This is kinda a sequel to Toby's Discovery, but we get a good idea as to what happened to the mines before they were shut down.
"Bertram and the Miners"
Starring:
EnterprisingEngine93 as Bertram
The BlueSingle as Peter Sam
TheBlueE2 as Sir Handel
and
James Riddle as Toby
If you were to go down Toby's old line, you will find a hidden pathway that leads to two destinations.
One is Arlesburgh Castle.
Nearby is the other one: Arlesburgh Mine.
The mine used to be a functioning one many years ago. But it had been shut down and abandoned, along with its main engine, Bertram.
Years later, the mine was rediscovered by Toby the Tram Engine, Sir Topham Hatt, and his grandchildren.
And Toby would later meet Bertram after spending the night. Thomas had told him the ghost of someone known as the "Old Warrior" haunted the mine.
But Toby would learn from the signalman that Bertram himself was the "Old Warrior" because he was so brave.
And now Bertram would take tourists around the mine and the castle on the narrow gauge line as he knew about the lines the most.
One morning, Bertram was up bright and early as his driver and fireman stoked his fire.
"Good morning to you all!" Bertram said with a smile.
"Good morning Bertram." Skarloey said, waking up himself. "You seem happy."
"Oh I am Skarloey!" the brown engine said. "I'm taking many tourists around the castle and the mine today!"
"Sounds like a good time." commented Rheneas.
"Yes, a time you won't stop babbling on about!" scoffed Duncan, annoyed.
"Quit your boiler aching Duncan!" scowled Rheneas.
"Yes indeed Duncan." said Bertram. "If you only knew the rich history the castle has, or even the spectacular history the mine has to offer, given I was the engine who worked here."
"He does have a point, Duncan." said Peter Sam.
Duncan rolled his eyes as Bertram puffed away.
"Sometimes I think Bertram is more jollier than Santa Clause," said Sir Handel.
"Is that a bad thing?" joked Peter Sam.
"Not at all." Sir Handel replied. "Though sometimes I wonder about his life during the time he was abandoned at the mines."
"We usually don't ask him about it as we don't want to risk bringing up bad memories." Skarloey replied.
"I wonder if he even has any." Duncan muttered rudely.
"Will you stop that, you rude engine?!" Peter Sam wheeshed crossly.
Bertram collected the blue Skarloey Railway coaches and was one his way.
It wasn't long until Bertram arrived at the mines.
"Ah this place brings back memories." Bertram sighed longingly.
"I swear you're always so calm around here." chuckled his driver.
"This was my home when I first came here." Bertram replied. "This mine still holds many stories to be told."
A familiar bell sounded out. Bertram grinned happily as a familiar brown tram engine came into view.
It was Toby. He was pulling Henrietta as he stopped at the station.
"Good morning Toby!" Bertram greeted happily.
"Good morning Bertram." Toby smiled back. "I brought some tourists to see the castle and the mines."
"Marvelous!" Bertram grinned. "I can't wait for them to see what the castle and mine have to offer."
"Don't be in too much of a hurry!" shouted Bertie the bus as he pulled in. "I got more passengers straight from the Little Western."
"Looks like we're gonna be busy." commented Henrietta.
"The more the merrier!" Bertram beamed.
Soon Toby and Bertram were taking tours around the castle and the mines. The visitors were amazed by the sights, taking pictures to remember the occasion.
"Why were the mines abandoned?" one asked.
"Some say it was because of safety violations, others say it's because the mine dried out of its resources." another said.
Later, Toby was taking on water as Bertram continued his tour around the mine.
"And to think this mine looked very spooky when I first came around here." Toby mused, thinking back to when he first laid eyes upon it.
"I remember, you believed Thomas' story about the old warrior ghost until you found out it was only Bertram." Henrietta chuckled.
"And quite the discovery it was." Toby chuckled back. "And look at it now; the tourists get to see new sights, Bertram is more happy than ever… Bulgy's selling produce."
Bulgy, who had been converted back into a green vegetable bus, was nearby the station selling various fruits and vegetables.
"I say this is much better than complaining passengers." Bulgy quipped.
At that moment, Charlie the purple tank engine came up with some more passengers.
"Hello Toby! I brought more tourists for you and Bertram!" Charlie said.
"Thank you Charlie." Toby said.
Charlie looked around and saw Bertram chatting with the tourists as he too took on water.
"Why do they call him the Old Warrior?" he asked.
