Dusk-Stargazer

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Toby was shunting trucks into the sidings at Toryreck when Thomas pulled in. Toby inquired about the flamboyant red engine they'd interacted with at the junction. Upon learning the engine was James, Toby told Thomas about the red engine's comments - namely referring to Toby and Henrietta as 'dirty objects' and the like. Thomas then told Toby about the time a bootlace had been used to mend a hole in one of James's coaches, and encouraged the tram engine to use that in their next altercation, which Toby was only too eager to do.

Dirt and Laces

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Mavis brought a small stone train down to Knapford Junction. She had to wait for the main line train to pass before she could proceed to Tidmouth. As she waited, a big red tank engine pulled in and introduced himself as Arthur. Arthur asked Mavis for the time, which she found odd - especially when he got to working out the time based on when he departed Tidmouth Station. Mavis shifted the topic to Arthur's livery. He went on to explain the LMS and what it meant to him. The guard's whistle sounded out a moment later, and Arthur departed, leaving Mavis uncertain on how to feel about the conversation that had transpired.

'10 something'

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Stepney and Duck had taken charge of the express, as the diesel rostered for it had broken down in the yard. The two tank engines gave it their all, and, while not matching Gordon's pace, they still made good time all things considered. Edward was waiting for the express to pass through, but the engines pulling it came as quite a shock! Edward whistled encouragingly as the pair thundered by, but all the same, he couldn't help feeling absolutely bewildered.

'Now for a sprint!'

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Lewielol, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] James, Almond, and Henry stood inside Tidmouth Station, waiting for the passengers to board their coaches. As they waited, Almond and James began discussing how early the holiday rush had hit. The topic then shifted to the oncoming cold weather, with the looming threat of frost and snow, which would mean their ploughs, something Thomas - who'd arrived during the discussion - immediately voiced his distaste towards. Henry and James couldn't help teasing him about it, which only further riled the tank engine up.

Snowplough Season

'Everything...'

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Pip and Emma had been tasked with a newly instated overnight service between Tidmouth and London. Emma hated working overnight - not because it meant extra work, but because she was prone to freaking herself out, imagining the worst hiding around every bend her lights couldn't reach in time. Her sister, Pip, tried to refocus her, but had difficulty doing so with Emma so tense. Emma attempted to play it off, but Pip saw through her false confidence. She did however, seem to drop the issue, leaving Emma to try and focus on the track ahead, and not let her mind wander with what could be lurking in the shadows.

TrainTober Day 31 - The New

The New Express Service

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] "They say that on Halloween, the ghost engine returns to the Smelter's looking for its lost whistle."

TrainTober Day 30 - Luminescence

Iron-Cast Luminescence

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Gordon had been to Crewe for a rebuild. He hadn't enjoyed his time there nearly as much as Henry had, but then he'd been rebuilt out of necessity - in a far different manner to the green engine. He'd maintained his Gresley identity in all aspects above his running plate. The running plate itself was an odd flowing, curvature that just felt strange. Below that, was all Stanier. Now Gordon was returning home. The country had been on the brink of war, and now, with sirens wailing, he knew the time had come. He only hoped he could return home in time.

TrainTober Day 29 - Overhaul

Rebuilt and Returning Home

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Captain Baxter was visiting the North Western Railway. One night, during his visit, he was asked to collect some flower bushes for Lower Tidmouth Station. Baxter was severely unimpressed with the job, but set off nonetheless. At Lower Tidmouth, he met Almond, who - after a brief introduction - explained the premise of the Best Decorated Station competition. Predictably, Baxter didn't see nor understand the value in such a competition, considering it a waste of time and resources. Almond also brought up St. Machan's Day, where the engines themselves dressed up for a similar competition, which Captain Baxter thought most absurd.

