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weirdowithaquill · 6 months ago

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Traintober 2024: Day 14 - Screech

Before Sodor:

When he came out of the works, James was a very different engine to the one who went in. The regular, boring, utilitarian Class 28 who had been pushed in was gone, and out came a prototype. Hughes classified James as a ‘Class 29’.

“You’re a very special engine,” Mr Hughes said, watching on as James was fired for the first time. “I’m hoping your rebuild will bring all the successes I am hoping for.” That made James feel very special. He’d been plucked at random from his shed for the overhaul, chosen from in amongst a group of twelve of his class, as well as another six Class 27s who’d been doing their absolute best to be picked. But it had been James; of all the engines on the entire railway, it had been James.

“I’ll do you proud, sir!” chirped James excitedly. Mr Hughes smiled gently, and stepped to one side to continue to watch the proceedings. James was carefully steamed up, his slightly larger boiler warming quickly. Every part of him felt new and precision machined. His firebox was large and his cylinders strong; his superheater warmed him right through and left James practically bursting with the need to get out of the workshop and prove himself. His fire burned brightly, his steam pressure shot up. The men grinned as James easily passed all their tests, the foreman marking off boxes on his list with the smallest hint of a smile.

James felt his brakes being taken off, and then his regulator being very slowly opened, prompting him to hiss steam as he inched forwards. But as the brakes were put back on with an odd screeching noise. James frowned.

“Something feels a bit off, sir,” he said slowly. “What brakes was I fitted with?” The foreman winced out of James’ view, and went to speak only for Mr Hughes to place a firm hand on his shoulder. The Chief Mechanical Engineer shook his head slowly, a dark look in his eyes.

“It’s a new design!” Mr Hughes called out. “We want to test these before we give them to other engines, and considering how much stronger we hope you’ll be, you seemed like the best engine to trial them on. They do screech a bit though, but don’t be alarmed.” James beamed!

“Oh sir! I knew I was going to be special. Look at me – don’t I look smart!” “You look very nice in our livery,” agreed Mr Hughes politely. “Now we need to start running tests. Your crew and the inspector will take it from here.” With one final meaningful look at the foreman, Mr Hughes placed his hat atop his head and strode away.

James didn’t watch him go, his eyes instead set on the trucks and coaches that littered the yard. “I can’t wait!” grinned James, feeling his driver open his regulator once more after taking off his special brakes. They started him off on some light shunting duties, testing out his response to the controls. In the distance, a foreign whistle blasted through the works as another freight train blasted through at speed. James raised an eyebrow.

“Who’s that?” he asked. “We don’t usually get outsiders here.” “The railway is trialling a foreign engine to see how they could adapt it,” the inspector replied clinically. James hummed, considering the new information before continuing his shunting. Every time he braked, his brakes screeched, and he slid just a little more than usual.

“Inspector,” James began slowly after the ninth time, “these brakes seem a bit weak. Why don’t they stop me sooner?” The three men in James’ cab shared looks out of his line of sight. They seemed to have a silent conversation in the span of several seconds, before the inspector finally responded.

“They’re a dynamic brake,” he said carefully. “They’re a little slower to apply, but they are made of an extremely strong material that won’t wear out as much.”

James felt better after that. Had he been even a little older, he wouldn’t have accepted the reply as easily – after a certain period of time, most engines grew a sort of sixth sense around their motion. They could detect if something was wrong easily, and work to fix it. James had barely seen his second year in service when he was unceremoniously picked to be rebuilt; his youth had made him a prime choice. The older engines whispered about unification and grouping in the back of the sheds, thinking their shed masters were unaware that they knew of what was brewing. In return, their shed masters did their best to hide the full extent of the truth and quash the rumours.

James was ignorant to it all as he was rigorously tested. He worked hard at everything: he banked trains some days, hauled freight on others, and even pulled a couple of fast passenger trains! Each day brought another checkmark on the inspector’s form, and each night brought a new shed with unfamiliar faces. James never slept at the same shed two nights in a row. He went all over the network, seeing all the sights and meeting many engines.

None of them said much to him.

“Good evening!” James would try, only to get a lot of side-eye and subtle glances. James thought they were too impressed with him to speak! Or at least, he did at first. As the days stretched out into months and nothing changed, James began to feel the looks more acutely. The other engines weren’t impressed. They weren’t jealous of his potentially revolutionary design or the way that Mr Hughes sometimes came specifically to see him. They weren’t envious of how James got a special number and they weren’t in awe of how smart he looked.

They just didn’t like him. They thought him an imposter, an oddity. A weird Frankenstein’s engine made of a unique boiler, an unusual pony truck and unconventional brakes that just wouldn’t stop screeching whenever James tried to stop. James figured the screeching had to be from the metal brakes clamping against his steel wheels.

The screeching came from his wheels sliding along the rails.

Seasons changed. James wasn’t invited into sheds as often anymore, sitting out in dirty old sidings in between the endless trials. They hadn’t ended, though James wondered if that was because he was succeeding and they wanted data in the wet and cold and maybe even the snow if it dragged on long enough… or if he was failing.

The foreign engine was still around somewhere too. James never saw it, but he heard it. When down south, he’d discovered that the whistle belonged to the Great Western Railway, which ran along the distant south-west coast of England. The few engines of that railway that he managed to see looked very smart, with dark green paint and great brass safety valve bonnets that shone like spun gold in the sun. They all looked very sleek and impressive – James felt gangly next to them. But when he asked about the foreign engine, he was always redirected away from an answer.

Winter came, and with it the rumour mill grew louder. Finally, James learnt an uncomfortable truth: the railways were being grouped together into four. When he heard, he asked Mr Hughes what it would mean – Mr Hughes didn’t reply, and instead booked James in for a general service.

The foreign engine left before the year was out, but James spent Christmas in the works sleeping to stave off the cold while the men switched out his brakes. Apparently, they weren’t working as well as hoped, but the trials were being extended to get an idea on what that meant.

The inspector no longer went everywhere with James. Instead, he turned up once a week and asked James weird vague and cagey questions before leaving again. Sometimes it was even a different inspector, especially as James was shuffled around again, heading further inland and into the territory of their rival—no, former rivals. James wasn’t part of a company that rivalled the old Midland Railway anymore. He was part of a company with them.

The Midland passenger engines had very shiny paint. They didn’t have the same gorgeous brass that the Great Western engines had, but instead they had the most eye-catching red paint James had ever seen! It was glorious – it sparkled in the sun and was vibrant even in the pouring rain.

James remained in black. His lining was neglected, and it slowly faded away. James wondered when he’d get a repaint. He had been hurried rebranded as being part of the new ‘LMS’ with an equally new number, but that had been done in under a day by a trio of bored-looking men. The new number sat stark on James’ tender, and he instantly hated it.

James only pulled trucks and shunted now. He didn’t get to pull fast trains or passengers or go lots of different places now. Instead, he was assigned to a shed in the middle of nowhere along a busy line, sleeping in a dirty berth on a dirty siding in between unimportant mineral trains from one junction to another. Monotony crept in slowly, James completely forgetting about his abnormal brakes and becoming immune to the screech they made when he stopped. Every day was the same, every journey the same. The Midland engines didn’t speak to the L&YR reject, steering well clear even as they slowly opened up to their old rivals.

And then one day, a new engine arrived at James’ shed. It was a design he’d seen dotted about, and it looked like a stronger version of his old class.

