Welcome to the final 2022 Spooktober story!
This story is a sequel to Duncan Gets Spooked as you can imagine. But what is the full story? Wait and see…
"Spirit of the Bridge"
Starring
Luke Ryan as Luke
Victor Tanzig as Duncan
RichardHunselt1993 as Rusty
Featuring
TheBlueSingle as Peter Sam
with
JakeBraker123 as Rheneas
and
SodorFan2k10 as Skarloey
The Skarloey Railway is one of two narrow gauge railways on the Island of Sodor. Many engines work on it to make sure it's functioning like clockwork.
The Skarloey Railway also has many destinations.
There's Crovan's Gate station, their biggest station on the line.
Henry was waiting for Skarloey to arrive with his passenger train. The little red engine puffed in.
"Good morning Skarloey. Right on time!" Henry praised.
"Good morning Henry. And I always try to be." greeted Skarloey.
"Have a good run in this beautiful weather?" Henry asked.
"Oh yes. Both the passengers and coaches enjoyed the weather as much as me and my crew did." Skarloey chuckled as he faced the coaches and guard's van. "Isn't that right ladies?"
"Oh yes Skarloey!" Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice said in happy unison, earning a chuckle from Skarloey and Henry.
Then there's the Blue Mountain Quarry, where stone is distributed.
Paxton arrived in the yard with some empty trucks.
"Morning everyone!" Paxton called.
That jolted Merrick awake. "Huh? What? Oh, uh, good morning Paxton." the crane said.
Paxton packed up next to Owen the incline. "Ready when you are Owen!" he called.
"Load me up Rusty!" Owen called down below. "First load of the day!"
Rusty shunted the stone trucks into position.
"Send them down Owen!" the little diesel called.
And Owen did so.
But there's one location that when mentioned, you immediately think of ghosts.
And that is the Old Iron Bridge.
Many years ago, Duncan, the SKR's number 6, had quite the experience. After teasing Peter Sam for losing his trucks that ran away and fell into the ravine below, Rusty told him a story of an engine that once fell off the bridge decades ago and haunts it. Both Peter Sam and Duncan's crews tricked Duncan into thinking there was a ghost, scarring the yellow tank engine out of his wits.
Eventually, they told Duncan the truth. At first he was cross and also embarrassingly "admitted" that he knew all along.
But sometimes he would feel uneasy whenever he crossed it.
"Relax Duncan. There's no such thing as ghosts." he said one day as he took a train of salute across the bridge.
One day at the sheds, the narrow gauge engines were talking.
"So how was work up at the quarry?" asked Skarloey.
"No avalanches for one." said Rusty.
"And twice we had to wake Merrick up even though it was the afternoon," muttered Sir Handel.
"Yes… but still a good day." Rusty went on.
"The passengers were all very cheery today." Peter Sam said. "They absolutely loved the Refreshment Lady's new recipes."
"She always makes wonderful refreshments our crews enjoy." said Skarloey.
"I had to cross that bridge again." Duncan said.
"Afraid the ghost was gonna get you?" teased Peter Sam.
"Ach! Would you shut up about that already!?" gruffed Duncan. "Besides, I knew it was just a prank."
"I'm lost." said Luke. "What are you guys talking about?"
"Oh that's right, you hadn't arrived on the island yet." said Rusty.
"Years ago Rusty and Peter Sam played a prank on Duncan to get him back for teasing the latter." said Sir Handel. "I learned about it after I came back from the stone quarry."
"Duncan's crew was in on it too." said Rusty. "With a combination of leaving late, throwing a rock over the bridge, and the mist at night, Duncan really thought it was for real."
"Well it looked real!" Duncan protested. "Especially when that shape of an engine appeared in front of me!"
"What shape of an engine?" Luke asked.
"They were fireflies." Duncan replied. "They formed the shape of an engine right in front of me."
"That does sound kinda spooky." Luke admitted. "What was the story?"
"It was about an engine who tried to cross the Old Iron Bridge but fell off into the swamps below, never found again." said Duncan. "But he still haunts it whenever the moon is full. Rusty told it to me."
"Ah it was just an old guard's tale I heard." Rusty said. "In the end, we told Duncan the truth."
As they talked, none of them saw Skarloey and Rheneas looking down sadly.
"Old guard's tale. Huh." Rheneas muttered.
"I think we should tell them the truth." said Skarloey.
"Are you sure? It was hard on all of us back then." said Rheneas.
"Only us and the people back then Rheneas." corrected Skarloey. "But I feel as though enough time has passed."
At that moment, Mr. Percival rolled up on his bike.
"I need an engine to pick up a train of coal from the Transfer Yards from the standard gauge railway." he said. "Any volunteers?"
"I can do it sir!" Luke piped up.
"Very well Luke. Thank you." Mr. Percival said.
And the Thin Controller biked away.
"Well I'll see you guys later!" Luke said with a smile.
And with that, the Irish tank engine puffed away.
On his way to the Transfer Yards, Luke crossed the Old Iron Bridge. Rusty's story came to mind as he crossed. He peered down into the water, nervously.
"Looking for something Luke?" his driver asked.
"Not really, driver." said Luke. "I was just thinking about that ghost story Rusty mentioned."
"Do you believe it?" asked the fireman.
"I'm not really sure." Luke replied. "I mean, it's an interesting story. But strange things have happened on this island."
Luke was soon over the bridge.
The sun was close to setting by the time Luke arrived at the Transfer Yards and backed up to a train of coal cars. Nia was there, having delivered the train.
"Hello Luke! Doing the coal delivery tonight?" Nia asked.
"Yep! Just got to get them to the main coal bunkers." Luke replied.
"Well be careful out on the line tonight." advised Nia. "It's supposed to be misty tonight."