TrainTober Day 28 - Special Event

Festive Competition

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator and Princess-Muffins] Henry was back on the Flying Kipper. He'd been back to work for over a month now, but this was his first time with the train since his accident back in the winter. It took everything in him to take the train, especially when he reached the siding where he'd had that horrific wreck. He passed by the siding without incident, but he still couldn't shake the unease that permeated his entire being.

TrainTober Day 27 - Reminder

Distant Reminders

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] The growl of Bear's engine has always been something of a sensitive topic for him. One night, he dreamt of a world where he made no noise at all. No one seemed to pay him any mind. More than that, everyone seemed... relieved. As though a huge burden had been taken off their buffers. Bear awoke to Henry's concerned voice. Once Henry heard Bear's nightmare through, he quickly and thoroughly made sure Bear knew just how much he was appreciated - by Henry as well as everyone else. Murdoch didn't count because he was always that uptight. Henry offered that the two take the Flying Kipper together to clear Bear's mind. The Hymeck was only too happy to take him up on it.

TrainTober Day 26 - Reflection

Nightmarish Reflections

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Lewielol, and Princess-Muffins] Toby made his way into Tidmouth Station, pleased to have a moment alone with the bust statue of the Thin Clergyman. He asked his crew to give him some space. He took a breath to compose himself, and went on to thank the Thin Clergyman for visiting his old tramway all those years ago, and for convincing Sir Topham Hatt I to visit on his holiday not long after. And for showing Toby how to have hope again.

TrainTober Day 25 - Plinth

'Thank you for Everything'

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] After taking the express to a station on the mainland, Gordon had to pull into a yard to restock his tender before the journey home. He saw what appeared to be two tenders emerging from a shed, and began putting thought into a second tender of his own. A diesel then began making verbal threats towards Gordon's safety on Sodor, which the big engine dismissed as a scare tactic. That was, until a shunter dragged the tenders out to reveal the rusting carcass of a steam engine - once just as alive as Gordon - at the front. Overcome with a sickening disgust, Gordon quickly vacated the yard, much to the amusement of the diesels that had been taunting him.

TrainTober Day 24 - Revelation

Riveting Revelation

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator and Princess-Muffins] Duke and Jennings stood in the shelter of Arlesdale Sheds. Jennings had just been entrusted with the railway's Boat Train, and was eager to flaunt it to her shedmate. Duke, far from impressed, tried to stress the importance of handling the service with care, and not relying on her self-proclaimed 'smooth running'. Jennings dismissed Duke as jealous, and set off to take her inaugural run with the Boat Train. Duke was left dreading the results of her journey.

TrainTober Day 23 - Rivalry

One-Sided Rivalry

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Melanie was shunting in one of Vicarstown's yards when 8754 confronted her, demanding where his next goods train was. Melanie made multiple attempts to inform him that he was due out with a passenger train, which he refused the notion of. Without warning, 8754 suddenly got physical, ramming into Melanie and sending her skating back a few paces. As she recovered from the shock, 8754 once again ordered that she sort his next train. Reluctantly, but without any other options, she did so, but not without threatening to inform the yard foreman of 8754's actions.

TrainTober Day 22 - Boundaries

Overstepping Boundaries

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] James came into Tidmouth Yard, grumbling about having to take soil to Henry's Forest. Ferdinand, who'd been shunting nearby, quietly agreed. Henry, however, argued by bringing up the importance of the forest. A small argument slowly grew as Bear stepped in, backing Henry up. Both James and Henry tried to get Ferdinand on their side as to whether or not the forest should be left alone, with Ferdinand trying not to pick a side - only he didn't know how. Thorkell stepped in, making matters worse, as he argued how dangerous falling trees could be to the railway - something James could relate to. Then Murdoch pulled up, initially shouting for everyone to quiet down, but just ended up arguing with Henry and Bear as his ability to defuse a situation was comparable to that of a military tank. As the engines bickered, Ferdinand silently excused himself from the fiery discourse.

