After the introduction of the new Garratt engines like Rowan and William, as well as Raleigh the Engine from Bloemfontein, as well as other events in the last few days, it seems that normality had returned to both the North Western Railway and the Josephine Railway. The two railways have gotten back to their regular routine and it seems that all has been resolved.
Over on the Josephine Railway, the engines were all getting themselves prepped and ready for today's services and operations. Anna was getting her valve gear and axles oiled up for her Josephine Flyer express run. Jane, Austin, Liliana, Max, Benjamin, and Kieron are getting the trucks and coaches prepped and set for everyone else. Shadow and Madeline had left already to take early morning goods trains, with Diana, Braedey, Charlotte, plus Darla, Ella, and Jonson getting their fires started up.
As the engines were getting ready for the day, a silver sportscar drove up to the roundhouse sheds, which got their attention. They look to see Mr. Franklin and his wife Caitlyn climbing out, though it seems they both look concerned.
"Mr. Franklin." Braedey greeted.
"Is there something wrong?" Diana asked.
"Yeah. You two look rather concerned." Darla added.
"Actually, yes. There's been some unsettling news in the media as of lately in regards to the D.G.S.S.E." Mr. Franklin now began to explain to them. That instantly got everyone's attention.
"What? What do you mean?" Anna asked in concern.
"Don't tell me what I think you're going to say..." Jonson muttered in worry. He could only look down at his buffers.
"Mr. Franklin. Please tell us." Braedey now asked.
Caitlyn now pulls out a newspaper. "According to the papers from this morning. Turns out some old faces we have dealt with have broken out of Railgate." She began to read out the newspaper. "'Early last night, D.G.S.S.E (Diesel Group for Scrap of Steamies Engines) leaders, Fowler and Roderick, along with Levi, Bowler, Spamcan, Old Stuck Up, Gronk, Randy, Daryl, Drew, Damian, Peak, Deltic, Malice, Wicked, an Unnamed Class 44, Harold, Herbert, plus D701, have escaped Railgate Prison after the prison was mysteriously exploded by unknown sources. Not just that but the NWR's shunters, Diesel, Arry and Bert (who were in solitary confinement) have mysteriously disappeared the same night from Sodor. And to lastly add, former GT3 Turbine engine and current generator, Groghan, has disappeared as well. Their locations are currently unknown but authorities are looking for them. If you have any information, Please contact us immediately'." Caitlyn read the report.
"So, Fowler and Roderick have broken out of Railgate." Braedey huffed, steam now forming around him. "They're like a bad itch you can't reach."
"With him, plus Levi, Bowler, Spamcan, Old Stuck Up, Gronk, Randy, Daryl, Drew, Damian, Peak, Deltic, Malice, Wicked, even Diesel, Arry and Bert." Diana muttered in worry. "And somehow, they got away and nobody saw them escape?" She added.
"All that anyone could find at both incidents, is that an explosion of magnitude to blast the gates down, letting those get away." Caitlyn clarified. "There's what looked like the remains of a wagon that possibly was loaded with enough explosives to cause damage to Railgate."
"And on top of that, somebody had grabbed Croghan from that farm shed without the farmer knowing it, as well as Diesel, Arry and Bert." Jonson grunted.
"What do we do now?" Darla asked.
"We warn everyone that we can." Braedey answered back, everyone looking to the crimson locomotive. "Anna, you're taking the first Josephine Flyer to Sodor, and when you get there, you tell anyone you find about the news and tell them to spread the word."
"Got it. I'll do so first thing when I arrive at Sodor." Anna acknowledged, and she began to chuff out the sheds onto the turntable to be turned and ready.
"I'll also be making some phone calls to the Railway Inspectors Unit, as well as the Police, so we can find out all that we can about where the diesels have gone to, and so we can be ready." Mr. Franklin added in.
"Right. I'll keep an eye out for anything while doing my scheduled work." Braedey stated next.
"Good. I'll tell everyone else around the yard about the news as well." Mr. Franklin added in next.