"Asante Nia." Luke smiled.
"I see someone knows Swahili." Nia chuckled.
"I learned French for Millie. It doesn't hurt to try other languages." Luke replied.
The guard blew his whistle and Luke set off.
Luke made his run to the coal bunkers lacking coal around the railway.
By the time he was done, night had fallen. Luke was on his way back to the sheds.
That was when the fog came down. Luke was wary of his surroundings even as his headlamp shone around.
"I must say, the mist sure makes everything spooky." Luke murmured to himself.
Luke soon rounded a bend. And up ahead stood the Old Iron Bridge.
Luke was nervous. He was still wary of the story, but the mist made the high bridge look spookier.
"There's no such thing as ghosts. There's no such thing as ghosts. There's no such thing as ghosts…" Luke mumbled to himself.
As the green tank engine's wheels made their way onto the bridge, he spotted fireflies.
"Oh how lovely." Luke smiled before he suddenly screeched to a stop.
"Luke what are you doing?" his driver asked.
"LOOK!" Luke shouted.
Up ahead through the mist on the other side of the bridge stood the silhouette of an object. But as the mist moved around, Luke could see that the silhouette took the form of an engine. It looked remarkably similar to Skarloey.
"Skarloey? Is that you?" Luke called.
But there was no response. The engine simply stood on the other side of the bridge. It then began to move forward.
"Hello? Can you hear me?" Luke called. "Can you see me?"
There was no response as the engine drew closer. Luke was now getting nervous.
Suddenly, as the engine was halfway across the bridge, it suddenly swung over the edge and fell!
"Oh no!" Luke gasped as he charged forwards. But the moment he got to the spot where the engine fell, he didn't hear a splash. "What… where did he go?" Luke asked in confusion.
"Did he fall?" asked the driver.
"Yes but I didn't hear a splash!" said the fireman.
"But he-he-he-he fell! How is there no splash! It's a long way down but even an engine that size should make a splash!" Luke exclaimed in complete confusion.
"That makes zero sense!" said the driver as he and the fireman carefully peered over the edge.
"Oh I hope that engine is ok…" Luke said worriedly.
Suddenly, Luke's memory shot back to earlier in the day at the sheds as his crew reentered his cap in befuddlement.
"It was about an engine who tried to cross the Old Iron Bridge but fell off into the swamps below, never found again. But he still haunts it whenever the moon is full. Rusty told it to me."
Duncan's words circled in Luke's mind as the SKR's Number 22 suddenly went pale.
"No… no it-it can't be!" Luke spluttered.
Suddenly, the sound of someone screaming filled the air followed by a large splash.
"IT'S THE GHOST OF THE BRIDGE!" Luke screamed.
Before his driver and fireman could do anything, Luke shot backwards, racing as fast as he could until he was far away from the bridge.
The next morning at Crovan's Gate yards, Rusty and Duncan were at the Standard and Narrow Gauge sheds. The standard gauge berths were occupied by Thomas, Boco, and Hiro.
"So has anything exciting happened on the railway recently?" asked Thomas.
"Well a while back Peter Sam speculated that strange things had been going on at the mines Toby discovered," said Duncan.
"Strange things happen on this island all the time." Thomas pointed out. "Even during the early days."
"Thomas is indeed correct." said Hiro. "Even before my breakdown, I felt as though strange things have happened on this island too."
"What about your old home in Japan?" asked Rusty.
Hiro chuckled. "Sometimes, but I feel as though Sodor has more of them."
"Well Sodor has a pretty colorful history," said Boco. "The oldest engines like Edward, Duke, Skarloey, and Rheneas can tell you that."
"Ach, we know." grunted Duncan.
At that moment, Luke puffed into the yards. But he was looking very tired.
"Bust my buffers Luke, what happened to you?" Rusty asked in surprise.
"Aye you look like you didn't get a wink of sleep last night." said Duncan.
"I barely did." Luke muttered.
"Where were you last night?" asked Rusty. "You didn't come back to the sheds. We were about to send out a search party until Skarloey's driver got a text from yours saying you were spending the night somewhere else.
"I slept in my old tunnel at the Blue Mountain Quarry." Luke replied. "I saw something that scared me out of my wheels."
"Was it a stray truck?" Duncan asked. "Those little buggers are always a pain in the pistons."
"No it was something more frightening." Luke shivered. "Duncan, Rusty… I think the story of the Old Iron Bridge is true."
Everyone was surprised.
"What are you talking about Luke?" Duncan asked.
"I saw him. The engine from the story!" Luke exclaimed.
"Are you sure?" asked Rusty.
"Yes I'm sure!" Luke replied. He explained what had happened that night as the engines listened attentively.
"Are you sure he fell into the water?" Thomas asked.
"My crew checked this morning." Luke replied. "But there was no one there! No engine, no crew, no nothing!"
"This is very strange." murmured Hiro.
"Could the story really be true?" asked Duncan. "Rusty, where did you hear that story?"
"Just from an old radio story from back in the day." Rusty replied. "I thought nothing of it until I decided to use it on you in that prank."
"Well there's always more to stories than meets the eye." Boco said.
Nearby in the sheds, Skarloey and Rheneas were listening in.
"Oh dear. It looks like Luke had an encounter last night." Skarloey sighed.
"I wonder why he's only appearing now." Rheneas said.
"He's always been there Rheneas." Skarloey sighed. "We may need to tell them. Maybe we should tell them all."
"Do you think they'll believe us?" asked Rheneas.
"Perhaps." Skarloey replied. "As Thomas said, strange things have happened on this island."
Throughout the day, things ran like normal on the Skarloey Railway. But Luke was still thinking about his encounter as he worked at the Blue Mountain Quarry.