"Because he's brave." said Toby. "He was built before the world wars. He's been through a lot in his life and is fearless."
"Sounds like a hero." Charlie commented.
Later, Charlie puffed away to go back to the yards. Toby overheard
"This mine always has its tales to tell." Bertram said. "Some might say it even has secrets not even I know about."
The tourists were surprised.
"But how is that possible? You were the only engine here!" a man said.
"Well there was a helper every now and then. Times were different as they say." Bertram chuckled. "But I do know one thing; some say that if you come out here at night when the moon is out… you can sometimes hear the miners that used to work here a long time ago…"
The guests all murmured in surprise.
Sir Handel then puffed up with the red Skarloey coaches, having heard that last part.
"Is Bertram talking about ghosts?" Sir Handel asked.
"Sounds like it." said Toby.
Sid Handel rolled his eyes. "Please. Everyone knows there is no such thing as ghosts." He turned to Toby. "You know that too Toby."
"Well maybe…" Toby admitted. "I mean, I did initially believe the story about the old warrior until I found out it was Bertram."
"See what I mean?" said Sir Handel. "Honestly I know there are those old tales going around; Timothy the Ghost Train, the ghost of the Old Iron Bridge, and that ghost at the station Henry thought was haunted. But we all know those are old guard's tales."
"You never know." Toby quipped.
Sir Handel rolled his eyes as the passengers disembarked.
That night, Peter Sam was taking a small freight train to the incline.
"I must say, it is rather spooky this time of night." he said to his driver.
"Don't worry Peter Sam." his driver replied. "As long as we focus on our delivery, we'll be ok."
After dropping off their load, Peter Sam made his way back to the sheds. But as he did, he didn't notice he was accidentally sent down the wrong line thanks to a sleeping signalman.
Peter Sam then found himself at the mines.
"This isn't right, this isn't the sheds." Peter Sam said in confusion. "Did we take a wrong turn?"
"We must've." said his driver.
Peter Sam slowed down and came to a stop.
"I suppose we'll have to backtrack to that junction." the green engine sighed.
But before Peter Sam could puff away, he spotted something in the distance.
"Hold on… is that Bertram?" he asked out loud.
In the distance, Peter Sam could see Bertram. He was in the same siding he was in when Toby found him years ago.
"What is he doing here?" Peter Sam asked, puzzled.
He saw that Bertram was talking to a group of people. They were dressed in mining outfits.
"Miners? I thought the mines were shut down." Peter Sam murmured, more confused.
He overheard Bertram talking to them.
"I'm always happy to see you my old friends." he said with a smile. "I hope you will be able to move on someday."
Peter Sam was even more puzzled. What on earth did Bertram mean by that?
The miners all gave Bertram smiles as they walked towards the mine shafts… and disappeared.
Peter Sam was shocked at what he saw. Did those miners just vanish into thin air?!
"W-W-What just h-h-happened?!" Peter Sam stuttered in alarm.
Too confused and suddenly feeling scared, Peter Sam raced back down the line.
Bertram thought he heard puffing noises.
"Hello? Is someone there?"
No reply.
"I wonder if anyone else saw the miners and ran off." Bertram said to himself.
The next morning, Peter Sam was telling some of the other engines what he saw at the yards.
"You were probably seeing things Stuart." suggested Duke. "It was late at night after all."
"I don't know, it just felt so real to me." said Peter Sam.
"Strange stuff has happened on the island before." murmured Skarloey.
"He is right." said Freddie. "I've heard many tales during my time on the line too."
Duncan scoffed. "If anything, it's Bertram that seems to be pulling yer wheels." he said.
"Where is Bertram? I haven't seen him even when I woke up." Sir Handel asked.
"He's back at the mines for another tour." Rusty replied.
"Well I saw him talk to some group." said Peter Sam. "I need to find out what he's up too."
"He's gonna be busy all day like the rest of us." Duke reminded him.
"True." said Peter Sam. "But I know an engine who can help us."
Later…
"You want me to do what?" Toby asked in confusion.
"Apparently ask Bertram if he knows anything about vanishing miners." said Ivo Hugh.
Both engines were at the transfer yards.
"The next time you see Bertram at the mines, castle, or anywhere else, ask him about it." Ivo High went on. "Peter Sam said he saw Bertram speaking to them last night."
"Why would he say something like that?" asked Toby.
Sir Handel then puffed up with a coal train.