"Please be careful, everyone." Caitlyn advised to the engines as they begin to depart.
Anna soon departs from the Josephine Railway with the Josephine Flyer Express, heading forth to Sodor. At the same time, Madeline and Shadow were handling the trucks, with Jane, Austin, Liliana, Max, Benjamin, and Kieron organising the trucks in either the shunting yards or even at the dockyards. As this is going on, Braedey travels on with his express trains, Darla doing the same, Charlotte and Diana taking stopping trains. As this happens, they informed any of the NWR engines about what's happened, and warned them to keep an eye out in case.
But as this is going on, something sinister is happening at this very moment, one that will effect every railway across the United Kingdom, and possibly the world...
A railway marshalling yard in a British industrial area. These are found at some freight train stations, used to separate railway cars onto one of several tracks. The rail cars are taken to a track, sometimes called a lead or a drill. From there, the cars are sent through a series of switches called a ladder on the classification tracks. This particular marshalling yard looks to have been long forgotten and abandoned since the Modernisation Plan of 1955. Tanker trucks and flatbed wagons left to rust and decay overtime, along with the bodies of old engines whether they'd be steam or even diesel littered the area, the rails also being rusted in many places, with buildings and warehouses around the place also showing a level of rust and decay.
But within this abandoned marshalling yard, movement can be heard within. The sound of clanking metal and screeching steel can be heard, along with the purring of diesel engines, as well as the faint wheezing and puffing of steam. Among the marshalling yard is none other than the group of diesels that have escaped from Railgate Prison. That included Fowler and Roderick, as well as Levi, Bowler, Spamcan, Old Stuck Up, Deltic, Malice, Wicked, Harold, Herbert, plus D701, and the NWR's shunters, Diesel, Arry and Bert, who were chained up on well-wagons, with the GT3 Turbine engine Croghan just behind them. They were being escorted by other diesels, some who've been discontinued from service or are the last of their class.
Roderick looked over at one diesel, a BR Class 14, whose paint was faded with decades of grime and rust. "I have to thank you for getting us out of prison-"
"Don't, and besides, it wasn't us who did it. It's what the Big Boss wanted us to do." The Class 14 grunted as he shunts the NWR shunters along.
Roderick looks to Fowler. "The Big Boss?"
Fowler now looks concerned. "The one who's rightfully in charge. The one responsible for the very creation of the D.G.S.S.E with Dr. Beeching, and in charge of all its members." He explained in a hushed voice.
Roderick now felt trepidation within his frames once he heard Fowler say this may be the time of them meeting the true boss of the D.G.S.S.E himself. Fowler looks at the remains of the scrapped diesels and steam engines all around the area, as well as some wagons loaded with either devices or disused machinery, along with gunpowder and explosives. The two, along with the other diesels, as well as some steam locomotives, now enter into a large warehouse shed, one big enough to house either a Boeing 747 or even an Airbus A380. As they enter, some of the lights were dim or broken, with the reddish glow of the smelting machines illuminating in the far back, the smell of molten steel floating about.
Roderick then spotted a familiar BR Class 42 diesel, one with a familiar claw on his roof. "Diesel 10!" He smiled at the familiar face. "Thought you were gone."
Diesel 10 showed a sly smirk. "Well, I'm like a cat with nine lives. I keep coming back." He chuckled, raising his claw before snapping it three times. "And better than ever."
"Here, here." Roderick raises his claw before snapping it three times as well.
"Boss. We've got them. They're back." One diesel calls out, the other engines all coming to a stop with the hiss of their brakes, their engines cutting out.
From the darkness of the huge warehouse came the eerie and ominous sound of clanking metal, hissing of steam, along with the faint grumbling of a male voice. The silhouette of a large engine could be seen within the darkness and the faint light. The engine rolls up before coming to a slow stop with the sound of steel brakes screeching. Fowler and Roderick could only look on at the silhouetted engine, unsure of its make and model, its dull grey eyes looking at the two engines.
