"Peep, peep, peep, peep!" whistled Henry. "Yes, I am!"
So, with 7101 growling in front with his train, and Henry gamely puffing in the middle, the long cavalcade set out of the next big station. At Crovan's Gate, Donald and Flying Scotsman were waiting in the sidings. They both cheered as Henry puffed past. He braked the coaches on the train thankfully as Spamcan with the oil tankers trailed far behind. Once they got to the station, the passengers all buzzed out like angry bees. Thankfully, the Fat Controller told them about Henry. So, they forgot to be cross and thanked Henry instead.
They called him an enterprising engine and took his photograph.
They were thrilled too, when Flying Scotsman backed down on their train. If the guard hadn't tactfully shooed them to their coaches, the train would have started later than ever. In the meantime, Donald took the goods train after backing down in front of D199
The Fat Controller spoke severely to D199.
"So, I asked British Rail to lend me some engines, and as it turns out both of them are failed. However, in your case, D199, you are far worse. I have had nothing but complaints about you from my fleet and not only that, but you have caused confusion and delay as well as conflict between my engines." He turned to the Donald. "Send D199 back to The Other Railway. I shall write my views about him later," he told Donald as the Caledonian twin started away.
Henry and 7101 went away together as The Fat Controller had told Henry to take the hymek to a building that had been built close by to Vicarstown. 7101 felt very glum, now that D199 was gone, he thought for sure that he was going to be sent away too. He spoke to Henry.
"I'm sorry about what happened last night."
"That's alright," Henry smiled. "You did shut 'Old Reliable' up."
"And," 7101 sighed ruefully, "made a fool of myself too."
Henry just grinned. "Rubbish. A failed injector could happen to any engine. In fact, I lost my regulator today."
7101 was surprised. "You? Failed?! And yet..." his voice trailed away with admiration.
"Well..." said Henry, chortling. "Emergency, you know? Trains must get through."
7101 said no more, he had a lot to think about. Eventually, the hymek diesel was shunted away into a new depot which had the sign saying 'Vicarstown Dieselworks' on the gate out front. He was said to see Henry leave, but now awaited his fate of which he knew would have him being sent away in disgrace. Soon, he saw another familiar looking green engine puff into the yards of the Dieselworks.
"Great Northern?" 7101 asked, squinting his eyes at the A1. "What are you doing here?"
"I have an important guest here to see you, chap," Great Northern said as The Fat Controller stepped down from his cab.
7101 gulped. "H-Hello, sir... I-I'm sorry about what happened today. I understand if you want to send me away back to British Rail."
"7101," The Fat Controller began. "I have been told by both Great Northern and Henry that you are a good diesel like Daisy and BoCo. I hear you're very cooperative."
7101 was surprised to hear this as he looked over to Great Northern he was smiling at him before looking back to The Fat Controller. "Do they, sir? Truly?"
"They do, indeed," The Fat Controller. "After his behaviour and how he has acted today, I have sent D199 back to the Mainland. I hope you won't miss him."
"To be honest, sir," 7101 sighed. "I never really liked him when I first met him anyway."
"Good. Because, with great consideration, I would like you to officially join my fleet and stay on the North-Western Railway."
7101 was gobsmacked. "But, sir! I... I don't know what to say! I failed on my second day here on my trial!"
"Yes, I considered that," The Fat Controller nodded thoughtfully. "But have Great Northern and Henry told you their stories?"
7101 looked over to Great Northern, wondering what his story had been, as well as Henry. "Umm, no, sir."
"I see. Well, Henry used to be a very bad steamer in his younger years since he used to be a cross between a C1 Atlantic and A1 Pacific. Because of this, his firebox was small, and he couldn't make up enough steam. Eventually though, after a nasty accident, my father sent him away to crew to be rebuilt into his Stanier Class 5 build which he is now. As for Great Northern, during most of time on British Railways, he was Thompson A1/1 and had many problems overall with his build at the time. However, I saved him from being scrapped and restored him back to his real glory as the first Gresley A1 of the Great Northern Railway and the London and North-Eastern Railway. Now, Great Northern and Henry are two my best engines here on Sodor. And you, 7101, a hard worker as well."
7101 beamed. "Thank you, sir!"
"Of course. Now then, what colour would you like to be? We've got quite a few here."