"Because apparently that's what he saw in the dead of night after being switched onto the wrong line." the blue tank engine replied. "Do you know something about this Toby?"
"Can't say I do." Toby replied. "Though those mines are still a mystery to this day. And Bertram seems to have the answers to them."
"We'll if it satisfies what Peter Sam thinks he saw last night, by all means get the answers." Sir Handel said.
"I'll do my best." Toby replied.
Later at the mines, Toby and Henrietta had arrived with passengers to take around. They stopped at the station so said passengers could stretch their legs.
At that moment, Bertram puffed up.
"Good afternoon Toby!" Bertram said happily. "How are you today?"
"Very well, thank you Bertram." replied the old tram engine.
Toby paused, for a moment. "Say Bertram? May I ask you something?"
"Of course Toby! Anything at all." Bertram smiled back.
"Well… how do I put this…?" Toby muttered. "Peter Sam got switched onto the line that leads to the mines by accident last night. And he said he saw you talking to some miners."
Bertram stared at Toby.
"And he also said that those miners disappeared into thin air as if they were…. ghosts." Toby added. He looked at Bertram. "Bertram… do you know what Peter Sam may have seen last night?"
Bertram was silent for a moment.
"Toby…" he said. "I do know."
Toby was surprised. "You do? Were they ghosts? Or just regular miners?" he asked.
"I would tell you… but I don't want anyone else knowing about it." said Bertram.
Toby was confused and a little worried. "Why?"
"We have people here Toby." Bertram replied. "I don't want them getting scared from the wrong idea. I'll tell you when I get the chance. And you'll be amazed as the day you discovers both the mine and the castle."
Bertram then puffed away, leaving Toby and Henrietta alone.
"That's wasn't the answer you were looking for, was it?" Henrietta asked.
"Unfortunately no." sighed Toby. "But I know Bertram had a good heart and wouldn't want to do anything bad. Whatever he was doing that night might not be that bad."
With that, Toby puffed away to start his tour.
Later that day, Toby arrived at Crovan's Gate. Peter Sam, Skarloey, and Rheneas were there.
"Any luck?" Peter Sam asked.
"I'm sorry Peter Sam, but I'm afraid not. He didn't really say yes or no to what you saw." Toby replied with a small frown. "We took passengers on tours for a while and then the stationmaster said he had to go take a long goods train back on your line and I haven't seen him since the yours were done."
"Yes Mighty Mac was supposed to take it but they broke down." said Rheneas.
Peter Sam sighed. "Maybe I was seeing things last night." he muttered sadly.
"Cheer up Peter Sam." smiled Skarloey. "We still have a nice evening ahead of us at the quarry."
"That is true." Peter Sam admitted.
Later that evening, Sir Handel was helping Duncan back on the rails by Cros-ny-Cuirn.
"And this is why we don't bump the trucks when the line is under swift repairs." Sir Handel said.
Duncan groaned. "The Stone Quarry has turned you into a Skarloey and Rheneas-wannabe."
"It helped me see more sense." Sir Handel replied back.
"And he does have a point Duncan." Mr. Percival said sternly.
"Sorry sir." Duncan sighed.
The Thin Controller turned to Sir Handel. "Since Duncan damaged his wheels, someone will need to take his late night slate delivery. Sir Handel, do you think you could take it?" he asked.
"I can sir." Sir Handel replied.
That night, Sir Handel set off into the night with his slate wagons.
"Making good time." his driver said.
"Excellent." Sir Handel grinned.
Sir Handel then arrived at the transfer yards where the slate was transferred into Nia's trucks.
And then the blue tank engine set off back to the sheds.
And that was when the fog came down.
"Blasted fog!" Sir Handel muttered. "It was never this bad back on the Mid Sodor Railway."
"Times are different now boy." his fireman replied.
Sir Handel didn't know it, but the points were sent down to the mines as the signalman once again fell asleep.
Sir Handel arrived at the mines, much to his confusion.
"What? This isn't the sheds!" he exclaimed. "That blasted signalman!"
"Looks like we'll be having a word with Mr. Perceval about him since this is the second night in a row." muttered the fireman.
Suddenly, Sir Handel heard puffing noises. He looked and saw Bertram puffing near the mineshaft.
"Bertram?" he said in confusion. "What's he doing here in the middle of the night?"
Sir Handel inched closer.
"I hope you guys weren't missing me too much." he heard Bertram say. "I do work around here during the tourist season."
