NorthWesternSpookster

Happy #Rail200! Wonder what railway pioneers would think of how far they've come over the past two centuries.
I have nothing special prepared unfortunately, but here's a Swan edit I've never shared before! And it's a sight that'll become a bit more real in due time...
#Railway200

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Day 31 - Departure
And as Sodorgust draws to a close for this year, here's Departure - of Skarloey & Rheneas from the Station by the Waterfall, and from the norm of these entries I've done all month.

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Day 30 - Origin

Edward and BoCo cheered him on.
"Good show, old boy!" peeped Edward.
"You can do it, Derek!" hooted BoCo.
And with one final effort, Derek brought his train to a halt. The yard erupted with cheers and whistles from engines and workmen alike, you've likely never heard such a noise! 2/2

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Day 29 - Inspiration
As late afternoon crept over Wellsworth Yard, Derek crawled in with his long, heavy train. His engine strained, and he felt very hot. He had no firebox but believe you me, there was a burning heart in his radiator. 1/2

Bonus of Douglas giving James shit for his blunder XD

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Day 28 - Authority
"Some jokes are funny, but not this one, James. You have caused confusion."
"Yes, Sir," said James.
"You will stay in your shed until you are wanted."

"That was a jamboree," put in Thomas with a chuckle.
"Was it?" said Percy. "Sorry."
Little did Percy know he'd soon be proven correct about the upcoming Golden Jubilee...
2/2

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Day 27 - Party
"I know what a Jubilee is," announced Henry. "It's an engine called Bahamas - I met him at Crewe."
"Isn't it some sort of party?" asked Percy. "Thomas and I took some Scouts to one once..."
1/2

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Day 26 - Ridiculous
One of the most ridiculous episodes ever.

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Day 25 - Food

"All who agree that Jinty must stop sleeping on the job, say 'aye'!" he rumbled importantly.
Jinty had been unable to make his case.

Consider this a mini sequel to Overworked!
bsky.app/profile/nwsp...
2/2

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Day 24 - Meeting
The Big Engines didn't have much reason to hold proper Indignation Meetings anymore. They still called them this, but they'd become more of a public complaint forum. Gordon always took them very seriously.
1/2

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Day 23 - Animal
Donald's Duck(s)

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Day 22 - Valley

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Day 21 - Books
"Alright BoCo, we'll stop here on our way home and pick up that copy of 'War & Peace' for Edward."
"Thank you, Driver. Could we get a copy of 'Oh the Places You'll Go'? We didn't really think through giving Bill & Ben 'I Can Read With My Eyes Shut'..."

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Day 20 - Mine
Bill and Ben always liked to make fun of Timothy for not being able to fit in the mines like them. Timothy felt he was rather fortunate to not be an annoying little bee.

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Day 19 - Denial
Spamcan often boasted, much to the other engines' chagrin, how much better things were on The Other Railway. But as time went by, even he wasn't so sure... not that he'd ever say that out loud.

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Day 18 - Tugboat
"Y'know 'Salty', someone once told me that the tugboat, for its size, is the most powerful craft afloat."

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Day 17 - Traffic

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Day 16 - Game
During the Covid-19 Lockdown, services on the railway were reduced and many engines found themselves bored in the sheds. Solutions came by way of telling stories, watching movies, and even playing games...
"IF I GET A BACKWARDS 4 ONE MORE RUDDY TIME-!!!"

"...have no passengers at all. What would you do then?"
"Run my train on time, for one thing," retorted Thomas. He hurried away before Henry could answer.

Decided to do a bit of a mix of the RWS and TVS version of this Junction scene from Better Late Than Never. 2/2

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Day 15 - Time
"Time's Time," Thomas grumbled. "Why should I keep my passengers waiting while Henry and James dawdle about all day on viaducts?"
"Don't blame me!" snorted Henry. "If we hurried across the viaduct, it might collapse, and then you'd..." 1/2

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Day 14 - Nature
Wilbert was glad to be back in steam again, and knew he'd be forever grateful for the kind words and donations from his fans that made it possible. The Forest of Dean was just as beautiful as he remembered it.

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Day 13 - Exploit
Truly my favorite story in the entire canon.

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Day 12 - Coal
Donald had been travelling up and down the Little Western since before dawn to fill a large order of ballast. He was tired, cross, & in need of more coal. Unfortunately for him, Murdoch chose to take a nap right beside both coal chutes.
What a dick.

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Day 11 - Vanity
Gordon was very cross when he was shunted off of the express line at the Hilltop Station, and became crosser still when he found out why. Spencer streaked through the station with a railtour, blowing his whistle tauntingly and looking quite full of himself.

While his grandchildren were enamoured with Toby, the Stout Gentleman and his wife walked to the other side of the platform where a black tender engine sat with its train. "Hello," he said kindly, "you look like a very useful engine. Do you have a name?" There was a pause. "M-Molly, Sir, th-thank you," came the meek reply.

And then I had the idea that Topham Hatt probably took a look at other railway scenes while on holiday to East Anglia. Here's an excerpt from a "lost story", Molly & the Stout Gentleman (see alt text!) 2/2

While his grandchildren were enamoured with Toby, the Stout Gentleman and his wife walked to the other side of the platform where a black tender engine sat with its train. "Hello," he said kindly, "you look like a very useful engine. Do you have a name?" There was a pause. "M-Molly, Sir, th-thank you," came the meek reply.

And then I had the idea that Topham Hatt probably took a look at other railway scenes while on holiday to East Anglia. Here's an excerpt from a "lost story", Molly & the Stout Gentleman (see alt text!) 2/2

I've posted these on The Other Platform, but I've been on a Molly kick lately. Hope y'all enjoy!
Here she is in a M&GNJR tributary livery at Holt Station on the North Norfolk Railway. Got the idea from a thread @/nictrain123.bsky.social wrote last November. 1/2