7101 looked at the paint pots scattered around the Dieselworks as he thought about the livery he wanted to always wear, then he thought about putting the railway in front of his wants.
"Sir, what's your cheapest livery?"
"Don't worry about that. I want you to have fresh start, any livery you like."
"Well... I did always like the livery some of my brothers had on The Western Region. BR green with white cab frames and a yellow warning panels. Could you do that, sir?
"I shall make the arrangements."
"Sir?" Great Northern chimed in. "I think we're forgetting something."
The Fat Controller stopped in his tracks. "We are? Oh, yes!" he turned back to 7101. "7101, what name would you like to have?"
7101 was stunned. "A name? Sir, to be frank, I have no idea where to begin."
"Why not Bear?" Great Northern cut in. "It suits you and how your engine tends to growl at times. Even Henry says that you growled when you passed him by."
"Well, 7101, what do you say?" The Fat Controller asked, hands behind his back. "Would you like to be called Bear?"
"Oh, yes, sir!" 7101 exclaimed happily. "I'd love to have a real name like that. It's much better than having a number, having a name means that you really belong."
Great Northern blew his whistle happily. "I couldn't agree more! Welcome to the fleet, Bear!"
"Indeed," The Fat Controller smiled. "Now, I'll make the necessary arrangements to buy you from British Rail and add you to my fleet. I have the utmost confidence that you will indeed be a fine investment in my railway."
"Thank you, sir! I will be," Bear said as The Fat Controller made his way back to Great Northern. "And thank you, Great Northern. For everything. Please thank Henry me as well."
Great Northern gave the hymek wink. "Not a problem, chap. And I'll let Henry know too."
Word soon spread around of D199's banishment as well as Bear's acceptance into the railway. At the Shunting Yards, Donald and Douglas were talking to each other after the super rescue Henry had done with the two diesels. The twins laughed endlessly at the part where the signalman threatened D199 by taking his tin opener to him. Then they talked about a more serious matter.
"I heard that The Fat Controller has brought that yon' diesel into the fleet," Donald told his brother.
"Ye mean that 7101 fella?" Douglas asked.
"Aye. Apparently, his name is Bear noo."
Douglas laughed. "First Duck and now Bear! Whatever next? Cat? Dog?"
"Or maybe Bunny Rabbit!" Donald hooted as they laughed again. "Seriously though, how do ye feel aboot this new diesel joinin' our fleet, Douggie?"
"If I'm bein' honest, I dinnae really like it when another diesel comes to this railway. I keep thinkin' they're all gonna take our jobs away from us. Just like in Scotland."
"Aye," Donald agreed cautiously. "But remember what happened with Daisy and BoCo? They're nice diesels."
"I was just going to say that too. And from what Henry said, Bear was far better than Spamcan in the first place. He did shut Spamcan up that one night, remember?"
"I remember. I think we should give Bear a chance, unlike we did with BoCo. Dinnae want a repeat with what happened with Great Northern, eh?"
"Och, I certainly don't want any steam blown in my face after what Great Northern did to us that day."
"Did you two just say my name?" The twins almost jumped as their wheels shook nervously. Great Northern had suddenly appeared next to them, seemingly out of nowhere. "You two wouldn't be talking about Bear, now would you?"
"B-Bear?" Donald asked with a nervous smile. "Y-Ye mean that hymek diesel, right? No. No, we weren't!"
"Actually, we were," Douglas said, much to Donald's chagrin as Great Northern cocked an eyebrow and got ready to tell them off. "And before ye say anythin', Donnie and I were just sayin' that we should give yon' Bear a chance, unlike what we did with BoCo. We're really trying to give new diesels here on our railway a chance, Great Northern. Really, we are."
Great Northern stared at the twins, his eyes looking as though they stared right through their boilers. "Alright then, I believe you," he said finally, a sigh of relief followed by the twins. "I'm glad to hear that you have changed for the better. And just so you know, Bear is a good diesel. I can assure you of that. But, if you ever treat Bear wrong, steam in your face will be the last thing you two will worry about."
Great Northern then left for the station, acting as if he had never made the threat towards the Caledonian twins beforehand. The twins were both nervous and scared of what Great Northern might do should they mess up, but most of all, they were just relieved he was gone for now.
Donald rolled his eyes. "Ugh. I'm tellin' ye, Douggie. That Great Northern is way too strict in me book. Acts as if there's stick up his vacuum pipe or somethin'."
