Tiny, the Union Pacific Big Boy Engine, had recently been put on passenger duties to to meet the demands of the locals. There were still some steam express trains, but those were pulled by engines like Gordon, and Spencer.
Tiny didn't mind the change. He actually liked it. He was very careful, especially since the coaches he had to take were very small.
One day, he was waiting at the junction, waiting for Lady. The Magic Railroad train was very late.
"Oh dear," said Tiny, "I hope everything's alright."
Just then, Lady came in, very puffed out.
"I'm terribly sorry," said Lady, "A bus was delayed, and I had to wait for the passengers to come."
"Well, that's most considerate of you," said Tiny, "You won't see that in America, or the other Railway. They'd be stranded for hours."
"We put our passenger's needs before us. I'd hate to think if it was just trucks for the rails."
"ENOUGH CHATTER!!" boomed a voice, "WE MUST NOW MAKE UP FOR THE TARDINESS OF OTHERS!!!"
Tiny rolled his eyes, and puffed away.
A new guard from the other railway had come, and he was very strict. He kept his pocket watch close to him, and his rule book, closer.
"That conductor is just mad!" said Tiny, "I'm not against following the timetables, but, surely our passengers should come first."
"He's just a fuddy duddy," said Emily.
"Just ignore him when he barks orders," said Pete.
Next morning, Tiny was due to leave with the local. He pulled carefully out of the station, and he smiled as the wind blew around his smoke box. Just as Tiny got past the points, the guard blew his whistle, and the train stopped.
The driver came down to see what the trouble was.
"What's the matter?"
"THIS, woman, has a ticket for a train that is scheduled later!!! Therefore, she must evacuate the coach immediately!!" thundered the guard.
"I...I'm sorry," said the woman, "It was an honest mistake. I don't have money for another ticket."
"I can buy you another one," said the driver, "That should set things right."
"NO YOU WON'T!!" snapped the guard, "Section 22, clearly states, 'No one, under ANY circumstance will buy a ticket on behalf of-"
"FOR AWDRY'S SAKE!!!" boomed Tiny, his voice shaking the rails, signal box, and station, "THE POOR WOMAN'S NOT TRYING TO SWINDLE US!!! FOR SOMEONE SO CONCERNED WITH TIMETABLES, YOU'RE ONLY DELAYING US FURTHER!!!"
Everyone fell silent.
"Now," sighed Tiny, "I'm going to be taking all my passengers to the next station! We'll resolve the matter there!"
The guard was flabbergasted, as Tiny puff crossly.
Now, it was Lady's turn to be concerned.
"Where is he?" she asked herself.
At last, Tiny arrived.
"What happened?" asked Lady.
Tiny never got the chance to answer, for the guard demanded to speak with the station master.
The passengers stormed out of the coaches, telling what a horrid man he was.
"SILENCE!!" boomed a familiar voice. It was the Reverent Controller.
"Ah, ma'am," said the guard, "Finally, someone with a sense of reason!"
The guard then explained everything.
"And to add insult to injury!!" he continued, "THIS engine has disobeyed our railway rules!!"
"I see," said (Y/N), taking off the top hat, and scratching her head.
She put the hat back on, and said, "I'm glad I just came back from the Josephine Railway. This situation definitely needs to be delt with. You see..."
(Y/N) paused, the guard smirking, thinking she was on his side.
"....Tiny was in the right of his actions."
The guard was speechless!!!
"BUT, MA'AM, HE-"
"Let ME tell you, that we do need to follow the rules and regulations, but, that is no excuse to shove compassion and common sense!! This young lady made a mistake, just like you have made in your judgement!!! Perhaps some time with the station master will make you realize that our passenger's needs come first!! Do I make myself clear!?!"
"Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Yes ma'am," said the guard.
(Y/N) then turned to Tiny, and said, "You have shown the type of judgement that I expect on my railway. Keep up the good work."
Tiny blushed.
"Where would we be without our passengers?" asked Lady.
Tiny smiled, and puffed off to turn around for his return trip.
YOU ARE READING
The Secret Railway: Season 3 (Female Controller Reader)
AdventureIt has been a very bright time for Paradise Railway, and we get to see how well they are all getting in the engines are getting in the modern day.