Mack is a British Rail Class 40 diesel, one who works on the North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor. He is the brother of D261 AKA Bowler, But unlike his brother Bowler, Mack is a rather friendly and nice chap. He believes steam and diesel engines are as good as one another, neither one being superior than the other. He gets along with many of the steam engines, though he does get mixed up with his twin brother. He sometimes has to soothe ruffle feathers after Bowler's proclamations and superiority complex. He handles goods and passengers, but he prefers to be on goods.
Mack has gotten along with many of the engines on Sodor, whether they'd be steam or diesel, and he could not be happier where he is right now. But unbeknown to everyone, he actually has a dark secret about his past he's not particularly fond of, especially since it got him into trouble during the Modernisation Plan of the 1950's. Ever since the incursions and attacks from the D.G.S.S.E, especially withRoderick the MetroVick and Fowler the LMS 0-4-0 Fowler, it has brought up some uncomfortable and unsettling memories to him.
One morning, Mack was travelling light-engine down the Brendam branchline from the docks. He is enjoying the peace of the birds chirping in the trees and the warmth of the sun against his bodywork. As he travels along the line, he looks ahead to see a red signal, and a signalman standing nearby. Mack pulls to a stop with a look of confusion on his face.
"Is there a problem, mate?" Mack's driver asked, now leaning out of the window. "What's going on?"
"Sir Topham Hatt has requested that Mack is to meet him at the sheds. It's a matter of importance, and it's especially regarding recent events." The signalman explained to them.
Mack now felt nervous as he rolled away for the sheds. He wondered as to what Sir Topham Hatt meant by recent events, but as he through hard, he had not done anything wrong. He still felt uncertainty and worry circulating around his cooling fans. He felt dread as he soon reached Tidmouth Sheds, and there was Sir Topham Hatt, along with a group of men in suits and with what were folders and books.
"Mack. Glad you could make it." Sir Topham greeted the Class 40 with a small smile.
"Sir, is there something wrong?" Mack asked softly. He still felt trepidation and concern.
"These gentleman are of the Railway Inspectors Unit, or R.I.U for short." Sir Topham introduced. "During their investigation regarding the D.G.S.S.E and all those that were affiliated or had relations with the group, it was discovered that your name had appeared on their roster sheet." That made Mack look very concerned. "Now, I am not to accuse you of anything Mack, but I believe that myself and these gentlemen would like to know as to how your name is on the D.G.S.S.E roster, as well as Mavis'."
"Mavis?" Mack echoed. He definitely didn't expect that.
"Yes. We found her name among the list of diesels, including that of Splatter and Dodge, plus Old Stuck Up, just to name a few." One R.I.U agent clarified to Mack. "We interviewed Mavis just yesterday and she explained to us that she defected from the group when she was forcefully aligned since she assisted a steam engine in escaping a scrapyard in 1964 before she was shipped off to Sodor."
"Her story almost lines up with the fact that my father had purchased her in 1963, but she didn't arrive on the island until a year later." Sir Topham added in. "We did find your brother D261 AKA Spamcan on the list, along with Diesel, plus 'Arry & Bert. I've put the latter three into solitary confinement at the scrapyards until further notice." He looks at Mack with comforting yet concerned eyes. "Mack, if there is something you need to tell us, now would be the time."
Mack could tell Sir Topham was being kind and caring to him, and he wants to help him. The Class 40 diesel breathed a sigh before he rolls forward onto the turntable, spins himself around, then backs into his berth. "Alright. I'll tell you. But what I'm about to tell you must not be told to anyone else."
"I promise not to tell." Sir Topham reassured.
"And the same goes to you too... Lady." Mack and Sir Topham, as well as the R.I.U agents, look over to see Lady, who had just arrived after she brought a train of crushed stone.
"I'm sorry for barging in unannounced. I did not mean to." Lady apologised. "But I promise not to say a thing to anyone. Not until you're ready."
Mack sighed a little. "Okay. Thank you." He now began to think back to his youth. "Okay. It all began back in 1962, about a year since I had been put into service in taking goods and passengers on British Railways around the Doncaster region..."
