Saving Norris
One morning at Ramsey Sheds, Sam was talking to Jake and Rose. He was telling them about the conversation he had with Mr. Copper the other day.
"And then Mr. Copper said that I'm to pull passenger trains for a week" said Sam.
"But why" asked Jake "Your supposed to be a Freight Engine".
"Your guess is as good as mine" said Sam.
"Maybe he thinks you need a change" said Rose. "But Jake has been here longer than I have, so shouldn't he be given a change" asked Sam.
"I agree Sam, but Mr. Copper has his reasons, so just go with it for now" said Jake "What line are you running today anyway" he asked.
"The northeastern run" said Sam. Suddenly, Jake smiled a big smile. "Oh, you're going to love that line" he said happily. "Why" asked Sam. "Wait and see" said Jake. Sam decided not to ask any more questions, and then he puffed off towards Heart Land station.
A few hours later, Sam was puffing down lines he had never been on. All around him, he could see nothing but trees, trees, and more trees. "This is strange, why would I come out here" he asked.
But soon he began to slow down. "Why are we stopping" Sam asked his driver. "That's why" said his driver pointing ahead. Sam looked ahead, and there he saw a station with two platforms. He stopped beside on of the side platforms that had another track on the other side.
Sam's passengers got off, but there were no passengers to get on. "Why aren't there any passengers" asked Sam. "Because this is a Branchline in the morning, so there won't be any passengers yet. We'll be leaving as soon as the other engine arrives" said the fireman.
And not a moment later, Sam heard an engine approaching. But something sounded strange. There was a weird clanking noise, and hissing sound. "What is that" asked Sam.
Then, a small green 4-2-0 locomotive pulled up the station, pulling four old fashioned coaches.
Sam stared at the engine; he had never seen an engine designed like him. He looked old, and he had wood around his boiler. Now he knew what Jake meant about liking this line.
"Hello, who are you" asked the old engine. Sam snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh sorry, hello, my name is Sam. Who are you" he asked.
"My name is Norris. I run this heritage branchline" said the engine happily. "That's nice, it looks like it's a nice job" said Sam. "Yep, and I'm just happy that I'm still useful" said Norris.
"Say, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you" asked Sam. Norris chuckled "I'm over 105 years old" he said smiling.
Sam gasped in amazement "What, 105, and your still in use. That's impressive."
"Yes it is, but I haven't always been hard at work. At one time I was almost scrapped if it wasn't for Jake" said Norris. Sam was surprised "Hey, I know Jake. He saved you from scrap" asked Sam. "Yep, want to hear about it" asked Norris. "Yes I would" said Sam. "Alright then, let me begin" said Norris.
One Year Earlier
It was a bright shining day on the Grand Central. The engines were all rolling up and down the line doing their work.
One afternoon, Jake and Albus were heading to the Scrap Yards. They had to pick up a load of scrap metal to take to the Smelters Yard.
"Such a nice day to work hard" said Jake. But while he was happy and cheery, Albus was angry and grumbling. "Picking up cars of scrap is no job for a splendid engine like me" he huffed. "Come on Albus, you know this is your punishment" said Jake.
What Jake was referring to was the punishment Mr. Copper had given Albus the other day. He had taken Albus off his passenger runs for four days because the passengers had complained that he bumped the coaches too much. The other engines found it a great joke, but Albus was very upset.
It wasn't long before they reached the Scrap Yards. Piles and Piles of machines and old steam engines lay everywhere.
Albus and Jake puffed nervously through it, thinking about all their fellow engines that had their lives taken away.
Then the yard manager arrived. "Aw good, you two are here. Come along, your cars are over here" said the manager as he walked over towards a shed. So the two engines fallowed him.
Soon they had coupled to their trains of scrap, and were waiting for their signal to leave. Jake looked around, looking at the different engines that piled the yards. But then, Jake saw an engine that caught his eyes.
In a siding, just a little ahead of him, he saw a small 4-2-0 steam engine sitting quietly.
"That's a strange engine" said Jake, and he puffed towards the little engine. When he got close, he said "Hello, I'm Jake, who are you"?
The little engine looked at Jake. The engine was a very different design than any other engine Jake had seen. He had rotten wood around his boiler, he had a bent funnel, and all his metal parts where covered in rust. But then, the engine gave a weak smile "Hello there. I'm Norris, nice to meet you Jake".
Jake smiled at the engine "You look a lot different than any engine I've ever see" he said as he looked at Norris.
Norris chuckled "That's because I was one of the earliest steam engines ever built in America". Jake gasped "One of the earliest in America" he asked.
"Yep, I've been around for a long time. When I was brand new, I was always hard at work, puffing up and down the line pulling freight and passengers. But time passed and new, more advanced engines came along. I became and antique, and was left here in these yards to rust away" he said sadly.
