After about a week of repairs and his overhaul, Kieron was now back in steam, and running better than ever before. Blake was more than happy to see her friend working again, and Kieron soon got along with Braedey and the other engines. The GWR 1400 tank engine got along with the coaches and even put the trucks in their place. He really got along with passengers as well. Johnny, Austin, Max, Belle, and Liliana also got along with Kieron, all of them shunting trucks and coaches in record time, and all the yards are the cleanest they've ever been. It did impress Mr. Franklin, and he praised the tank engines for what they've done.
Today, down at the Josephine Railway dockyards, it has gotten rather busy, a bit busier than it should. So, in order to handle with all the boat traffic that was coming and going in and out of the dockyard, Mr. Franklin made a phone call to an old friend of his, who agreed to lend his tugboats known as the Star Tugs, the best crew of hard-working tugs on the planet.
The tugs consist of Ten Cents and Sunshine; the switchers, harbour tugs Big Mac, Warrior, and O.J, railway tug Top Hat, Hercules the Ocean Tug, and Navy submarine Grampus. All the tugs have gotten along very well with the Josephine Railway locomotives and workmates, helping out upriver anyway they can.
One evening, the wind had whipped up a gale, bringing in the cold of winter, as well as that of the fog. The engines nor tugs didn't like the fog, for it meant they had to limit and curtail their speeds, as well as keep an eye out for anything out for anything. It was dangerous to go shoot at reckless speeds. Down at the dockyards, Braedey and Big Mac had been helping to dock, moor up, and unload a tramp steamer that had arrived late in the day.
Big Mac is Captain Star's second tug, who sports a distinctively broad Glaswegian accent. He is used for a variety of tasks. Big Mac is painted in the Star Fleet's corporate livery. This consists of a black hull, a yellow superstructure, white mast and an American flag-styled red white and blue funnel. His name is painted on the sides of his bow in white and he has the number "2" on his funnel. He wears a navy blue cap.
"Well, today could've been better if the fog and ice weren't here." Braedey said sarcastically to Big Mac.
"Aye. Ice and fog are no good in a dockyard." Big Mac agreed with the red GWR 4900 locomotive. "Still, we must press on with our work."
"I agree." Braedey sighed. He then looked to the signals, and he saw they were red. "Great. Just great. And I was hoping to go back to the sheds before things got too cold."
"Same. I'd rather be back at me port with me crew mates." Big Mac agreed with the red engine. Just then, he heard something in the distance. "Hey. You hear that?" He asked quietly.
The two of them could hear an engine approaching the dockyards, but at a gentle pace. Both steam engine and tugboat looked out towards the railway lines to see whoever was coming up, until finally, Kieron steamed into view, but with a single coach behind him.
"Kieron? What are you doing here? I thought you'd be back at the sheds." Braedey commented in confusion.
"Yeah. But this coach was left at the station, and it was meant to be here, so I offered to take it back to the docks." Kieron clarified to him. "Don't know why, but it just happens."
"Alright, Kieron." Braedey then saw the signal go green. "Well, take care on your way home, Big Mac." He said.
With that, Braedey whistled and steamed out of the dockyards, heading out onto the mainline to go back to the sheds, as Big Mac goes onward back to his port. Kieron then followed on after Braedey. Braedey steams slowly down the coastal tracks, keeping his eyes on the rails, as well as making sure not to go really fast. He looked left and right, all the while with listening out for anything that could appear. He still hadn't gotten by his fright from Godred's Ghost back on Sodor.
"You know, this fog reminds me of the time during the Battle of Britain back in 1940 when we worked on the East of the UK." Kieron commented to Braedey, now alongside him. "And that was when I worked as station pilot..."
"Please, don't remind me of that time." Braedey sighed deeply. "I can still hear the air raid sirens whenever the Luftwaffe began their attacks on London and the East of Britain. I can still smell the smoke from the flames of burning buildings."
"Oh. Sorry about that." Kieron apologised solemnly. He didn't mean to bring up such a bad thing to his friend, and he remained silent for the rest of the journey.
