Matthias Returns
Matthias is a big strong DRG Class 01 locomotive. He is in charge of the Grand Central's Northern Passenger trains. But recently, he has been doing Sam's work because his coaches are being refurbished. This took a long time, and Matthias was beginning to miss his normal runs through mountains and beautiful countryside.
One day, Matthias was taking a train of 12 freight cars to the yards. When he puffed past a small station, he saw Albus collecting some passengers. This made Matthias think of his coaches, his passengers, and his normal route. "Hello Matthias" said Albus. This brought Matthias out of his trance. "Oh, Hello Albus, good to see you back" said Matthias. "Yep, after this station I'm heading south" said Albus. "Why" asked Matthias. "Because until Merida is repaired, I'm doing her work" said Albus. "That's good, well see ya around" said Matthias as he rushed through the station.
It wasn't long before Matthias arrived at the yards. He shunted his cars near a loading platform; they were to be loaded with machinery. "That was easy" said Matthias. But then, the yard manager arrived. "Matthias, I have a message for you". "What is it" asked Matthias. "Mr. Copper wants to see you at Heartland Station immediately" said the yard manager. "What for" asked Matthias' driver. "Search me, but you'd better hurry" said the manager, and then he left. "Wonder what's up" said Matthias as they left the yards. "I don't know, but we'll know when we get there" said the driver.
It wasn't long before they reached Heartland station. Mr. Copper was waiting on the platform. "Ah, Matthias, glad you got here fast. I have something important to tell you" said Mr. Copper. "Well, what is it" asked Matthias. Mr. Copper smiled "We have finally finished refurbishing your coaches". Matthias gasped "What, really". "Yep, so starting tomorrow, you will be back on passenger services" said Mr. Copper. Matthias gave a HUGE SMILE "Oh thank you sir, I have missed being on the Northern Route". "Well I hope your ready tomorrow morning" said Mr. Copper. "Yes sir" said Matthias driver. "Good, now go finish your jobs for the day" said Mr. Copper. "Yes sir" said Matthias, and his driver moved him out of the station.
That night, Matthias was talking to the others at Ramsey Sheds. Ramsey sheds were the main sheds on the Grand Central; it is where the most important engines on the railway stay. Right now it was under construction because Sam's spot was being built. But right now, Matthias was telling the others about what Mr. Copper had said. "So tomorrow, I'm back on passenger duties" said Matthias. "Well good for you" said Jake. "It just isn't the same without you" said Roku. "I agree" said Jaime. "Well I'd better turn in, I have to get up early tomorrow" said Matthias, and with that he fell asleep almost immediately. "Good to have him back to normal" said Samantha.
Early the next morning, Matthias woke up to the sound of hissing steam. "Hu, what" said Matthias as he looked around. The sun was just barely visible over the horizon. Then Matthias' driver walked out from behind him. "Morning Matthias" said the driver happily. "OOOOHHHH" yawned Matthias "what time is it". "Nearly five thirty" said the driver. "Guess I have to get used to waking up early again hu" said a slightly sleepy Matthias. "Yep, but now it's time to go" said the driver, and he climbed into Matthias' cab. They rolled him onto the turntable, and when he was facing the right way, they set off towards Heartland Station.
When they arrived, there were many people on the platform. "Good to see some normal sights again" said Matthias as his driver stopped him beyond the platform. Then Matthias felt a normal bump from behind. "Thanks Otis" said Matthias, but then he realized what he had said. "Wait a minute, I have chain and Buffer couplings; so Otis can't collect my coaches" said Matthias. Then he heard an unfamiliar whistle. "Who is that" asked Matthias. He looked to his right as a black 57xx 0-6-0 pannier tank engine pulled up alongside him. "Oh, hello, who are you" asked Matthias. The engine smiled "My name is Rose. I'm the new shunter". "Wait, so are you replacing Otis" asked Matthias. "What, no, my job is to shunt for those who have Chain and Buffer Couplings" said Rose. Matthias looked at her running board, and he could see she had C&B couplings. "Oh, well that's cool. Nice to meet you; my name is Matthias". "Nice to meet you Matthias" said Rose. Then the conductor's whistle blew. "Oh, time for me to go. Bye Rose" said Matthias, and he puffed away. "Cool guy… or, engine" said a smiling Rose, and then she set off back to the yards.
