The Sudrians: The Archive Collection

The Prototype

The grouping of the railways, took place on January 1st 1923, apart from the NWR, all railways in mainland Britain were grouped into four big, railway companies. The GWR, was an exception, even though it only expanded its railway. But three were named completely into new ones. The Southern Railway, also known as the SR. The London, Midland & Scottish Railway, mainly known as the LMS, and the London, North Eastern Railway, known as the LNER. Even though the railways would cover the entirety of the United Kingdom. They would leave the North Western and the railways on Thesang Island alone; even though Thesang would later absorb into one complete region of British Railways later on in life. But I shouldn't go off-topic with the history of the NWR. Or explain what Thesang's railways were like, otherwise, it would ruin this story.

In the end, the big four did run much better than in smaller railways. This was seen as a positive. But one day, a few months after the big four was formed. The Fat Director had a very surprising visit he wasn't expecting. He was at Vicarstown as per usual, walking along the platform, watching Simon puff into the station, backing slowly down onto his train. He still did not trust the engine one bit as well as that Alfred. But he said nothing as Simon buffered up to his train. Suddenly, an inspector walked quickly up to the director. The Fat Director raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," he said, "what is it?"

"Someone is in your office sir," replied the inspector, "someone important."

The Fat Director's brow furrowed. "Who on earth would that be?" he pondered to himself as he walked past the inspector and towards his office. He then opened the door abruptly, he then looked to the seat where guests would be and gasped.

He wasn't expecting to see the man who was on that seat. But it was. Sir Nigel Gresley.

The LNER's first chief mechanic, turned around to look at the stout gentleman and smile warmly. "Greetings Bertram," he said, "it's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Indeed," replied The Fat Director, as he closed the door behind. He then began to walk around Gresley. "When was the last time? 1918 a month after the war?"

He then went around his desk and sat down on his own chair. Sir Nigel Gresley nodded. "Correct, I am dreadfully sorry for not keeping contact for these past few months. But I have been so busy with the grouping and all."

"I completely understand."

"And," Sir Nigel Gresley paused impressively, "and a new engine that will change the way trains will travel in Britain."

The Fat Director stared at the chief mechanic. Sir Nigel Gresley then pulled out a sheet from his case and unfolded it out onto the desk. The Fat Director looked over a sheet, his eyes widen. What was drawn on this sheet, was a massive engine, completely different from any other our director had seen in his life. Bigger than I, bigger than Eagle, bigger than Henry!

"My, my, that's one astonishing good-looking engine you've drawn there," exclaimed the director, "what class?"

"A prototype of what to come," explained Gresley, "I call it the A0. It was built it a few years ago for the Great Northern Railway with another engine that shall be sent to Thesang in a couple of days. Did you not hear about it from London?"

The Fat Director shook his head. "When did get into service?"

"In 1920," replied Gresley, "he is one of my best engines I've ever built. But there is a problem."

"Which is?" asked The Fat Director.

"This engine is seen as disposable," replied Sir Nigel Gresley, "because he's been so successful, some reworkings of him have been made and now the A1 class will be made in Doncaster. But the directors of the LNER don't think this engine would be useful anymore, possibly because he'll be the only engine of his kind. He's too different, I offered that they overhaul him, but they sadly refused, saying he shall be withdrawn, he hasn't even been in service for a year. Dreadful isn't it."