~*~*~{FLASHBACK TO 1962...}~*~*~
Doncaster, a town in Yorkshire, northern England, nearby the River Don. Here is where Doncaster Railway Works resides. Also referred to as 'The Plant', it was established by the Great Northern Railway in 1853, replacing the previous works in Boston and Peterborough. Among the locomotives the works produced were the Stirling Singles, the Ivatt Atlantics and the Gresley Pacifics, including the world-famous Flying Scotsman, the first locomotive to achieve 100mph and also run from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley non-stop; and Mallard which achieved the top speed of 126mph on 3 July 1938, to become the world's fastest steam locomotive, a record she still holds to present day. These have hauled trains as the Flying Scotsman, Silver Jubilee, Coronation and the Elizabethan. Doncaster also constructed the carriages for the last of these.
In 1913, "The Plant" employed 4600 and covered 200 acres (81 ha) and from the time of the Great Northern Railway into LNER days, the works continued to build a variety of locomotives and rolling stock. During World War II, like other workshops, it joined in the war effort producing, among other things, Horsa gliders for the D-Day airborne assault. The carriage building shop was destroyed by fire in 1940. New buildings in 1949 were designed with the British Railways Mark 1 all-steel carriages in mind. In 1957, BR Standard Class 4 (76114), the last of 2,228 steam locomotives, was completed. In November 1963, 60009 Union of South Africa was the last of an estimated 10,000 steam locomotives to be overhauled at Doncaster Works.
Out on the mainline, Mack was taking a goods train from the southern end to Doncaster. He had taken note of the dwindling numbers of steam engines around the region, but he knew exactly what was happening. He cursed the Modernisation Plan because of its poor plan and layout of what it thinks will work. He was thinking to himself as he pulled to a stop in one of the rail yards.
{Mack: It felt like any normal day to me in the year of 1962. I have been taking a goods from the south to Doncaster. I had taken notice of the number of steam engines that have begun being withdrawn overtime, but there wasn't anything I could do at the time. But when I arrived at Doncaster... that's when I met them.}
"Hey, you." Mack was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard that voice. "Yes, you. Class 40. D262. We're talking to you."
Mack looks around the yard, then he saw three diesels looking over to him. One is a Cab-Forward BR Class 08 Diesel, along withBowler the Class 40, and a big blue BR Class 55 diesel. Mack had heard of what Bowler did back on Sodor, and he got a humiliating reputation all among diesels because of the bowler hat incident, and many of the diesels would mock the Class 40 about it.
"Why, hello there, brother." Bowler greeted.
"Whatever, Bowler." Mack grunted. He didn't want much to do with his brother's behaviour and such. "What do you even want? I've got a busy schedule as it is."
"Oh, I'm sure Deltic here can handle that." The Cab-Forward shunter spoke up, the Class 55 now rolling ahead to take Mack's next train, and the next one after. "You see, your brother D261 here, he said you are a very loyal diesel to British Railways."
"Well, I'm not exactly fond of the whole prospect of the Modernisation Plan, but there's small bits I'm okay with." Mack interjected. "Like that of withdrawing and scrapping many steam engines-"
"Oh, not this again." Bowler scoffed in exasperation. "You have been going on that those old engines should not be scrapped."
"Just because you say that, it doesn't give you the right to just do so." Mack interjected.
"Is that so?" The Cab-Forward shunter now clears his throat. "Oh, apologies. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Levi, a messenger of the boss."
"Your boss? Who's the boss?" Mack now questioned.
"Oh, you will see him soon enough." Levi grinned with a suspicious glint in his eyes. "That is, if you'd like to bear witness to what's going to happen in the future."
Mack was internally hesitant about going along with these diesels, especially since Bowler is among them. But he then had a thought; if he learnt more about what's going on regarding British Railways, it could give him some insight into what's going on, and to know what will occur soon in the upcoming years.
{Mack: At first, I didn't know what to say. Still, I did wish to know what was going to happen to the whole of British Railways, as well as those I've known for the amount of time I've been around. I have gotten along with a number of steam engines, but decided to act like I was one of those arrogant diesels to know more so I could help out those that can't be saved.}
Mack shows a smirk. "Of course. What are we waiting for? Let's go." He revs his engine for emphasis.
Levi smirked deviously, Bowler now smiling at the fact his brother is now seeing things in his eyes. Once done that, the three diesels head off from Doncaster yards to somewhere, and without the workmen around even noticing this.
