The E2 Tank Engine

War Trains

A few days had passed and we were getting more trains in the yards, since I was just starting to pull trains I wasn't allowed to take passengers just yet. Me and john were sitting near the station talking to a H2 class. 

"What's it like to pull passengers" I asked him.

"You always have to be careful to the coaches even when they are empty, but its nice and easy afterwards, coasting down hills and under bridges. Its a nice experience." he replied

Soon he had to leave with his train back to London and John and I finished our shunting. 

A little later, a B4 class came in with a train of war tanks and almost trapped me in a siding

"Look out mate!" I called

"Sorry back there" She replied "Just on a tight timetable".

She soon left to the turntable as I shunted the train into a large shed as instructed. 

"What's all this for?" I asked the workmen. 

"These tanks have been damaged during the war here" he said gravely.

"A war!?" I squawked, "I've been here almost three weeks and I haven't heard of a war"

"Its out of the country Jack, and hopefully it will stay that way." He told me.

"Agreed" I said as I got ready to take a train of logs to the sawmill up the line. As I was getting ready to leave, the alarm bell started to go off. The stationmaster came running up to my crew.

"Oh thank the lord you haven't left yet!" he panted, "A K2 has burst his safety valve up the line with a troop train, your the only engine available." 

"A K2?" I quizzed "Its rare to find them so far from Furness rails"

"Cant help that" called my driver, David from my cab, "Now lets hurry!"

We sped down the line at top speed and found the K2 at the bottom of the incline

"Sorry" He said, "Its my age"

"No matter" I said "why all get old at some point."

I puffed and slipped as I forced the heavy train up the slight hill and up the line. I couldn't go as fast as I would have gone as I would burst my safety valve too. We reached the terminal and Doctors took the wounded soldiers out of the coaches and rushed them to the hospital. I was tired but happy when I arrived back at the yard where I found John and all the workmen giving me a three cheers, another heroic day.