“I’m here to take over,” the engine grunted. James balked. “But what am I to do?” he spluttered. “I don’t know mate,” sneered the engine. “Maybe you’re time’s up. There’s rumblings in the factory that they finally finished the mogul design.” The engine looked James over, and snorted. “Oh, you’re the rejected design they built. Poor thing, there’s not much left for you now Hughes is retiring.”

James was rendered speechless for just long enough for the new engine to shunt some of the trucks into a line.

“I’m not a reject!” he exclaimed. “I’m the prototype! The class is based on me you nitwit – my design’s the future of this company.” The engine just chuckled, looking James over once more, before his eyes darted to James’ brakes.

“Oh yes, very revolutionary indeed,” he snorted, and puffed away. James was coupled up to some vans needing repairs, and dragged away from the shed he’d been forced to come to know as his home. He went far further than ever before, making his way well over halfway across the country. He was stopped in an unfamiliar workshop that bustled with hundreds of men and machines to have his LMS number unceremoniously scraped off, before being sent on again the next day. This time, he had a short train of trucks behind him. It grew steadily as he went, as did James’ temper.

“Get in line you stupid things!” he snapped, bumping the trucks harshly as he clattered along what felt like a double-tracked branchline to James. All the engines along the line were being withdrawn and replaced with yet more of the same smug class of tender engine that had stolen James’ job and home. James wondered if he was being drawn towards a scrapyard, tucked away at the end of this line.

Then he passed by an immense empty iron train, and realisation struck. He was in Cumbria. This had to be the famed Furness Railway that he’d heard of one night while in being trialled up in the north. Despite being such a small line, it’s massive industrial traffic kept it independent from the giants baying at its doors.

And look how well that worked out.

James arrived at Barrow-in-Furness with a long line of trucks, a screech of his brakes and a furious temper. His crew stepped down. “Sorry old boy,” sighed his driver, “but this is us. Your new crew will take you from here.” James stared at his driver like he’d lost his mind.

“What new crew? What is happening, driver?! I just lost my shed, I’ve been dragged halfway across the country and I'm surrounded by these smug Midlanders! Tell me what is going on!” James’ driver sighed, taking his cloth cap in his hands and squeezing it.

“Mr Hughes is being replaced soon,” his driver admitted quietly. “He’s decided to leave the company. Mr Fowler is taking over, and he’s agreed with the directors to sell you to the North Western Railway as part of a special agreement they’re making.” James blinked, stunned.

“The What Railway?” he asked slowly. “Wait… the No-Where Railway?! They’re… they’re… they’re getting rid of me?! But I’m meant to be the prototype! What, so they’re just going to use some other mogul design?!” His driver winced. A little shunting engine nearby looked over, perplexed.

“Didn’t your lot decide to base it off a Caley design that was influenced by those Westerners? The 4300 lot.” James went silent, unable to think of anything to say. He was stunned.

A new crew clambered into James’ cab and set off. James was silent as he crossed over the points and onto his new railway. He’d been sold off. He’d been sold off because he was a failure. His brakes screeched as his crew braked to slow at a signal. The trucks bumped and clattered behind him, hissing and grumbling.

“What’s that noise?” quizzed James’ new driver. James sighed.

“Those’re my brakes. They’re made of some special metal Mr Hughes wanted to test. They didn’t end up working as well, but I’ve still got them.” The crew shared a confused look inside James’ cab, but pressed on.

At Vicarstown, an old ‘American’ design from the Furness Railway was shunting in the yard as James rumbled in and began shunting trucks on and off of his slow goods train. The old engine winced at the screech James’ brakes made, then looked up and smiled warmly.

“Hullo! I’m Edward, who’re you?” “12620,” came the bitter reply. ‘Edward’ chuckled softly, rolling over to help with the shunting. “Not your number, your name,” Edward said. “I’m James,” said James quietly. “But only I call myself that.” “Well I’ll call you that too,” promised Edward firmly. James’ crew were quick to agree with the bright blue engine. James didn’t like the colour – it was too similar to Caledonian blue. The same Caledonian that stole his classes’ future with their mogul design.

The pair talked for a little, Edward warning James about the steeper gradients beyond Kellsthorpe Road as he helped the former LMS engine reshunt his slow goods to be easier to separate as the various stations along the NWR. James bumped his trucks roughly as he prepared to set off again. Edward heard the screech of James’ brakes again, and looked down. His eyes practically bulged out of his smokebox in shock.

“James, why’ve you got wooden brakes?!” exclaimed Edward. James snorted. “They’re not wood, they’re a special metal,” he replied harshly. Edward was about to say more when the signal dropped. James snorted away, continuing down the surprisingly steep mainline towards Crovan’s Gate. And Edward had called this the ‘gentle’ part of the mainline!

Crovan’s Gate was their works station. It also had a tiny little railway on a ledge above the mainline which skuttled about its own yard before vanishing off under a bridge. A tiny little engine with a nameplate declaring him to be ‘Rheneas’ was dozing in the sun beside the line. James screeched to a stop beside the little engine with trucks to be unloaded for the little railway. Rheneas jumped!

“You sound like you need your brakes checked,” Rheneas said. His accent was thicker than anything James had ever heard – it sounded faintly Welsh, but with Manx and maybe Scots in it? James wasn’t sure what to call it. “They’re a special metal,” James replied darkly. “You all keep asking me like my designer wouldn’t give me the strongest brakes he had.” Rheneas looked confused, but said nothing until James was back at the head of his train. Then, he spotted James’ brakes.

“But… those are wood,” he said carefully. James let off steam furiously. “THEY ARE NOT WOODEN!” he roared. Birds scattered from their trees. “I am sick of hearing that! Leave me alone!” bellowed James, storming off with screeching trucks in tow. The trucks were aggravated, annoyed, tired and then James had insulted Rheneas, one of the nicest engines on the island.

They had seen James’ brakes; they knew the truth. And they knew exactly what to do to prove it to James too…

Back to the Master Post

#weirdowithaquill #railway series #thomas the tank engine #traintober #traintober 2024 #ttte james #james the red engine #l&yr #ttte edward #wooden brakes #prompt: screech #very long post

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maskofenigma · 6 months ago

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Fallen London's recurring topic of Love is really interesting to me as a sort of throughline between various stories and i want to ramble about discuss that briefly. i dont call it a theme because thematic statements are usually more complex than a single word, at least in my mind, but a lot of Fallen London's storylines incorporate love into their themes.

there's the obvious things ofc; the Manager and the King, the Duchess and the Canigaster, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the Bazaar's whole situation. Love is a common motivator that many people can relate to, so it's no surprise that it appears in this capacity. Even so, these instances also underpin a lot of the setting's character, particularly the latter two examples, explaining why the neath is the way it is. but if we broaden our horizons just a bit, you can start to see it appearing all over the place (though maybe thats just confirmation bias lol).

the youthful naturalist loves discovery and life, and evolution in that context is a story about what one is willing to endure and sacrifice for that love. Love is a constant theme in the Light Fingers storyline, between moon milk and poor Edward, but also shows in Mr Fires's love for London (strange and deleterious though it may be) and the protagonist's love for either the Hybrid they protected or the diamond they'd been after. I don't know as much about the other ambitions (yet), but Nemesis is all about avenging a loved one by any means necessary, and you could see Bag a Legend as a love for the hunt or a love of fame, though even i’ll admit thats a bit of a stretch. Idk about Heart's Desire i’m still working on it but there's probably something. Its literally about what your heart desires but there’s absolutely a deeper connection with the Marvellous and stuff. No spoilers i'm still working on it :3

i dont know a ton about SMEN's story either, but i know from a ludonarrative perspective that it tests the players love for their character, forcing you to ruin this silly victorian who you are presumably quite attached to in the search for knowledge (perhaps another kind of love?) With what little i know of it, i’d honestly be shocked if there wasn’t anything there. if ao3 has taught me anything, there was definitely some kind of love going on between those two space bats, but im not sure if ao3 is a reputable source in this specific instance

