Ryan the GWR 4900 Hall Class 'Hinderton Hall' steam locomotive has made an impact on the Josephine Railway. Passengers are amazed when they could see the brotherly engines running about the railway line, as well as getting some backstory of the GWR 4900, which was rather educational for many.
In addition, Ryan had made a difference with the goods and passenger services on the line. He took some trains without any issue, and managed to get them to their destinations literally five or more minutes earlier than they should. Unfortunately, Mr. Franklin couldn't afford to spare him, and had to go back to the GWS in Didcot. Ryan understood, and he promised to Braedey and the others that he might come back one day.
About a day after Ryan had left the Josephine Railway to go back to the GWS, Braedey was making his way into the marshalling yards to collect his goods train to Barrow-in-Furness. It's a regular run for him to take, and it also lets him ease up on his wheels and axles. But, as he made his way along, he could hear both Max and Austin arguing with one another.
"I'm telling you, your empty trucks are over on Track 2." Austin argued to Max. "My train is over on Track 1."
"And I'm telling you that your goods are on Track 2." Max argued back at Austin. "My train is up on Track 1."
"Alright, alright. What's going on here?" Braedey spoke up, slowly pulling up alongside the two shunters.
"Max is arguing that my goods are on Track 2, while his train is on Track 1." Austin spoke up.
"And I'm saying vice versa." Max argued back.
"Okay. Max, your train is over on Track 2." Braedey spoke up. "Austin, that goods train is over on Track 1. You two best get going and hurry."
The two shunters look to one another, and with a smile on their faces, they now go onward to collect their trains, and they were soon on their way with their work. Once they left, Braedey began to make his way along towards where his train was.
"Braedey." The crimson GWR 4900 locomotive looked over to see Mr. Franklin walking up.
"Hello, sir. What's going on?" Braedey asked.
"Well, I've gotten some goods news from the board of directors." Mr. Franklin began.
"I didn't know there was such a thing here." Braedey commented with a chuckle. "Anyway, what is the good news?" He asked.
"I had asked about this for about a month, and they approved it about a week ago." Mr. Franklin began. "I just didn't get the chance to tell you because Ryan was here. But at this moment, our workshops are cutting up steel and forging it to make a brand new steam engine."
"A new engine, sir?" Braedey asked in surprise. "That is rather unexpected. Sounds awesome. What kind of engine are they going to build?" He asked.
"I've been making some phone calls around the place, as well as one to Sir Topham Hatt, and he's emailed me some blueprints of the engine design I'm looking for." Mr. Franklin clarified to him, a smile on his face. "The steam engine that I plan to build is a London, Brighton and South Coast Railway E2 Class engine."
"LBSCR E2?" Braedey echoed, then realised something. "Wait... just like Thomas."
"Precisely, Braedey. I plan to build an E2 tank engine." Mr. Franklin smiled. "Once finished, the new tank engine will assist us on the railway with shunting, as well as light goods and passenger work on the line."
"Great. We do need another engine to give us some assistance here and there." Braedey smiled.
"That, and as well as the very history of the E2 Class." Mr. Franklin agreed, especially after knowing about the history of the locomotives, and as well as Thomas.
The E2 engines were built by Brighton Works between 1913-1916 to replace the ageing Stroudley E1 Class, and were primarily used for heavy shunting and short-distance goods trains in the London area and on the south coast. During their final working years, the E2 class worked as shunting engines at Southampton Docks alongside the USATC S100 Tank Engines, until they were replaced by the BR Class 07 diesel shunters. All of the E2s were scrapped, with none surviving into preservation, except for Thomas.
Details of Thomas' arrival on the North Western Railway in 1915 by mistake. No one knows how it happened, but some says that it happened because of a confusion. However, is that he was sent to Sodor in a wartime mix-up. His driver and fireman got along well with the local people and married Sudrian women. By 1920, neither one wanted to leave the Island or their beloved engine. During an inquiry, Sir Topham Hatt found out the LBSCR had written off Thomas as being "lost on war service". Rather than face complications resulting from a change in their books, the LBSCR quietly sold Thomas to the NWR for a "nominal sum".
"Sir, I'm gonna go and get my next goods. Anyway, if you do get the chance to see the engine after their first firing has happened, you'd best tell them about our railway history, as well as about Thomas." With that, Braedey departed the marshalling yard to go and get his next train.
Over the next set of works or so, the workshops have been working around the clock to finish the project. Whenever the engines would go past the workshops, they would see workmen coming and going, but they weren't sure as to what could be inside. Braedey, however, was the only one to know, but he won't tell anyone, since it's to be a surprise. In addition, there seemed to be a number of tools, paint, as well as welding equipment that arrived on the scene. It sounds like something big is going to happen at the workshop, but nobody knows what's going on.
Eventually, after about two or so months, the surprise was ready. Earlier in the morning, Mr. Franklin called in all his engines to meet up at the main station and the workshop. They were confused as to what's going on, as they waited patiently.
"So, why are we here? We've got a lot of work to do at the mines." Max asked.