Meanwhile, back down at the sheds, Liliana, Austin, Max, Diana, and Belle have all been parked up and were now fast asleep after a long day's work. But, it didn't last. The sound of two approaching engine's chuffing could be heard, waking up Belle and Diana. They then looked to see Braedey and Kieron puffing into view.
Diana could see the downcast expression on Braedey's face as he slowed to a stop on the turntable, now being turned around. He then backed into his berth, and he fell asleep immediately.
Diana looked over to see Kieron pull into his berth. "Kieron, is Braedey alright?" She asked quietly to him.
Kieron sighed deeply. "Sorry, Diana. It's just that, I might have said something to Braedey that may have brought some bad memories to him." He whispered to her.
"And what might that be?" Belle then asked him.
"It's regarding the war." Kieron simply replied.
The two female engines were silent when they heard that word. It struck them to their frames, and they felt their axles wobble. Just the thought of World War 2 was enough to make any engine shudder. Belle and Diana then remained silent for the rest of the night, with Kieron feeling uneasy about the topic he brought up to Braedey.
The next morning, the engines were ready for another hard day of work. However, Braedey couldn't seem to get going. The firefighter was unable to get his fire going, no matter what he can do.
"Come on, Braedey. Your first train is due out in ten minutes." Braedey's drive said to the red engine.
"I'm trying, but I can't get going." Braedey mumbled back, steam hissing from his pistons. No matter what, Braedey cannot seem to get his fire going.
"I'll go and take your first train." Diana offered, now pulling out of the sheds. "I might not be as fast, but I can do it." She added, and she headed off on her way.
Kieron and Blake both looked over to Braedey, the former feeling bad for bringing up bad memories to his fellow GWR locomotive. The two then looked to the other engines, as they also headed out, while feeling concerned for their crimson red engine partner, but they have to go do their work, sadly leaving Braedey behind in the sheds.
Eventually, Mr. Franklin arrived at the sheds, Kieron and Blake both sitting next to Braedey's berth. The controller walked over to the crimson GWR 4900 locomotive, noting the downcast expression on Braedey's face. "Braedey, why aren't you going out on the line, and why is Diana taking your place?" Mr. Franklin asked to Braedey.
"Sorry, sir. I've just been feeling... uneasy since last night." Braedey replied hesitantly. He looked down to his buffer beam.
"And what might the reason of that be?" Mr. Franklin asked to Braedey.
"It's because of me, sir." Kieron then spoke up, getting Mr. Franklin's attention as well as Blake and Braedey. "I mentioned something about the Second World War last night, and he's been rather silent after last night. I'm sorry about that."
"I see." Mr. Franklin sighed deeply. He then had an idea. "Do you want to talk about your past life? It could maybe relieve you of your feelings." He suggested.
Braedey thought about this idea, and he considered it. It would be a good idea to try and find something out of what he's feeling right now. He looked over to see Kieron and Blake giving him a nod, while Liliana, Max, and Austin were nearby, also curious. Braedey lets out a hiss of steam from his cylinder cocks, as he began to tell his story.
"You see, my class of locomotive, the GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0, we were constructed between the years of 1928 to 1943, at places such as Swindon Works, Norwich, Newport, and Bridgend. I was built on April 30th, 1937. I was 172nd off the production line, numbered 5972 back before I got my name." Braedey began to explain his story. "I was built at Swindon Works for the GWR, then was first allocated to Carmarthen in South Wales. It was hard work for me to learn the ropes, but I made it through with knowing what to do. That's where I worked for most of my life, until I was transferred to the East Coast of Britain when World War 2 happened, and I was on the frontline of the war effort."
"That must've been terrifying for you to be there." Max said to Braedey.
