The Other Railway Series: Season 1

Episode 13: The North Eastern Railway

April 30th 1923

The North Eastern Railway, it has it's ups and downs, but on April 19th 1923, the mainline was complete, even so it still needed a fully complete yard, some stations and siddings. The line would be fully opened tomorrow.

As Hymerk, Anderson, Ashfull, Christen and Crystel were resting in the sheds one night with workmen, drivers, firemens, stationmasters, guards and all other sorts of railway staff.

"I wonder whats going on?" whispered Hymerk to Christen.

"The Old Director is going to give a speech about tomorrow," replied Christen.

And then, The Old Director appeared and climb up on to Christen.

"Engines, Ladies and Gentlemen," he announce, "it has been two long years of constructing this railway, a branchline and a mainline. But this is just the beginning of The North Eastern Railway!"

The engines whistle and the railway staff cheered.

"Now," continued The Old Director, "here's some jobs for you."

He turned persificly to the engines.

"Hymerk, you will be taking a passenger train on your branchline to connect with a special train."

"Yes sir, thank you sir," peeped Hymerk.

"Anderson you will be shunting at Camford whilst Christen will shunt at Carrag."

"Yes sir," said the two tank engines.

"And Crystel and Ashfull, you two will pull the first train going from Camford to Carrag."

The two looked at each and smiled at each other.

Soon the next day arrived and the engines where all ready, Ashfull and Crystel where sizzling happily in the station some coaches and the passengers and guests looked arround the massive station and coaches and engines.

"Well well, you've have made a good railway," said a voice.

Ashfull looked to see Sir Nigel Gresley.

"U-uhhh th-thank you s-s-sir," said Ashfull.

"Don't worry Ashfull, i'm not here to mock you," chuckled Sir Nigel Gresley.

He pulled out a letter from his jacket.

"I've got a letter from your friend, King Callum of Thesang."

Ashfull's eyes widden. "Can you read it to me," he asked eagerly.

"Yes of couse," laughed Sir Nigel Gresley he pulled the letter out and started to read out loud.

Dear friends,

It has been months since I last saw you. The workmen here have taken care of me very well and I hope I'll come back soon.

Oh, and congratulations on comleting the railway's mainline.
I also heard that a new fengine arrive a month ago, tell her good luck and welcome to are railway from me.

From King Callum

A.K.A King Callum of Thesang, your Number 3.

Ashfull smiled at this and couldn't but think about the letter as they started out of the station.

The two engines pounded down the line smoothly but fast.

They didn't stop at the stations that wern't as inportant like Telmouth , but even people were there cheering them on.

As they reached Busdin they saw Hymerk waiting cheerfully next to the platform.

As some passengers switch trains, The Old Director climb on to a trolly.

"Everyone!" he shouted everybody turn there attention to The Old Dirctor, "I'm please to announce that this is are first proper garrantee connection!"

Everyone clapped their hands and the three engines whistle.

Soon they setted off again. Soon Ashfull and Crystel came to Carrag Hill.

"Come on, come on," wheeshed Crystel.

"We've done it before, we've done it before," puffed Ashfull.

"Come on we've doneit before, come on we've done it before!"

And soon enouth, they manage to roll down the hill with swithly and in to Carrag station were Christen and many people came to see them.

The station echoed around it's neighboors. But that didn't matter.

For the rest of the day went smootly as it did on the first run.

And when the last run came into Camford.

Many people and all of engines were there clapping, cheering and whistling.

As soon as all of the passengers got out of the train, The Old Director walk up to a stand.

"Ladies and gentlemen, engines and coaches, this is are first day of a completely running mainline and I will announce what jobs the engines will do. Hymerk will be running the Larrine Branchline. Anderson will be temperaily Camford Station pilot. Christen will be permanant Carrag station pilot. Crystel will be permenant passenger engine and Ashfull will do mix-traffic. Now thank you, all of you for coming to this island and helping this railway. Special thanks to Mr Salt, Mr Smith, Mr Scarsbrook and Govenor Anderson for making us come to this island and making it what it has come today. Now I hope you all will have a safe journey home and goodnight."

Everybody made a massive applase and even the engines whistle loudly.

As some of the guests where hopping in to the carriages for Ashfull to take home and man came up to him.

"Henry Fowler," Ashfull gasp as the man walk up to him.

"Hello Ashfull," he said, "listen, I have been hearing a lot about you recently of good you are pulling goods and mix-traffic and they were right of how you work. I've gotten a idea, what if you come to help the LMS, we definately show those from the LNER."

Ashfull was speechless but as he looked to see Christen, Hymerk, Anderson and Crystel he smile.

"Sorry Sir," he said, "but I prefere to stay here."

Henry Fowler looked a bit disapointed but smile.

"Well, I can acept that. Thank you Ashfull for your time."

And with he boarded the train and Ashfull setted off to Skegness.

When he return to the sheds, Hymerk was still awake.

"So, how was today?" he asked.

"Very good," smiled Ashfull.

"I saw you with Henry Fowler today," said Hymerk.

"Yes," replied Ashfull and he told Hymerk everythink.

"Well," smiled Hymerk, "I'm just please for you."

And with that, Hymerk went to sleep.

Ashfull looked at the sky and smile.

"It's good," he said," it's to good to be on The North Eastern Railway."