"Oh, that's very sad" said Jake. He looked at how decreped and sad Norris looked. He had to do something "Maybe I could do something to help you" he said smiling. Norris was surprised "What, really" he asked. "Of course, I'm shure I can talk to Mr. Copper. He'll be able to help you" said Jake.
But then, the signal turned green. Albus pulled up next to him. "Come on Jake, we can't sit around doing nothing. I want to deliver these filthy cars as quick as possible" said Albus.
"Hey Albus, look at this. This is Norris, he's one of the earliest steam engines ever built in America" said Jake "I'm going to talk to Mr. Copper and see if he can help him".
Albus looked at Jake for a moment, the he Burst Out Laughing. "What, that old piece of scrap metal. You think he can still be USEFULL? He can't do anything, they should just scrap him and end it" said Albus, and then he puffed away.
Jake looked at Norris; he looked sad. "Don't worry Norris, I'm shure I can get Mr. Copper to help you", and then Jake puffed away.
Later, Jake pulled into Heartland Station. Albus was already there, and Otis had just taken his cars away. When Jake pulled up to Albus, he saw that he was talking to Mr. Copper.
"Are you shure I can't go back to pulling stopping Passenger Trains" whined Albus. "I'm shure Albus, you need to do your whole punishment" said Mr. Copper. "Oww, why me" asked Albus.
Then Mr. Copper looked at Jake. "Jake, you should have been here ten minutes ago. What took you so long" he asked. Jake thought now was a good time to talk about Norris.
"Well sir, while I was waiting to leave the scrapyards, I met a very old engine, one of the first built in America" said Jake. "Is that so" said Mr. Copper.
"Yes, and he needs our help. He's a part of Railroading history. We need to save him from scrap. Maybe he could help out around here" said Jake.
Albus snorted "Please Sir, you haven't seen this engine, but I have. It's too old, and covered in rust. He wouldn't be any use to our railroad. He's in that scrapyard for a reason, he's not useful anymore. If anything, he should be scrapped faster, so he won't have to suffer anymore" said Albus.
"No sir, Norris can still be useful. Maybe he could be a shunter, or do small freight runs" said Jake. "He's too weak to do those kinds of jobs. We don't need him" said Albus. "Yes we do" said Jake. "No we don't" said Albus.
"That's enough" said Mr. Copper. The two engines looked at him and fell silent. "Okay, so Jake, I can see where you're coming from. Important history should be helped" he said with a serious face. "Thank you sir" said Jake, waiting for Mr. Copper to tell him that he can go get Norris.
"However" said Mr. Copper. Jakes face turned nervous. "I think that Albus is right" said Mr. Copper. "Really" said Albus, a little surprised. "What, but, sir" said a very sad Jake. "Sorry Jake, but Albus has a point. If he's too old, then even if he was fixed, he wouldn't have much to do. I think that maybe we should just leave him, and hope that he had a nice life" said Mr. Copper.
"But sir, we can't do that" said Jake with a few tears in his eyes. "Stop Jake, I'm not discussing this any further. No go on and continue with your work" said Mr. Copper. Jake sighed, and then he puffed out of Heartland Station.
Later that night at Ramsey Sheds, Jake was talking to Roku and Samantha about Norris. "And then when I asked Mr. Copper if we could help him, he said no, because he and Albus think he's too old" said Jake.
"Rubbish, every engine is useful in some way" said Roku. "He's right, there has to be something we can do" said Samantha. "I don't think you can do anything, unless you want to steal him" said a voice. The engines looked over, and saw Jaime sitting quietly with his eyes shut. "Don't be ridiculous Jaime, we can't steal and engine" said Roku.
But then, Jake began to smile "No wait, that's it. All we have to do is "TAKE" Norris from the scrap yard and hide him. Then, we can figure out a better plan".
Roku and Samantha were a little nervous about the idea of stealing an engine. "Are you shure about that Jake, you could get into a lot of trouble for it" said Samantha.
"Please Samantha, like Albus said; everyone thinks he's a piece of scrap. Who's going to care that he's gone" asked Jake.
"Well, I guess if you put it like that It's not so bad" said Roku. "Great" said Jake, and then his driver moved him out of the shed.
It wasn't long before Jake arrived at the scrap yards. And if the scrapyards gave you the creeps during the day, it terrified you at night. Jake puffed nervously through the yards, passing the remains of old forgotten engines.
Soon, Jake found the shed he had been at earlier. "Then that means" said Jake puffing forward. Then he looked on the side track, and saw Norris sleeping on his siding. "Here we go" said Jake, and then he blew his whistle loudly.
Norris woke up with a start "What, no sir I didn't run the car off the rails" he said sleepily.
"Wake up Norris, time to go" said Jake. Norris yawned "What, go where" he asked. "Away from here that's where" said Jake. Norris' eyes widened "What, you mean you're saving me from scrap" he asked.
"Yes, and I'm going to take you to a place where you'll be safe" said Jake.