"Could the story really be true? Or was I really seeing things?" Luke muttered as he sat in a siding.
"You still thinking about the story?" asked Rusty as he pulled up.
"I am Rusty. It felt so real." Luke sighed. "And I'm still wondering why the engine looked like Skarloey."
"It is strange." nodded Rusty. "I'm just wondering if the story could be true after all."
"And could there be more to the story?" asked Luke. "There usually are to many ghost stories."
"I suppose." said Rusty. "But I wonder who could know more about this engine."
At that moment, Paxton's horn could be heard.
"I'd better get back to work." said Rusty as he dieseled away. "Bye Luke!"
"Bye Rusty!" Luke called.
But Luke was still puzzled and nervous for the rest of the day.
Down at the incline, Duncan had just arrived with some empty slate cars.
Ivo Hugh and Jim were shunting trucks around.
"Oh hello Duncan!" Ivo Hugh called. "Here to pick up a delivery?"
"Yes I am." said Duncan. "But it doesn't have to go out until tonight. So the Thin Controller said I can help out here."
"We sure do need the help." Ivo Hugh said. "We got a longer order that's meant to go out tomorrow."
"The winch jammed for almost an hour but we got it working again." said Jim. "But we're a bit behind. If you can help us right away Duncan, that would be most helpful."
"If you say so." Duncan replied. And he set to work.
Dusk broke over the island as Duncan got his train arranged. Ivo Hugh and Jim had already gone home for the night.
"I'm looking forward to a smooth run tonight." said Duncan.
"We should be careful." said his driver said. "There's supposed to be mist tonight."
"Ah great." Duncan groaned. "Well at least I have a lamp."
Duncan set off with his train into the night.
The mist had begun to rise as Duncan went on his way.
"Blasted mist." Duncan grumbled. Though as he went on his way, the sights around him looked very spooky.
Duncan was now nervous. Luke's words came back to him.
"I really hope Luke was seein' things." Duncan muttered to himself. "I really hope there isn't a ghost. That one night was bad enough."
Suddenly, a whistle filed the air, making Duncan jump.
"AH! What was that?!" Duncan yelled.
He looked and saw that it was only George the Steamroller, doing some roadwork.
"What's the matter Duncan? Scared of whistles now?" George taunted.
"Oh buzz off!" Duncan snapped. "And by the way, Sir Handel has better steamroller wheels than you!" he added with a smirk.
George seethed as Duncan went on his way.
Duncan's smug demeanor soon changed as he rounded the bend. And there before him stood the Old Iron Bridge.
Duncan was very nervous as unpleasant memories came back to his head. Even though it was all a prank, it was still a very spooky night all those years ago.
Duncan was halfway across when he suddenly stopped.
"Duncan, why did you stop?" asked his driver.
"Look ahead!" Duncan exclaimed.
There in front of Duncan stood the figure of an engine in a similar shape as Skarloey. But it was black… and almost faded.
"What is that?" asked the fireman.
Duncan was pale as he stared at the figure in front of him. The engine stood motionless ahe he stared at Duncan.
"Y-Y-Y-You!... Y-You're the g-g-host!" Duncan stammered.
The engine hissed steam, making Duncan more nervous.
"What… what do ya want with me?" Duncan asked.
The engine began to slowly move forward.
Duncan was startled and began to move backwards.
"What are ya doing?!" he cried. "Can't ya see I'm right here?!"
But the engine didn't respond. The only noise it made was its puffing, echoing around the ravine the bridge was built across.
As the mist parted, Duncan gasped. The engine was revealed to be a faded tank engine with black paint. His face was expressionless as well as he slowly puffed across the bridge.
Duncan was soon over the halfway point of the bridge when he stopped.
"Please! Don't hurt me! I dinnae mean to disturb your resting place!" Duncan wailed.
Suddenly, the engine hit a section of the track and swung over the edge and fell off the bridge.
"Bust my buffers!" Duncan cried in shock as he bolted forwards.
But the moment Duncan stopped at the spot where the engine fell and looked down… there was no one there.
"What in blazes?! Where is he?!" Duncan cried.
His crew was just as baffled.
"Duncan?! Duncan is that you?!"
Duncan jumped when he looked ahead. There, coming from the other side was Rusty.
"Rusty?! What the devil are ya doin' here?!" Duncan asked.
"I was working late at the quarry," said Rusty. "I was on my way back to the sheds when I saw that engine traveling down the line. I thought it was Skarloey. I called out to him, but he didn't say anything. Where did he go?"
Duncan was now shaking. "Rusty… that engine… he fell off the bridge!" he cried.
Rusty was shocked. "What?! But you just came across just fine!" he exclaimed "How can-"
A loud splash echoed around the ravine, followed by a loud whistle. Rusty and Duncan paled when they realized one thing:
"IT'S THE GHOST!" they yelled.
"Get me out of here!" Duncan yelled as he bolted down the line backwards. "I don't wanna deal with this again!"
Duncan shot down the line as Rusty followed him.
The next morning, Rusty and especially Duncan were sleep-deprived as they hadn't slept well from their encounter. Rusty had taken Dunca's train so the yellow tank engine could go back to the sheds and recover.
All the engines took notice of this.
"Boy, you two look like you didn't get any sleep last night." said Fred.
"Especially you Duncan." said Sir Handel.
"What happened, did you have a nightmare?" asked Mighty.
"Or did you decide to party like it was the 90's like last week?" joked Mac.
"It was the town's celebration for clean running water." Mighty reminded him.
"Still it was songs from Dixie Chicks to no end!" Mac complained.
"It wasn't that!" Duncan snapped. "We… saw him."
"Saw who?" asked Peter Sam.
