Southern Island Railway

Chapter 16: Mack's Mainland Trip

Mack had worked on the Southern Isle of Britain for years. He often works on the mainline, hauling goods and passengers, and sometimes, helps with the express to London if the Pullman Twins were in need of maintenance. And today was one of those days.

Mack was coupled up to some coaches, and the passengers boarded. He then took off, running down the line, the wind blowing around his radiator. However, while he was happy for the long run, he was NOT looking forward to seeing the engines on the mainland. Mainly, the diesels. Mack was often looked down upon the other diesels, mainly because he didn't support the full modernization plan.

Right now, Mack ran down the line, and crossed the bridge, stopping at Brighton to let off and pick up passengers. While he was there, a voice said, "What a useless pile of scrap."

Mack turned to see a large green diesel with a passenger train.

Mack looked around, looking for a steam engine, but couldn't find any. So, he asked, "Are you talking to me?"

"Yeah," said the diesel, "You relic shouldn't even be allowed on the mainline!"

Mack frowned, "Well, that's a poor attitude."

"Pah!" said the diesel, "Just you wait! Your island will be revolutionized, and you and your kettle friends will be sent to the sightings! Who knows, maybe you'll come off the tracks!"

The diesel then rolled, after hearing a whistle. However, it wasn't his whistle. He rolled forward, only to derail off the points!

Mack tried not to laugh, but failed, as he said, "Come off the tracks, huh!? Well, seems like you've eaten your own words!!"

The diesel growled.

Soon, he was put back onto the rails, and the manager was not happy with him.

"Derailed again Bazzel!?" he fumed, "Perhaps you should be removed from passengers, and put onto goods."

Bazzel then began rant, and rave, about how a high class modern engine like himself shouldn't be put onto goods, until he was hit in the face, with a cold soda from the manager, and squeaked, rather meekly, "Yes sir. Sorry sir."

Mack then went on his way, and he raced down the line. Soon, he arrived at London, and he let another engine take the train to Scotland. There, a station master came, and said, "There is a shed close by for preserved diesels like yourself."

"Thank you sir," said Mack.

Mack rolled into the shed, and found three diesels inside. One was a blue and yellow class 46 'Peak' Diesel.

Another was a class 55

And the last looked like Mack, only with the numbers, D261.

"Well, look who it is!" said the 45, "Mack!!"

"Dear Brother!" said D261, "How wonderful it is to see you!"

"Good to see one of us still working," said the 55.

Mack's mood then turned sour.

"OH!! SO, NOW I'M ONE OF YOU!?!"

The three diesels were shocked by the cold reception.

"M... Mack, come now, it's in the past," said D261, "We're-"

"You don't get to SPEAK!!! Bowler!" snapped Mack, "I was supportive of you since we came out of the workshops!! And what did you say when I was purchased by the Southern Isle? 'Good riddance! Leave and never return, you disgrace of diesels!!' That's exactly what you said!"

"Hey now," said the 45, "Let's no-"

"And don't get me started on YOU Spamcan!!" snapped Mack, "You treated me horribly when I helped that steam engine!! I didn't do it just for him, passengers are more important than a f***ing ego!!"

"WOAH!!" said the 55, "No need for salty language! Look maybe w-"

"Shut it Old Stuck Up!!" said Mack, "If I remember correctly, the moment you returned from Sodor after crashing, British Railways instantly withdrew you to make room for the newer diesels!! Call me pathetic? Well, THAT there, was just pure patheticness!!"

"N-Now, Mack," said Bowler, "W-We've changed. The years have changed our views on everything."

"Well then," said Mack, "Tell me, if you were still in service, and never withdrawn, would you think of me differently, or would you still think I'm 'Just a disgrace'?"

The three diesels looked at Mack, and then down at their buffers.

"That's what I thought," said Mack, "D261, we may share the same design, but we are NOT brothers. You made that very clear since that day I helped Rebecca."

Mack turned around on the turntable, not even giving a second glance, as D261 said, "For what it's worth, I... I'm sorry for my behavior. It's just.... I've lost so many brothers and sisters. And friends. I.... I don't want to loose any more. Please, at least reconsider."

Mack just stood there, before saying, "It's too late for that."

Mack then rolled out of the shed, and slept in a sighting. Next morning, he was given a path, and waiting at the opposite platform was D261.

"What do you want Bowler?"

"I just wanted to see you off, Brother," said Bowler, "And.... say........ I'm, sorry. I was a terrible brother back then, and... I want to be better now. Make amendments before I'm put on static display."

Mack's guard blew the whistle, and he rolled out, and D261 heard a very faint, "I'll consider it... brother."

D261 smiled, as he watched his brother roll down the line, and out of the station.