1917, The Great War.
The North Western Railway was first formatted in 1914, with the Merging of the Sodor and Mainland Railway and the Tidmouth, Wellsworth and Suddery Railway. (Itself being the bi-product of the Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Railway and the Wellsworth and Suddery Railway.), It was meant to be a strategic railway, Ordered by the ministry of defence in case of a potential threat from Ireland, As such, The S 's aspired lift bridge was quickly and finally completed by the S , finally fulfilling their dream of connecting Sodor.
A Branch Line was set up on the western coast of Sodor, connecting to the port of Arlesbrough and making a terminus with the Mid Sodor Railway, apart from the four Coffee Pots, the Six engines of the Wellsworth and Suddery Railway AND the Eight engines of the Sodor and Mainland Railway, they really had no engines of their own.
As such, Engines from the Midland and Furness Railways were loaned over to help out, along with two unrelated engines, however, they were not the only ones.
As part of the Railways obligation to be a strategic Railway, The Branchline to Arlesbrough was to be used to patrol the West coast with Armored trains and the engines to run these services, were large 2-8-0 tender engines from the Railway Operating Division, meant for hauling heavy goods work from Arlesbuargh to Vicerstown.
One day, Edward was preparing to depart with the express, when suddenly, One of the ROD's whooshed past, hauling a long train of 21 Trucks.
"Goodness me." Exclaimed Edward. "That many?"
"You're right there." Said Emily, the youngest of the S Engines, as she pulled up alongside with her train. "These ROD's can tackle a load of any kind, their work ethic is to be admired."
"A pity some of the others can't say the same." Said Edward as his guards whistle blew and he puffed away.
Later, he found three of them at the sheds in Vicarstown, boasting to the older engines.
"You know, it's not that hard to pull your weight." Said One. "Especially with a wheel configuration like ours, we can tackle any load that comes our way."
"Well with fat boilers like yours." Said a Saddle Tank named Colin. "It's no wonder you need that many wheels."
The Second engine snorted. "Huh, well we're the backbone of this war effort, therefore, we outback you."
"In my book." Said Matthew, A Small green box tank. "Experience outranks everything."
"Well then." Said the third Engine, A Female. "I guess we'd better start getting some."
Edward couldn't help but chuckle, the female ROD, 6648, had a certain charm to her that gave off the impression of an older sister, Not that Edward recalled having Sisters.
Later that day, One of the ROD's, Numbered 6645, was pulling a good train to Cronk, and making good time too.
"Yeah, this'll show the old timers." He thought smugly. "And a good day to serve His royal majesty and country too, Ha Ha!"
As he moved along, he started to feel a rattling sound coming from his wheels. It was small at first, but gradually grew louder and louder.
"Probably nothin." The Engine thought. "I'll show those oldies how a real engine works, nothin to i-OUCH!"
6645 ground to a halt, and the first two trucks jutted off the rails, bringin the train to a stop, The crew inspected the damage.
"Your sideroad pins have popped out." Said the Driver. "We'll have to phone for help."
The Fireman went to the nearest signal box and called ahead to the next Station, sure enough, Adam the Radial Tank and A MR 690 named Vicky arrived, After removing the ROD and derailed trucks, Adam took the rest of the train onwards, while Vicky hauled 6645 away.
"You know." She said, "It must be hard to pull your own weight, especially with a wheel configuration like yours."
6645 said nothing, he just looked at his Buffers and sulked.
When he arrived back at the sheds that night, 6648, and the other RODS.
"I just don't understand it." Said 6643. "How did your pins even pop out like that?"
"Probably just a maintenance error." Said 6645. "Nothing to worry about."
But 6648 wasn't so sure, she was starting to feel this little problem was going to a big problem for them going forward.