"It was. I had to be repainted in wartime black to blend in and not stand out with my GWR green. I felt rather weird having to be the same colour as that of other engines." Braedey replied and continued on. "I was tasked to take evacuation and munition trains between Cardiff and London, as well as Brighton, then through Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and back. I had handled a lot of goods and materials, although I did travel up and down the rails to other locations, delivering any and all goods and materials to help our Allies Forces fight against the Nazis. I also travelled up to Doncaster Works, where I met other engines like Flying Scotsman, Mallard, plus a green GNR Stirling Single, as well as other engines, being good friends with them. However, I did come across one rather abrasive engine."
"Who?" The other engines asked in unison.
"His name was Sir Ralph Wedgwood, an LNER Class A4 Pacific that had the number '4469'." Braedey explained to them. "He was haughty and snooty, ordering other engines about, mostly the tank engines, and when I met him, he didn't seem to care. He just told me to go away. I had never met such an engine before. Those also happen to be the last words he ever said to me."
"Why might that be?" Mr. Franklin asked.
"It happened on the 28th & 29th of April in 1942." Braedey explained to them. "Sir Ralph Wedgwood was receiving repairs at Doncaster Works and temporarily allocated to Doncaster shed for running in on local services before returning to Gateshead. He was stabled at York North Shed that night, the night of the Baedeker raid on York. I was just outside of York taking on water and coal for my next run when it happened. During the attack, York station and North Shed were bombed; during the attack, Wedgwood and another nearby engine, B16 class No. 925 were damaged after a bomb fell through the shed roof, and it exploded between the two engines. Wedgwood was severely damaged as a result of the explosion, but he was recovered and had been towed to Doncaster shortly afterward. When I saw him, he was in a terrible state: his middle driving wheels were gone, his cab destroyed and his traction rods snapped and broken apart."
"Then what happened?" Liliana asked, although she had a bad thought of what happened.
"Due to the degree of damage, the LNER considered it was impractical to rebuild him, and Wedgwood was condemned and later scrapped." Braedey said to them. "His tender was stored in Doncaster until 1945, when it was rebuilt, given the new tender number 703 and attached to an LNER Thompson Class A2/1, No. 3696 Highland Chieftain. The chime whistle was removed and had been fitted to Y8 class 0-4-0T No. 560 as a trial."
"I guess you lost someone you knew of during the time of war." Max then asked to Braedey.
"No. He was actually a sibling of mine." Braedey clarified. "He was No. 4911 'Bowden Hall'. He was like an older brother to me and my fellow siblings. He had been built in 1929 at Swindon Works just like myself, but had been build 8 years before me. He was a wise locomotive, and he taught me how to handle heavy trains, whether goods or coaches. On 30 April 1941, Bowden Hall took a direct hit during a bombing raid on the Keyham area of Plymouth. He had stopped at a signal box because of the air raid, and his crew survived by sheltering under the steps of the signal box. Bowden Hall, however, did not make it, and he was later broken up into scrap. He was one of two GWR locomotives damaged beyond repair in Britain during World War II."
"I'm sorry to hear your loss." Mr. Franklin gently patted Braedey's front buffer beam. "Please continue."
Braedey nodded with his eyes, then he continued his story. "After the war, I was sent back to Carmarthen until 1951. After I had being fitted with a three row superheater at Swindon Works, I was soon allocated to Plymouth Laira. Eventually, I was allocated to my last shed at Cardiff East Dock, before I was finally withdrawn in December of 1963."
"Well, sounds like you've had a long and impressive career, one that I think you deserve a medal or so." Kieron commented.
"Except I was terrified for what will happen to me, especially with the Modernisation Plan occurring." Braedey then shuddered. "I remained in the shed at Cardiff. My driver and fireman, who stayed with me after I had been shunted into my shed, they informed me with bad news; my class of engine was being withdrawn from service, and they were being scrapped alongside many other steam engines, many of them being replaced by diesel locomotives. They told me it was because of British Railways, and their idiocy of pathetic bureaucracy."
"That's sad." Austin commented.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with something like that." Kieron apologised to Braedey.