"So, my little task force has returned at last." A dark yet powerful voice spoke from the silhouetted engine. "It's been some time, Fowler and Roderick."
"Yes, Boss." Fowler smiled back. "And I have to say, even in the darkness, you look rather-"
"Sinister yet impressive." Roderick adds in.
"Spare me your theatrics, you two." The silhouetted engine grunted out darkly, Fowler and Roderick going deathly silent. "While both your actions of getting rid of other steam locomotives and derelict diesels who do not follow our word and ideologies, you have failed in your attempts of scrapping any engines that belong to the North Western Railway." The locomotive spat out the last three words as if it were poison in its mouth.
"We did try and take away a Stirling Single, but those Sudrian engines are prey stubborn." Fowler insisted. "Heck, we did our best-"
"And your best resulted in your many known failures, as well as exposing the group to the R.I.U." The silhouetted engine all but growled, silencing the LMS Fowler. "And as for you, Roderick..."
"B-Boss. Let me just say this - I did what you told me to do, and that's to scrap any steamies and diesels who don't see things the way you want them to." Roderick spoke back quickly, his mechanical claw shuddering in fear.
"I know. But what I find amusing is that a BR Class 28 Metrovick like yourself, one with a Deltic engine swap, as well as a mechanical hydraulic claw that can rip and tear steel apart, was bested by a small band of useless and outdated steam locomotives." The silhouetted locomotive spoke in amusement, its dull eyes looking at the two locomotives suspiciously.
"They're tenacious. That's all I can say." Roderick now admitted. "And they've got spirit."
The silhouetted locomotive then saw Diesel, Arry, and Bert as they are being unloaded from the well-wagons. "The three Gronks of the NWR. One who failed in a spectacular fashion, and two who got sidelined by a locomotive. Rather pathetic for the most durable of diesel shunter."
"It was those blasted steam kettles!" Bert spoke up.
"Ah, shut up, Bert!" Arry muttered in annoyance.
"You two shut up." Diesel fumed.
"You three are at fault. Diesel, your attempts to prove yourself superior have been one fruitless attempt after another. It's utterly laughable." The silhouetted engine scoffed, the three shunter diesels looking ashamed. "And you two, your attempt of scrapping that red mogul engine, only for you two to end up in the scrap thanks to the mogul's sister. Never mess with siblings."
"We had a chance and took it." Arry argued back.
"Oi! Be thankful we got you out of there in the cover of night." Malice snapped at them.
"It was a pain to drag you here." Wicked included next. "Especially when trying not to get caught by the R.I.U."
"Enough. Malice, Wicked. Take the GT3 Turbine to get himself functional in the workshop." The silhouetted engine said to the two shunters, both of them taking Croghan off to the workshop. "Harold, Herbert. Take the three Gronks to the workshop." The locomotive looks at both Fowler and Roderick. "The two of you..."
Roderick and Fowler take note of other diesels and some other locomotives either resting or refuelling all around them. They've taken note of how many different locomotives, no doubt fellow D.G.S.S.E followers. "You have been rather busy, I have to say." Fowler stated.
"I have been gathering quite a following since 1954." The silhouetted engine stated as if it were nothing to be concerned about. "With my connections, diesels and other engines do see my actions as justified. But... I'm not impressed with the two of you and your actions. I must rest now..." He now started to slowly reverse away, the sound of steam hissing and metal clanking.
Fowler chuffs forward. "We found the Hall engine."
The silhouetted engine stops with a crunch of its old brakes, its dull eyes widening in response. It chuffed forward before stopping a few metres away from both Fowler and Roderick. "He is still in steam?" The huge locomotive asked to them in soft surprise.
"Yes. The Great Western Hall Class locomotive, one bearing the numbers 5972, the wheel arrangement of 4-6-0." Roderick added in next.
"He has a crimson paintjob, in case you're curious." Fowler added in.
"Is he on Sodor?" The silhouetted locomotive asked.
"No. But on a heritage railway just nearby Barrow-in-Furness." Roderick clarified. "And just as powerful as you described him to be."