Eventually, Levi and Bowler led Mack off the mainline, the latter seeing the silhouette of Doncaster in the distance, just as they go by some forest areas before they made their way to open landscape. As Mack now looks around, he saw them approaching a large sign and barb-wire fence towards some kind of place. The sign has the image of a diesel locomotive, as well as the letters 'D.G.S.S.E' above it, and some writing underneath it. He looks closer and sees what it says;
'DIESEL GROUP FOR SCRAP OF STEAMIES ENGINES'
'Wait. Something doesn't feel right...' Mack thought to himself. 'Scrap of steam engines...? Someone isn't telling me the truth.'
The whole area looks to be run down and shabby, with insufficient and damaged equipment. There's a five-row engine shed with a turntable to accomodate the engines, a fuel depot situated nearby, as well as what looks to be an armoury, but the big eyecatchers were the huge scrapping sheds situated in the middle of the area, which had an elevating turntable, plus rows upon rows of derelict steam engines, diesel-hydraulic and regular diesel locomotives, along with old wagons and coaches, plus older machinery and vehicles around the area, the place looking like a junkyard or derelict city.
"Apologies for the mess. We've yet to clean up." Levi said to Mack as they roll along the rails to the huge scrapping shed. "But this... is the headquarters of the D.G.S.S.E, our base of operations."
"Okay..." Mack rolls to a stop. "So... how did this even happen? As in where did you get this group?"
"Oh, you wish to know?" A sinister voice spoke up, Levi smirking at the voice. "Well, it is time for us all to greet our newest member." The sound of steam hissing could be heard as the shape of a steam engine can be seen approaching the turntable in the middle of the scrapping sheds. The engine now reveals itself, and it looks to be an LMS Fowler 0-6-0 tender engine with faded British Railways logos on the tender.
"Who are you?" Mack questioned.
"Oi! Best you take heed-" Levi began.
"That's enough, Levi." The LMS Fowler countered back. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fowler, leader of the D.G.S.S.E, otherwise known as the 'Diesel Group For Scrap Of Steamies Engines'. It's a portmanteau of what we have been designated and assigned for."
"As to what, exactly?" Mack asked curiously.
"We are formed for one reason, and one reason only; we have the sole intention of scrapping any engines, regardless if they're steam, diesel, or of any kind. Even those who stand in the way of our way of progress to a just society, one where diesel-kind reign supreme." Fowler explained.
Mack looked stunned for a moment. "But... who would even sanction such a thing?" He asked in disbelief.
"Who? Why, Dr. Richard Beeching, of course." Bowler now answered. "He's the founder of the D.G.S.S.E, and who we see as the god and saviour of British Railways."
"Chairman of the British Railways Board? He did this?" Mack spoke out in surprise and shock. He did not expect that at all: the new Chairman of British Railways has created this scrapping group? "But what about all the rules and regulations of illegal scrapping of non-faceless vehicles? This group would be disbanded if the government knows-"
"Who said the government even knows about us?" Fowler countered with a smirk. "This operation work in the shadows and nobody knows about what we really do, except for Dr. Beeching himself. As far as anyone knows, we're simple working engines for the company."
"Wait. 'We'?" Mack echoed.
"Boys... reveal yourselves from the very darkness of the shadows!" Fowler announced, blowing a deep and sinister whistle. "Let yourselves be known!"
At once, the sounds of rumbling engines can be heard echoing around the huge scrapping shed. A moment goes by, then a blue BR Class 28 with yellow front and rear, Levi the cab-forward BR Class 08 shunter, as well as two other BR Class 08 shunters, both in faded olive and grey, and two more BR Class 08 diesels alongside in green-grey with yellow cabs and yellow hazard stripes on their fronts.
"Greetings, fellow diesel." The Class 28 diesel greeted.
"Allow me to introduce my associates who stand before you. Roderick, the MetroVick. The two shunters to your left in faded olive and grey, they are Herbert and Harold." Fowler now introduced. "The green and grey shunters on your right are Malice and Wicked. We have a number of others among our ranks, most of them out and about and carrying out our mission." He stated.
"Mission?" Mack asked.
{Mack: I should have realised the D.G.S.S.E business was basically a slaughter scrapping operation set up by Beeching to get rid of steam engines and diesels that were basically inadequate for the modern world. But what happened next stopped me from trying to stop them.}
"Oh, it is quite simple: the sole intention of scrapping any engines, regardless if they're steam, diesel, or of any kind." Fowler answered as if it were obvious.
"But... you're a steam engine." Mack countered.