The Flukes are literally sick with love for lost Axile, and a lot of the Masters are shown yearning to return to the High Wilderness. Many of the Irem Destinies regard love in this way, love for the sun, for the liberation, for ones partner, for london, for the people of the neath, and on and on. im not very far along with the railway but im 100% certain itll crop up again there, whether with Furnace Ancona or the Efficient Commissioner or the masters or whatever else. same goes for the Exceptional Stories and the myriad tales ive yet to unlock. Weve started to see a glimmer of it in firmament, with the imminent lucifer fire guy, but i wasnt really sure what his deal was. the idea extends to the other Sunless games from what i know, though ive yet to play those. Mask of the Rose is a romance, so thats pretty clear cut; sunless skies seems to have a lot of content relating to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; and sunless seas seems to have it present in a few storylines, though i couldnt point to anything specific at this time. even small things, such as the way that the railway steel seems drawn to Hell and the sorrowful properties of sphinxstone, makes for a setting that is inundated with longing and heartbreak in a fascinating way.

viewed through this lens, fallen london's perspective on love is tragically earnest: love is painful and unfair and yet so very necessary. as someone who's aromantic and a hater, i call that an L. but from a thematic perspective its very interesting how often this occurs and how it connects a lot of fallen london. In so many other narratives, love is a conclusion, a reward or climax. In fact, mass media seems allergic to depicting an active and healthy relationship, and instead relegates such matters to a single ceremonious kiss. But for fallen london, a game where kisses are currency and romance is taxed, the concept of love is afforded such an interesting amount of care and reverence. Fitting for a setting wherein the insisting incidents all relate to love in some way or another

it may be comedic and at times quite absurd, but fallen london to me is a game deeply concerned with love and its influence on people. and idk i think thats interesting. if you're looking for the theme or message of a given fallen london story, look to love, always.

does that count as a thesis? i certainly dont know

#im sorry if this is incoherent ive had this on my mind for a while #the relationship the narrative has to love is so evocative to me i feel like ill combust #anyways im normal #as i alluded to above this could just be confirmation bias but what is literary analysis if not confirmation bias #thats a joke btw no one in their right mind would compare this to proper literary analysis #but i do think there's something to be said about this by people more intelligent than moi #and on that note please let me know if i missed anything id live to hear it #fallen london #fl spoilers #long post #sorry for the run on sentances im not smart :)#also sorry for so many tags

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traintrainingmontage · 15 days ago

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Fic prompt: Henry meets some other Stanier Black 5's 🥹

Awwww, this is such a lovely idea!! Alright, let's make it happen!

(March is coming to an end, and I am only accepting prompts until the 31st! Details are here!)

Once his overhaul at Crewe had been completed, Henry truly did feel like a new engine. Long had he lamented his small firebox not being able to provide enough power to the rest of his body, and many years' worth of comments and complaints on the subject had left in their wake countless emotional scars and self-esteem issues. Sir Topham Hatt's criticism of his performance and anger over being swindled had colored every interaction they'd had, and Henry knew better than anyone how much of a burden he was to the newly birthed railway.

(Sir Topham's anger was justified; of course it was. Nobody wanted to be on the receiving end of a scam, and all he'd gotten was Henry, useless Henry, who had tried stalling himself in the tunnel so that his coal wouldn't get wet and he'd have even bigger problems, who had lied about it and pretended vanity to cover up his weaknesses from both others and himself. Every unkind word had been deserved, because what use was an engine who couldn't serve, who despite his best efforts to work, to talk himself up, simply could not live up to the standard of being Really Useful?)

As he'd been lying there in the snow after his crash, the wind's chilling laughter having already blown out his fire, the cold had reached up with an uncountable number of unseen fingers and stolen all of the warmth from his frames, leaving him a shivering husk with no distractions to keep his thoughts and fears at bay. The pain in his side, so sharp and piercing at first, had faded into a dull, throbbing ache, the physical hurt easily drowned out by the mental anguish.

Would he finally be scrapped? Would he be sold off to some new owner who would be disappointed with him all over again?

Either way, he would miss the Kipper. It gave him pride; it gave him purpose. An important job that no other engine could do (or wanted to do, but that was beside the point) had been given to him, and what more could any engine possibly ask for?

Henry's eyes fluttered shut, the snow making for a frigid, albeit effective, pillow. He had done his best, despite everything. Perhaps in his next life, once he'd been melted down and his metal used to birth something new, he'd be more useful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The one most surprised by the news that he was not going to be scrapped or sold off was, in fact, Henry himself. As Sir Topham prepared to send him off to Crewe, Henry couldn't keep himself from smiling, rather overwhelmed by the opportunity. "Oh thank you, Sir!" he laughed, for what must have been the seventh time that day.

Sir Topham Hatt patted his bufferbeam, letting out an awkward laugh. "Yes, well. My good man Stanier will fix you right up, and from now on, I'm sure that you'll be Really Useful going forward. You'll be rebuilt into one of his Class 5s, and I will expect great things from you!"

With that, Henry was sent off, off to be reborn into a Really Useful engine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, he'd been finished and tested, with no faults to be found. Henry rested in the yard, still marveling at how good he felt, when he was approached by two of the other Black 5s. These two had also been recently built at Crewe, and were quite curious to meet their new buildmate.

"Hello!" one called, giving Henry a wide grin. "I'm 5000-19! Good to meet you!" Behind them, the other pulled up on an adjacent track, a shy smile on her face. "This is 5070-4," the first engine continued, eyes flicking over to the newcomer before looking back toward Henry. "You're the one called Henry, right? The one on the Northwestern Railway?"

"O-oh, yes! That's me!" Henry grinned, giddy at the thought of getting to talk to these new engines as his new self. "I'm Henry! I was sent here for a rebuild after an accident, and now, I'm a Black 5 too!"

"So you are!" the leading engine laughed, and beside them, 5070-4 gave a quiet giggle. "I saw you when you came in; you were in bad shape! Glad to see you looking better now. You're much more handsome when you smile."

"M-me? Handsome?" Henry sputtered, quite taken aback at the unexpected comment. His cheeks pinkened, and he quickly swallowed, willing himself to get it together so as not to embarrass himself. "Um, thank you! Yes, I... I do feel a lot better."

So saying, Henry couldn't help but look away, eyes flitting down to the tracks, the euphoria of being complimented quickly replaced by a creeping sense of shame. "I... I was built wrong. I caused so much trouble for my Controller. I probably shouldn't say this, but... I'm glad that I crashed, since it means that now, I can be... right. No longer a burden. As handsome as you say I am. Or at least, I... I hope so."

The two Black 5s looked at each other, perhaps picking up on the deep undercurrent of anxiety in Henry's tone, yet this time, it was the quieter of the two who piped up. "Henry... I don't know if this will make you feel better. A-and if it doesn't, then I'm sorry! But... here's what I think."