"It's okay. Fortunately, I was saved and purchased in the August of 1965 by Mr. Franklin's grandfather and uncle, the two of them telling me they were planning on a family-run railway in the Southwest of Britain, not far from Barrow-in-Furness." Braedey continued to explain to the others. "I was too happy to help, and pleased to be back in service again. Even my crew were happy to have their jobs back. It was a long journey for me to travel to my new home, going 319 kilometres off from Cardiff to the Lake District. When I arrived, the basis of the station, roundhouse, and shunting yards were just being set up from the rails that lead to Barrow-in-Furness, and were underway in construction. The rails was what's needed, and they needed to go out to other towns and harbours around us. I had assisted in the construction of the tracks leading to the coaling plant, as well as the lines going around the District, with stations also being built along the lines. I even met Austin there, who was purchased by Mr. Franklin's grandfather from the Kilnhurst Tar Works of Yorkshire Tar Distillers near Swinton in Rotherham."
"Yeah. It was a nice day when we first met." Austin spoke up.
"Yeah. No wonder the tracks felt so smooth." Liliana noted.
"While Braedey helped with the construction of the railway, with Austin also being on his way, Croghan was purchased by my uncle to assist Braedey with the building of the line." Mr. Franklin continued. "Construction of the line was just about done in 1969, with Austin being designated as station pilot, Braedey working both passenger and freight work. About 2 years later, Max was bought to assist Austin with heavy shunting, moving freight, and shunting passenger coaches about. When 1972 came around, we officially established the Josephine Railway to the public. Then, in the Summer of 1995, Diana was found by me, and she was purchased off the landowner, and taken to the Lake District National Park to be part of the Josephine Railway."
"However, I soon learnt that, out of the 258 of my class of engine being built, only six of us had survived." Braedey then added in. "Out of the six of us is 4930 Hagley Hall, 4936 Kinlet Hall, 4953 Pitchford Hall, 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5900 Hinderton Hall, who goes by the name of Ryan, and myself. It is saddening to know many of your class had been scrapped, and only a handful have survived."
"That is rather saddening." Liliana sighed deeply.
Braedey sighed. "So, now you lot know about me."
Kieron then smiled gently. "Well, now I know your past. I guess I can tell you mine." He then said.
Kieron was built by the Great Western Railway at Swindon Works in 1932. He was "push-pull" fitted for branch line work. He was originally numbered in the 48xx series, but along with the rest of his class, he was renumbered into the 14xx series in 1946, eventually becoming 1436. He worked as a passenger engine on a branch line in the West Country. With the rapid closure of West of England branch lines during the 1950's and 1960's, Kieron's original crew were appalled at the prospect of their engine being scrapped or left to rust away at Barry Scrapyard. Both were bachelors with no local ties, so they determined to take a chance and try to save their engine. An escape route was carefully worked out with the help of a chain of sympathetic signalmen. It was necessary to travel at night - often over "goods only" lines - and lie hidden by day. They had many narrow escapes and the journey took longer than planned. When control got wind of the runaway, they hid in an old quarry branch and had the cutting blocked by rubbish to avoid being spotted by the diesels outside. The runaways decided it was safe to leave at some point, but before they could reach greener pastures, Kieron ran out of coal in Barrow Yard. Luckily, he was found by Miss Angelise, and she bought him, bringing him up onto the Beacon Railway, becoming one of the main engines.
"You're lucky." Braedey commented. "You didn't have to go through what I've seen."
"Braedey, it's alright. Now that you told us, I'm sure that you'll feel better about it." Mr. Franklin reassured to his engine, then turned on his heel, and walked back to his car.
"Buddy, it'll be alright. You did the right thing." Kieron said to him, then he chuffed away to take a stopping train.
Braedey looked to his buffers, feeling uneasy in his boiler about everything. He breathed a sigh to himself, as he settled onto his wheels. He looked to the other engines as they left to go back to work. Braedey slowly pulled out of the sheds, chugging off onto the turntable to be turned around, and he began to roll out onto the mainline.