"Who else?" Duncan asked. "The ghost of the Old Iron Bridge, that's what!"
The engines were surprised.
"Are you sure?" asked Ivo Hugh.
"I thought that was just a prank from decades ago." said Fred.
"At first I thought it was." said Rusty. "But after what we saw last night, it was more than that."
"It was scary." said Duncan. "He fell off the bridge right in the middle of it."
"Are you sure?" asked Peter Sam.
"Of course I'm sure!" Duncan snapped.
"It was just like what I saw two nights ago!" exclaimed Luke. "Guys, we can't deny it anymore; the story of the Old Iron Bridge is true! A ghost haunts it!"
The engines all murmured together.
"Could it really be true?" asked Freddie. "One sighting wouldn't be enough, but three?"
"I always thought it was an old guards' tale,'' said Fred.
"It's more than that Fred."
Everyone looked at Skarloey and Rheneas, the latter whom had spoken.
"The story is true." Skarloey said grimly. "There is a ghost that haunts the Old Iron Bridge."
"How can you be sure Skarloey?" asked Duke.
"Because Rheneas and I… knew him…" Skarloey sighed.
The engines were surprised.
"You knew him?" asked Luke.
"It was a long time ago." Rheneas said. "Long before any of you arrived."
"So back when it was only you and Skarloey on the line." said Rusty.
"Indeed." said Rheneas. He turned to he brother. "Do you want me to tell them or…"
"No I can." Skarloey sighed. "Rheneas and I never said any of the sort was because his loss was a hard it for us… especially me."
"Why you?" asked Freddie.
Skarloey sighed and admitted,
"He was our brother."
The engines gasped.
"Your… brother?!" exclaimed Duncan.
"But I thought Talyllyn and Dolgoch were your brothers!" said Sir Handel.
"They are our twins." Rheneas clarified. "We have more than two siblings."
"But he was the prototype for my design." Skarloey said. "His name was Tobias."
Flashback, Talyllyn Railway, 1865:
We see Skarloey, Rheneas, Talyllyn, Dolgoch, and the black tank engine working on the railway, taking passengers, and freight, around. Like Skarloey back when he was first, he too was cabless.
"Tobias was the prototype for mine and Talyllyn's design. And he was a hard worker on our old line."
Skarloey was dropping off a freight train when Tobias puffed up.
"Hello Skarloey." Tobias greeted. "I hear that you and Rheneas will be going to another railway in the coming weeks."
"Indeed we are. But we will miss you here in Wales." Tobias muttered sadly.
"You can always come to visit." said Skarloey. "And maybe then we'll finally have cabs so our crews won't have to keep clutching their umbrellas while they work."
"Oh if only." Tobias chuckled.
"He always took great care taking his trains, making sure they were on time. And there was something he enjoyed when he wasn't busy. Though that sort of thing was at night."
We see Skarloey, Rheneas, Talyllyn, Dolgoch, and Tobias resting in the sheds. But Tobias was smiling as he stood outside his shedbirth.
"What's he doing? Won't he get cold?" asked Talyllyn.
"I have my suspicions." said Dolgoch with a knowing smile.
The four engines saw fireflies swirling around the area.
"Oh I see. Tobias always loves fireflies." said Talyllyn.
"What can I say?" Tobias chuckled. "They're very nice to look at. Their lights are so majestic that it almost feels like magic."
"I will admit, they do look very nice." said Rheneas.
"And pretty." Skarloey admitted.
Present:
"Well everyone has a soft spot for something," said Luke. "Like Henry and his forest."
Skarloey Railway, 1900:
Skarloey and Rheneas, now with cabs, are seen taking either coaches or freight cars around their line.
"Rheneas and I arrived to Sodor in 1865. We worked hard to keep it our line running even with just two of us. And then years after Rheneas and I arrived on the railway, we got a surprise. We were tasked to take a long order down from the mines as it had just opened. And then we got a surprise."
Skarloey and Rheneas made their way down to the mines.
"I heard that the mines had just gotten it's own private engine." said Skarloey.
"That was quick, it only opened last week." said Rheneas.
"Well they'll need it." Skarloey pointed out. "We can't always rely on the Mid-Sodor Railway to supply our line when they need to supply theirs already."
They arrived at the mines and were shocked to see a familiar black engine taking on water. Even with a rebuilt cab, it was clear who it was.
"Skarloey! Rheneas!" Tobias grinned. "Oh I can't believe you guys are here! I was hoping I would see"
"Tobias?! This really is a surprise!" exclaimed Skarloey.
"So you're the private engine of the mines?" Rheneas asked.
"Indeed I am." Tobias smiled. "It'll keep me busy. I'm not as young as I used to be, prototype and all."
"Nonsense, you're still a good worker! Our siblings can agree to that." said Skarloey.
"Even so, I am glad to still have a job." said Tobias.
"Well we'll be looking forward to seeing you while we work. Even if it isn't often." said Rheneas.
"But it is so good to see you." Skarloey smiled. "Tell us, how are our siblings?"
"All back home or are on other railways." Tobias replied. "Talyllyn and Dolgoch miss you and hope they can come visit."
"We hope so too." smiled Skarloey. "It's good to have you here."
"And I'm happy to be here." Tobias smiled. "I hope to see you around while I'm here."
"Likewise Tobias." Rheneas smiled.
"And that was what it was like for years. Tobias worked hard around the mines, arranging trucks into trains for me, Rheneas, and any visiting engine to take. And if he had to, Tobias would take a train himself if we were busy."
One day in 1922, Tobias pulled into the Transfer Yards with a train of slate. Edward was there waiting.
"So you're the brother of Skarloey and Rheneas." Edward said. "Tobias, right?"