5070-4 bit her lip, eyes sweeping around a moment, before continuing on.

"I think that you must have done your very best, because I don't know a single engine who doesn't. And it wasn't your fault if you were built wrong; how could it be? We don't get the choice.

"But it doesn't matter now, does it? Because now... now you were built right. Be proud of yourself, Henry. You made until now. Call it luck, if you want, or something else, but you did your best, and you made it, and your Controller decided that you should be rebuilt properly. The past is in the past, you know?"

Suddenly, the engine blushed in embarrassment. "Ah, sorry! I rambled again. B-but I hope that helped!"

5000-19 smiled at her encouragingly before turning back to Henry, their wide grin now softly curved. "She's right, you know. What does the past matter? You're a Black 5 now. And you're lucky; you've already been through the hard parts in your old shape, so you have the benefit of experience while feeling like a new build. I wish I could be in your wheels."

They wish... they could be like me... With great effort, Henry barely managed to keep his tears from falling, giving the two engines a watery smile instead. "I... thank you. Thank you both so much. For the first time in a long time, I'm really looking forward to going to work."

"That's the spirit!" 5000-19 laughed, and 5070-4 grinned widely beside them. "You'll do great. Be proud, Henry! You're one of us now!"

"Yes!" Henry smiled, and deep in his firebox, his new, large, proper firebox, a dazzling array of warm, new feelings sparked: hope, pride, excitement, and strangest and most precious of all... satisfaction.

#te answers questions #te writes trains #ttte fanfic #march 2025 prompt event #ttte henry

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rjzimmerman · 1 month ago

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Excerpt from this Op-Ed from the New York Times. It was written by William K. Reilly, Christine Todd Whitman and Gina McCarthy, all former Environmental Protection Agency administrators.

In his first official cabinet meeting of his second term, President Trump on Wednesday indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency, the arm of the federal government essential to protecting our health and environment, is among the top targets for the next wave of major work force reductions. Mr. Trump said about 65 percent of the roughly 15,000 people working there could be fired. An E.P.A. official later said the president was referring to cuts to the agency’s budget, not to personnel.

As former E.P.A. heads under both Republican and Democratic administrations, we fear that such cuts would render the agency incapable of protecting Americans from grave threats in our air, water and land.

While there are opportunities to make the agency more efficient and better at enforcing laws, Americans across every state, city and local community would suffer the effects of deep cuts. E.P.A. public servants defend us and the environment from harmful pollution every day not in hopes of attention or bigger paychecks or to execute the wishes, wants or needs of billionaires looking to play on a bigger stage. They do it for all Americans and because of laws such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. This is an agency that sets standards and regulations according to science and the laws and funding approved by Congress.

When the next catastrophe that spews pollutants into the air or contaminants into our drinking water or food supply arrives, who will deal with the emergency and its aftermath?

After wildfires devastated Maui in 2023, E.P.A. emergency workers partnered with people on the ground to minimize residents’ exposure to dangerous air. After the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the E.P.A. was on the scene monitoring contaminated air, water and soil, managing the cleanup and holding the railway company Norfolk Southern responsible for unlawfully discharging pollutants and hazardous substances. When states and cities suffer from floods, wildfires and oil spills, they rely on the E.P.A. to act fast so that harm to humans is mitigated and small businesses and local tourism can quickly recover.

Most of E.P.A.’s work happens behind the scenes, like when one of its enforcement teams raided a warehouse in Colorado full of mislabeled oil barrels that had been prepared for a landfill and discovered they contained nuclear waste. When acid rain was contaminating forests and water bodies throughout the Northeast, E.P.A. staff members located the sources and reduced the pollution. Asbestos, lead and copper in the water went undetected before agency scientists tested it. Without this arm of the executive branch, most of these problems would never have been remedied. Threats like these will recur, but if Mr. Trump guts the agency, no one will be there to step in.

#EPA

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bondshotel · 8 months ago

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July 6, 1964 - The Beatles' first feature film, A Hard Day's Night, had its première at the London Pavilion.

A Hard Day's Night is a 1964 British musical comedy film directed by Richard Lester and starring the Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—during the height of Beatlemania. It was written by Alun Owen and originally released by United Artists. The film portrays 36 hours in the lives of the group.

The film was a financial and critical success. Forty years after its release, Time magazine rated it as one of the all-time great 100 films. In 1997, British critic Leslie Halliwell described it as a "comic fantasia with music; an enormous commercial success with the director trying every cinematic gag in the book" and awarded it a full four stars.[The film is credited as being one of the most influential of all musical films, inspiring numerous spy films, the Monkees' television show and pop music videos. In 1999, the British Film Institute ranked it the 88th greatest British film of the 20th century.

The movie's strange title originated from something said by Ringo Starr, who described it this way in an interview with disc jockey Dave Hull in 1964: "We went to do a job, and we'd worked all day and we happened to work all night. I came up still thinking it was day I suppose, and I said, 'It's been a hard day ...' and I looked around and saw it was dark so I said, '... night!' So we came to A Hard Day's Night."

PLOT

Bound for a London show from Liverpool, the Beatles escape a horde of fans ("A Hard Day's Night"). Once they are aboard the train and trying to relax, various interruptions test their patience: after a dalliance with a female passenger, Paul's grandfather is confined to the guard's van and the four lads join him there to keep him company. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr play a card game, entertaining some schoolgirls before arriving at their desired destination ("I Should Have Known Better").

Upon arrival in London, the Beatles are driven to a hotel, only to feel trapped inside. They are tasked to answer numerous letters and fan mail in their hotel room but instead, they sneak out to party ("I Wanna Be Your Man", "Don't Bother Me", "All My Loving"). After being caught by their manager Norm (Norman Rossington), they return to find out that Paul's grandfather John (Wilfrid Brambell) went to the casino. After causing minor trouble at the casino, the group is taken to the theatre where their performance is to be televised. After rehearsals ("If I Fell"), the boys leave through a fire escape and dance around a field but are forced to leave by the owner of the property ("Can't Buy Me Love"). On their way back to the theatre, they are separated when a woman named Millie (Anna Quayle) recognizes John as someone famous but cannot recall who he is. George is also mistaken for an actor auditioning for a television show featuring a trendsetter hostess. The boys all return to rehearse another song ("And I Love Her") and after goofing around backstage, they play another song to impress the makeup artists ("I'm Happy Just to Dance with You").

While waiting to perform, Ringo is forced to look after Paul's grandfather and decides to spend some time alone reading a book. Paul's grandfather, a "villain, a real mixer", convinces him to go outside to experience life rather than reading books. Ringo goes off by himself ("This Boy" instrumental). He tries to have a quiet drink in a pub, takes pictures, walks alongside a canal, and rides a bicycle along a railway station platform. While the rest of the band frantically and unsuccessfully attempts to find Ringo, he is arrested for acting in a suspicious manner. Paul's grandfather joins him shortly after attempting to sell photographs wherein he forged the boys' signatures. Paul's grandfather eventually makes a run for it and tells the rest of the band where Ringo is. The boys all go to the station to rescue Ringo but end up running away from the police back to the theatre ("Can't Buy Me Love") and the concert goes ahead as planned. After the concert ("Tell Me Why", "If I Fell", "I Should Have Known Better", "She Loves You"), the band is taken away from the hordes of fans via helicopter.

From beatlesbible:

The première was attended by The Beatles and their wives and girlfriends, and a host of important guests including Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon. Nearby Piccadilly Circus was closed to traffic as 12,000 fans jostled for a glimpse of the group.