As the crimson GWR 4900 locomotive headed off at a slow pace, Mr. Franklin watched him go, now lost in his thoughts. After hearing about Braedey's story and his lineage of locomotives, he now decided that there was something to do for his engine. So, he began to drive off back to his office to make some arrangements.
The Didcot Railway Centre, a former Great Western Railway engine-shed and locomotive stabling point, located in Didcot, Oxfordshire, England. Today, it has been converted into a railway museum and preservation engineering site. The Great Western Society (GWS) was offered the use of the former Didcot locomotive depot, taking it over in 1967. Today, the GWS have developed the site, which retains many of the original GWR buildings and features, as both a working steam locomotive and railway museum, engineering maintenance centre, and railway line offering short rides to visitors.
For today, the many steam locomotives and machines that were there relaxed in their berths and inside of the sheds, with a few of them being looked at enthusiasts and other folks, as well as being tended to and being restored for active service.
Among the engines is a GWR 4900 Hall Class steam locomotive number 5900, nicknamed 'Hinderton Hall', who goes by the name of Ryan. He is painted in GWR green, with having blue eyes and fair skin. He has the GWR crest on his tender, with the words 'Great Western' in yellow writing on either side of the crest, and he has metallic black wheels and rods. He has the nameplate of 'Hinderton Hall' over one of his wheel covers.
Ryan was designed by Collett back in 1928, then built at Swindon Works in 1931, designated as the 101st of his class. Ryan spent most of his working life over in the West Country. He had also been allocated to other BR motive power depots across the railway from 1948 to 1962, such as Westbury, Tyseley, Oxley, Old Oak Common, and also St. Philips Marsh. Eventually, by the year of 1963, Ryan was withdrawn from Bristol, and he was sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard within Barry Docks in South Wales. But fortunately, Ryan was saved and rescued by members of the Great Western Society, and he was sent to Didcot Railway Centre in 1971. Once there, he saw considerable main line service, including being involved in the GWR 150 celebrations in 1985, as well as in the centre.
Ryan sighed to himself, enjoying the warm sun as he sat by the water tower, taking a nice long drink. "It's days like these that make me feel grateful for being alive. Without the GWS, I do not think I'd ever be seen travelling down the rails at speed." He said to himself.
Just then, the manager of the GWS walked up to the locomotive, a smile on his face. "Ryan, I have just gotten a call from a very interesting individual." He began.
"And who might that be, sir?" Ryan asked.
"His name is Mr. Franklin, the operator of the Josephine Railway, not far from Barrow-in-Furness." The GWS manager clarified to Ryan. "He asked me if you wanted to travel over to his railway. There is also a reason why."
"Why?" Ryan asked in curiosity.
"There just so happens to be another one of your class of engine who lives over on his railway." The manager explained, much to Ryan's surprise. "It'll be a long journey for you to go. About 262 miles or so from Didcot to Barrow-in-Furness. Fortunately, we have been given permission to travel on other rails to get there."
"I'd be happy to go there." Ryan smiled happily. "Plus, it be nice to meet another one of my class."
So, after a bit of tinkering and repair work, Ryan was all prepped and ready to roll out. His crew got him fired up, and after being given the green signal, he headed off down the line. It was going to take a bit of time for him to get there, but he was more than willing to take on the journey. He had passed by many towns and the other railways, also meeting many faceless and non-faceless locomotives and engines.
Eventually, Ryan arrived at Barrow-in-Furness. Once there, he topped up on water and coal, he could hear the rumbling of engines could be heard approaching the station. Ryan looked over to see an InterCity 125 High Speed Train set now pulling into the platform.
The trains are painted in original British Rail InterCity 125 livery of yellow and blue. Their rear ends and Mk3 coaches are painted blue and white. On their sides are the letters "NWR" and red nameplates that read 'Pip' and 'Emma', the names in gold.
"Hello, there. You new around here?" The lead InterCity 125 diesel greeted in a happy female tone of voice.
"Yeah. I'm here on a visit to the Josephine Railway." Ryan replied to the high-speed diesel. He then eyed the nameplate. "You are Emma, aren't you?"