"That's right." Tobias smiled. "I work at the mines as a private engine."
"Private or not, you are a hard worker." Edward smiled.
"I try my best to, just like back in Wales." the black tank engine replied.
"Tobias even lent a buffer if me and Rheneas were overworked ourselves."
One day in 1924, Skarloey pulled into Rheneas station with a passenger train, his face almost as red as his paintwork. Tobias was taking on water.
"Hello Skarloey. You looked puffed out." Tobias commented.
"I'm in need of a refit." Skarloey panted. "But I can't let the passengers down even if I feel worn."
"Here. I'm not due at the mine for a while." said Tobias, puffing up to the back of the train. "I'll push you to the next station. That way we can both do the work and you won't feel any strain."
"Tobias, you don't have to." Skarloey tried to say.
"Skarloey, I want to help you." Tobias smiled. "You'll need a long rest after working so hard. The least I can do is take some of the strain off."
Skarloey smiled. "Thank you Tobias."
"You're my brother Skarloey. It's the least I could do." Tobias smiled back.
The guard blew his whistle and the engines set off.
Another day in 1925, Rheneas arrived at the mines, though he was coming in very slowly.
Tobias was shunting trucks nearby when he saw him come in.
"Why the slow pace, Rheneas?" he asked.
"I'm almost out of water." Rheneas muttered. "And I won't have time to get filled up because I need to take that train you arranged right away."
"Here, you get filled up and I'll take the train." Tobias offered. "You can help arrange stuff here."
"Oh thank you Tobias." Rheneas smiled. "I could really use a drink."
"And I could use the change of scenery." Tobias chuckled as he buffered up to Rheneas and brought him to the water tower. "Besides, what are brothers for?"
Present:
The engines were impressed by the story.
"Wow… Tobias seems like a very nice engine." Luke smiled.
"And a good brother to you two and the other members of your classes." added Rusty.
"I wish we could've met him." said Freddie.
"Some of you have." said Skarloey. "Or at least those of you that worked on the MSR."
"You know now that you mention it, I think we have seen him before." said Atlas. "He along with you two did help out on the Mid-Sodor Railway evry now and then way back in the day."
Flashback, Mid-Sodor Railway, 1903:
Tobias came into Crovan's Gate with a passenger train for Neil.
Falcon was nearby with a small freight train. He saw the passengers smiling after coming off of Gertrude and Mililicent.
"You really know how to handle passenger trains." Falcon commented.
"I've been around for almost 30 years." Tobias chuckled. "I learned a lot in Wales."
Tobias then did some shunting at the mines with Atlas.
"Thanks for the help Tobias! I was behind schedule with the increased work order until you showed up." smiled Atlas.
"It's the least I can do Atlas. Maybe you'll be back on schedule soon and won't need me to take away your favorite job." Tobias replied.
Atlas only chuckled.
Tobias later arrived at Arlesdale with a good train.
"Right on time." Duke said from his shed. "This will suit His Grace."
"Why thank you Duke." Tobias smiled.
"It's always about Your Grace, isn't it Grandpuff." Stuart snickered.
"He's just happy I'm on time, that's all." Tobias chuckled.
"You can learn a thing or three from him, youngster." Duke lightly chided.
Stuart just huffed.
Present:
"It seemed like we all could learn from him." said Jim.
"So what happened to him?" asked Duncan.
Skarloey and Rheneas sighed heavily.
"The year was 1929." Skarloey sighed.
Skarloey Railway, 1929:
One say, Tobias was doing his regular shunting at the mines as the sun shone down on the line.
"Bust my buffers, it is hot today!" he commented.
"You can say that again!" said the driver.
"I'm so hot I'm sweating through my uniform!" said the fireman, revealing sweatstains on his suit.
"Thank you for showing." the driver deadpanned.
"It should ease up later." said the manager, walking up. "But anyways, I have some news. Tobias, Skarloey and Rheneas have more work than usual today. So the Thin Controller wants you to help them out."
"Splendid." Tobais smiled. "I can't wait to work with them again! Oh, when will I be back."
"Tonight." said the manager. "But it's gonna be misty tonight so be careful on the way back."
"We will." said the driver.
Tobias set off.
As he made his way down the line, he crossed the Old Iron Bridge.
"This bridge always gives me the creeps." he muttered.
Tobias soon arrived at the sheds. Skarloey and Rheneas were there.
"There you are Tobias!" Skarloey grinned. "You ready to start work?"
"Always." Tobias smiled. "So what needs doing?"
"There's some passengers needing to go to the lake soon." said Rheneas. "You can start with that."
"Excellent." Tobias said.
He coupled up to the green and white coaches and then set off.
"Just like whenever he helped us out, Tobias worked hard to help us keep up with our work. All went well up until the sun began to set."
Tobias was taking on water as Skarloey puffed up.
"I say, it has gotten less hot today." Tobias said.
"Indeed." said Skarloey. "And it's gotten much cooler. However, there are reports saying that there will be mist tonight."
"Good thing the rails do all the work." said Tobias. "Anyways, I got one last train to take and then I have to get back to the mines." He frowned. "We… haven't been doing well recently."
Skarloey was concerned. "What do you mean?"
"Money isn't doing very well." Tobias replied. "If this keeps up, the mines might be shut down."
"Well… there are rumors going around that an incline to supply slate might be happening. But those are only rumors." Skarloey said. "If that does happen, you can always work there."
"Perhaps." Tobias chuckled. "Ah well, whatever happens to me, I'm sure I'll be fine."
"Let's hope so." Skarloey said as he puffed away.
"That night, Tobias was getting ready to leave for home."
Tobias' driver turned on his headlamp.
"Come on old boy, let's get going." said his driver.