Sir Handel was confused as he came to a halt.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, figures suddenly appeared right in front of Bertram. They were dressed in miner clothes.
But they were faded as well.
Sir Handel was shocked. He couldn't believe what he had just seen.
"N-No-it… it can't be true!" he exclaimed as he started to shake a little. "Ghost miners?! Was Peter Sam right?!"
"I always miss you guys too since your untimely demise." Bertram said softly.
The miners could only nod softly.
"Tell me, do you still do those little tricks?" Bertram asked.
A ghost miner walked towards the station… and walked right through the wall!
Sir Handel's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe he just saw an actual ghost walk through a wall!
The ghost then re-emerged and rejoined Bertram and the other spirits.
That did it for Sir Handel. With a loud scream, he bucketed down the line as fast as his "steamroller" wheels would let him.
Bertram looked down the line.
"Did you all hear screaming?" he asked.
The next morning at the Blue Mountain Quarry, Peter Sam found Sir Handel by one of the sheds. The blue tank engine looked very spooked.
"Sir Handel?" Peter Sam asked. "Are you ok?"
"I saw them Peter Sam." Sir Handel said quietly.
"Who?" Peter Sam asked.
"Bertram… and the miners." Sir Handel replied, looking at his fellow former MSR co-worker. "But the miners were ghosts."
Peter Sam was surprised. "You did?!" he asked.
"Yes…" Sid Handel replied. He gave a guilty look. "Peter Sam? I'm sorry I didn't believe you."
Peter Sam smiled. "It ok Sir Handel." he said. "I didn't believe in Proteus' lamp before I had quite the adventure. And I wouldn't have believed myself weighed if I never saw it."
Sir Handel chuckled before sighing. "I just wish I knew what Bertram was doing last night. Does he talk to ghosts? Did he even know them?"
"I would ask him, but he's helping out on passenger runs since Grandpuff is at the works." said Peter Sam.
"I guess we'll have to wait until the next time we see him." Sir Handel sighed.
Suddenly, they heard trucks being bumped. They saw Sidney shunting a line of stone trucks together.
"Hello you lot!" Sidney called. "I'm here to work here as usual…" he paused. "Wait… so I usually work here?"
"Right after we see why Sidney's here and not Paxton." Sir Handel deadpanned.
That night, Toby was taking a power generator to the mines down his old line.
"It's a good thing the old one clunked out after the tours were done." said the driver.
"Talk about timing." joked the fireman.
"I'm still wondering what has been going on at the mines lately." said Toby. "And if Bertram is out at the mines at night, what is the reason?"
"Maybe it's a sense of nostalgia." suggested the driver.
"He was abandoned when the mine closed like Duke." reminded the driver.
As Toby puffed into the mines, he looked all around. Memories of his first night there played in his memory.
"Even with the mines restored as a tourist destination, it still looks kinda spooky." Toby murmured.
"Do you still think it's haunted?" joked the driver.
"I'm not really sure." said Toby. "I know Bertram is the Old Warrior, but still."
Toby dropped off the generator in a siding and then puffed away. But as he came close to the station, he suddenly stopped.
"Why did you stop Toby?" his driver asked.
"Look!" Toby whispered loudly.
Toby's crew peeked out from the side of Toby's cab and looked.
There, right by the line that led into the mines was Bertram.
"I know you're out here!" he called. "You're company has arrived my old friends."
The air suddenly grew cold. Toby was nervous, but he knew he had to be brave.
Suddenly, out in the darkness came the miners, faded as could be.
Toby was shocked. "Bust my cowcatcher…" he softly gasped. "Are those… ghosts?"
Bertram smiled. "Hello my old friends. Another lovely night to roam around your old work place I see." he said gently.
Toby was surprised. "Bertram knows them?" he asked.
The tram engine decided to listen in.
The next morning, several of the narrow gauge engines were shunting around the wharf.
"And the weed killer goes… here!" said Peter Sam as he shunted it into the siding.
"Let's hope Fred doesn't try to get out of doing the job again." said Freddie as he puffed away with his goods vans.
Just then, Toby puffed in with a train of coal.
"Hello Toby!" greeted Peter Sam. "Is that for us?"
"I'm making the rounds for your railway, the Arlesdale Railway, and the Culdee Fell Railway." Toby replied.
"That sounds nice." said Peter Sam.
Toby then looked around to make sure no one else was around. He then called back behind him, "OK Bertram, it's only Peter Sam!"
At that moment, the dark brown tender engine puffed up.