The silhouetted locomotive looks for a short moment in silence, then it began to softly chuckle before it then became louder and sinister, everyone looking on at the locomotive. The laughter seemed to echo all around, the other diesels and locomotives looking over at the silhouetted engine.
"Ah, stellar work, my associates." The silhouetted train commended to Fowler and Roderick. "Now, I must go and prepare. Roderick, go tell Rachel the Standard 5 and Bernard the Fowler 3F. Tell them to go and take a gunpowder train. Travel forth to Barrow-in-Furness." The silhouetted locomotive began to roll backward, the swirling of steam around him being like that of a foggy smokescreen. "It is time... time for my old friend to feel everything he holds dear now fall into collapse around him. Soon, he will find himself standing before me..."
Roughly two days pass by. At the Josephine Railway, all seems to be normal. Anna and Braedey were both taking turns with the Josephine Flyer Express, heading to and from Sodor. Madeline and Shadow handled the trucks and freight, with Jane, Austin, Liliana, Max, Benjamin, and Kieron shunting trucks and coaches in the shunting yards and the dockyards, with Darla pulling her express trains, Charlotte and Diana taking stopping trains.
Over by the shunting yards, Braedey had just come back from his run with the Josephine Flyer, with Anna taking the next one just a few minutes ago. At the same time, Jane and Austin had stopped to take on water and coal after their shunting in the yards and arriving with goods from the docks.
"Have to admit, getting the chance to rest helps out for an engine like me." Austin sighed to himself, his crew oiling his joints and refilling his water tanks.
"You're talking to someone who's only been in service for a couple of months, whereas you've been working for most of your life." Jane interjected back. "At least I know what working life is for the E2 class."
"That's right." Braedey acknowledged. "I know that too well..." He remembered about his past.
Just then, the sound of an approaching vehicle got the three engine's attention, just as they saw Caitlyn Robinson ride her way into the yard on a blue moped motorcycle. She smiled at the three as she rode up.
"Morning, fellas." Jane Robinson smiled.
"Good morning, Ma'am. What brings you out here?" Braedey inquired.
"I've just gotten word over the phone from Franklin. Josephine is coming home." Caitlyn informed to the engines.
"Really? That's great news." Austin smiled happily. "It's been some time since we've even seen her."
"Definitely." Braedey agreed back.
"Wait. Who is Josephine?" Jane now asked. The red tank engine had not heard about this person before.
"Josephine is the 2nd daughter of Mrs. Caitlyn and Mr. Franklin Robinson. In fact, the Josephine Railway was named after their daughter." Braedey explained to the red tank engine.
"Oh. But where has she been?" Jane now asked.
"Josephine has been over at Oxford University for the last few years. She's been studying in financial and social studies, and that's to get her prepared for when she does take over." Caitlyn explained softly.
"Huh. She sounds rather nice." Jane wondered, the red tank engine curious about Josephine.
"Oh, believe me, as her mother, she is." Jane shrugged back softly. "She means well, though she has gotten my stubbornness."
"It'll be great to see her again. Last I remember seeing her, she was rather young and small." Braedey looked to the woman. "And that was when I just finished undergoing my annual overhaul."
"That's true. And that was about five or so years back." Caitlyn nodded her head. "She was so curious about other engines as well."
"Same goes for your youngest daughter Jane." Austin added in with a chuckle, Caitlyn giggling softly.
"We could possibly have a welcome-home party when she comes back." Jane suggested to them.
"I'll go and talk to my husband about such a thing." Caitlyn answered back.
"When will she be back home?" Braedey asked.
"I believe she will be home by tomorrow. Now, you three best get back to work." Caitlyn said to them. The three engines laugh together before their crews get back on and they leave the yards to go take their next trains.
"Keep the steam up, Ma'am." Braedey whistled.
A little later on in the day, Diana, Liliana, Benjamin, Max, and Darla were getting touched up and refuelled, just as they could hear the sound of two unfamiliar steam engine whistles, as well as hard chugging. The five engines look on as they saw the two locomotives arrive in the yard, one with a set of unmarked seven box wagons coupled up behind them.