"I hope there are fireflies out tonight." Tobias said.
His crew chuckled as they got inside.
Tobias then set off down the line. On his way to the mines, he did pass a few fireflies, glowing in the night. It made him smile.
"Always such a splendid sight." he mused.
"But what Tobias didn't know is that the sun warped the rails on the Old Iron Bridge. But the misk blocked his view. Tobias didn't see it until it was too late. He hit the bad rail and plunged over the side into the swamps below."
Tobias gasped when he finally saw the bent rails. He hit the bad section and toppled over the edge. His crew hung on tight to the controls in his cab as they fell, screaming.
Tobias hit the water with an almighty splash.
Presnet:
Skarloey sighed sadly as he glanced at his buffers. Rheneas shared the same expression.
"Tobias and his crew didn't survive the fall." Skarleoy said grimly. "He hit a rock underwater and it killed him. His crew were killed from the fall itself."
The rest of the engines were shocked.
"Bust my buffers… that's horrible!" gasped Bertram.
"Indeed." murmured Atlas.
"We eventually found out what had happened." said Rheneas. "We were heartbroken, as were Talylynn, Dolgoch, and everyone else on our old line in Wales when the news reached them. A salvage barge took Tobias' remains away to be scrapped. And his crew were buried at the church."
"We're… so sorry for your loss…" Luke said softly.
"I know what it's like to lose a brother." said Duke. "My brother Little Giant was scrapped in the 30's. Mountaineer was scrapped long before I was built."
"The line was eventually fixed, but the mines were shut down after that." said Theneas. "The incline would be built sometime later."
"But it wouldn't be the last time Tobias would be on the railway." Skarloey said. "At least, not that way. Many workman had claimed to have seen an engine that looked just like me trying to cross the Old Iron Bridge, but never made it to the other side as it vanished into thin air. Rheneas and I never believed it until we had a few encounters ourselves. We knew that it was Tobias' ghost trying to cross the bridge, but to no avail. And to this day, he still haunts it."
The engines were all silent.
"Wow…what a story…" murmured Duncan. "That explains an awful lot…"
"I'm so sorry." Rusty said in guilt. "I had no idea I disrespected the dead when I told that story to Duncan, let alone your own brother, to scare him."
"I'm sorry too." Peter Sam said in guilt. "We shouldn't have done that prank too."
"And I shouldn't have been so dismissive." said Duncan.
"It's not any of your faults." Skarleoy said with a sad smile. "You didn't know. The story of what had happened often missed a few details. But Rheneas and I know the truth."
"How come you never talked about it?" asked Sir Handel.
"It was a hard topic for us." Rheneas replied.
"It makes sense. You lost your brother that day." said Freddie.
"And he's basically cured to haunt the bridge." Bertram said softly.
The engines were all silent.
That evening, after doing some late work at the Blue Mountain Quarry, Luke was on his way back to the sheds.
He was thinking over the story as he approached the Old Iron Bridge. Suddenly having the feeling that he wasn't alone, Luke came to a stop.
There, right in front of him stood fireflies forming the shape of an engine. Luke saw that it was similar to Skarloey. When they parted away, Luke saw the faded figure of a black tank engine on the other side. He stared blankly at Luke.
Luke was scared, but tried not to show it.
"H-H-Hello Tobias…" he said quietly.
The ghost of Tobias said nothing as he slowly moved forward across the bridge. As he came halfway across, he disappeared.
Luke looked on sadly. That poor engine could never get across the other side. He was practically cursed to haunt it.
Suddenly, an idea flew into Luke's funnel.
"He can't get across by himself…" Luke said to himself. "But maybe he doesn't have to…"
Luke then puffed across the bridge.
The next morning, Luke told his idea to the engines.
"So lemme see if I understand what yer sayin'... you want us to help the ghost of the Old Iron Bridge… cross it?" Duncan carefully asked.
"Exactly!" Luke said.
"And how would that help us?" asked Peter Sam.
"Think about it." said Luke. "Tobias' ghost can never cross the Old Iron Bridge, just like what happened when he died. But if some of us can help him, maybe, just maybe, he will be free from that curse."
"You really came up with that idea all by yourself?" asked Mighty.
"That is a very interesting one." said Mac.
"Are you even sure that can work?" asked Sir Handel.
"It has to." said Luke.
"I can see where Luke is going with this." said Rusty. "I mean, he is cursed to never make it to the other side of the bridge."
"And of course, we can't have him haunting the line until the bridge is torn down or the line closes." said Duke.
"And that won't happen for a millennium!" Bertram added.
"Are there any other ideas?" asked Ivo Hugh.
"I doubt talking will work since it's all against his will." said Peter Sam.
"And we don't need to perform an exorcist since he doesn't truly mean any harm." said Atlas.
"So maybe that could work." said Rheneas. He turned to Skarloey. "What do you think?"
Skarloey pondered for a minute. Then, he came to a decision. "Tobias always helped us out back during the early years of this railway. I say it's time we help him out in return."
The engines all smiled, especially Luke.
"So whoever wishes to, be ready to head to the bridge." the light green tank engine said. "Tonight, the ghost of the Old Iron Bridge will finally make it to the other side."
Throughout the day, all the engines did their regular jobs. But they were all wondering how things would go that night.
The moon soon shone over the railway through the night sky.
On one side of the Old Iron Bridge, Skarloey, Rheneas, Duncan, Luke, Rusty, and Peter Sam stood in a line in that order. They had volunteered to be the engines to be the ones to help Tobias finally cross the bridge.
"Remind me again why you volunteered Duncan." said Peter Sam.
"I know that ghosts makes me wheels wobble, but I just don't want the bridge to be haunted anymore." the Scottish tank engine replied.
