The Other Railway Series: Season 2

Episode 2: More Branchlines

November 12th 1939

The world was at war again, it had only been two months but it felt like forever. There was also a problem, people were coming more and more into Thesang since they thought that Britain wasn't safe.They were coming in franticly. There were so many of them, that they had to build some new villigers and towns.
One day, Anderson back down into his birth, looking furious.

"It's ridiculous," he fumed.

"What is?" asked Ashfull.

"Some people are wanting the railway to connect to them!"

"That's stupid," said Ashfull.

"I know," replied Anderson as he went to sleep.

The next morning, Crystel was taken the Eastern Express. This train was King Callum of Thesang's train. But since he was away being overhauled at Doncaster works, so Crystel had to take his trains. When she came into Nithsdale station, she saw two men talking to each other on the platform.

"The island's population is 10,000 more than Sodor," said one.

"Crikey," said the other, "is the railway making any new branchlines?"

"Apperently not," said the other, "that's why people are putting a protest about it at the Camford railway sheds."

Crystel was horrified. "Did you hear that driver?" she said as she pulled out of the station.

"Hear what Crystel?" asked her driver.

"Those two men on the platform about a protest at Camford sheds!"

"Sorry Crystel, but I'm confused."

"Fireman, did you hear them?"

"I am just as confuse as your driver, Crystel."

Crystel sigh, she'll tell the other engines about it tonight.

"Pfff, that's nonsence Crystel," replied Ashfull as she told them.

"But it's true!" protested Crystel.

"Then why hasn't there been a protest tonight then?" said Anderson.

Crystel said nothing, she, Anderson and Ashfull where very overwork so they would be like this tonight and went to sleep, sulking. The next morning Ashfull was waiting at Camford station with a passenger train, when Hymerk came in with another train from the Larrine branch.

"What's the matter Hymerk?" asked Ashfull who was looking at his worried face.

"The villages and towns on my branch are saying that there should be branchlines connecting to the new ones," replied Hymerk.

Ashfull groaned. "Take no notice," he said, "Crystel said there'll be a protest in are yards at some point."

"Could be true," whispered Hymerk but Ashfull had already pulled out of the station.

It was 1:50 when Ashfull return back and Anderson and Crystel were at the sheds with an engine.

Ashfull looked at him. "You," he said, "are LMS 'Crab'."

"Indeed," he said with a strong british accent, "and proud of it."

But before Ashfull could say anymore a mob of furious people came storming towards the shed.

"That's a lot of passengers," said Crystel to Anderson.

"Where's your Director?" shouted one of the men.

"Ummm, I-I-I don't k-know," stuttered Ashfull.

"Don't play innercent," snapped the man again.

"We want answers," called another.

"Of what?" question Crystel.

"Answers for more branchlines!"

Suddenly there was a massive roar from the crowd starting to complain, shout and insult the railway staff and the engines. It was only 3 minutes, but it felt like ages for the engines until a shrill whistle was heard. As the people and engines looked to see Christen pull in a goods train. As he stopped, out from his cab, was The Old Diregctor.

"We want answers abou-" shouted the first man again.

"And you will get them some now," cut in The Old Director, "as I have heard, most of the population of Thesang are wanting more branchlines. As you can see the railway is very busy with all the war and many men are heading to France, there's not enough money to go and make more branchlines."

"But you built the Larrine Branch."

"That's because of extra money and if you don't mind that the police has the rights to arrest you since you are on railway property."

So the protestors left, very quickly indeed.

"Who was the engine who told the others a protest," chuckled Crystel, "but no, don't listen to the fengine."

Ashfull just rolled his eyes whilst the other engine chuckled.

"I have already tolded Hymerk about the news I've brought you," began The Old Director, "the LMS have dicided with me, that we need some help with some of the war effort so they have given us two rented engines to help out until the war has ended. Caleb hear will help on the mainline with millitary work. Whilst Johnny, who is a 3F 'Jinty', will help with the shunting hear and will arrive in a tomorrow."

"But sir," replied Anderson, "that's my job."

"Yes," said The Old Director, "but hear is some more news. I didn't completely tell the protestors the full reason why."

The engines looked at there Director.

"What do you mean sir?" asked Christen.

"What I mean Christen is that four new branchlines are going to be built."

The engines looked at each with surprise.

"Does this mean that we'll get more engines sir?" asked Crystel.

"Not engines," said The Old Director, "but engine, he'll be running one of the branchlines as well as you Anderson."

Anderson whistled with excitement. "Thank you sir," he said.

The Old Director nodded. "The engine's name is Renel," he continued.

"That's a good name," sniggered Anderson. The Old Director stare at him. Anderson dicided to look at his buffers.

"He'll," carried on The Old Director, "will arrive in 23 days. But for now, I'll have to arange a press conference and deal with some angry protestors tomorrow."

He then left leaving some excited engines behind.