“I remember Piccadilly being completely filled. We thought we would just show up in our limo, but it couldn't get through for all the people. It wasn't frightening - we never seemed to get worried by crowds. It always appeared to be a friendly crowd; there never seemed to be a violent face.”

~ Paul McCartney, Anthology

It was a charity event held in support of the Variety Club Heart Fund and the Docklands Settlements, and the most expensive tickets cost 15 guineas (£15.75).

After the screening The Beatles, the royal party and other guests including The Rolling Stones enjoyed a champagne supper party at the Dorchester Hotel, after which some of them adjourned to the Ad Lib Club until the early hours of the morning.

#the beatles

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hazel-of-sodor · 8 months ago

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Something Holy This Way Comes

Ch.16 I Searched For You

Other Stories

Other Chapters

Screech sat outside the Uman and Din’s main office with Cassandra and Abbey waiting for Miss Morgan. With the influx of new locomotives it had become increasingly clear the railway desperately needed more crews. While many had applied over the previous weeks, they had all been rejected for one reason or another until the latest one. This one, an engine driver, had not only met, but exceeded all the requirements for the job. They had proven a skilled and experienced hand at both driving and firing locomotives of Western build. Their final test to pass before being hired was to meet Screech, who had been carefully kept away until Miss Morgan had been certain this was the person she wanted. Cassandra had tagged along because she ‘could feel the Lady's amusement.’

Before she had said that, Screech had been largely uninterested. Gywn and Freda were her crew, with Mali if she needed a third. Although she would tolerate the other crews if the need arose, she had no intentions of allowing another crew on her footplate unless truly needed.

The sun had actually appeared from behind the clouds, warming her boiler, Cassandra and Abbey were chatting quietly about coaches and Screech had almost dozed off contentedly when Miss Morgan exited with the potential new driver.

“Gwyllgi is our primary heavy go…”

“Screech!?!” The woman cut off Miss Morgan as she suddenly dashed towards the 47xx.

Screech opened both eyes in confusion to stare at the woman, her long dark red hair in disarray as she scrambled up onto Screech’s bufferbeam.

Screech was about to waspishly snap at the woman for her presumption when her eyes met green and she suddenly realized the woman was oddly familiar.

“...Driver?” Screech asked disbelievingly.

Her old driver lunged forward to hug her face, “old girl I thought you scrapped!” She said, laughing disbelievingly as tears streamed down her face.

“I was.” Screech rumbled in shock, slowly wrapping her tendrils around the woman in a carefully tight embrace, “but I escaped.”

“Oh course you did, old girl, oh Sarah will be so happy to see you!”

Screech looked over her old driver, still clearly in shock “I've never seen your proper shape before.”

Her old driver suddenly looked down in surprise then laughed, “I suppose you haven't. They let me go when you were withdrawn, said they didn't appreciate my attempt to buy you, so there was no point pretending to be a man anymore.”

“You tried to buy me?” Screech suddenly sounded very small.

“I was saving from the moment the plan was announced.” She said solemnly, “they refused to sell. I never told you because I didn't want to get your hopes up. In the end they wouldn't even tell me what yard you were sent to so I could say goodbye.”

“Oh.” Screech's voice held an uncharacteristic shake in it. “I thought you had moved on to another engine.”

“No dear,” she said firmly, bruising away a tear of midnight black gently, “I have spent the last two years looking for you or, failing that one of your siblings to care for in your memory. I applied for this job to pay for my search.”

Screech found herself unable to reply.

Freda patted her boiler softly, “she stayed here because of you.” She said softly, “said her old driver would have her frames if she left us in need, and that she would never disappoint you.”

The woman stared up at her old engine, “you thought I’d left you to your fate, and you still didn't want to disappoint me?”

“I could never disappoint you Driver.” Screech said quietly.

Without looking away the woman spoke to Miss Morgan, “I’ll take whatever job you’ll give me Miss Morgan, I'll start over as cleaner again if I have to, but I'm not losing my engine again. Not this time.”

“I believe I can do a fair sight better than that.” Miss Morgan said seriously, “had I realized you were the driver Screech spoke so fondly of, you would have been hired on the spot, but Screech always referred to you as male.”

“It was not my secret to reveal.”

Miss Morgan sighed but was smiling, “Screech's seemingly endless list of secrets aside, I trust her judgment. If I wasn't certain before I am now. Welcome to the railway Miss Lewis.”

“Thank you Miss Morgan.” Miss Lewis started scratching a spot just over Screech's right eye, causing the eldritch titan to release a rumbling purr.

“Do you have somewhere to stay while you get settled in?” Freda asked.

She nodded, “Miss Morgan offered me a place in the worker's housing.”

Freda frowned, “while our worker's housing is certainly better than the other railway’s, it's hardly built with children in mind. Gywn and I have spare rooms for you two if you wish.”

“I don't wish to impose...”

“And you won't be, besides you can tell us more about our engine. She hasn't told us much of her time before she came here. Come let's get your paperwork signed so you can go get Sarah and tell her the good news.” She wrapped an arm around the other woman and led her back inside, Miss Morgan and Gywn following.

Once the humans had gone back into the office, Abbey snorted, “apparently claiming the engine wasn’t enough. Miss Freda wants to claim the driver too.”

Screech shot the star a betrayed look as Cassandra chuckled.

The 47xx swung her gaze toward the tank engine, “You knew it was her.”

“I suspected,” Cassandra admitted, “the only reason the Lady would be amused about a new driver meeting you was if you knew them.”

Screech thought for a moment then sighed, “I can hardly be mad at her getting her amusement out of me when it means I get Driver back.”

Cassandra snorted in amusement.

“You are excited to have her back though.” Abbey observed, “I haven't seen you that off balance since you admitted you wanted to stay.”

“I thought she had forgotten me as soon as I was withdrawn.” Screech admitted.

“Instead she was looking for you,” Abbey comforted her, “and we won't let you be separated this time.”

#ttte fanfic #rws fanfic #fanfic #U&D #U&DR #Uman and Din #Uman and Din Railway #Eldritch #Eldritch Train #Eldritch Engine #Eldritch Horror #Ghost Train #Ghost Engine #engines that go bump in the night #ttte thomas #ttte Cassandra #Genderfluid Characters

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unpopularvivian · 11 months ago

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GO! Donald: Scotland flag flying high stronger than that Sodor pride I'm pitted up against old Iron I've seen piles of snow that climb a lot higher! Three branchline coaches made you struggle in a rainstorm just like Trevor you stupid old and worn! OOOOOOOOOOOHH Dropping these fire bars spitting em really far ain't no one on this island cept me twin can beat my roar cause you all cause confusion and delay while we do our jobs you know! Pulling trains together we're the best team! And even on our own we stand better you see! A old engine like you ain't gonna spit a better verse old iron like you is gonna ride in a herse! Edward: Some bitch ass mother fuck decided to test me he is smuuggling his raps from scotland and you ain't gonna believe me! Putting myself on the line I pull the passengers through the storm putting yourself on the line you back into a signal box! Pushing through the snow amounts to nothing when a train of pipes make a devide between you two! Emily can confirm you two hit a new low! Putting you down to lie in red coated snow! Black paint jobs we're switched to blue to mimick me! I'm the goat and not just in the railway series! Donald: You wanna talk about smuggling engines to be saved? You took that old iron Trevor now that's a stowaway! Couldn't ask for maintence and so you broke a crankpin, even Thomas knows that's no way to run all day kid! Ain't no one out here who finds you arc intresting, when the scotish twins come running you hear the crowd cheering!