The first engine happened to be a black BR Standard Class 5, a 4-6-0 locomotive, 1 of the 12 BR standard classes of locomotive by British Railways in the 1950s, and a development of the LMS Stanier 'Black Five'. This locomotive has a feminine face with red lips, but there seems to be a look in her eyes. The second engine is an LMS Fowler 3F 0-6-0T tank engine, often known as a 'Jinty'. This engine, however, has a red scar over his right eye, and has a sly smirk.
"Who might you two be?" Benjamin asked firstly.
"I am Bernard." The Fowler 3F tank engine gave his name. "My associate is Rachel."
"We had been tasked to come along and assist you." Rachel added in.
"Right..." Liliana wasn't sure whether or not to believe in these two, so she began to quietly puff away to find Braedey to tell him about the news. There was something about these two engines that didn't seem to sit well within.
"What's with the trucks?" Diana asked in suspicion.
"Just a little something we needed to deliver." Bernard answered sharply, only to flinch from the glare that Rachel gave him. "Sorry."
"Just leave those in the yard." Benjamin said to them. "We can handle dealing with them-"
"Oh, no. We'll handle it." Rachel spoke up to them. "It's our own trucks."
"Okay..." Max looks on. He didn't know why, but he did not like the feeling coming from these two locomotives. He'll need to talk to the others about this, so he gives a look to Benjamin, Darla, and Diana to tell them they need to tell the others about this.
A few minutes later, Braedey, Diana, Austin, Max, Liliana, Kieron, Jonson, and Anna have met up in an indignation meeting not far from the main yards and station. They were talking about Rachel and Bernard, as well as their unexpected arrival. They weren't told by Mr. Franklin about them, and on top of that, the two locomotives have scrubbed numbers.
"Two engines from the mainland? Didn't expect that." Austin commented. "I thought most of them were gone or have been tucked away onto heritage railways."
"I've learnt a thing or two in regards of some engines among the East and central region of British Railways." Braedey spoke up, looking concerned. "They are not the best to talk to, and can be stubborn and prideful."
"But these two don't seem to be rather friendly." Liliana commented. "Plus, Mr. Franklin never told us about two engines arriving on loan to assist."
"Definitely. We should keep an eye out for those two." Anna suggested. "I don't think that Standard 5 and Fowler 3F are gonna be good for the railway."
"I agree." Braedey acknowledged. "Best we tell anyone else around the railway." The others are in agreement, and they go ahead to continue on with their work.
Throughout the rest of the day, the Josephine Railway engines continue on with their work, but as they do so, they were keeping an eye out for Bernard and Rachel. But as they were working around, they took note that both the BR Standard 5 and Fowler 3F weren't doing any other work - they seemed to be sneaking about in the yard of coaches and trucks, watching the J.R engines as if they were like snakes waiting to strike. By the evening, the two foreign engines parked up in the adjacent sheds, everyone else in their sheds, some of them feeling tense and whatnot after today.
By the next day, the J.R engines were prepped and ready for another day of work. But as they do so, the sound of an approaching car got their attention as they saw Mr. Franklin and Caitlyn drive up in their car into the yard, with Jane climbing out of the car in an excited manner, the controller and his wife climbing out of the car.
"Someone looks to have a spring in their step." Max commented with a smile.
"Well, Josephine is coming home, and she got an early train." Jane said to them, the blonde girl smiling happily.
"Yes. She just called us this morning." Caitlyn added in acknowledgment. "She'll be arriving at Barrow-in-Furness via travelling on Pip and Emma, the high-speed twin sisters."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Braedey announced.
"Yeah. Let's get ready to see her home." Anna smiled.
After getting checked out and polished, the engines all began to make their way off to Barrow-in-Furness. As the Josephine Railway engines depart from the railway to head to Barrow-in-Furness, unbeknownst to them, two locomotives crept their way amongst the trucks and coaches, a sinister smirk present on their faces. One of the locomotives made their way over to the unmarked wagons, ready to shunt them into place...
