The Sudrians: Barry the Rescue Engine

New Leaf

As Barry continued his sessions with the inspector and ran the first train from Vicarstown with BoCo, he began to feel less hatred towards the diesels. He enjoyed his conversations with the big diesel as they rolled through the Sudrian countryside. The other engines could tell as well that he was beginning to open up more and be more chatty.

Later one evening, the day when Bowler took over The Sudrian for Alice, Arthur was shunting some trucks before going to the sheds, when Barry arrived, shunting his own coaches to the coach sheds and sidings.

"Arthur," he called, halting for his brother, "can I have a word."

"Oh! Of course Barry," Arthur replied, stopping as well, "what's the matter?"

"Earlier today, I heard that Bowler diesel took another diesel at the station," said Barry, "and then the visiting diesel mentioned to our... trialling diesel about how he would be a perfect fit or something here on our railway full of antiques. What does that mean?"

Arthur pondered for himself. "I don't actually know," he said, "sorry."

"No it's fine," Barry replied, "I mean... it's odd hearing that diesels are antiques when we're usually called that by them instead."

"Maybe times are changing," said Arthur.

"Yeah, maybe some diesels are having a mid-life crisis," Barry said amusingly.

Both engines chuckled for a second, then Arthur froze, he stared at Barry for a second. Then he began to grin wryly. "That's a first," he said.

"First what?" quizzed Barry.

"You just did it," Arthur said, his grin becoming wider.

"I don't follow," said a puzzled Barry.

"You just made a joke!" exclaimed Arthur.

Barry paused for a moment, thinking about what he had said previously and then realising what the big tank engine meant. "I think I have joked before," he said.

"Not since you've arrived here!" smiled Arthur, "you've come so far!"

"It was only a joke," said Barry, "and it wasn't even that funny."

"Still made one," Arthur replied, "I'm proud of you."

"For saying a joke," Barry said, slightly dumbfounded, "if you're like this when I make a joke what would happen if I laugh."

"Oh! You just made another joke!" cried Arthur.

"Oh come on. That was more like a sarcastic comment!"

"I still count it as a joke!"

"Sarcasm and jokes are different things!"

The two engines didn't even realise something throughout their humourous debate, that their crews were watching them with their bemused smiles. "First time he's banter in ages," noted Barry's driver to the other men who only chuckled as they watched the two brothers get louder and louder with their debates.

***

The next morning, Barry arrived at Crovan's Gate, looking forward to greeting both Derek and BoCo. He smiled to see Derek on one of the branch line platforms. "Morning Derek," he greeted, "how's your engine doing?"

"Better than yesterday thank you," smiled the maintenance diesel, "sorry for not being available yesterday, my engine just does that from time to time."

Barry smiled kindly back. "It's not your fault," he said, "you couldn't help it."

Derek smiled back at Barry as he puffed off to wait for BoCo.