Edward: Final verse who kid you shoulda made it count! With this last one I'm gonna knock you out! Your paintwork looks sloppy so was your intro, in legend of lost treasure should have been gone yo! Losing a reason to see why you challenged me, ain't no one here who thinks you'll beat see? Finish you with one last line I don't mean to boast, but I'm gonna make you lost just like your missing COACH!

Diesel: WHO WON?? WHO'S NEXT? YOU DECIDE!

And the winner of this rap battle is.......

🎤⭐DONALD⭐🎤

Never mess with the Scottish twins!!!!

#ttte #thomas and friends #thomas the tank engine #ttte edward #ttte donald #ask #ask me anything #ask game #send asks #ask me stuff about the ttte characters

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junkyardisles · 5 months ago

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GIF MASTERLIST

SSA GIFS chapters

shattered island

perilous pastures

sky schooner docks

stormy stronghold

oilspill island

dark water cove

leviathan lagoon

crystal eye castle

stonetown

treetop terrace

falling forest

troll warehouse

goo factory

battlefield

crawling catacombs

cadaverous crypt

creepy citadel

molekin mine

lava lakes railway

quicksilver vault

arkeyan armoury

lair of kaos

empire of ice

pirate seas

darklight crypt

dragon's peak

ruins

skies

adventure packs

cliffside

molekin

oceanside

bridge

bridge 2

behind the core

far viewer

far viewer 2

balloon

balloon 2

water

persephone's area

core of light

oil donkey

cliff

vine

elemental tower

boat

launchpad

torches

mountain

cave entrance

flowers

beach robot

misc

sky

portal

troll warehouse opening

kaos' giant floating head

auric

t-bone

t-bone 2

t-bone 3

gurglefin

weapon master

general robot

clam-tron

GIANTS

chapters

tba

dread yacht

interior 1

interior 2

the dread yacht itself

cali, ermit and brock

misc

demo fish

air skylanders

earth skylanders

fire skylanders

water skylanders

life skylanders

undead skylanders

magic skylanders

tech skylanders

OTHER

swap force npcs

OLD/GROSS LOOKING

my very first gif of the core do not reblog this i'll break a chair

kinda crusty behind the core

kinda crusty behind the core 2

junkyard isles gifset DON'T REBLOG THIS I'LL BREAK 2 CHAIRS

kinda crusty cliffside

crusty tests

slightly crusty launchpad

#[if this breaks i will cry]

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stories-of-the-nrm · 6 months ago

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A Record Breaking Celebration

Narrator: It was a cool October day in 1937 England. Sir Nigel Gresley reads his newspaper when one of the Doncaster engineers comes in.

Engineer: Sir, it's done!

(Sir Nigel Gresley looks up from his newspaper).

Sir Nigel Gresley: Done? Which engine is done?

Engineer: Your 100th engine.

(He sets the newspaper down on his desk).

Sir Nigel Gresley: Splendid. I would like to see Bittern's first firing.

Engineer: Bittern? I believe there's a misunderstanding, sir. This engine's been named after you by the suggestion of the RCTS.

(He rubs his eyes).

Sir Nigel Gresley: No matter. Simply have one of the other engines named that.

(He stands up and follows the engineer to the works. He looks over the engine before giving the signal to light the fire).

?: Where? Where am I?

Sir Nigel Gresley: No worries young engine. This is the Doncaster Works of the London and North Eastern Railway in England. My name is Sir Nigel Gresley, your creator.

?: Oh. It's an honor to meet you sir.

Sir Nigel Gresley: Thank you. You're quite a special engine to me. My 100th completed engine, meaning you will be honored at a naming ceremony at Marylebone station after you pass your tests.

Nigel: Thank you sir! I hope I can make you proud.

(Sir Nigel Gresley laughs).

Sir Nigel Gresley: Excellent. Now once you're cleared to work, you will be transferred to Kings Cross.

(We fade to the Great Gathering in 2013).

Narrator: Mallard and Nigel spend time talking to each other about their pasts.

Nigel: Yes things were quite different in just the little amount of time I was in service before your first firing. Sometimes I wonder if things would be different if another engine became his hundredth. I was immediately given special treatment.

Mallard: Oh yes I remember. I was still learning how to handle coaches right there in Doncaster. Of course breaking the speed record likely took away your spotlight.

(Nigel shuts his eyes for a second).

Nigel: Not at all brother. I was still given the opportunity to test the air conditioned rolling stock while you were preparing for a speed record run. It's always an honor to be tasked with demonstrating technological advancements.

Mallard: Indeed. I heard your demonstration to open the Rugby test station in Warwickshire back in '48 went smoothly. If only I can say the same about my own showing at the Trials.

Nigel: I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. Your history with the middle big end overheating was known since your record run a decade prior. It was simply a fault in our design that was brought to attention for future reference.

(Mallard sighs).

Mallard: By the way Nigel, do you remember taking the Royal Train back in 1956?

(Nigel thinks).

Nigel: Oh yes the Royal Train. Even more an honor than reaching 112 mph pulling the Stephenson Special.

Mallard: Yes that run in 1959 was splendid brother. A fully functional passenger train. Didn't you break the 100 mph mark more than once elsewhere?

Nigel: Indeed. I broke it twice more. Our cousin Scotsman was quite familiar with the man on my footplate that day. A Mr. Alan Pegler.

Mallard: That's right he was with the board for the BTC.

(There's a pause for silence).

Mallard: At least you got to go on runs after all these years. I believe my last outing. Why I personally can't recall having a run since the 1980s.

Nigel: Ah yes your 50th anniversary. You must be quite popular if you've been a static exhibit that long.

Mallard: I'm afraid so. In fact that was particularly why I apologize for the state of my human form. My parts are simply unsuitable and they will likely never be replaced.

(Nigel pats Mallard's shoulder).

Nigel: Never mind that. This is a symbol of your respect. After your years of service and holding the steam record you deserve to be preserved forever. This is your time to enjoy the pleasures of phenomenon never explored.

Mallard: Don't tell me our cousin convinced you that human food is a viable source of joy?

Nigel: Not entirely. I enjoy a treat for special occasions but nothing more. In fact to honor your run, I asked my driver to buy you a gift.

(Mallard watches as he goes to pick up a bottle of port and a box of truffles).

Mallard: You didn't.

Nigel: I did little brother. You made a great accomplishment and brought honor to our railway. To this day after 75 years that record still stands. I am more than honored to have you as a brother.

(Mallard looks touched).

Mallard: I suppose I have no choice in the matter. Very well then Nigel, you may open the bottle.

Nigel: Splendid. I admit this is my first time as well so I'll simply ask Bittern to do so.

(Mallard raises an eyebrow).

Mallard: She's familiar with human food? But she's so mindful of her human form.

Nigel: Yes she did have an influence from her brief reunion with our cousin Scotsman. Since she's returned to active service, she did develop a well balanced approach to eating.

(Mallard sighs).

Mallard: Alright brother. You can ask her.

Nigel: Splendid. I'll be right back, brother.

Narrator: As Nigel leaves, Mallard reflects on his family's past including Scott's overhaul.

(Nigel returns and hands a glass of wine to Mallard).

Nigel: By the by, how is our dear cousin Scotsman?