"Ah, yes. Many have asked me that question." Fowler spoke out nonchalantly. "When the dieselisation era began, I was prepared to be withdrawn from service and be sent off for scrap. However, I made a deal with Dr. Richard Beeching to see if I can help. And I did: throughout the Midland Region, I assist with goods trains, but without anyone knowing, I deliver obsolete steam engines to scrapyards. With one engine sent away for scrap, I get a lease on life. A life for a life, one can say..."
"You... you'd kill your own brothers and sisters, just to live on?" Mack asked in shock.
"Not just me. All these diesels around us, they all have the same agenda as I do: the purging of steam traction from our railways to make way for diesel kind." Fowler clarifies, the diesels flashing lights and blaring horns in response. "But for those who stand in our way, we force them to see things our way. If they don't... we make an example out of them." Fowler added in.
"Shall we show Mack here what we do?" Malice suggested to Fowler. "Maybe with the Thompson?"
"I agree." Wicked agreed with this. "What say you, boss?"
"I cannot see why not. Malice! Wicked! Show our guest from the turntable." Fowler ordered to the two green-grey hazard-sign diesels. The two diesels buffer up behind Mack, now moving him from the centre track to the far left. "Levi! Go and get the scrap engine." Fowler ordered to the cab-forward diesel. The cab-forward 08 shunter rolls onto the elevated turntable, which lowers to ground level, and he rumbles out of the scrapping shed. "Roderick! Transform." Fowler orders next.
"Ooh..." Roderick the big blue diesel smirked deviously. In response, mechanical gear shifting emanates from within his form, and a huge grey hydraulic mechanical claw now rises up on top of his roof. "This is my favourite part." He chuckled, the claw snapping three times for emphasis. Mack now looks on in shock and surprise, seeing the claw on Roderick's roof.
Levi, the cab-forward shunter diesel, soon arrived back to the scrapping shed, pulling behind him a beaten-up and rather battered LNER Class Thompson A2/2 4-6-2 "Pacific" express locomotive. The rest of his body is in a rather decrepit and battered stated, parts of him broke or missing, his paint faded and hidden under layers of grime, dirt, oil, and dust. He also looked worn-down and tired, his eyes weary and with dried tears on his face.
"Got him, boss." Levi spoke out, now moving out of the way as the other two 08 diesels push the Thompson A2/2 closer to the elevated turntable. "Ready to go."
"How... how could you do this to a steam engine?" Mack asked in shock and horror. "What did he ever do to you?"
"A diesel engine showing sympathy for a steamie? That is rich." Harold chortled. "Ain't that something, Herbert?"
"Knock it off, Harold!" Herbert grunted back, silencing his twin.
"This engine, once an LNER P2 2-8-2 streamlined, now an abomination Thompson A2/2, has been draining the finances of British Railways, alongside its number of fellow Thompson engines." Fowler explained to Mack, with Roderick rolling onto the platform, the elevated turntable now lowering down to ground level. "This class of engine are nothing but so many teething troubles; jamming brakes, steam leaks, tender failure. The list goes on. Well, no more, and this fella is the very last one. By orders from Beeching, this engine is to be scrapped by us of the D.G.S.S.E. He has been bashed by our bruisers Wicked and Malice, as well as having trucks and wagons slammed into him by Harold and Herbert, while myself and Levi have caused trauma to him through psychological pain. Yet... we have kept him alive..."
"That is, until now." Roderick chuckled darkly as he raises his claw and snaps it twice, the other diesels laughing alongside him, then Roderick thrusts his claw forward, now starting to rip into the Thompson A2/2!
All Mack could do was watch on with eyes filled with utter horror, hearing the pain-filled screams of the steam engine, seeing parts flying and being ripped out, sparks coming off the engine's body as his boiler and chassis was being torn apart, water spurting out and spilling across the floor, all the while with Roderick and the other diesels grinning like the madmen they are, the blue Class 28 continuing to rip his claw into the Thompson A2/2 like a rabid wild animal. Mack felt terrible for the poor steam engine, all just because he had been given a bad hand, but that got him caught and sent to be scrap by this group of crazed engines. He now felt something for those picked off by this group of hunters: sympathy.
Eventually, the screams fell silent and Roderick moves back to reveal his handiwork: the whole engine had been torn apart from outside to inside, parts of the engine torn off and turned to scrap metal lying on the floor, as well as the tender being broken apart by Roderick's huge claw, as well as boiler tubes and other parts lying on the ground.