"Oh hello Bertram." said Peter Sam. "What brings you here?"
"Toby has told me something interesting when he dropped off a generator to the mines last night." Bertram said with a knowing look.
Peter Sam was surprised and began to look nervous.
Bertram chuckled. "Oh don't worry my dear Peter Sam, I understand why you and your friends would be scared by what you saw." he said. "But I can assure you that there is nothing to worry about."
"Are you sure? Is the mine really haunted?" Peter Sam asked.
"Not necessarily." Toby replied. "Have Sir Handel join us tonight."
"Ok…" said Peter Sam.
But he was nervous inside.
That night, Bertram led Peter Sam and Sir Handel down the line towards the mines.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Sir Handel asked.
"All the other engines are in the sheds and we're going slowly." Bertram replied.
"Not just that, I meant going to the mines when there's the possibility of real ghosts there!" Sir Handel replied.
"Do not fear my dear friend Sir Handel." Bertram said. "There really is nothing to be afraid of."
"I hope so." Sir Handel sighed.
The three engines soon arrived at the mines. Toby was already there.
"Toby? What are you doing here?" Sir Handel asked.
"Bertram gave me a small explanation about what's been going on here and I want to see for myself." Toby replied.
"I'm not sure if even I want to." said Peter Sam, nervous.
Bertram puffed forward a bit.
"My dear old mining friends, I'm here!" he called. "And don't worry about the unfamiliar engines. They're friends of mine as well!"
All was silent as the air grew colder. Peter Sam and Sir Handel were nervous.
At that moment, several ghostly figures of people appeared out of thin air and slowly approached the four engines.
The two former Mid-Sodor engines gasped.
"They are ghosts!" Sir Handel exclaimed.
"Oh they're more than just ghosts Sir Handel… they're my friends." Bertram said.
"You're friends with ghosts?" Peter Sam asked in disbelief. "Well you are the Old Warrior."
"These aren't any ghosts Peter Sam… these are the spirits of the miners I used to work with here at this mine." Bertram explained.
Sir Handel and Peter Sam were surprised.
"They are?" Sir Handel asked.
"They are." said Toby. "Bertram told me after they vanished. But that was all he told me."
"I heard about you accidental adventures down here the past couple of nights and decided you both deserve to know too." said Bertram.
Flashback:
Bertram, as a tank engine, was working around the mines, shunting cars filled with rocks and whatever materials the miners found.
"Good morning everyone! Think you'll find anything extraordinary today?" he asked.
"We just might, Bertram." said a miner with black hair.
"But even if we don't, at least we get the exercise." said a miner with blonde hair.
"Says you! I work up a sweat in the heat already!" scowled a miner with red hair.
Bertram just chuckled.
"The men I worked with were usually the friendly types. They all worked hard to mine anything like coal or whatever surprises lay under the rocks."
We then see Bertram telling stories to the miners.
"I rushed away with the evacuation train as fast as I could. Of course I wasn't as fast as the standard-gauge engines, but I still pressed on."
"And did you make it?" a miner asked.
"I did indeed!" Bertram grinned. "It was a hell raising experience, but I was so happy I was able to get them to safety."
The men applauded.
"The miners also enjoyed any stories I had to tell them. They were indeed very friendly folks. Even when I was rebuilt into a tender engine as the workload was increasing."
We then see the miners standing by the mineshaft when Bertram, now built as a tender engine, puffed up.
"So… how do I look?" Bertram asked.
"A lot longer." said one.
"But you do look stronger." said another.
"I think you'll be able to haul longer loads." said a smaller-sized miner.
"Oh why thank you!" Bertram said happily.
"I always found them a delight to work with. Even if there weren't any other engines to work with, I still found life enjoyable… until one faithful day."
Bertram was waiting outside the mine shafts for the men to finish loading his train.
And then, a rumbling noise sounded out.
Suddenly, the manager came running out shouting, "GET OUT OF HERE FAST! THE MINE'S COLLAPSING!"
At that moment, a large cloud of dust burst out of the mines. Bertram was caught off guard as his crew scrambled into his cab.
"We drove back as fast as we could, various workers running by as the impact caused an avalanche."
"Like what happened with Percy?" asked Sir Handel.
"Yes, but this wasn't caused by runaway trucks."
Everyone was soon a safe distance away. They panted as they waited for the avalanche to subside.
"Is everyone alright?" the manager asked.
A chorus of yeses sounded out when he noticed something.