Soon the sun was high in the sky and Matthias was steaming along the line. He was enjoying himself; stopping at stations, collecting passengers, and speeding through familiar landscape. "So many wonderful sights" said Matthias as he sped through valleys and forests. Then he came up to a station, and his driver stopped him beyond the platform. "The next train will be leaving in twelve minutes" said the announcer as the passengers left. Matthias looked around at everything around the station. There was a double signal in front of him (both of which were red), a signal box just up ahead, and next to the station was a road. There were many cars parked near the station, and they were all chatting. Then one of the cars, a Model T Ford, looked over at Matthias. "Oh look, another clapped out old steamer" said the car. Matthias was hurt when the car said that, but he was also thinking. "Wait a minute, "Clamped out steamer"… you're the car that made fun of Merida" shouted Matthias. The car chuckled "Yes, but only because I was trying to state a message" said the car. "And what would that be" asked an angry Matthias. "The engines of the Big Four are scrap metal" laughed the car, and soon the other cars were laughing to. Matthias gritted his teeth with anger, but then he heard a loud whistle. "Who is that" asked the car, but as it said this, Albus pulled up next to Matthias. He glared at the cars "so you think you can go and pick on my friends? I wouldn't expect that from a gasoline guzzling troll" said Albus sternly. Matthias was surprised; he didn't think Albus would ever stick up for him. "Oh, go shunt some freight cars you rusty piece of scrap" said the car. But then, Albus' signal turned green. "Go get a wash" said Albus with a smirk, and he puffed forward and weeshed his steam. "WWWEEESSSHHH" said Albus as his steam flew from his pistons and went all over the cars. Soon they were all wet from their roofs to their tires. "AAHH" said the cars. "That's what happens when you mess with the Big Four" said Albus as he puffed away. "Uh, Thanks Albus" shouted Matthias. "No problem" Albus shouted back. Soon Matthias' passengers had boarded and his signal had turned green. "See ya" said Matthias to the cars as he puffed away, laughing while he did.
Later that day, Matthias was pulling up to a station near the end of the forest. Matthias looked around as his passengers disembarked. "Just like always" said Matthias. Out of all the stations on his route, this station was his favorite. It was at the end of the forest, and close to it was a small pond where ducks would swim, and not too far away there is a small town. Many people from the town come down to the station every day just to see the trains go by. This was why Matthias loved this station. Then the stationmaster walked up to Matthias. "Hello Matthias, good to see you again" he said with a smile. "Good to see you to Eric" said Matthias. "So how is it being back on the North Route" asked Eric. "It's great, I missed all these sights. So how have things been since I've been gone" asked Matthias. "Well since you weren't here, we had to get a bus to do your work" said Eric. "Really, who is he" asked Matthias. "His name is Bruce, he's a Greyhound bus" said Eric. "Really, well I'd like to meet him" said Matthias. But he didn't have to wait long, because then he heard a car horn, then a silver and green bus with a greyhound pulled up to the station. The bus looked over at Matthias. "Hello there, you must be Matthias" said the bus. "Uh, yes, and you must be Bruce" said Matthias. "Correct. It is very nice to meet you" said Bruce. "Same here" said Matthias "By the way, I wanted to thank you for looking after my passengers while I was gone". Bruce smiled "Not a problem at all, as long as I helped you, I'm happy". Matthias smiled, but then the conductor's whistle blew. "Aw, I have to go" sighed Matthias. "Oh don't worry, I'm positive I'll see you again" said Bruce. "Great" said Matthias with a smile. Then Matthias started to roll out of the station. "Bye Bruce" said Matthias. "Bye Matthias" said Bruce. Soon Matthias was so far down the line that he couldn't see him anymore.
Hours passed, and soon the day was almost over. Matthias was collecting the last of his passengers before he would return to Ramsey sheds. As the last passengers boarded his coaches, he thought back on the day. He remembered waking up early, seeing familiar sights, Albus standing up for him and the other Big Four, and meeting Bruce. "Great day" said Matthias as he set off for Heartland Station, ready for the next day to come.