TrainTober Day 21 - Crowded

Overcrowded Conflict

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Gordon brought The Limited to Knapford Junction, where he exchanged pleasantries with Rocket, one of the first steam engines ever constructed. The two talked about how much railway technology has changed in two centuries. Rocket brought up the new engine Gordon was mentoring. The new engine in question, Kana, same soaring through the tunnel and then the station a moment later, shouting a cheerful greeting to her mentor. Gordon returned it with less vigor and more poise, before commenting that Kana did still have a lot to learn.

TrainTober Day 20 - Railway 200

200 Years of Railway Innovation

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] An old steam engine, nearly completely rusted through, can be seen traversing a dense forest in the dead of night. Filthy, dark smoke emits from multiple places, and the rust has covered any running numbers or signs of ownership. It doesn't seem at all that the engine should even be able to still move, yet here it is, doing just that.

TrainTober Day 19 - Purpose

An Engine Without a Purpose

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] [Song lyrics by AJR] Two BR owned engines, an LMS Jinty 3F and a Kitson 0F Pug, seen resting in a shed together. The 'Pug' in question isn't quite sure what's got the 'Jinty' so downtrodden, but wherever she's going, he'll be right alongside her.

TrainTober Day 18 - Bonds

The Bonds We've Made

𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶
𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮
𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩
𝘉𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘰
𝘉𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘰

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Edward pulled into Kellsthorpe Station. Recently, The Fat Controller had put in motion a plan to restore the Kirk Ronan line in time for Skarloey and Rheneas's centenary the following year. Edward was one of the engines drafted for the project. And he hated it. He didn't mind the extra work, nor staying out late to get more done. It was the branch line itself that gave him the strongest unease. He tensed as an owl hooted from one of the trees. He bit his lip as a low mist took hold of the station platforms. He jumped when Almond sounded his whistle in greeting as he passed by. He stood, shifting uncomfortably as he waited to be uncoupled. All in all, it was going to be a long night.

TrainTober Day 17 - Branch Line

The Old Branch Line

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Tonight was the night. Oliver went to find Isabel first. She was relieved when he arrived, and they were coupled together. She was considerably less thrilled to learn that a brake van called Toad would be accompanying them. Oliver and Isabel had argued at length about whether taking him with was a good decision. Isabel argued that the consist would look too abnormal, while Oliver kept reminding her that Toad knew the way to Sodor. He was invaluable, whether she believed it or not. Engine, autocoach, and brake van set off together. Oliver kept his eyes down, fighting the urge to glance at the sheds. He knew he'd want to bring even just one of his siblings with. It was a desire that had been eating away at him for months now, but it just wasn't feasible.

TrainTober Day 16 - Farewell

Silent Farewell

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Whiff was the engine responsible for carrying rubbish from the stations and yards to the Waste Dump & Recycling Centre on Edward's branch line. Every few days, the dark green 'rubbish engine' would set out with empty trucks, load them up at each station, then take them to his yard to be processed. It was a filthy, rancid job, but Whiff didn't mind. It was a job Mr Hatt had given specially to him. When he'd first arrived on the railway, Whiff was a very different engine. He wore shiny veridian paint, and pulled prestigious (for the time) coaches up and down the line that is now the Kirk Ronan branch. He respected the necessity of his current job, but every once in a while, he caught himself reminiscing on the good old days.

TrainTober Day 15 - Reminiscing

A Night of Reminiscing

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Nictrain123, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Glynn was the first engine built by Sir Topham Hatt, and it showed. He hadn't had a terribly long nor prosperous working life, but he had enjoyed what he got. Even as his design proved to have a short lifespan, from his boiler wearing out to his chassis struggling to support his weight, he pressed on for the sake of the railway. Mr Hatt always said Glynn had inherited his stubbornness. Now, Glynn sat in the siding at Ffarquhar, doubting that he'd ever work again. If that was the case, judging by Thomas now running the line, the railway had a fine and stable future. If only Glynn could be there to see it.

