August 23rd, 1963
It's been a while now.
I still haven't told anyone about what I saw at Swindon, although I think it might be better that way. I also noticed I didn't have as many passengers today as I usually do.
I wonder why?
After my first passenger run, I asked Manager if I could do some shunting with Riddles and Andy at the harbor. I've got to take my mind off of it all somehow.
But I can't stop thinking about it.
What Jeremy said was true.
Steam is coming to an end. Diesels are taking over.
Any day now, I could end up like Will or Jinty.
Speaking of Jinty, I think I've finally figured out why he came to our yard.
He was just passing through; he was on a journey to somewhere. And now I think I know where he was going for certain.
He told us the day before he left. He once went to a place called the Island of Sodor, to stand in for the engines who were there. He told us about how things worked there, that an engine is truly free on that island.
My theory is that Jinty must've known about dieselization and tried to make a break for it, but Boxy caught him before he could get any further.
At least, I guess it was Boxy. He was helping that other diesel cart him off to Swindon – likely to be scrapped.
Wretched, old, smelly box, I hope he breaks down soon.
I also talked to Andy about it while I was at the Harbour. He told me what little he knew more about the Island of Sodor. It looks like he knew more than he'd first let on; we get fish and ballast from there apparently. I can only wonder if Jinty knew about the ballast there. It seems cleaner than anything I've ever seen on the line.
Ever since Manager told me Jinty left a few days ago, I had a feeling he was on his way to the island. Actually I think I might have known it after he told us that story about Thomas.
Now he seems like an interesting sort of engine.
After I finished at the harbor, I saw Toad in a siding near the sheds. Poor thing looked so sad, and there was nothing I could really do to help.
Now that I mention it, maybe Toad knows what Jinty's plan was. I'll see about asking him tomorrow, or when he doesn't look so disturbed.