"That's right. And my sister Pip is at the rear for today." Emma smiled gently. "And you are?"
"I'm Ryan, also known as 'Hinderton Hall'. I'm one of the GWR 4900 'Hall' Class." Ryan introduced himself. He then had a thought. "By the way, have any of you two ever met a red locomotive that bears my design?" He asked to then.
"Not really, but we have seen glimpses of a red engine that looks like you." Emma replied to his question. "Also, if you want to go to the Josephine Railway, you go down the track over to the far right of the yard. Once you're on those rails, you'll be on your way."
"Much obliged, thank you." Ryan thanked, just as the two InterCity 125 diesels rolled out of the station with a toot of their horns, heading off towards Sodor with their passenger train.
After he had topped up on water and coal, Ryan began to now head off down the railway that Emma pointed out to him. He noticed the railway was rather smooth, with many large trees around, as well as the lake, and the pleasant sounds of birds chirping.
"I have to say, this is nice." Ryan commented to himself with a smile.
Eventually, Ryan arrived at the main station of the railway, taking note of the turntable and roundhouse around the area. He was a little surprised as to how calm and quiet it was around him. He wondered if he was on the right railway.
"Hello, there." A voice spoke up, getting Ryan's attention. He looked over to see Liliana pulling up on the line nearby. "You're new here. What brings you here?" She asked.
"Hi. I'm Ryan, and yes. I'm new here. I've been sent here by your controller for some reason." Ryan replied.
"That he has, Liliana." The two engines looked to see Mr. Franklin walking up on the platform. "Ryan just so happens to be the engine I was looking for."
"Beg pardon, sir. But why did you send for me here?" Ryan asked. "I mean, you must have some big engines here, so why would I be sent here?"
"For a very good reason." Mr. Franklin turned to look at Liliana. "Lili, please take Ryan over to the sheds." He asked.
"Of course, sir. Come on, Ryan. I'll show you the way." Liliana began to pull away, with Ryan slowly reversing back to follow.
The two engines began to make their way along the line, Ryan taking in the scenery and the sounds. He was also informed of some of the railway's history, and it was rather educational for Ryan. Eventually, they arrived at the roundhouse, and they pulled up to the turntable. Ryan looked over, and to his shock and surprise, there was...
"Braedey!" Ryan spoke out happily.
The red GWR 4900 locomotive looked over to see a similar locomotive to himself, and his eyes widened. "Ryan?! Is that you?" He smiled happily.
"Wow. Look at you! If I had travelled over to you from behind, I wouldn't have recognised you." Ryan smiled. "Man, that red paint really makes you stand out."
"Thanks so much, Ryan. And I have to say, you look a lot better than the last time we've last met." Braedey commented, as Ryan was being turned around on the turntable. "Did you get a recent overhaul?"
"That, I did. And I've never felt better." Ryan smiled, now pulling up alongside Braedey in another berth. "You are rather lucky. Last time I saw you, it was before we were sent out to other places across the UK."
"So, why were you sent here, exactly?" Braedey quizzed.
"It's because I asked him to come here." Mr. Franklin now walked up, getting the two engine's attention. "Since you've been feeling down after telling myself and the others about your history, I thought I would bring over one of your siblings to see you."
"Oh, thank you, sir. That means a lot to me." Braedey smiled. "So, where are you stationed now, Ryan?"
"On the Didcot Railway. I'm owned by the Great Western Society, and I'm now one of the attractions." Ryan clarified to Braedey. "What about you?"
"Premier goods and passenger engine here." Braedey replied. "It definitely gives me variety with what I do."
"And I'm happy you're still in steam." Ryan's smile then faded. "It's hard to believe that only 11 of us are preserved or still in steam." He looked to Braedey. "Do you remember some of our brethren or sisters?" He asked.
"'Bowden Hall' was one I was fond of." Braedey then thought back. "I do remember 4942 'Maindy Hall'. She was such a kind engine. She was almost like a mother."