"You and me both." Austin agreed.
"I'm sure that Mr. Franklin has a reason for us to be here." Belle reassured to them.
"Yeah. It might be important." Diana agreed with Belle.
Just then, Mr. Franklin drove up to the workshop. He climbed out of his car, and walked over to his engines. "Morning, engines. I'm sure you want to know what's going on." He began. "But now, I'm am pleased to tell you what has been happening behind these doors." He gestured over to the set of sliding doors.
"Sir, what's been going on inside the workshop? Has someone undergone an overhaul?" Belle asked.
"But none of us have needed an overhaul since a few years back." Diana then said.
"Everyone, it gives me pleasure to welcome forth the newest member to the Josephine Railway." Mr. Franklin announced, as the doors began to open up. "Everyone. Please welcome forth Jane."
The sound of hissing steam can be heard from inside of the workshop, as well as the sound of chugging. The other engines could see a shape slowly approaching the doors, many wondering what kind of steam engine it might be. Eventually, the engine pulled out of the workshop, revealing herself to the engines.
Jane is an LBSCR E2 Class 0-6-0 Tank engine, with 6 small red wheels, a short stumpy black funnel, a short stumpy boiler, and a short stumpy dome. She has red paint with green lining around the boiler tanks, red buffer beams, and a number 1 in yellow on the sides of the tanks, along with a gold whistle just in front of her cab. She also has green eyes.
'Wow. Those mechanics really did a good job.' Braedey thought to himself, looking over at Jane. 'Paint is good, the body looks good, and she looked more than ready for work.'
Jane smiled gently to the other engines around her. "Hello, everyone. Pleased to meet you, and I hope to get along with you all."
Many of the engines were rather surprised and amazed by the sight of another LBSCR E2 engine like Thomas standing before them. They now all gave a chorus of whistles to welcome their new engine.
"Greetings, Jane. Welcome to the Josephine Railway." Braedey greeted warmly to the red engine, then looked to the other engines. "I am Braedey, and these are Diana, Belle, Austin, Max, and Liliana." He introduced.
"Nice to meet you all." Jane smiled warmly.
"Jane will start off assisting with marshalling trains for you all to take. Once she gets the hang of it, we'll get her to take smaller goods." Mr. Franklin said to his engines, then looked over to Liliana. "Lili, I believe you and Belle can orientate our newest engine about?" He asked.
"Sure!/No problem." Liliana and Belle acknowledged back.
"Jane, listen to these two, and you'll do just fine." Mr. Franklin said to the new tank engine.
"Understood, sir. Now, let's go to work." Jane whistled cheerfully. With that, Liliana and Belle began to leave, Jane following on after them towards the shunting yards, while the others were curious about Jane.
"She's eager to start working." Austin commented with a smile.
"Plus, she seems really nice." Max included.
"We will just have to wait and see what she'll do." Diana reminded them.
Throughout the rest of the day, Liliana and Belle have been teaching what they can and more to Jane, all of which regarding shunting, how to handle goods and coaches, as well as get them into dedicated sidings and designated parts of the line. Jane seemed to get the job done very easily; always making sure the trucks were behaving and in line, and being very delicate with the coaches. The foremen would say that they're very impressed by her work, and she was happy to help out.
By the afternoon, most of the trains have been sorted out and on their way. Jane sat by the water tower to take a drink, as her crew was taking a short break. As she was resting in the siding, Jane now noticed the stationmaster walking up to her.
"Jane, we might need your help." The stationmaster asked to her.
"With what, exactly?" Jane asked in concern.
"Liliana was meant to take some passengers over to the picnic site. However, she has been held up with a heavy order of coal and goods." The stationmaster explained to her. "I need you to pick up some coaches and collect the passengers."
"Alright." Jane acknowledged, as her crew came back and she puffed off towards the coach yard.
Jane looked around to try and find some coaches, but most of them have already been taken and have left with other engines. She looked around a bit more, then she eventually found two coaches at the far side of the yard.
These red coaches are LBSCR 4-wheeled coaches built to a design by Stroudley between the early 1870s and late 80s. Several coaches of this are preserved on the Bluebell Railway and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The coaches are painted dark red, and had dark grey rooftops.
"Alright. They'll have to do." Jane commented to herself. She pulled up to them, ready to couple them up to her. "Time to get going."
"Dare I say." The lead coach grunted in a feminine voice. "We were having a nice rest until you came along."
"Yes, my dear." The second coach mumbled. "Now go away. There's a good engine."
Jane huffed. "Not gonna happen. You're coming with, and I'm not taking no for an answer." She buffered up to the coaches, was coupled up, and she began to pull. But, she felt the coaches were forcing their brakes on, stopping her from moving. "Oh, come on, you two. Get moving." She fumed.
But the coaches were being stubborn and rude. They didn't let go of their brakes, much to Jane's frustration. Eventually, she managed to get them to the platform, where the passengers were waiting. They all boarded the coaches, much to their discomfort.
