The Other Railway Series: Season 2

Episode 9: Trials

February 23 1942

The railway's goods train were getting more heavier, it was even worst when Caleb had to leave to help out in France with the war effort. All the engines were most disappointed, even The Old Director, but work had to carry on and Javilling was being more and more used for passenger trains and he had no choice but do the goods work at night, he hated it and offend complain bitterly about it.

"All this work is making me run to the ground," he complained, "it's even worst when I have to pull dirty trucks."

"Well the good news is that you pull at night," said Anderson.

"Whys that?" asked Javilling.

"Because less people are out at night and if they are they'll not see you, ya drip," laughed Anderson.

Javilling just steam off fuming as he did. "It ridiculous," he said to himself, "I'm overwork and under appreciate."

Now Javilling was overwork, but The Old Director appreciated him and was going to give them a surprise. The next morning, the engines were getting prepare for the day of work when suddenly two tender locomotives came in.

"That's a LNER O1 and a LNER O2," said Renel to Ashfull.

Then The Old Director came strolling up. "This," he announced, "is No.3751 and George, they're here on trial. Who ever is the most reliable will stay, the other one will leave. Please make them feel welcomed." And walk away.

George look around the shed. "This shed is disgusting," he said finally.

"Shh, George," said No.3751 and to all of the engines shock (and the delight of Crystel) No.3751 was a fengine,  "you want a good impression of yourself don't you?"

"Why do you care?" scoffed George, "your a rubbish engine, a modified version of us, the O1s."

"How dare you say that to her," said Crystel furiously.

"Huh, another fengine?" said George more rude than ever, "this will be a problem especially an LMS one."

Ashfull wheeshed steam crossly. "Crystel is a reliable engine," he said in her defence, "proberly more than you will ever be and just as she's proven right now, she can be a great friend. Unlike you, nowonder you have no friends."

George smirked. "Awwww," he said in a sliky tone, "do you have a little...what's that word again...oh yes, romance between you two?"

Ashfull just rolled his eyes whilst Crystel just looked at her buffers. Then the yardmaster arrive.

"There's a goods train that's needed to go to Skegness," he said.

"I'll take it," said George, "after all I am better then a old rust bucket, a back engine and a copycat." And he puffed away leaving a fuming Javilling, a red in the face Ashfull and a hurt No.3751 behind.

No.3751 did a fine job with the trucks, she was a smooth runner but George was too and The Old Controller was having a tough time trying to choose. But the engine had already chossen there engine to stay. 

"He's disgraceful," said Anderson.

"He is a very well dumb tender," said Javilling.

"He's even worst Javilling," said Crystel.

"Yes well thank you Crystel," sieved Javilling as Anderson chuckle quietly.

"We need to think of a plan to get rid of him," said Ashfull, "so, any ideas?"

But new were good and soon it was back to work. But George had a plan, the next day he came into the yard to see the trucks.

"You have been very good one my trains," said George in his silky voice, "I want you to do just a job for me."

"And what's in it for us?" asked one.

"We don't take orders from engines," said another.

"We make deals with them," said a third.

"You can derail twice when I become an official NER engine," said George, "sounds even?"

The trucks pondered. "What's the job?" asked one, George just grinned.

Later that day, No.3751 back down on to a train and puffed away. The trucks laughing with each other.

When they were puffing down an incline, the trucks began there tricks.

"On, on, on!" they screamed.

"Stop! Stop!" squealed No.3751 as they picked up speed down the incline. A sharp bend was coming closer and closer, No.3751 braked so hard that her wheels locked, one of sides start getting closer to the ground. No.3751 felt her front bogie wheels leave the rails, then suddenly the bend ended, but No.3751 came of the track completely and went into a field being followed by the laughing trucks.

When No.3751 was put back onto the rails The Old Director had some stern words with her and No.3751 felt terrible. While being clean and having new bogie wheels, Crystel came in.

"Never mind," said Crystel, "it wasn't your fault. It was those trucks."

No.3751 just sighed.

"We should give you a name," said Crystel, "after all, your deserve one more then that George."

No.3751 look up at her.

"Hmmm," pondered Crystel, "Queen Mary?"

"No, it doesn't suit me," replied No.3751.

"Yeah," agreed Crystel, "your probably right."

There was a long pause.

"How about King Callum and Queen Mary's daughter?" said Crystel.

No.3751 looked at Crystel her. "What's her name?" she asked.

"Princess Eleanor," replied Crystel.

No.3751 thought about it, then smiled.

"I like it," she said.

"Great," said Crystel happily, "we'll tell the engines tonight. Well then, bye... Princess Eleanor."

The newly named Princess Eleanor smiled, even not an official NER engine, she felt like this was her home.