"Great Northern is strict but fair," Douglas advised. "But he's like that with everyone." Douglas then sighed deeply. "Sorry, Donnie. But I'd better go and get my train shunted."
"Are ye headin' to Barrow for the night goods train?" Donald asked.
"Aye, and I'm not lookin' forward to it. It's the diesels unlike BoCo and Bear ye gotta watch oot for."
"Speakin' of BoCo, why isn't he takin' the night goods tonight?"
"I heard he's busy with the passenger work on Edward's Branchline, so it's up to me tonight. The Mainland ain't safe now, for any of us."
"And don't we know it?" Donald sighed as Douglas rolled away to sort out his goods train to Barrow.
Soon, Douglas was ready and left with his train to the Mainland. He arrived at Barrow right on time as expected. However, he and his crew were upset to learn that the station master wanted them to shunt their trucks away in the sidings. But they had no choice and got to work. But once Douglas was done shunting and was getting ready for his return journey, he could hear a faint hissing noise.
That sounds like an engine, he thought. The hiss came again. This time, it sounded almost despairing. "Who's there?" he asked.
"Are you a Fat Controller's engine?" inquired a voice, of which had a welsh accent.
"Aye, and proud of it."
"Thank goodness! I'm Oliver. My auto-coach, my brakevan and I are escaping to your railway. But we've run out of coal and we've no more steam."
Douglas was curious. "Is it from scrap yer escapin'?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll be glad to help ye. But we must work fast!"
Both crews joined in. they took off Oliver's side rods, wrote out transit labels and chalked 'SCRAP' everywhere they could on the GWR 14xx, his auto-coach and his brakevan.
Douglas marshalled Oliver and his rolling stock in front of his train. "No time to turn around," he panted. "I'm goin' to run tender first."
"Yeehee! Yeehee!" a passing diesel ran by. "A steamer's escaping! Yoohoo!"
Douglas puffed firmly on. "Dinnae take no notice," he counselled Oliver.
But they were stopped before they could clear the station throat. The foreman's lamp shone on Oliver.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "A Great Western engine." His light flickered further back. "A western auto-coach and goods brakevan too. You can't take these."
"Can't we noo?" asked Douglas' driver. "They're all fer us. See for yourself."
Douglas' guard showed the foreman the labels and papers. Oliver's crew, hiding in the auto-coach, hardly dared to breath. The foreman glossed over the papers and the labels before looking back at Douglas' driver and the guard.
"Seems in order," he said. "But it's queer."
"Sure, it is," began the guard. "But I could tell ye queerer still."
"So, could I," the foreman interrupted. "Alright then, away, guard!"
And with that, Douglas, Oliver, his rolling stock and the rest of train and all made their way out of the station back towards Sodor.
"T'was a near thing," Douglas puffed thankfully.
"We've had worse," said Oliver. "We ran at night. Met friendly signalmen who would pass us from box to box when no trains were about. We got on well until Control heard about a mystery train on the line. Then they tried to hunt us down."
"What did ye do?"
"A signalman let us hide on an old quarry branch. My driver, fireman and guard blocked the cutting with rubbish and levered one of the approach rails away. We stayed there for days, with diesels baying and growling like hounds outside. I was very frightened then."
"Small blame to ye," said Douglas reassuringly.
Presently, they rumbled over the bridge towards Vicarstown and arrived on The North-Western Railway.
"We're home! They cannae catch you noo!"
Oliver was relieved. "Do tell Isabel and Toad, please."
Douglas called out the news and heard a joyful tinga-linga-ling, tinga-linga-ling! He was surprised.
Oliver chuckled. "That's my auto-coach, Isabel. There's a bell on her, you see? She's clever. When we went out together, I pull one way and push the other. When I pull, I can see ahead. When I push, I can't. So, Isabel keeps a good look and rings her bell to talk to me."
Douglas was impressed. "Huh! You dinnae say! And aboot this Toad? Is he-"
"Hold ya wheesht!" his driver interrupted. "Beyond's the Steamworks, we dinnae want to be noticed! We'll slip in unbeknownst and find a place for Oliver here."
Douglas tried to be quiet, but the night foreman of the Steamworks heard them and told him their secret. "I know just the place," he said, and showed them an empty siding nicely hidden away. Oliver said "Goodbye" and "Thank you" as Douglas puffed away.
