The Secret Railway (Female Controller Reader)

Chapter 62: The BlueBell Railway

Stepney the BlueBell Engine loved his time on Paradise Island, but soon it was time for him to go. "I'll miss you all, but you're all welcome to come to my BlueBell Railway," he said. The other engines were eager to do so, all except Mallard. He liked Stepney, but he thought the idea of a heritage railway was silly. "No thank you," he said. The engines all looked at Mallard as he continued, "I do like you Stepney, but I believe the idea of a heritage railway is ridiculous. Engines that once roamed the main line going down just a single stretch of line, sounds more like a retirement village to me." "It's not a retirement village, IT'S A RAILWAY!!" said Stepney. "Besides," said Flying Scotsman, "I actually visited a few heritage railways, and I wouldn't mind going to the BlueBell Railway." Mallard just rolled his eyes.

The next morning, he still detested the idea of heritage railways, and he let all the other engines know. (Y/N) actually heard him, and decided to talk to Mallard. "Mallard, I want a word with you." "Y-Y-Yes ma'am," said Mallard. "I've heard that you've said some very rude things about Stepney's home, saying it's more like a retirement village than a railway. That's really something coming from an engine that has never been on a heritage railway before. So, I've made the arrangements, and you and Flying Scotsman will go to the BlueBell Railway by Lorry next week." "B-B-B-BUT MA'AM!!" "No buts!" said (Y/N), "I'll have Spencer and Oltan Hall look after your trains while you're gone."

Soon, the next week came, and Flying Scotsman and Mallard arrived at the BlueBell railway by Lorry. Flying Scotsman was very excited, but Mallard was still cross. Stepney was there to greet them. "Hello you two," he said cheekily, "Are you here to see our railway, or as Mallard puts it, our retirement village?" Scotsman laughed, while Mallard just sulked. The next morning, Mallard set off with his first train through the country side. People and enthusiasts came from all over to see him and take pictures. He did like the attention, but he still detested the idea of a heritage railway. This is ridiculous, he thought to himself. Flying Scotsman had fun with his train, until he had to pull it backwards. "I protested about this kind of transport!!" he said.

Mallard meanwhile, was so cross, he didn't pay attention to the junction, and he bumped into another engine, and derailed him. Mallard was caught by surprise. "Sorry!" he said. He also bumped his coaches hard, and the passengers flew from their seats.

For the rest of the week, Mallard and Flying Scotsman were rude, and stubborn. When they left, they were happy. And so was Stepney. When they returned, they found (Y/N) waiting for them in the round house. "Not only have you two given the BlueBell Railway a bad rep, but you also have given ours one as well, and right on the day of our railway's first anniversary to make matters worse! You both can stay in your sheds until you learn to behave!" "Yes ma'am," said the two engines. 

Stepney was hard at work, and he and the other engines soon brought their reputation back up. No sooner had they done it, a storm brued, and it came hard. Some of the ground from under the rails was washed away, and trees fell onto the line. "Oh dear," said the controller, "It seems that the storm has caused quite some damage. We may have to close down until we can get everything repaired." "But what about the towns and companies?" asked Pioneer. "We'll just have to work fast," said the manager.

Mallard and Flying Scotsman were now let out of the round house, and they were back on the mainline. They saw (Y/N) looking very sad. "Oh dear," she said. "What's wrong ma'am?" asked Mallard. (Y/N) then told Mallard and Scotsman about the storm, the damage, and the shutting down. "And some of the businesses are starting to feel the pinch, with the lack of visitors coming and engines, I don't know how long it will be until they reopen." "Are you saying that there are businesses that actually depend on the BlueBell Railway?" asked Scotsman. "Yes," said (Y/N), "Holiday makers and enthusiasts make up a large support of the railway industries across the mainland. But with all this going on, I'm afraid that they will have to close down for good." Mallard and Scotsman looked at each other, and back at (Y/N) and said at the same time, "We want to go and help!" "You two?" asked (Y/N), "I'm not sure, especially after what you both did on and said about the BlueBell Railway." "Oh please ma'am," said Mallard, "We've been silly, and we want to make it up for them!" "We now see that it's just like our home: a railway to help society," said Scotsman. (Y/N) smiled, "Very well. You both will go to the mainland, and help the BlueBell Railway." "Thank you ma'am!" said the two engines.

Mallard and Flying Scotsman raced down the line, through the rain, and made it to the BlueBell Railway. Stepney was not happy to see them again. "I know you're upset," said Mallard, "And you have every right to be." "But right now," said Scotsman, "we're here to help bring the BlueBell Railway to it's former glory, and help the industries that rely on it!" Stepney smiled, "All right you two, let's get to work!"

Flying Scotsman helped take the trees that have been cut up into logs on trucks that have been preserved, while Mallard took dirt, ballast, ties, and rails to the broken track sights. A few weeks later, the storm stopped, and the BlueBell Railway was reopened. The controller was most pleased with Mallard and Scotsman. "Well done you two," he said, "I'm very pleased that you both have changed, and for the better." The locals cheered, and Mallard and Scotsman's opinions of Heritage Railways were changed forever.