The Other Railway Series: Season 2

Episode 6: Harder then Expected

September 5th 1940

The workload was getting heavier Crystel's passenger services and Ashfull's goods trains were heavier and it wasn't even fully the war. It was also the passengers and more companies on the island that made more traffic for the engines.

"This exhausting," said a worn out Ashfull, "we need some more help with the working load."

Crystel agree but John just scoffed.

"You lazy slackers," he said in his harsh tone, "if you ask me, I prefer to get run down to the brime then ask The Old Director for another engine to help."

Ashfull rolled his eyes whilst Crystel wheesh steam at him. Then The Old Director came walking up.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

"Beg your parden sir, but we need a mix-traffic tender engine to help me and Crystel," said Ashfull.

"What's a mix-traffic engine?" asked John.

"It means that that type of engine can pull goods and passenges easily. You drip," said Crystel.

"You drip," fumed John, "well I tell you-"

"SILENCE!" boomed The Old Controller, "I have seen that you two are having trouble keeping up with your work, even Caleb is having difficulties. So I'll buy another engine to help you two out." And with that, he walk away to make arrangements.

One morning, a few days later after The Old Director started making arrangements, the engines were rudely interrupted by a loud and long whistle. Puffing into the yards and coming to a stop, was a Southern tender engine. It was one that any of them seen before and they were slightly confuse and annoyed. Then The Old Director came out the newcomer's cab and walked towards the engines and came to a stop just beside the newcomer's buffer beam.

"This," he announced, "is No.599. He'll be current mix-traffic engine on the mainline so to help with the war effort. I hope you make him feel welcome." And with that, he left.

The engine looked back until he was out of site and then, to most of the engines surprise. He scoffed.

"The Old Director has made a terrible mistake," he said, "even so I can mange goods and locals easily, I am not a proper mix-traffic engine and to make me pull goods trains too! It's... it's really idiotic."

"Your hear to help us and we're grateful for it. But seriously, this what we get back insults?" said Ashfull.

"If you ask me," said John, "I say he's a silly engine and doesn't know what he's on about."

"That's the most non-insulting thing I ever heard you say," said Caleb, "and also it kind of sounds like you too."

"Why you!" shouted John. It took several minutes until some inspectors to make them shut up and soon they told Jake to take a passenger train. Later that day Crystel arrive at Bustin station with guaranteed connection with Hymerk.

"Morning Crystel," said Hymerk cheerfully.

"Morning," replied Crystel sulkily.

"What's wrong," said Hymerk, "you bothered."

"It's that new engine!" exclaimed Crystel.

"Ah, I saw him today. He look like a Southern Railway class 'c', said Hymerk.

"How do you know that?" asked Crystel.

"I work along side them before I came hear," said Hymerk, "they're very boastful engines they are, think they deserve better then local and especially goods. They're even worst then some of the bulleid pacifics from what I've heard."

Crystel thought about it. 'This wasn't going to be a smooth ride," she thought. Two days later, Jake was resting in a siding when the yard foreman came up to him.

"Listen," he said, "there's a coal train that's needs to be taken to Skegness."

"Why can't Caleb or Ashfull take it, they love pulling dirty trucks," complained Jake.

"Oh stop complaining," snapped his driver, "overwise you won't like it when The Old Director shuts you up in the shed."

Jake just rolled his eyes and puffed towards the trucks. He cringe when he back down on to the waiting trucks, laughing as he did. Anderson who was nearby saw Jake,  he hadn't seen him and thought he would be the right time to introduce himself.

"Um, hello," said Anderson, Jake just glare, "my names Anderson and yours?"

"Jake." And with Jake puffed away rudely with laughing trucks behind him. Anderson was hurt.

Jake grumble along the line. "Come along, come along," he said to the trucks in a rude manner. The trucks did but not for long. Just after they went by Nithsdale station, the trucks began there tricks.

"Hold back, hold back!" they laughed. Jake found himself going slower and slower and slower. Then suddenly, Jake stopped. The driver and fireman look out of there cab, then came strolling up to him.

"What's the matter Jake," said his driver, "we weren't even going that slow to even stop."

"I'm not moving," snapped Jake, "and that's that." And he did.

Soon, Caleb arrived with a troup train.

"What's going on?" he asked, "it was suppose to be right of way for me."

"Sorry," said Jake's guard, "but Jake is not moving an inch. Can you shunt him to Skegness?"

"Well, I can give it a try," said Caleb and soon enough he was coupled up and he and Jake puffed away. Soon when they reach Bustin station, Caleb called the stationmaster over.

"Can you tell Carrag yard foreman to ask if Christen can help us up Fowthorpe hill?" he asked.

"Why certainly," replied the stationmaster and walk away to call the yards.

Soon, Caleb and Jake arrive at Fowthorpe station where Christen was waiting for them. Soon enough he buffer up to Jake and the trio puffed away and soon enough they arrive at Carrag, thank Christen and headed to Skegness in Britain. When they got there, a B47 and a D16 were waiting to take there place.

"Well, well, well," laughed the D16, "no wonder your late, Southern engines are the worst of pulling trains."

Jake just growled as the two engines took there place. That night The Old Director came to see Jake.

"You have embarrass me, yourself and the railway today," said The Old Director, "you've have been rude to the engines and I won't allow that."

Jake look at his buffers looking very sorry for himself.

"But," said The Old Director, "you have been working hard for the past two days, so I'll give you a second chance."

"Why, thank you sir," said Jake, "I won't let you down."

"I hope not," smiled The Old Director as he walk away.

Soon Jake was soon repainted in the mix-traffic livery; normal blue. Jake also had a new name and it was Javilling. Javilling still grumble about pulling trucks because he was that sort of engine but all of them didn't seem to care. Well one of them did.