"Oh, knock it off. They're only passengers." Jane huffed.
"Noisy, clumsy, and heavy passengers." The coaches grumbled. "We'd rather be back in our nice lovely siding."
Jane rolled her eyes. She was getting fed up with these two and their obsessive whining and complaining. She coupled up to them, and was ready to go. But, as she did so, the coaches were holding onto their brakes, stopping Jane from moving forward.
"We don't want to go." The coaches said in defiance.
"I'll show you... I'll show you." Jane fumed. She might be a new engine on the railway, but after being taught of what to do, she felt ready for anything.
Jane began to slowly pull forward, her wheels slipping every now and then as she puffed out of the station, the coaches' brakes squealing with each turn of their wheels, much to their discomfort and pain.
"You're hurting us!" The coaches shrieked.
Jane didn't listen to them, as she kept on pulling with all the strength she could muster. She gave a sudden heave, forcing the coaches to release their brakes, and the train began to roll down the line, much to Jane's relief. She breathed a sigh, as she began to put on speed, trying to make up for some lost time.
The journey went well for them, as Jane kept to time, passing by trees and bridges, as well as some open fields. Jane was rather impressed by the landscape, as well as how smooth the rails were under her wheels. She had to thank Liliana the next time she sees her about her commitment to her job. But, the mood soon changed when the coaches began to complain.
"Horrible engine." The coaches mumbled to themselves indignantly. "We are delicate coaches. We need our rest."
Jane huffed, and continued on their way. She wasn't going to be stopped by two stubborn coaches and their whining. She started to slow her speed as they were now reaching a wooden bridge that spans a wide river. Jane was told by the engines to go slowly on this section, for this bridge was meant to take sudden vibrations.
"We're exhausted. We need rest." The coaches now complained.
"Not a chance." Jane grunted. "Now come on. We're going to be late."
But the coaches didn't care what she said. They suddenly slammed on their brakes, and they brought the whole train to a screeching halt, right in the middle of the bridge.
"Why you...!" Jane growled in anger. "I can't believe this! You two are the worst set of coaches I've ever dealt with! You two are pompous, useless, and downright lazy! Get going or I'm gonna rip your couplings off!"
"Lazy? Lazy?!" The coaches screeched in fury. "We'll show you!" With that, the two coaches gave a sudden jerk forward, bumping into Jane, and they forced the red tank engine right off the rails. "Don't you look silly now?" The coaches teased.
Jane was furious, but not as furious as the passengers. They were thrown about like they were being dice being shaken in a cup, knocking them off their feet and even having their luggage fall on them. They were not happy about this.
"Mr. Franklin will hear about this." The passengers complained, but the coaches didn't care about this.
A few minutes later, Braedey pulled up alongside Jane with a coach behind him. At the same time, Max pulled up in front of Jane, with a powerful winch attached to his front buffer beam. Jane looked embarrassed at both the GWR locomotive and the diesel shunter, but the two engines weren't angry at her.
"Jane, we'll get you back on the tracks in no time, and don't you worry about those coaches." Braedey reassured, just as Mr. Franklin stepped out of his cab.
Mr. Franklin was accosted by the angry passengers from Jane's train that have stepped out. The coaches thought that the controller will tell Jane to go away, and let them go back to their siding. However, they were shocked to see the passengers berating them with angry commented instead of Jane.
"You two!" Mr. Franklin barked suddenly. "Coaches that take advantage of engines and passengers are not coaches fit to work on this or any railway. I, for one, do not tolerate laziness from insubordinate rolling stock." He firmly stated.
"Lazy?!" The coaches screeched. "It's that red hothead tank engine you should be yelling at. She hurt us."
"Good." Braedey suddenly spoke up. "Jane would never discipline coaches unless it was absolutely necessary to do so. She has learnt well from us. And she did nothing wrong."
The coaches were aghast. Soon, Braedey picked up the passengers to take them on their way. Max helped Jane back onto her wheels, and he pulled her down to get checked on in case she was damaged. Austin then collected the coaches, and took them away.
Later that evening, back at the sheds, Jane was telling the other engines about what had happened to her today, and about the two stubborn coaches. The engines were laughing about the coaches getting into trouble with Mr. Franklin, and disgusted by the way they were.
"Those coaches acted like troublesome trucks." Diana huffed.
"Well, good thing we won't have to deal with them." Austin then spoke up.
"How do you mean?" Belle asked.
"I was told by Mr. Franklin to send those two stubborn boxes on wheels over to a farmer down the line." Austin explained. "Turns out the farmer wanted something to act as a chicken coop and a shelter for his baby cows. And it seems those coaches were the suitable set of barns for them."
The other engines laughed heartily with one another after hearing about this. It was the best set of news they had heard all day.
By the end of the month, Jane had finally become a dedicated member of the Josephine Railway team, and around the clock, she's managed to make time fly for many trains. They were all on time, and no complaints from clients or passengers. Jane has been a big help to the whole Railway.
Jane has been instrumental for the Josephine Railway, and she couldn't be more happy about being alive.