Engines of Britain

Chapter 17: Kate's new friends

Kate is one of the most hard-working engines on the Godson Railway. She is one of the best hard-working engines one the railway, helping out with passenger or express trains, even though she was designed to pull mixed-traffic trains. Kate loved speeding down the mainline at nearly 100MPH, but she is wise beyond her own years. She even helps out whenever she can for other engines when they're either in for repairs, or unable to take the trains.

However due to the fact that she's been working herself to bits, Kate has run herself ragged, and she feels like she's worn out. Despite her age, she had worked harder than any other engine, and she felt as old as Edward and Timothy combined. Other engines and the Lego friends would hear her groan and creak whenever she tries to pull commutator or express trains. This gave them concern about their friend.

~*~*~

One morning, Kate groaned to herself, as she slowly made her way onto the turntable, and rolled over to the water tower and coal bunker. The other engines could tell that she was in pain, and it was concerning for them.

Just then, Ms Avery's car drove into view, coming to a stop nearby. Ms Avery then climbed out of her car, and she made her way over to Kate.

"Morning, ma'm." Kate greeted to the controller.

"Kate. You have been working your hardest over the many years ever since you've been built." Ms Avery began. "You have gone far beyond our expectations, and I'm very proud of you. However, you have been running ragged for the past few days. You are in need of an overhaul."

"An overhaul?" Kate asked in surprise.

"Of course. You deserve it after all that you've done." Ms Avery gently nodded. "After your fixed up and restored, I have a surprise for you." 

"A surprise?" Kate wondered in surprise. "What sort of something?" She asked.

"You'll just have to wait and see." Ms Avery smiled to her.

With that, Kate groaned to herself, as she moved her way down over to the Steam up fix-it works, over near Pudham Station. Once she had arrived there, the workers and Gadget greeted her with smiles, and they began working on the restoration.

~*~*~

Meanwhile, Eric and Olivia were making their way down the line with and the local, which is a stopping passenger service along the main line, going along at a gentle speed of 20 mph, allowing the passengers to admire the views and scenery around the railway. Eric and Olivia were enjoying the calm scenery around them, than the hustle and busyness down in the city.

After that journey, Eric had finished his run, and he was now taking on water for the return trip. As he was about to leave, Ms Avery walked up to him.

"Hello, ma'm. What brings you here?" Eric asked the controller.

"Eric. I need you to go to and pick up something special at Barrow-In-Furness." Ms Avery said to the E2. "It's something special for Kate."

"What sort of something?" Olivia asked in confusion.

"You'll  have to go and see." Ms Avery smiled.

Eric and Olivia soon began to make their way down the tracks off to Barrow-In-Furness. They were both wondering what kind of surprise Ms Avery has in mind for Kate. It was rather interesting guessing game for them to think about this.

Soon enough, Eric and Olivia arrived at Barrow-In-Furness, heading off to one of the nearby sidings, where new rolling stock were being restored, built, and formed. They continued on down the tracks, looking left and right, trying to see if they can find anything.  As they do so, Eric could see what was a crimson red GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 tender engine collecting two branch-line coaches for a return trip.