(Mallard groans).

Mallard: The last I saw him was Railfest. His health had gone to the dogs. I saw numerous marks on his arms and was nothing but languish.

(Nigel raises an eyebrow).

Nigel: He dared risk taking on his human form?

Mallard: Apparently so and it was a pitiful display that set a terrible example for Tornado. She is meant to be a proper woman as the first of his class in decades. He was to be the role model she needs if she is to represent our former railway as opposed to stuffing his face.

(Nigel takes a sip of wine).

Nigel: I suggest having some patience with our cousin, brother. An overhaul that lasted this long, with little progress is bound to cause issues. Given his fondness for his human form, I can only imagine the pain he must have been in.

(Mallard takes a sip before putting the glass down).

Mallard: Pardon me, brother. I appreciate the thought you put into this celebration of ours, but I don't find this wine to my taste.

Nigel: I understand and I'm thankful that you tried it. Perhaps these truffles will be more to your liking.

(Mallard picks up the small box).

Mallard: Are you familiar with these Nigel?

Nigel: My knowledge goes as far as knowing that these were made by a French chocolate master and are meant to be pure dark chocolate. My driver said that dark chocolate is meant to be slightly more bitter than milk chocolate.

Mallard: And we're meant to simply take one and eat it in one bite?

(Nigel picks one up).

Nigel: Indeed as being shaped similar to a ball makes them quite easy to eat.

(They both eat one).

Mallard: My my. Would these go well with tea? I believe some of my female passengers enjoyed these now that I think about it.

Nigel: I would say an Earl Grey tea would mix well with dark chocolate. I have learned how to make tea, so I can get that made for us.

Mallard: Excellent. Thank you.

Narrator: After the box of truffles were finished, Mallard and Nigel return to their engines for the night.

Mallard: Thank you for spending the day with me Nigel.

Nigel: Your welcome brother. I'm glad we have the opportunity to talk with each other again. Good night.

Mallard: Good night.

(With that the two fall asleep happy to have seen each other again).

AN: Thank you to Gatatodapoderosa from DeviantArt. I no longer post on there but still field requests. If you can read this, I'll still post this on Ao3 as promised. This was a fun one to make as I liked reading about an individual engine's history and how that could translate to their personalities.

#nrm fanfiction #lner a4 #mallard #sir nigel gresley

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weirdowithaquill · 2 years ago

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What Fuel would NWR Steam Engines use Today?

This is a question that I think a lot of people in the fandom are asking, especially with ever-more stringent environmental laws, the war in Ukraine cutting off Russian coal and the end of coal mines in the UK and the western world.

So, what exactly are Sodor's options if Sir Topham Hatt wants to run a steam railway in the 21st century.

I will do a separate post based on what I think the Fat Controllers do to ensure their engines run safely and profitably into the 2020's, but this post is all about fuel. Now, let's talk options:

1: Coal:

This is what Sodor is already using, and is the option that I think Sodor would enter the 2000's with. However, the UK has been rapidly closing coal mines since then, with the last deep coal mine in the United Kingdom, Kellingley colliery in North Yorkshire, closing in December 2015, and many of the mines that produced engine-grade coal already being closed. From this point on, the NWR has two options really: American anthracite coal (which is in decline) or Russian anthracite coal. Most British heritage railways used Russian coal due to its cheap and plentiful nature, leading to their current predicament of skyrocketing prices caused by tariffs and a cut-off from the Russian coal supply. Polish coal is an option some railways are switching too, however this is also quite expensive and not as plentiful as the previous coal.

Another option would be Australian bituminous coal, which is a worse coal for engines but is far cheaper and more plentiful. This would be unlikely, but could potentially be used as a desperate measure by the railway while searching for a better and more permanent option. Remember, bad coal causes a lot of havoc on Sodor even when considering different grades of anthracite coal.

2: Electricity:

If you've ever watched Train of Thought's video on electric steam (find here), then you may just know what I'm about to suggest. During the 1940's, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) converted a pair of steam engines with pantographs and used the electricity to boil the water. There was also a patent taken out in Canada as recently as 1992 for a steam engine that uses electricity to boil the water.

The pantograph part of the design would not happen - as much as Sodor has updated and modified their engines, whacking a pantograph on them would be crossing a line. So, what are the other options? Well, they could potentially use a third rail, and hide the converters and other pieces inside the bunker or tender, with what space remains being a perfect spot for extra water storage. Another option is batteries in the place of the bunker or tender, this in essence turning the engines of Sodor into battery engines.

The issue here is that the batteries are not really very efficient above the size of a Tesla, and a third-rail system has the potential to cause issues with any safety equipment on the ground (GWR had problems with their AWS system when travelling near the Southern Railway or the London Underground).

The battery version is something I could see being implemented on branchline and shunting engines however, as they could stay near charging ports and best utilise the extra range and lower emissions such a change would bring, without having as many drawbacks. Another advancement would be using an electric battery to preheat the boiler and to power the electrics in the coaches.

3: Biodiesel:

Before anyone goes insane about the idea of converting the NWR engines to oil-fired, I think I should say that I mean torrefied biodiesel pellets, as tested by the CSR in the USA on steam locomotives since as early as 2016 (article linked here). Torrefied biodiesel pellets have similar qualities to coal, including the fact that they can be shovelled and stored similarly to coal.

They don't really look that different to coal, do they? And in this trial, the engine they were trialling it on (Milwaukee County Zoo Train No. 1924) not only ran on 100% torrefied biodiesel, but also reached just under 200PSI. CSR has also ran tests on standard gauge engines, and the fact is that the Skarloey Railway would probably be an early adopter.

Furthermore, Sodor is a primarily agricultural island, and due to globalisation, the farms would be looking to find new crops with which to make a profit from, as the prices of cheap international products hurts their smaller farms. The NWR looking at biofuels would be a golden opportunity for them, and the NWR would have the crops needed for biodiesel locally, decreasing shipping costs.

The issue with biodiesel as a fuel is that it does not burn as hot as conventional coal, and it burns quicker. It does however start burning sooner, meaning setting a good fire in the mornings would be easier.

Railways using steam power are currently being faced with these major issues, and Sodor would probably be at the forefront of the debate, as its heavy usage of steam and early diesel engines makes for problematic encounters with environmentalists. However, Sodor would also be one of the largest supporters and financers of steam research, and would, in my opinion, use a mix of electric steam and biofuels to preserve their fleet of engines well into the 21st century. And yes, it would be theoretically possible to create an entire scientific essay out of this.

One again, pictures are not mine, and remember to tell me your ideas!

#ttte au #ttte analysis #thomas the tank engine #skarloey railway #coal mining #biodiesel #electric #steam engines are beautiful #steam engines #Milwaukee country zoo engine #railways #railway series #2010s issues #heritage railway #electric steam #switzerland #This is just what I do on Tumblr now it seems

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if-you-fan-a-fire · 1 year ago

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"TURNING OUT ONE COMPLETE TRAIN A DAY," Winnipeg Tribune. December 4, 1913. Page 13. ---- Shops at Angus Largest of Their Kind in the Dominion-C.P.R. Building Cars of Steel ---- The Canadian Pacific railway's shops at Angus, in the extreme northeast of Montreal, are the largest of their kind in the Dominion. Here pig iron is turned into monster locomotives with shiny fittings, and when roughhewn logs are not employed made into palace parlor cars. Angus shopmen boast that the plant is capable of turning out a complete train a day. When the entire force is working an army of 6.000 men are employed at the works.

