A/N Duck's time on his home railway after the previous chapter and journey to Sodor.
Duck was working as station pilot at Paddington Station. He was loyal and efficient in his daily working. Though they called him Duck, those he worked with knew even if he valued fairness, he knew how to be kind when so choosing.
Duck was a strong tank engine, which, combined with his personality, led his fellow tank engines to look up to him. He took pride in the responsibilities he was given. Being built in Glasgow made him insecure, as he wasn't Swindon built. Sometimes, he teased bigger engines on the railway. Duck believed the Great Western Way was the right way, because he was proud to be a GWR engine.
One day, Duck had a washdown and the water was cold. This, combined with other things that had happened to him, led to him having a meltdown, huge water droplets pouring from his eyes.
Duck's driver did his best to soothe Duck. "There, there, Duck," he said, as he pulled a cloth from his pocket and softly dried Duck's tears. rubbing his cheeks and wiping his eyes. He looked at the facts and details, as he tuned into Duck's emotions and considered his needs.
Duck sobbed and sniffled, his emotions beyond his control. He, as his tears kept coming, let his driver comfort him.
He said, as he continued to wipe the tears away, "Let it all out. You've got my comfort until you feel better.". He pressed the cloth to his engine's eyes, for him to sob into.
Duck finished his crying meltdown, his emotions spent. His driver dried his engine's last tears away, then went back to the cab with the sopping wet cloth. His crew gave him a drink and Duck smiled a bit, then they got back to work.
The years passed, with Duck working as station pilot and riding the rails on The Sunshine Line with slip coaches and then one day, he was sold to NWR. The railway was nationalized by this time, so Duck had a different livery then his Great Western paint.
A/N I had trouble thinking of what to say about Duck's GWR time.