Murray and the Passengers
Written by D.J. Scales
Life on the Narrow Central Railway had been normal even during the Coal Crisis on the Grand Central Railway. But the Narrow Gauge Engines were surprised to see Diesels on the Grand Central. Kat and Royce were at the Station talking as they were collecting their passengers.
"For diesel engines, Salvatore, Alana and Mike seem very polite," Kat said, "Though Mike needs to learn how to control himself more."
"True but then again we are based on streamlined steam engines ourselves so I can understand where Mike is coming from," Royce said, "But he has the sense not to go too fast otherwise he could put a hole in one of his coaches and may need some bootlace."
Kat said no more as she and Royce left to do their jobs. Meanwhile Murray was busy doing the usual coal runs he was enjoying himself but he figured that he could do more but little did he know that his chance would come.
Murray was at transfer point after finishing his Coal run when his driver got a phone call. The phone box attached to the nearby shed was ringing. The driver opened the box and answered the phone.
Murray listened, but he could only here the last part of the conversation.
"Right, I'll tell him," Murray's driver said before hanging up.
"What was that about?" Murray's fireman asked.
"Royce has broken down from all the extra work and William is busy with ballast duties," the driver said, "Manager wants us to take get the tourists and take Royce's passengers home."
"Us?" Murray asked, "I've never done passenger runs before, can't he get Tenzin to do this?"
"That's what I asked too but Tenzin's occupied with a goods train," the driver said again, "We're the only ones not doing anything right now."
"Very well I'll do it," Murray said, "I'm actually hoping I can do more."
Murray's driver and fireman lit his fire and he puffed away.
At the platform the coaches were waiting for an engine to take Royce's place on the train and they were expecting William to show up when they saw Murray backing down on them.
"What's going on? What are you doing here? Where's William?" the coaches asked firing a volley of questions.
"William's busy today on ballast so for today you're travelling with me," Murray said explaining the situation.
"Just don't do anything stupid like go too fast or we'll pay you out," the lead coach warned which Murray took very seriously as the conductor blew his whistle and their trip began.
Murray and his Driver and fireman learned all the places where they had to stop with help from the conductor.
"If I knew Passenger Runs would be this easy I would've volunteered more often," Murray said.
"Don't get cocky Murray," The lead coach said, "Remember you're only filling in for Royce since William is busy."
"I remember," Murray said as they continued travelling.
The trip continued going well and even the coaches all liked him very much, but Murray was beginning to feel weakened.
"Oh dear," Murray said, "I do hope I can do this."
"Take your time Murray," his driver soothed as they continued while climbing the hill.
'It'll be better down hill,' Murray thought as they reached the top. But it wasn't as the rail joints were doing a number on Murray's wheels and to make matters worse, Murray was beginning to run low on water.
"Oh boy I knew we should've taken on water as soon as we back to the yard," the fireman groaned.
"So did I," the driver said, "Hopefully Murray can hang in there long enough for us to find a water tower or the top station fast."
Murray heard that as he continued puffing to a station and he managed to reach the top station. Unfortunately it didn't have a water tower, but it did have a stream nearby.
"Sorry about the delay folks but we need your help," Murray's Driver said to the Passengers as he explained the situation.
"You sure this is going to work?" Murray asked as the Passengers began getting out various carton, jugs, and anything else that could hold water and began pouring it into Murray.
"At this point we can only hope," The Fireman said as the water level in Murray's tank was rising little by little.
When they had a full tank of water it was nearly sunset so Murray had to hurry as fast as he could.
At Wayward station Alana was waiting at the platform. It was nearly time for her to leave with her passengers.
"Where the heck is Murray; he should've been here by now," Alana said.
"Calm down Alana," her driver said, "Murray will be here. Remember he's not Connor and this is not the New York Central."
"I know that and I heard how fast the New York Central engines are," Alana said as Murray steamed in tired out.
"Sorry I'm late I had a few water problems," Murray panted, "Anyway I brought the passengers."
Alana said nothing more and left respectfully.