The engines of the Skarloey Railway were finishing up after a long day's work. However, Duncan had to take a late night passenger train up the line.
"Ugh," said Duncan, "I can't believe this. I have to take the late night passenger. And that bridge is in need of repairs. It's been creaking."
"Be careful Duncan," teased Rusty, "Or the ghost of the Old Iron Bridge will come to haunt you!"
Rusty was referring to the time that his crew scared him over the Old Iron Bridge back on Sodor. Duncan's crew purposefully dropped a rock off the bridge, and a light shown on the other side of the bridge, making it look like a ghost was there.
Rheneas then hissed steam at Rusty. "SUCH THINGS SHOULDN'T BE USED AS JOKES!!" he scolded.
"Rheneas," said Peter Sam, "Calm down. Rusty's ghost story isn't true."
"It's all too true!" said Rheneas, "I should know! I.... I saw it."
"Who's..... it?" asked Duncan, a bit nervous.
Rheneas composed himself, and this is the story he told.
***
"It was in our line's early days on Sodor. Skarloey and I worked tirelessly, but it proved too much for him. He sat in the Shed awaiting repairs, and I did the line's share of the work. I didn't fault him for it, of course, but the strain was starting to show."
"One night, trouble with the winch delayed my departure from the Mines. I was exhausted, and eager for the comfort of my Shed. Darkness had fallen, and the light of the moon spilled over the hills. As I neared the Old Iron Bridge, I heard the sound of another engine!"
"'Who could...' I began, before catching sight of an engine puffing towards the Bridge. I blinked to be sure I wasn't seeing things - it looked like Skarloey!"
"'What on Earth is he doing out here?" I wondered.
"Try as I might, I couldn't catch up, and lost the mysterious figure in the mist. When I returned to the Shed, I was very cross."
"'If you can't work during the day,' I scowled, 'you certainly can't go gallivanting off at night!'"
"'I beg your pardon?' Skarloey gasped."
"'You know better than to fool around by that Bridge - especially when others are still out working!'"
"'You do need a rest,' he grunted, 'you're seeing things!'"
"We went grumpily to sleep, and didn't say a word to each other the next morning - I had too much work to bother with his nonsense!'"
"I was late leaving the Mines again. It was a misty evening, and we had to take care. As I puffed slowly along, I peered through the mist, keeping a watchful eye for Skarloey."
"I had just reached the Bridge when a shrieking whistle echoed around the hills. I was surprised, and so was my Driver - we stopped at once!"
"'W-what was that?' he shivered."
"'T-that wasn't Skarloey's whistle...' I said, growing more nervous by the minute."
"I peered across the Bridge, where the mist danced frantically - and there it was. It looked strikingly similar to Skarloey, but painted all in black. Its face was worn and weary, and its harsh gaze pierced right through me!"
"Slowly, menacingly, it started across the Bridge towards me! Driver tried to move us back, but I couldn't - I was frozen in fear! The engine's puffs echoed thunderously around the gorge!"
"As it drew near, there was a bump - I watched in horror as the engine tipped and plunged off the side of the Bridge, its whistling screaming out until...SPLASH!"
"In my shock, I looked down at the rails - there was a crack at the spot where the engine came off."
"'We must get help!' I cried, shaken from my stupor."
"We raced back to the Mines, and quickly told the Foreman what had happened."
"'So,' he chuckled, 'it still roams under the light of the full moon, eh? That's how the legend goes, anyway. Don't be silly, Rheneas - there's only two engines on this line, and you're one of them! You can spend the night here - we'll mend the rail in the morning.'"
***
"That engine saved me in the end," Rheneas finished. "If I'd ventured across the Bridge, I wouldn't be here talking to you now! My crew and I put it down to exhaustion, despite knowing what we saw. Skarloey heard the whistle too, and was relieved when I arrived home safe. We made up at once, and we've taken great care on that Bridge ever since before we left Sodor."
The engines looked in shock, and Peter Sam shuttered, "S-S-So, it is true?"
"Yes," said Rheneas.
"I had.... no idea," said Rusty, "A worker just told me about it, and I thought he was made it up."
Just then, a shrill whistle was heard, and all the engines looked at one another.
"Do you think?" asked Duncan.
"All too real," said Rheneas.
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