Mack could only just look on in horror of this attack on the steam locomotive. After that, Roderick waved to Levi, who acknowledged his movement and began to take the body of the Thompson A2/2 away to the line of old and decrepit diesels and steam engines to be melted down for scrap.
"Now do you see what we specialise in?" Harold chuckled. "We do that, and worse, to those who step in our way."
"You see, my dear diesel, once any one appears on our list, we make sure to hunt them down, and deliver the most gruesome, horrible, and inconceivable amounts of pain, before one's very soul is begging for the sweet embrace of death." Fowler stated. "And soon... they will be nothing but SCRAP!"
"Scrap! Scrap! Scrap! Scrap! Scrap! Scrap!" The diesels and Fowler chant out, revving their engines in unison, Fowler chugging steam from his pistons in time with the diesel's engines revving. "Scrap! Scrap! Scrap! Scrap! Scrap! Scrap!"
{Mack: It was at that moment in time that I realised what was going on and what I've just stumbled upon: it wasn't just some weird operation Beeching had come up with - it was a fascist cult. The worst kind of cult. But after knowing so much and the fact I'm with these psychos without even saying I'm part of them, I made it my internal mission to help those who need it most and to get away from the D.G.S.S.E.}
"Boys!" Fowler now stopped them with a sudden yell, the chanting and revving all going silent. "Please show our newest guest to the engine shed. I'm sure he is very tired but excited to be part of this group. Wicked, Malice. Show our guest to the sheds. The rest of you, get out there and hunt engines for scrap! Roderick. Clean up that mess you left." Fowler now stated, his eyes gesturing to the mess of metal on the ground where he gutted the Thompson A2/2. "I'll leave you to it." With that, he backs away from the edge, Roderick begrudgingly cleaning the mess.
That evening, Mack could not even get a wink of sleep, unlike the other diesels. He could hear the cries and screams from the engines that were being sent to the smelting sheds, the sound of metal being melted down echoing all around, with the howls of machinery going along, but the screams... they kept Mack well-awake.
Mack's driver soon found his Class 40 in the sheds. Lucky for them, the diesels were sound asleep, as if they were like rocks. "Mack. I found the roster sheet for what diesel is aligned with this crazy group." He whispered.
"And...?" Mack trailed off, waiting for his driver to finish.
"There's got to be up to 50 diesels and personnel of British Railways that are part of the D.G.S.S.E." Mack's driver answered, Mack looking like he had been struck by lightning. "Yeah, I know. And they know the inner workings of this operation like Beeching." He looks at his engine in concern. "This is getting dangerous. We can't afford to stay here."
"I know. But I can't let those who deserve a chance to live have their lives cut short because of this fascists." Mack stated firmly, then saw three steam engines in the sidings; one looking like an LMS Ivatt 2 2-6-2T, the second a LB A1 Terrier, and the third engine is a LMS Fowler Class 3F 'Jinty'. "And I'll start tonight..."
So, under the cover of night, Mack sneakily and quietly coupled up to the three engines, all of them being as silent as can be, and the Class 40 diesel took them away from the D.G.S.S.E. headquarters. He was able to get the three engines away from scrapyards and over to some branchlines that haven't been closed down. Mack gave his word and condolences to the engines he saved from that point onwards, saying he was sorry for what happened to their brothers and sisters.
{Mack: So, that's what I did - I'd be acting like one of the diesels during the day, but at night, I was saving the engines who couldn't be saved. My driver said it was risky, but I wasn't going to left Roderick or Fowler take another life while I was around. And I wasn't the only one - there was a rumour of a BR Class 04 shunter who saved a steam engine from scrap and escaped, so she's been declared a traitor of all diesels. I knew the risks and reward, but wasn't going to stop what I was doing. At the same time, things were changing for all of British Railways...}
On 27 March 1963, under orders from Maples, Beeching published his report on the future of the railways, entitled The Reshaping of British Railways. He called for the closure of one-third of the country's 7,000 railway stations. Passenger services would be withdrawn from around 5,000 route miles accounting for an annual train mileage of 68 million and yielding, according to Beeching, a net saving of 18 million pounds per year. There were no proposals to improve or repurpose the usage and efficiency of the existing network o how to maintain or dispose of redundant infrastructure. The reshaping would also involve the shedding of around 70,000 British Railways jobs over three years. Beeching forecast that his changes would result in an improvement in British Railway's accounts of between 115M and 147M. The cut-backs would include the scrapping of a third of a million goods wagons, much as Stedeford had foreseen and fought against.