Yon's an enterprising engine, he thought. I ran away here with Donnie, but I feared to ever do it on me own. I must talk to the others.
Douglas arrived back just in time to see Flying Scotsman take his enthusiasts home. The Fat Controller said they had all been honoured to have him on their railway. They thanked Flying Scotsman and his owner, Alan Pegler for their help.
"Please tell everyone," The Fat Controller went on. "That whatever happens elsewhere, steam will still have its work here. We shall welcome all who want to see and travel behind real engines."
This announcement was greeted with a caucus of cheers. And Flying Scotsman departed to the strains of, "Will ye no come back again". Lead as one might expect, by Donald and Douglas.
At last, once Flying Scotsman had left, he could tell the other engines his news. Douglas sat in front of Duck, James, Gordon, Great Northern, Donald and Emily on the turntable with the latters all sitting outside of their berth roads of the sheds. They were all very excited by news, and all agreed that something must be done for Oliver.
"I fear," said Donald, "that some muderin' diesel may creep in our railway, and Oliver there alone, lacking steam to even whistle for help."
"You're right," agreed James. "Oliver won't be safe until The Fat Controller knows."
"The sooner Sir Charles buys Oliver from British Rail, the better," added Emily.
"Let's just hope Sir Charles is in the buying mood," Great Northern replied cautiously. "However, I wouldn't be surprised if our railway has gotten some nice profits thanks to Flying Scotsman being here."
"Douglas should tell him at once," Gordon said firmly. "He brought Oliver here in the first place."
Douglas was worried. "Is it me who speak to The Fat Controller? It's forward, he'd think me. And me interfering."
"Well, here he is!" exclaimed a cheerful and familiar voice. "Now, what's all this about?"
Duck broke the awkward silence. "Beg pardon, sir. But we do need another engine."
"I agree, Duck. That is why I'm giving 7101 another chance."
The engines faces showed such dismay, that The Fat Controller had difficulty with his own.
"Sir?" Gordon ventured at last. "We had hoped for a steam engine."
"They," said The Fat Controller, "are rare. 'Less one escapes, there's little hope."
"But, sir!" Donald burst out. "One has!"
"Indeed, Donald. And thanks to Douglas, one is now at our Steamworks."
"Sir!" Douglas gasped. "Is there anything ye dinnae know?"
"More than you think," The Fat Controller laughed. "Oliver's crew told me all that you did, Douglas. You've done me very proud indeed."
Douglas blushed. "Och, sir. I couldnae see a poor, wee engine in trouble, and do no more than a wheel's turn."
"More than a wheel's turn, I fancy. Douglas, I am very pleased. Oliver, Isabel and Toad will soon be ours. Oliver and Isabel are just what we need for Duck's new branchline." Loud cheers greeted this announcement. "And Toad wants to be your brakevan, Douglas."
"Thank you, sir. I hoped for that. He and I will do brawly together."
That of course, made everything right. Henry and Great Northern spoke a good word for 7101 to the big engines and they gave him a warm welcome in return. The hymek had good manners for a start, so Henry and Great Northern didn't find it hard teaching him the ways of the NWR. Bear, as he is now called, finds them different from The Other Railway, but much more interesting.
He is also quite a useful engine now. He works well with passengers or goods trains, but he mostly prefers passenger trains, especially when he pulled The Limited. His also looks grand in his dark green livery with white window cabs and yellow warning panels. The others say he looks very smart indeed and is a credit to the railway.
However, they did tease him at first because of his growls. They said, ironically, that he sounded like a bear. He stills growls, but not because he's cross, but because he just can't help it. Bear's name has stuck and his likes it.
"It's much nicer than just a number," he tells the others. "Having a name means you really belong."
All of the engines absolutely agreed.
The Fat Controller had Oliver, Isabel and Toad mended and repainted in full Great Western colours. Then he rescued three more Western auto-coaches. Two, Alice and Mirabel who were painted GWR chocolate and cream, of whom he gave to Duck. And the third, Dulcie, painted GWR maroon, joined Oliver and Isabel.
Duck and Oliver are very happy on their branchline. It runs along the west coast of the island towards The Small Railway. "We re-open branches," the Westerners boast.
They're very proud of this indeed. The others laughed at first and called their branch 'The Little Western'.
Duck and Oliver were delighted.
And now, no one ever thinks of calling it anything else.
