The Sudrians: Great Western Collection

A Hard Worker

October 1978

Every week the smell of fish can be smelt all along the coastal run which runs between Norramby and Vicarstown. Arthur pulls these trains with great pride, as he travels gently along the line with the vans coming along peacefully. He whistles to everything which has a friendly face, especially when going past the seaside when exiting Norramby with the usual train gliding behind him.

But there is always one way or another, in which Arthur's journey could get... bumpy for him. Usually, that is at Ballahoo. There was nothing wrong with Ballahoo with pleasant people and a beautiful station and road-crossings, it was what was waiting or arriving at the station which made the big tank engine be a little worried.

This day, Arthur came into Ballohoo station, glad to see that neither the DMUs were to be seen. "They'll be coming soon," said the driver, "but we'll be able to go quickly as soon as one arrives from Vicarstown.

Arthur was certainly glad to hear that as he stopped at one of the platforms, ready to continue on his journey. He and the DMUs had never gotten along, whilst Arthur was pleasant to them, the DMUs were always difficult to work with, they weren't fans of the steam engines and when Arthur came to the branch line replacing a diesel which did his work previously, a grudge was held strongly between the three. However, after Winston managed to sort them out, the DMUs have given some slight respect towards the big tank engine. Even though it was very minimal. 

A minute passed and eventually, one of the DMUs, nicknamed 38 rolled into the station, grumbling loudly. "Cannot believe this," he muttered, "honestly disgusting."

"Erm... hello?" greeted Arthur, a little perplexed on 38's deminer, "what's going on today?"

"EVERYTHING!" snapped 38 loudly, "everything I tell you, all of these stupid regulations happening between the regions, urrgggh, it's just plain annoying. Why can't you just leave and bring back a diesel to take over the goods work!"

Arthur was very confused. "Sorry," said the big tank engine, "what's happening again?"

Looking back at the steam engine, 38 sneered crossly. "Me and 39 are leaving," he declared.

"Excuse me?" Arthur exclaimed in shock, he certainly wasn't expecting that today of all days.

"You heard me the first time," 38 said sharply, "the Midland Region is making arrangements with your Fat Controller to give him full ownership of this line, which means me and 39 will be taken out of service."

"Oh..." said Arthur, "just to note it's Stephen now, no Fat Controller anymore... but I'm sure if you'd like to, you ask Stephen to buy you off the Midland Region to stay working here."

"Say... that's a great idea, Arthur," said 38 in the most sarcastic tone he could ever muster, "I'd love to spend the rest of my days here seeing you every day with countless other steam engines and outdated diesels. Please, I'm glad we're going! Hopefully far away from here and never see this place ever again!"

"Line is all clear Arthur," called his driver, "let's go now!"

"Well erm... see you later then," the big tank engine said, as he pulled off to continue the rest of the journey. 38 said nothing, he just sniffed indignantly, then immediately regretted it with the smell of fish vans moving right by him.

Arthur sighed as he puffed off. "It is shocking," he noted to his driver, "that he complains about me staying on this branch line instead of them, then a few seconds later says he's glad he's going after I suggest asking to be brought! It's like he tries to disagree with me!"