The Island of Sodor: The New Stories.

The Arlesburgh Branch Line (Tidmouth - Arlesburgh)

Background

The Arlesburgh branch was built shortly after the NWR was formed. It was ordered by the government to defend from potential attacks during the First World War. This ended up not being needed, so it was surveyed for goods and passenger services. When it was deemed viable, one of the W&SR engines was sent to work the line. There wasn't much passenger traffic on the line, but goods from the MSR kept the line useful. Eventually the W&SR engines were ordered to be scrapped by the board of directors in 1925, much to Sir Topham's protest. After that, an engine on loan from the Midlands ran the line. When the MSR closed in 1947, the line saw no more use and was also closed. It remained closed until 1965, when Sir Charles decided to reopen it. The line at that point was very overgrown and in need of maintenance. After an extensive overhaul, the line was ready to be run in 1967. Since the line runs by the coast, there would be a big tourism industry. This was further bolstered by the connection to the miniature Arlesdale Railway. As most people know, Duck was sent to run this line and could handle the passenger trains by himself, while the Caledonian twins handled the goods. Eventually it was clear that another engine was needed to help with passengers. Luckily Douglas was able to help a little engine escape a scrapyard with an autocoach and a Toad brakevan. This trio was of course Oliver, Isabel and Toad. After Sir Charles officially bought them, he bought 3 more autocoaches to make two complete auto trains. Isabel and Oliver were joined by Dulcie, while Duck was paired with two coaches named Alice and Mirabel. To differentiate between the two pairs, Alice and Mirabel are painted in a red and cream livery, like how they were in BR days. Isabel and Dulcie are more traditional and are painted in the Great Western's chocolate and cream livery. All four coaches have their names on their sides. Since the engines who run the passenger services are from the GWR and the coaches are the same, the line has forever been called "The Little Western".

TIDMOUTH STATION

(See The Main Line part)

HAULTRAUGH STATION

Haultraugh is the middle station on the Little Western. There is not much to say about the station itself. One interesting thing is that a little white duck named Dilly lives here. She is usually seen quacking at people and making sure the staff do things right. She sometimes takes rides with Donald and his crew down the line, but no matter what she always comes back to her home at Haultraugh station. People usually get off here to go to the beaches nearby. Some also like exploring the sandy cliffs that look over the station and surrounding town. Bulgy's Bridge is just outside of town. Its named as such because a rude double decker bus the engines called Bulgy tried to take a shortcut to beat Duck to Tidmouth. One thing led to another, and Bulgy ended up stuck under that bridge. There's a plaque on the side of the road commemorating the incident. Unlike many other stations on the Little Western, Haultraugh made it into the TVS, but only briefly.

ARLESBURGH WEST STATION

Arlesburgh West is the penultimate station on this branch. It used to be the terminus, until passenger services started running to Arlesburgh. As the name suggests, Arlesburgh West is west of Arlesburgh (go figure). This is where the main sheds are. The sheds are also just outside the wharf and ballast chute for the Arlesdale Railway. The carriage shed for the autocoaches is also here.

ARLESBURGH STATION

Arlesburgh is the final station on this branch. Before the line closed in 1947, goods trains ran all the way to the harbour. The old MSR tracks used to come to the harbour via Bridge Street. The Arlesdale Railway opted to connect to the standard gauge line west of the harbour. Arlesburgh Harbour acts as a supplement to Tidmouth and Knapford. There are also cruise liners that come here sometimes to unload tourists. Percy has been sent up there sometimes to help.