"I'm surprised engines like Duke and Bertram didn't show up." said Luke. Duke was wise and could probably handle ghosts. And Bertram was as brave as could be.
"They have their own jobs to do." said Rheneas.
"So are you guys ready?" asked Rusty.
"Yes." said Skarloey. "Come on engines… let's help a ghost."
With that, they puffed across the bridge.
The six engines carefully looked all around the line. The moon shone brightly, though the trees and bushes looked pretty eerie.
"Ach, I always forget how spooky the line can look at night." muttered Duncan.
"Especially since we might be encountering a ghost." said Peter Sam.
"There's nothing to worry about." said Rheneas. "It's the same as it would be during the day."
"Any sign of him?" asked Rusty.
"No." said Skarloey. "We may have better luck if we get to the old mines."
The six engines then arrived at the old mines. CLOSED signs were around along with boards nailed onto various shafts and sidings.
"So they never reopened the mines?" asked Luke.
"No." Skarloey replied. "With the lack of money and the incline being built, there wasn't a need for it here."
"Besides" said Rheneas. "After all these years I bet it would be unsafe to even travel inside. I bet the mines have collapsed by now, even if we weren't around to see it. We just pass by every time."
Then, Duncan spotted something. "Look! Those little fireflies are about!" he said.
The engines looked. And indeed, there were fireflies flying around the line, shining in the night.
"They do look very pretty." smiled Rusty.
Suddenly, the fireflies flew close to each other and began to form the shape of an engine. And engine they all recognized.
"Flatten my funnel, it looks just like you Skarloey!" gasped Peter Sam.
"This is just like what I saw all those years ago during that prank." mumbled Duncan.
At that moment, the fireflies flew away, as the form of an engine suddenly appeared.
The engines grew tense, but Skarloey and Rheneas knew who it was. The SKR's Number 1 moved forward slowly.
"Hello Tobias." he said softly. "It had been a long time. I see you're still haunting the Old Iron Bridge."
Tobias wheeshed as if in response.
"But this must come to an end." Skarloey said. "I understand that you can never reach the other side, just like when you had your accident. Which is why we're putting an end to it."
Tobias hissed steam.
"Oh so becoming a ghost turned you into a stubborn sort huh?" Rheneas smirked. "Don't try to get out of this brother. You always helped us back when you were alive."
"And now we'll help you." said Skarloey. "Buffer up everyone."
The six engines all buffered up to each other and Skarloey buffered up to the ghost. Their drivers all coupled them together.
Skarloey could see the confusion of the ghost's face.
"Don't worry Tobias. This may just allow you to move on." Skarloey said with a calm smile.
"Is everyone ready?" asked Luke.
"As ready as we'll ever be." said Duncan.
The six engines soon puffed backwards, slowly and carefully, dragging the ghost engine with them.
Tobias looked all around in confusion, wondering what was going on.
"Don't fret brother." smiled Skarloey. "You'll be free from this. We promise."
They all carefully went down the line, going easy around the bends.
"Is this what my life has become?" Duncan muttered to himself. "Helping a ghost move on?"
"Don't you want to help him?" asked Rusty.
"Well yes… I'm just saying, that's all." Duncan clarified.
"Guys, the bridge is up ahead." said Peter Sam.
"Alright, carefully now." said Rheneas.
The engines carefully ventured onto the Old Iron Bridge. Tobias was now looking worried as he glanced from side to side. The mist was rising all around, just like that fateful night.
"Don't worry. You'll make it. We'll all make it." said Skarleoy.
At that moment, they all made it past the halfway point. Tobias was surprised.
"We're almost there! Keep going!" said Rheneas.
At that moment, the six engines' wheels touched the rails that were on solid ground. And once Skarloey finally made it across… Tobias did as well.
The engines had done it. The Ghost of the Old Iron Bridge had finally made it across.
"Yes! We made it across the bridge!" Rusty grinned as they stopped a good distance from the bridge.
"And look! So did Tobias!" said Peter Sam.
The engines were all uncoupled from each other and the ghost. Tobias puffed backwards a bit, still in shock. He then smiled at the six engines who had helped him across.
"Thank… you…" he said, his voice in a soft echo.
"You're welcome brother…" Skarloey smiled.
"We hope this will help you move on at last." said Rheneas.
The ghost could only smile as he puffed backwards. As Tobias' trailing wheels touched the bridge, he vanished.
The six engines stayed silent.
"Is he… gone?" asked Duncan.
"I think he is." smiled Rusty.
"Your plan worked very well Luke." praised Peter Sam.
"I'm glad it did." smiled Luke. He looked at Skarloey and Rheneas. "Are you two ok?"
The red engines were silent before smiling.
"I think we'll be ok." said Rheneas.
"He always helped us in life. And we were able to help him." said Skarloey. "Come on, let's go home. We have work to do tomorrow."
The engines all agreed as they puffed down the line back to the sheds.
They all soon arrived at the sheds where the engines were all asleep.
Duke opened a sleepy eye. "Ah there you six are." he yawned. "So did it work?"
"Don't stress over it Duke." said Luke as the crews damped down their fires - or in Rusty's case, turned off his engine. "We'll find it out tomorrow."
Duke seemed satisfied with that.
The next night, Duncan was making his way home. He approached the Old Iron Bridge.
"Alright. I hope there's no spirit this time." he muttered.
Duncan ventured onto the high structure and puffed across. As soon as he made it to the other side, there was still no sign of anything out of the ordinary. Duncan smiled gratefully.
Duncan arrived back at the sheds.
"So is the bridge no longer haunted?" asked Sir Handel.
"I can safely say yes." Duncan replied.
"So Luke's plan truly did work after all." mused Atlas.