Soon he had coupled onto Norris and pulled him out of his siding. Then he pushed Norris out of the yards onto the main line.
Later, Jake and pushed Norris down an old track. He had been down here before and knew that there was an old shed there to.
After he pushed past many trees, he found the old shed. He pushed Norris into the shed. His driver uncoupled him and he rolled back a little. "You should be safe now. Nobody comes down here, except me. I'll come back when I can, so be careful" said Jake, and then he reversed away from the shed.
Jake arrived back at the sheds early at dawn the next morning. He was very tired; he was looking forward to a good sleep.
"Hello Jake, did everything go alright" asked Roku.
"Ya" yawned Jake "I got him out of there and hid him".
"But do you have a plan. What are you going to do with him" asked Jaime.
"Oh, well, I'm not shure but" was all Jake could say before Roku interrupted. "YOU MEAN YOU TOOK HIM WITHOUT THINKING OF A PLAN" he screamed angrily. "Well, ya" said Jake nervously.
But then, a black car pulled up to the sheds, and then Mr. Copper walked out. He walked up to Jake, and he could see he looked cross.
"Jake, is there anything you want to tell me" he asked. Jake looked a little nervous "Uh, no sir". "Really, been up to anything lately" asked Mr. Copper.
"No sir, just doing my normal work" said Jake.
"Well, then I guess you wouldn't know about what just happened" asked Mr. Copper. "What happened sir" asked Roku? "Someone, or something, stole an engine from the smelters yard last night. Someone noticed it wasn't in its normal siding this morning. So Jake, I will ask again. Is There Anything You Want To Tell Me" he asked angrily.
Jake thought hard, he knew that Mr. Copper had caught him red handed, even though he didn't have hands.
"Okay sir, I took Norris from the Smelters Yard. I couldn't just leave him there, he doesn't deserve to be scrapped" said Jake.
"I've heard about him sir, and I agree with Jake" said Roku. "So do I" said Samantha and Jaime.
Albus, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke up. "I must say sir, after what I've heard about this engine, I don't think he should be scrapped either". The other engines were surprised; they didn't think that Albus would stick up for an engine he thought was scrap metal.
"I'm shure we can find a place for him" said Albus. Mr. Copper thought hard. He walked back and forth, looking for a good choice.
Then, he turned to the engines. "We'll after hearing everything from all of you, I have made my decision" he said importantly. The engines all held their breaths.
Mr. Copper then smiled "I have decided that I will find a place for Norris. I will send him to the works to get fixed, and then find him a job".
The engines blew their whistles loudly. "Thank you sir, I can't wait to tell him" said Jake.
Later, after Jake had collected Norris and told him the good news, he brought him to the works.
As he pushed him into the building, Mr. Copper walked up. "It is very nice to meet you Norris. Welcome to the works. The men shall soon start restoring you" said Mr. Copper.
"Thank You Mr. Copper. I promise not to let you down" said Norris. "I hope so" said Mr. Copper, and then he left.
"Well, good luck Norris" said Jake, and then he left to.
Three months later, Jake was called back to the works. "What am I doing here, I'm not broken" he said to his driver. "Yes, you aren't. But so is someone else" said the driver.
Then, Jake heard a soft old whistle. "Wait a minute" said Jake looking forward. And then, a green 4-2-0 with a nameplate reading "Norris" pulled out of the shop.
Jake beamed "Norris, look at you" he said happily. "I know; I'm completely restored. This is the first time I've turned my wheels in years" said Norris.
"Well it's good to see you running Norris" said Jake. "I agree" said a voice, and then Mr. Copper walked up to Norris. "Now that you are fully restored Norris, I have a job for you" he said with a smile. "Really sir, what is it" asked Norris excitedly.
"Well, there is a small herritage railway that is looking for an engine to run it. Since you are quite and attraction just by yourself, I have decided to let you run that line" said Mr. Copper.
Norris gave a huge smile. "Oh thank you sir. I will work hard, just you wait and see" he said happily. "Good. You'll be starting your job tomorrow" said Mr. Copper, and then he walked away.
Norris turned to Jake "Thank you so much Jake. Without you, I would still be in that scrapyard". Jake smiled "Well, I just couldn't stand around and do nothing when I could". And then he reversed away from the works, but not before calling out "Good Luck Norris, I know you'll be great". Norris smiled, and started thinking about what tomorrow would hold.
Back to the Present
"And that's how I got to where I am now" said Norris. Sam was amazed. "Wow Norris, that is an amazing story" he said with a smile. "Well, I wouldn't say amazing, but it's still a nice one to hear" said Norris.
Then, Sam's driver blew his whistle, meaning it was time to go. Sam looked at Norris "Sorry Norris, I have to leave. I'll talk to you later". And then Sam steamed out of the station. "Goodbye Sam" called Norris as he watched Sam disappear from view.
First chapter written just by me in a while. The next chapter will come soon.