Unsurprisingly, Beeching's plans were hugely controversial not only with trade unions, but with the Labour opposition and railway-using public. Beeching was undeterred and argued that too many lines were running at a loss, and that his charge to shape a profitable railway made cuts a logical starting point. As one author puts it, Beeching "was expected to produce quick solutions to problems that were deep-seated and not susceptible to purely intellectual analysis." For his part, Beeching was unrepentant about his role in the closures: "I suppose I'II always be looked upon as the axe man, but it was surgery, not mad chopping." Beeching was nevertheless instrumental in modernising many aspects of the railway network, particularly a greater emphasis on block trains which did not require expensive and time-consuming shunting en route.
In early 1965, Beeching unveiled the new brand for the railways - British Rail - and its 'double arrow' symbol, which is still in use as the symbol of National Rail now (The legal name of the British Railways Board did not change.). On 16 February, Beeching introduced the second stage of his reorganisation of the railways. His second report set out his conclusion that of the 7,500 miles (12,100km) of trunk railway throughout Britain, only 3,000 miles (4,800km) "should be selected for future development" and invested in. This policy would result in traffic through Britain being routed through nine selected lines. Traffic to Coventry, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland would be routed through the West Coast Main Line running to Carlisle and Glasgow; traffic to the north-east would be concentrated through the East Coast Main Line which was to be closed north of Newcastle; and traffic to Wales and the West Country would go on the Great Western Main Line, then to Swansea and Plymouth. Underpinning Beeching's proposals was his belief that there was still too much duplication in the railway network. Of the 7,500 miles (12,100km) of trunk route, 3,700 miles (6,000km) involves a choice between two routes, 700 miles (1,100km) a choice of three, and over a further 700 miles (1,100km) a choice of four.
These proposals were rejected by the government, which put an early end to his secondment from ICI; Beeching returned there in June 1965. It is a point of contention whether he left by mutual arrangement with the government or was sacked. Frank Cousins, the Labour Minister of Technology, told the House of Commons in November 1965 that Beeching had been dismissed by Tom Fraser. Beeching denied this, pointing out he had returned early to ICI as he would not have had enough time to undertake an in-depth transport study before the formal end of his secondment from ICI.
{Mack: After my driver and I heard the news of Beeching being removed from his position as Chairman but the damage had already been done. Myself and my driver had done what we could to save so many engines since '62, but even so, there were those we could not save, especially with the D.G.S.S.E. on the rise like the red blanket of the Soviet Union at the time. Their numbers had increased from 50 to up to 200 members, which include both men and locomotives. However, at the time of 1965, I couldn't stand the noise of the smelting sheds, the screams of those who were thrown into the fires of the scrapping sheds, let alone the crazy speeches that Fowler made, so one night, I made my move...}
One evening in 1965, Mack was sitting out of the sheds under the stars. It was luckily a clear night tonight, the moon shining bright against the inky black sky. His driver was getting him fuelled and checked over for one operation they both planned together: they were going to make a break from Doncaster for Barrow-in-Furness and onwards to Sodor. They've heard about this island thanks to the Railway Series books by Rev. W Awdry, and that possibly one or two of the engines Mack had saved were on the island. Now... it was his turn to make that journey.
"Mack." The Class 40 can see Bowler nearby, who had brought some fuel tankers for the scrapping machines. "Why are you out here so late? Aren't you going to come over and see another old steam engine be sent to the smelters-?"
"No! Enough." Mack abruptly spoke back, his voice now laced with frustration and anger. "I'm not doing this anymore."
"What? What do you mean?" Bowler was confused at his brother's outburst. What was going on with his fellow Class 40?
"I'm done. I'm done being a pawn in your schemes, Bowler." Mack stated back firmly. "I've had enough of being involved with this right-wing fascist regime!"
"What- Mack, what has gotten into you?" Bowler now asked out of bewilderment.
"Gentlemen." Fowler now steams into view. "What seems to be the problem-" He is abruptly cut off when Mack suddenly shot forward and slammed into him, sending him down the tracks with sparks flying off his wheels. "Mack, what are you-"
"You murderer!" Mack snapped, his engine roaring like an angry bear. "I can't even look you in the eye without feeling my fuel tank churning." He takes a second to breathe. "I don't want anything to do with you or anyone involved in the D.G.S.S.E, let alone Beeching."