"Hold on…" he began counting the men. "We're missing six people!"
"But where could they be?" asked Bertram.
"Our answer was given when we went back to inspect the mines. As we feared, the six men had been in the mines when the shafts collapsed. They had gotten out… but the avalanche got them… they didn't survive…"
We then see smartly-dressed gentlemen talking with the manager.
"An investigation went in and found out the shafts had been unstable after years of aging. And heavy rainfall from the day before hadn't helped. Of course they didn't blame us. But because the finances and costs that came out of the investigation were hectic. The miners had to be laid off… and the mine had to close do to the collapse."
We then see the miners leaving and Bertram was parked in a siding.
"I'm sorry Bertram, but no railway will want an old engine like you." the manager said sadly.
"So am I gonna be scrapped?" Bertram asked.
"Not at all." the manager said. "You're a good ending Bertram. Maybe someday you'll be found. But I'll keep you hidden here so no scrap merchants still get to you. This line will pretty much be abandoned so they won't find anything."
"I felt a little better heading that. And in the fall of 1955, the mine was closed. I was all alone. The only company I would get would be a signalman on duty. No one was able to sell me since the manager would eventually pass on from natural causes. But like Duke, I held onto hope."
Bertram stood alone in the siding. We then see it turn to night.
"It had been one year since the accident. I was still sitting in the siding all alone, still trying to keep up hope. And that was when I felt a cold chill run through my old wheels. And yet I was getting the strangest feeling that I wasn't alone, and I didn't mean the signalman on duty."
Bertram looked around his surroundings. He then began to hear footsteps.
"Hello? Is someone there?" he called out.
No one replied.
"Hey it's ok! There's no need to be afraid!" Bertram called. "I'm not gonna hurt you… Besides, I can't even move."
"At that moment, I could hear more footsteps. They appeared to get a little louder. It was almost as if they were right next to me. And that was when I saw them… six ghosts standing right beside me."
The ghosts stared at Bertram.
"Bust my boiler… real ghosts!" Bertram exclaimed. He took a closer look. "Hold on… wait… y-you're those miners that died in the avalanche!"
The figures simply nodded before they began to walk away.
"Wait hold on!" Bertram called. "Why are you here?"
The ghosts stopped without looking.
"How come you aren't resting with your loved ones? Why are you haunting the mines?" he called.
They were silent for a moment. They then looked over towards the mines. Bertram followed their gaze.
"Oh I see… the avalanche cut your lives short." Bertram said softly. "You're lost spirits, aren't you? You weren't able to fully live your lives."
The miners could only face Bertram.
"Well hey if you're lost… maybe you could use some company…" Bertram offered with a small smile.
The miners looked at Bertram with curtiosity.
"I mean, we're all stuck here." Bertram went on. "Maybe we could be each other's company… and not feel so alone… or lost… would that be nice?"
There was a long silence.
And then, the miners walked forward and crowded around Bertram.
"Thank you…" Bertram said with a soft smile.
"And from that night on, I never felt alone again… at least at night. I would tell them stories from the old days. Sometimes they would talk too. It felt like the old days before the incident. We had each other; abandoned souls and an abandoned engine."
Present:
Sir Handel, Peter Sam, and even Toby all looked at Bertram in surprise and awe.
"You befriended the ghosts of your miner friends?" asked Peter Sam.
"We were friends in life and it just continued even after they were killed." Bertram replied.
"I'm surprised that you weren't even scared of them." said Sir Handel.
Bertram laughed. "My dear Sir Handel, I've been through the atrocities of both wars. I had to brave a lot of things. The subject of ghosts never really fazed me." he replied.
"An engine befriending ghosts." mused Toby. "You really are brave Bertram. No wonder you're called the 'Old Warrior.'"
"And you still speak to them to this day… even though you're not abandoned anymore?" asked Peter Sam.
"They're my friends even after death." Bertram replied. "After Toby found me and the mines were made into a tourist attraction like the castle, I thought they would've moved on to the afterlife after all these decades." He paused. "But one night when I decided to spend the night due to being tired out… I saw them. And that was 10 years ago. I guess they missed being able to interact with their old steam engine friend as we had interacted for so many years."
"So are they still lost souls?" asked Peter Sam.
"No." Bertram said softly. "They just like to be around here, especially seeing it as a functioning tourist destination. They don't haunt… they just roam."
"So that's why you come here at night?" Toby asked.