TrainTober Day 14 - Siding

In the Sidings now

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Having been newly-built, Philip had essentially no real idea what he was doing. His performance trials had all been successful, but now he felt he was being cast into the deep end when he barely knew how to swim. He met a ratty old mineral wagon with an attitude to match, who was absolutely no help whatsoever. What Philip really needed was some sort of guidance, only he had no idea who to ask.

TrainTober Day 13 - Main Line

A Main Line Shunter's Struggles

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] BoCo pulled into Vicarstown Station and met his sister, 5701, there. The two dryly discussed the unpleasant fate of their class - barring BoCo, who'd been purchased by the North Western the previous year. 5701 then brought up a 'mystery train' running between blocks on the Other Railway, and that it was now in the London Midland Region. BoCo asked that she turn a blind eye if she saw them, a notion she shot down. She was an engine bracing for her end, why would she go out of her way to save another at the end of theirs?

TrainTober Day 12 - Reunion

Reunions and Complications

`[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]` A Class 08 had been sent to Tidmouth to assist in the harbour yard. He had visited the region before, and was not pleased to have been sent back. Similarly, Duck was far from thrilled to see Devious Diesel show his face again after having been sent packing three years prior. The Gronk caught sight of a Western 5700 and quickly squirmed away, convincing himself - if only just - that he hadn't just seen Duck again. Duck knew the shunter he was looking at from only a passing glance. He'd never forget the face of the engine that had very nearly stripped him of everyone and everything he held dear. Whatever plans that villainous monster had, Duck would not be a part of them.

TrainTober Day 11 - Surprise

An Unwelcome Surprise

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] They say to never make deals with the devil. One cold night, James got to learn exactly why. He had just about run out of water, having neglected to stop at Wellsworth for more. The aim was to knock out the journey more quickly, but such was quickly thwarted as now he would have to wait for someone to bring him more water. He took notice of a small black object by the side of the line he couldn't quite identify. That was where it all started. The wind picked up and the trees creaked. With a an explosion of light from a source James couldn't pinpoint, a little yellow engine appeared before him. An engine not unlike Skarloey or Rheneas, except... it stood between his rails as the spectre's wheels weren't far enough apart to rest on the rails themselves. The entity then struck a deal with James - it took the first turn with what was to be James's express, and he'd have it in rotation beyond that. James agreed with ease, amused by the image of an engine that small attempting to move several heavy coaches. However, the little engine never specified exactly how it planned to pull the aforementioned coaches.....

TrainTober Day 10 - Experience

Out of Body Experience

[Sprites used courtesy of Princess-Muffins] City of Truro was the first engine to breach 100mph. Some claim her record illegitimate. Most engines across Britain, especially the Western Region, idolize her. She may enjoy her fame, but she never asked to be placed on such a pedestal. For most of her working life, and nearly all her preservation life so far, she's lived under the glare of the spotlight.

TrainTober Day 9 - Spotlight

The Glare of the Spotlight

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] Splatter and Dodge weren't quite sure how they'd ended up as underlings for the fabled, villainous Diesel 10. Naturally, when they ended up in a difficult situation they couldn't recall the cause of, they blamed each other. Their boss, not best pleased with their constant chatter, quickly shut them up by announcing his presence - if his ominously glowing headlights wasn't enough of an indication. With the two shunters standing at attention - or, the closest that could be expected of them - their meeting could properly begin.

TrainTober Day 8 - Gathering

Gathering in Darkness

[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself] The Skarloey Railway was facing hard times. The remaining engines were struggling, and morale was particularly low. In spite of this, Rheneas refused to show his worries in front of Skarloey. He wasn't sure why, but it seemed whenever he buried his worries and forced a smile, it seemed to ease tensions and make Skarloey feel better. So, come hell or high water, Rheneas was going to fight to keep the railway open. He would keep pushing on no matter what it took, if not for him, then for his friends. For his railway, and for Skarloey, he would go to the ends of the earth.

TrainTober Day 7 - Value

The Value of Comradery