Down at Barrow-in-Furness, the Josephine Railway engines were waiting in the adjacent rail yard with Franklin, Caitlyn, and Jane standing by the platform as they wait for Josephine to arrive. Darla and Braedey both have a banner stretching out on top of their cabs that reads 'Welcome Home, Josephine'.
As they wait, the sound of a fast-approaching diesel engine could be heard, getting their attention, just as they saw the high-speed train sisters Pip and Emma now approaching the station. The two diesels toot their horns as they slow down and come to a gentle stop. Once they stopped, the passengers start to disembark and board the high-speed train, then Pip and Emma began to roll away, heading off down the line heading forth to the North Western Railway.
Among the people up on the platform was Josephine. Josephine Robinson is a mature woman, who has long hip-length reddish-orange hair and blue eyes. She has two long orange tufts protruding from her hair like cat ears. She is quite tall, towering over most and has a curvy figure. Her fingernails are short and red. She is wearing a white undershirt connected to a black choker on her neck, atop a black and yellow sleeveless vest with a sweetheart neckline. She also has on a black and yellow skirt, black thigh-high socks, and black knee-high boots.
"Josephine!" Jane ran over to her older sister and hugs her tightly.
"H-Hey, sister." Josephine smiled softly, hugging her younger sister. She smiled once she saw her parents. "Mum. Dad." She smiled.
"Welcome home." Caitlyn nodded and gently hugged her daughter.
"Same to you, honey." Franklin added as he too hugged Josephine back. "It's been a long time coming for me to come back home."
"Same for me." Josephine gently hugged her mother and father back, a soft blush on her face.
"And we couldn't be happier." Braedey spoke up, the family looking to the group of engines. "Welcome home, Josephine." At once, the engines blew their whistles happily.
Josephine made her way to the group of engines, giving them either a gentle pat on the buffer beam, or even climbing up and kissing their cheeks. Everyone else laughed and smiled, the reunion between them all happy and joyful.
...
...
...
BOOM!
A concussive explosion broke the peace among everyone, knocking people down to the floor in worry. The engines were stunned by the blast, their frames shuddering in the process. Everyone began to head off for cover, just as the engines could see a huge black and red mushroom cloud rising into the sky over by the forest.
"What in the name of British Railways was that?" Max muttered in concern.
"Oh, no... that came from the Josephine Railway." Mr. Franklin realised in worry.
"Get on!" Braedey ordered to them. "We have to hurry!"
"I'll contact the firefighters!" Josephine got her phone to contact the fire department, and they climb into Braedey's cab.
"Go!" Everyone announced. With that, the Josephine Railway engines all puff away and charge on down the rails heading off down to their railway as fast as their wheels can carry them.
By the time the engines returned back to the railway, all of them could look on in stunned shock and horror. The rails looked to be damaged, the shed was on fire and destroyed, and even the station building and platform were the most heavily damaged. Some trucks and coaches were damaged and ruined, with Liliana's two coaches still intact but shaken. The fire department had arrived, but the damage was severe.
"Oh, no..." Was all Diana could mutter out.
"Holy Gresley..." Austin muttered.
"This cannot be..." Anna looked on.
"Our home... it's gone..." Jane fell to her knees.
"It's all gone..." Caitlyn muttered, tears falling from her eyes. "The railway is gone..."
"Our sheds are destroyed..." Darla looks sadly.
"Oh, dear..." Kieron could only mutter out.
"I'd hate to announce this, but the Josephine Railway will have to close down until further notice." Mr. Frankin said to his engines and family solemnly. "This is a disaster."
Braedey could only sit on the edge of the remains of the turntable, looking on at the smoke and fire of the remains of the engine shed, his eyes looking at all the destruction around him. He now gritted his teeth, a look of anger within his eyes.
This isn't a random event. This was a terrorist attack. A coordinated movement set up by someone...
Someone from a forgotten past...