Fowler was aghast. "You're betraying your god?!"
"Beeching is no god, he's just a man. A weak man who thinks of him as better than anyone." Mack said back with defiance, the other diesels all looking on in shock and anger. "He's the axe-man, he's just a man who took away the lives of engines who don't deserve to be scrapped."
"How dare you-!" Roderick arms his claw and snaps it, sparks flying off the steel. "You speak so such ill will of our founder?!" Mack wasn't even intimidated at all by Roderick's claw, him now standing his ground.
{Mack: My anger boiled over like hot oil, my engine now feeling hotter than ever... I don't even know what did happen at that moment, but from what my driver told me, I slammed myself right into Roderick, then backed into the shunter diesels when they tried to stop me, and I went Bowler onto his side with a crash. After that, he got me away from the D.G.S.S.E headquarters, even after being chased down the line by Roderick, and we took off down the mainline for Barrow.}
After what could be hours of rolling along, and after getting away and losing Roderick when he attempted to chase after him, Mack was eventually far away from where the D.G.S.S.E can find him. His driver had stopped him so he could check him over and see if there's nothing broken. Mack didn't know what to think or say: he had betrayed all diesels on British Railways, and he could not risk going back to London or even Doncaster. There was only place for him to run away to: the North Western Railway.
"Mack, are you sure of going on through with this?" Mack's driver asked after he checked him over.
Mack sighed. "There's no other way. We can't go back. British Railways has turned against us. We must go to Sodor. If that 04 shunter diesel betrayed them before, why don't we?" His driver did have to concede to that. "Very well. Let's go before the rising dawn." With that, Mack's engine rumbles to life and he begins to head down the mainline to the Southwest, going forth to Barrow-In-Furness...
~*~*~{END OF FLASHBACK}~*~*~
"...And after that, I made my journey to Sodor." Mack now began to finish his story. "I managed to get to Vicarstown before I ran out of fuel, but I was fortunate that day when BoCo and Henry found me." He looked to Lady, Sir Topham Hatt, and the R.I.U agents who have been listening to his story.
"Yes, it was quite a surprise that day in 1965 when you did arrive." Sir Topham commented. "But you did have a good heart as you began to make apologies with the engines after what happened with Bowler in 1962."
"Yeah. It did take time for those like James and even Duck and Oliver to come around and get along." Mack added in. "Those three definitely know how to hold grudges against others, but we eventually got along."
"And I gave you a chance to show me what you can do, and your work attitude." Sir Topham includes next. "You performed rather well, and I gave you a repaint and an engine overhaul."
"And I'm very thankful for that, sir." Mack smiled back, then he looked to Lady, who had been silently listening to what the Class 40 told them. "Lady, can you promise me that you won't tell anyone until I decide to say so?"
"Of course." Lady smiled warmly. "Take as much time as you need until you're ready. But I'd better get going. I'm needed to help shunt at Knapford." With that, and a toot of her whistle, Lady puffed away.
The R.I.U agents finish up writing their report, and they pack their bags up. "Well, this has been quite an insight. There will still be a lot of work to be done, as well as connecting the dots regarding British Railways, the D.G.S.S.E, it's members and operators, as well as the list of other charges. We thank you for your time, Mack, and yours, Sir Topham." One agent shook hands with the Fat Controller.
"Sir. I must ask, what will happen to those like Fowler and Roderick?" Mack now questioned.
"Until we reach a final decision and conclusion, they will be kept at Railgate Prison." Another agent stated. "However, with everything set against them, there is the possibility of execution via the Final Firing." That sent a chill through Mack's chassis. "Again, thank you for your time." With that, the agents made their way to a taxi for the station, and they left.
"Now, do you feel better about talking about your past?" Sir Topham said to Mack, the Class 40 agreeing with a simple blink. "Now, you'd best be on your way now, Mack. I believe you have a train to take." Mack smiled before he began to leave the sheds and heads off to take his next train.
Sure enough, Mack did indeed feel better after talking about his past during his time on British Railways. Eventually, he told the others about his past and explained everything to them, and that left the engines struck in surprise, but they also felt sympathy for the BR Class 40 diesel. Mack thanked them all for their support ever since he met them back in 1965 and to now.
After that, Mack now thought back on the brighter side of things, knowing for a fact that he was lucky to be on a railway like the NWR, and he was happy being among friends.