Light Railway Tales Volume 1

Overhaul

The Light Railway had been operating for quite a few years now, their oldest working engine in service at the time was a small Diesel, he didn't have a name, just a number, which was No.7, he had worked on the line for many years but his engine was getting old. The Engineers tried their hardest to help him keep going, but they knew at some point his engine would pack in. during one year, it was the busiest time of summer and Dai, the Tasmanian Diesel, was away getting new axels and wheels made after a rather unfortunate accident. No.7 was pressed into service with the other steam locomotives. During the season he struggled on, the other locos were impressed however they knew he wouldn't be able to keep going forever.

One warm summer morning, as the engine crews arrived for the busy day ahead, Sandy the American steam loco was having her brass polished with Robin sat next to her. Robin scoffed as she heard No.7's engine roar into life. It seemed to have an unfamiliar sound than usual, but the drivers never noticed.

"Sounds like you'll have trouble today, old boy. Your engine doesn't sound right," she commented.

"Never mind her 7, im sure you'll be fine today you get the lighter trains today since we'll be taking the strain to help," Sandy replied, she and Robin knew that 7's engine wasn't sounding right but knew he would be okay with lighter train loads.

"I understand you're concerned robin but ill be fine, and ill gladly accept the support from you both. Hopefully Dai will be back soon and the engineers can look over my engine," he replied with a soft smile.

His driver climbed into his cab and took him down for the one of the first trains of the day. The coaches looked gleaming when he came into the platform; he smiled as the guard coupled him up to the train. The Guard looked at No.7 and asked about how his engine was sounding different. He told him the same thing he told the other engines; it was nothing that a quick go over wouldn't fix when Dai returns so he can rest his wheels.

They left as the clock struck 10 o'clock and he pulled the train with ease, his driver kept him at a steady pace and things were going well, that was until a call came onto the guard's radio about Robin needing help on the viaduct. She hadn't been steaming well and needed some help to the next station.

No.7 was the only engine available since sandy was stuck at the other end of the line and couldn't come to her aid while Effie would take ages to be put into steam. He came down with his train still behind him. There was no time to uncouple, and he raced to the scene. Passengers were complaining about how this was a bad railway and wanted their money back. He coupled up to the back of robin's train and brought her back down to the foot of the hill. He tooted his whistle, asking if robin was ready. She tooted back a reply saying she was ready too.

As the guards blew their whistles, 7's engine Roared loudly as if like a lion as he pushed robin and her full train up the hill, dragging his train too up the hill, his engine threw black clouds of smoke from his exhaust as he continued pushing. The passengers looked at the huge black clouds as he pushed on, crowds watched by the line side, cheering No.7 on as he got robin up the hill. As they continued along the line, the driver could hear something banging inside No.7's engine as they approached the curve near the sheds.

An engineer was already putting little Effie into steam after seeing 7's clouds of smoke as it passed the small halt. Robin took the strain, but the damage was done. After finally reaching the station, 7 uncoupled and dragged his train into the platform off the main line. As he did, his engine finally spluttered, Banged and failed. An engineer was already down at the station and checked him over, and looked down at No.7 sadly. His engine was beyond repair.

Effie took away the coaches and continued the service for him. He sat there as he felt so down and depressed; he knew this could be the end for him, but a few passengers cheered him up. The children who were on robin's train hugged the little old diesel, saying thank you for rescuing them, and called him a little hero. He smiled, but his smile faded by the time they left, the thought of scrap still floating around in his mind.

As the day ended, Effie helped him to the sheds. The engineers clapped for the little engine as he came through the shed doors. He looked in surprise as all the engineers clapped and saw the managers smiling and clapping for the little engine.

As the clapping stopped, they could see a few tears running down his face, the managers had calmed him down telling him he would not be scrapped like he thought, it would take time they said but he would be overhauled and back in service and would be the permanent shunter. he would have a more relaxed and easier life on the railway.

For a while they placed him in the back of the carriage shed out of the way for a while, his company being some coaches. He waited for sometime until he was finally being worked on. However, I can't say anymore or it will spoil the next story.