"It was harder compared to ten years ago." Bertram said. "But with more engines coming here, it felt easier."
"So how come you never told us about this?" asked Sir Handel.
"Well not many of the engines around the island believe in ghosts." said Bertram. "And I didn't want people to get the wrong idea and think this place is haunted. And then the mines would close again."
"So how come you're telling the three of us?" asked Peter Sam.
"I felt as though you deserve the truth after what you saw these past few nights." Bertram replied. He frowned in guilt. "I'm sorry I never told you and not give you proof."
The three engines smiled.
"That's ok Bertram." smiled Toby. "We understand."
"And it's nice to know that we have good ghosts on the island." said Sir Handel. He paused. "Does this mean the other ghost stories are real?"
"They could be." said Bertram. "So do you think you can keep this a secret until I'm comfortable enough to tell the others?"
The three engines traded glances.
"Of course we can." smiled Peter Sam.
"Thank you." Bertram said thankfully. He turned to the ghost miners. "Looks as though you have new friends." he chuckled.
The ghost miners could only smile a little.
"There's one more thing I don't get." said Sir Handel. "How did the story of the Old Warrior turn into a story about him being a ghost that lights his fire and goes hunting at night?"
Bertram chuckled. "Oh I had been known as the Old Warrior since I braved both wars. But I guess since I was abandoned, some forgot about me and assumed I had been scrapped. I guess the details were mixed up and the legend of the Old Warrior turned into one about a vengeful ghost hunter."
"I suppose that makes sense." said Peter Sam.
And they all talked into the night, all until the four engines had to go back to their sheds to sleep.
The next day, Toby arrived at the mines with more passengers. Bertram was already waiting with his coaches. Sir Handel and Peter Sam were there too. Sir Handel had Gertrude and Mililicent, and Peter Sam had the Refreshment Lady's coach.
"Helping out with the tours today?" Toby asked in amusement.
"Well it is the weekend. Thought we'd help out." Sir Handel replied.
"And the Refreshment Lady wanted to set up shop in another unique area today." added Peter Sam.
"I'm very happy to see you lending a buffer during one of our busier days." smiled Bertram.
Toby watched fondly when he saw Mr. Percival walk up.
"This place and the castle really know how to attract tourists," he said. "But they do have many stories to tell. From its people to any engine that ran here years ago."
"Agreed sir." said Toby.
"Especially if said people are still around to this day." Mr. Percival added.
Toby's eyes widened. He looked at Mr. Percival, who smirked.
"You knew…?" Toby asked in surprise.
"You don't think I would've noticed Bertram sneaking out in the middle of the night to come here?" he asked. "I would eventually find out."
"So you know about the ghost miners too?" Toby asked.
"Bertram explained everything to me." Mr. Percival said. "And I got to see them myself one night years. And I understand that they mean no harm to either railway and how much they mean to Bertram."
"That's very nice of you sir." smiled Toby. He looked at the narrow gauge engines. "Do you think the miners will eventually move on to the afterlife permanently?"
Mr. Percival shrugged. "Only time will tell Toby." he said. "But until then, these ghosts are no harm to us."
Toby could only agree.
Nowadays, whenever Toby, Sir Handel, or Peter Sam are out at night and not busy, sometimes they would stop by the mines and give a quick hello to the miners. Bertram continued to do so as well whenever he had the chance.
They decided to let the other narrow gauge engines figure it out themselves, though they figured the older ones like Skarloey, Rheneas, and Duke would understand.
As for the ghost miners, maybe they will move on. Only time will tell.
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Bertram - EnterprisingEngine93
Skarloey - SodorFan2k10
Rheneas JakeBraker123
Duncan - Victor Tanzig
Peter Sam - TheBlueSingle
Sir Handel - TheBlueE2
Toby - James Riddle
Bertie - Ryansock
Henrietta - DarkYoshiMagic
Bulgy - Narrow Gauge
Charlie - SplendidEngine05
Duke - Thomas1Edward2Henry3
Freddie - Victor Tanzig
Rusty - RichardHunslet1993
Ivo Hugh - LadyTehPikachu
Mr. Percival - NWR1991
Sidney - EpicLafiteau
Other voices by me
Hope you all enjoyed this! I tried my best to do this kind of take on a ghost story.
And yes, I based Sir Handel on his more wiser, kinder, but also slightly cheeky personality since his his reintroduction in Season 10. If Mavis can improve her behavior, so can he.
See you in the final story!