"Yeah. She was built back in '29, wasn't she?" Ryan took a guess. "She was taken in by the GWS like I was, but she got rebuilt. She's now a GWR 2900 locomotive, and had been renamed into 'Lady of Legend'."
"Oh, I see." Braedey sighed, then had a thought. "What about 5952 'Cogan Hall'?"
"You mean old Coggie?" Ryan asked, then he laughed with Braedey. "That knuckle-boiler! He's always one to make you laugh."
"Who's Coggie?" Liliana asked to the two Hall engines.
"Cogan Hall was a bit of an oddball engine. He had a personality that made you think if he really was one of us engines." Ryan explained.
"He also tried to get in on the female engines." Braedey then chuckled as a memory came to mind. "You know, I think I remember a time back in '39 when he tried to make a move on LMS Princess Coronation Class 6229 'Duchess of Hamilton'."
Ryan gasped. "He did not!" He laughed.
"Oh, he did that. He got rejected faster than a coal dump." Braedey laughed. "He attempted to get lucky with a few other engines, like a GWR 94XX Class Pannier tank, a GER Class D27, a BR Standard Class 5, and try to get with a GNR Stirling Single."
"Talk about a string of love." Liliana giggled.
"He even tried to get hitched with LNER A4 Pacific 'Bittern'." Braedey added in.
"What?! He did not!" Liliana gaped, then she laughed so hard, she thought her boiler would crack in two. "Oh, holy Stanier! That's hilarious!"
"What's going on?" Diana pulled up next to the sheds with Austin and Max alongside her. "What's all the laughing about?"
"Oh. Hey, Diana." Braedey greeted. "Ryan and I are just talking about some of our GWR brothers and sisters."
"Ryan?" Diana looked over to the GWR green engine. He looked the same as Braedey, down from the wheel configuration to the shape of the boiler, aside from the paint. "So this is who you meant by Ryan. Nice to meet you." She greeted.
"Same here, miss." Ryan nodded.
"Anyway, built at Swindon in December 1935 as a mixed traffic engine, Cogan Hall handled both passenger duties and freight work. His first shed allocation was the Penzance depot in Cornwall. In August 1950, he moved to Old Oak Common." Braedey explained about his relative. "During this time, he was outfitted with a three row superheater. In March 1959, he was moved again to the Worcester depot. His last shed allocation was to Cardiff East Dock, where I last talked to him. Then, he was withdrawn from duties in June 1964."
"Cogan ended up at Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales, but survived into preservation unlike some of our other classmates. Purchased by a private individual, Ken Ryder, Cogan Hall was the 136th departure from Barry in September 1981. Stored initially at the GWSR at Toddington and later at the Cambrian Railways Trust, the intention was to restore Cogan at their Oswestry site." Ryan added. "However, in 2010, he was sold to the Betton Grange Society, who intend to use his bogie and tender for the new-build loco, after he had been asked to let the workers use them."
"In the long-term, the Society hopes to restore Cogan at his new home on the Llangollen Railway once work on the Grange is complete." Braedey finished.
"Wow. And to think he was a charmer." Liliana giggled.
"Alright, you lot. As much as I like to hear more, we've got a railway to work." Mr. Franklin said to them. "All of you, let's keep working. Ryan, you can assist Braedey with the goods and passengers. Braedey will tell you what to do." He added, the other engines heading off, as the controller walked back to his office.
"Of course, sir." Ryan acknowledged, then looked to Braedey. "Alright, brother. Lead the way." With two toots of his whistle, Braedey pulled out of the sheds, Ryan following after him.
Soon, Ryan began to work on the Josephine Railway, helping out Braedey in any possible way that he can, Braedey smiling alongside him. Ryan also got along with Diana, Austin, Max, and Belle, all of them smiling whenever they see him. He also made more people come to the railway, much to Mr. Franklin's surprise and mentally complimenting at what's going on.
Braedey was also happy to have the chance to work alongside a fellow member of his locomotive class. It feels like everything has come full circle for him, and feels like old times.