"Way to go Luke." smiled Fred.
Luke blushed at the praise.
"Now we can cross the bridge at night with ease now." said Peter Sam.
"And sleep much better at night." said Freddie.
With that, the engines fell asleep, though Luke looked over at Skarloey.
"Do you think that's the last we've seen of Tobias?" he asked.
"Only time will tell Luke." yawned Skarloey. "He may not haunt the bridge anymore, but who's to say he's not watching over us?"
Luke chuckled. "That sounds a lot like him." he said.
"He's mine and Rheneas' brother." Skarloey softly chuckled. "He always looked out for us. Goodnight Luke. And thank you."
"Goodnight Skarloey." said Luke as he fell asleep.
Skarloey then looked up at the sky. "Goodnight Tobias, my dear older brother." he said softly as he fell asleep.
Unknown to any of the engines, far back down the narrow gauge line that would go past the sheds, the ghostly figure of a black tank engine stood looking at the back of the sheds. He smiled.
"Goodnight Skarloey… Rheneas... All of you…" Tobias whispered.
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Henry - ThomasWoodenRailway
Skarloey - SodorFan2k10
Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice - LizProductions5784
Paxton - DieselD199
Merrick - Narrow Gauge
Owen - TheGermanofSodor
Rusty - RichardHunslet1993
Duncan - Victor Tanzig
Sir Handel/Falcon - TheBlueE2
Peter Sam/Stuart - TheBlueSingle
Luke - Luke Ryan
Rheneas - JakeBraker123
Mr. Percival - NWR1991
Nia - LizProductions5784
Thomas - JakerBraker123
Hiro - EpicLafiteau
Boco - Victor Tanzig
Ivo Hugh - LadyTehPikachu
Jim - TheArlesdaleEngine
George - Andrew Homer
Fred - Diesel 20212
Mighty - BramGroatFilms
Mac - EnterprisingEngine93
Freddie - Victor Tanzig
Duke - Thomas1Edward2Henry3
Tobias - Tines Sensahthe
Talyllyn - Geebmachine
Dolgoch - Evasta101
Edward - EnterprisingEngine93
Atlas - Luke Ryan
Bertram - EnterprisingEngine93
Proteus - Jokerfan45
Lady - LizProductions5784
Other voices by me.
Atlas created by WildNorWester
Thank you all so much for reading the final Spooktober story of this year! I may do this again next year, depending how things are outside of my writing life.
But wait! There's more!
At Crovan's Gate, Duncan was waiting with a passenger train for Henry to arrive.
Luke pulled up alongside. "Morning Duncan."
"Good morning Luke. Off to the quarry?" Duncan asked.
"Yep!" Luke said. "But my crew needs to check with the stationmaster about something."
"I'm a few minutes early so I get to rest my wheels before Henry arrives." Duncan said.
"I still can't believe the ghost of the Old Iron Bridge is real." said Luke. He began to ponder. "If the story is true, I wonder what other ghost stories out there are true; Henry's ghost at that station by the lake, Edward's Scrap Ghost, Percy's Ghost Train?! Maybe even other ghost stories on this island are real too!"
Duncan was silent for a moment. "Those are all very nice questions Luke, but I think we should have a break from the supernatural for a while." he suggested. "It wears an engine out."
Luke chuckled. "I suppose you're right. But I still wonder what else of Sodor's unnatural history is real or not." he said, looking up at the cloudy sky.
Down the line past the station walkway overpass, another yellow narrow-gauge tank engine with a lamp attached to his funnel was listening while also trying to stay hidden. His lamp then shone brightly as he disappeared into thin air.
Magic Railroad:
The engine appeared on golden narrow gauge track and puffed down it, taking in the scenery.
"This place always feels so comforting whenever I puff down it." he said.
The engine then pulled up near some golden standard gauge track. And there stood a familiar purple tank engine.
"Hello Lady." he greeted.
"Hello Porteus." Lady smiled. "How is your old railway doing?"
"Still functioning like when I used to help out there." Proteus replied. "And what about the standard gauge line?"
"It's still in good working order." Lady replied. "I've been thinking of visiting again. I'll need Burnett's permission of course."
Lady's smile thinned a bit. "I also know that the island has had some experiences with the supernatural recently." she said. "Ghosts have been popping up around various places."
Proteus gave an understanding nod. "I can imagine," he said. "Sodor always had a colorful history. It's both a magical place in various ways, and just because of engines like us."
"Indeed." said Lady.
Lady blew some steam out of her funnel and it floated in front of the two engines.
One image showed Dennis getting spooked by Lionel, the Ghost of the Scrap Yards.
Another showed Henry having his encounter with the ghost of Richie Kanan at Hawin Lake.
Another showed Toby spotting Bertram talking to the ghost miners.
And finally, one showed Duncan encountering Tobias, the ghost of the Old Iron Bridge.
"Let's see here… those ghost stories really are true after all." said Proteus. "Wait, didn't Fergus have a supernatural encounter?"
"That was all in his head, stemmed from guilt." said Lady. "But who's to say that said workmen's ghosts don't haunt it?"
"Many ghosts have haunted the island and some still do." said Proteus. "And yet the engines and people of Sodor manage to deal with them… or if they must, leave them alone if they can't do anything."
Proetus paused.
"Some supernatural spirits may be more dangerous than others, Lady." he said. "It'll be a gamble if the other engines can handle them or not."
"And if they can't, we'll step in to help." said Lady. "It is our job to keep Sodor's magic alive, just like the Conductor family."
"Indeed." Proteus said in agreement. "For now, we can only hope any supernatural entities on Sodor won't bring any harm to the point where we must interfere."
And the two magic engines went their separate ways.
Happy Halloween!
I will see you all around soon!