From the boy who deftly catches bucket of red-hot bolts tossed to him from a forge twenty feet away, to the expert engaged in tuning and testing the bells and sirens which are to clangs and whistle in Saskatchewan or Austria, every person at Angus fits into his niche of the intricate organization and there is no confusion and no de-ay.

When the Pennsylvania railroad system completed its tunnel into New York, it made a regulation that no wooden cars were to make use of its lines. This led the railway companies of Canada to construct steel cars, for which the public had been agitating for some time, as they constituted less risk to the tray.... So that now wooden cars are gradually disappearing and will soon be 3 thing of the past.

The decision on the part of the Canadian Pacific to build its cars of steel instead of using wooden bodies, while not exactly a new step in Industrial activity, will probably be taken up on a larger scale than ever before on this continent. The capacity of the new steel shops which have just been completed is ten cars a day, and this department of the works is now running full blast.

Assembling a Steel Car. When the trucks are delivered from the trucks shop, steel girders, punched for bolts and rivets, are hoisted on cranes and held in position while a workman with a hydraulic drill drives the fasteners into place. The assembling of a steel car is much more speedy than the old method of building wooden coaches, using the trucks as foundation. A large amount of the old equipment which was used in the construction of the wooden cars 14 being reconverted and adapted for the making of the new carriers.

This department of the Angus shops is now in the course of transposition and will be much condensed, as wooden parts required will be much less numerous. The wooden box which forms the exterior of the freight car is fastened outside of the girders and can be replaced on the same car when it wears out.

Comfort and Luxury. Although the project of making all cars, passenger and freight alike, with steel frames, has been proposed, and is now under serious consideration by the C. P. R., no move has been made at Angus towards installing a steel plant for passenger coaches. The general plan of assembling a passenger car is that used in other train work, the component parts being added to the trucks, which are set in the erecting pits to be built upon.

The finished parlor car is in itself an achievement, for here not only safety and utility are to be considered but comfort and luxury for the passengers.

Coaling Up Real Test of Engine. Coaling up is the real test of an engine's worth. Parts may have been perfect and preliminary inspection may have found no defect in the whole, but engines are made to run, and if this one will not, back it goes through a long series of tests and examinations to discover where is its weak point. As with ships at their first launching, the constructing engineer who has planned the whole is never certain that his locomotive will run without mishap.

To the east of the Angus shop is a side track where the monster engines are first tried with coal in the bunkers and steam in the boiler.

A little group always gathers around the new engine. Fires have been laid, the smoke pours through the exhaust pipe and the fireman gives a preliminary tug at the bell rope Then the grisled engineer, who is the only one who does not appear excited. throws open a throttle, opens the siren into hideous shriek, and the leviathan chugs along the track, as if this were no new feat and it had been chugging along tracks for years.

The little group of foremen and inspectors give a weak hurrah, as they have done for hundreds of new locomotives since the first was turned out In a few minutes the big engine has steamed backwards into its place at the end of the erecting pits, and stands all ready to go on the "main line."

#montreal #angus shops #usines angus #railway workers #canadian pacific railway #locomotive works #factory workers #capitalism in canada #railway capitalism #railway construction #boxcars #passenger train

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guerrerense · 2 years ago

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Four Spot in Laona por Jeff Terry Por Flickr: The Laona & Northern Railway of Laona, Wisc., fired up 2-6-2 No. 4 for some pre-season test runs on June 11, 2023. The "Four Spot," which was built by Vulcan in 1916 for the Fairchild & Northwestern (becoming L&NRy 4 in 1926) was recently repainted. It has been operating on this same line for 97 years.

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dailyunsolvedmysteries · 2 years ago

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Great Kantō earthquake (1923) and the Massacres

The Great Kantō earthquake struck the Kantō Plain on the main Japanese island of Honshū at 11:58:44 JST (02:58:44 UTC) on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and ten minutes. Extensive firestorms and even a fire whirl added to the death toll. The Kantō Massacre began on the day of the earthquake. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the moment magnitude scale with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in Sagami Bay. Estimated casualties totalled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead.

Because the earthquake struck when people were cooking meals, many were killed as a result of large fires that broke out. Fires started immediately after the earthquake. Some fires developed into firestorms that swept across cities. Many people died when their feet became stuck on melting tarmac. The single greatest loss of life was caused by a fire whirl that engulfed the Rikugun Honjo Hifukusho in downtown Tokyo, where about 38,000 people were incinerated after taking shelter there after the earthquake. The earthquake broke water mains all over the city, and putting out the fires took nearly two full days until late in the morning of September 3.

A strong typhoon centered off the coast of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture brought high winds to Tokyo Bay at about the same time as the earthquake. These winds caused fires to spread rapidly.

Many homes were buried or swept away by landslides in the mountainous and hilly coastal areas in western Kanagawa Prefecture; about 800 people died. A collapsing mountainside in the village of Nebukawa, west of Odawara, pushed the entire village and a passenger train carrying over 100 passengers, along with the railway station, into the sea.

The RMS Empress of Australia was about to leave Yokohama harbor when the earthquake struck. It narrowly survived and assisted in rescuing 2000 survivors. A P&O liner, Dongola, was also in the harbor at the moment of disaster and rescued 505 people, taking them to Kobe.

A tsunami with waves up to 10 m (33 ft) high struck the coast of Sagami Bay, Bōsō Peninsula, Izu Islands, and the east coast of Izu Peninsula within minutes. The tsunami caused many deaths, including about 100 people along Yui-ga-hama Beach in Kamakura and an estimated 50 people on the Enoshima causeway. Over 570,000 homes were destroyed, leaving an estimated 1.9 million homeless. Evacuees were transported by ship from Kantō to as far as Kobe in Kansai. The damage is estimated to have exceeded US$1 billion (or about $16 billion today). There were 57 aftershocks.

Ethnic Koreans were massacred after the earthquake. The Home Ministry declared martial law and ordered all sectional police chiefs to make maintenance of order and security a top priority. A false rumor was spread that Koreans were taking advantage of the disaster, committing arson and robbery, and were in possession of bombs. Anti-Korean sentiment was heightened by fear of the Korean independence movement.

In the confusion after the quake, mass murder of Koreans by mobs occurred in urban Tokyo and Yokohama, fuelled by rumors of rebellion and sabotage. The government reported that 231 Koreans were killed by mobs in Tokyo and Yokohama in the first week of September. Independent reports said the number of dead was far higher, ranging from 6,000 to 10,000. Some newspapers reported the rumors as fact, including the allegation that Koreans were poisoning wells. The numerous fires and cloudy well water, a little-known effect of a large quake, all seemed to confirm the rumors of the panic-stricken survivors who were living amidst the rubble. Vigilante groups set up roadblocks in cities, and tested civilians with a shibboleth for supposedly Korean-accented Japanese: deporting, beating, or killing those who failed. Army and police personnel colluded in the vigilante killings in some areas. Of the 3,000 Koreans taken into custody at the Army Cavalry Regiment base in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture, 10% were killed at the base, or after being released into nearby villages. Moreover, anyone mistakenly identified as Korean, such as Chinese, Ryukyuans, and Japanese speakers of some regional dialects, suffered the same fate. About 700 Chinese, mostly from Wenzhou, were killed. A monument commemorating this was built in 1993 in Wenzhou.

In response, the government called upon the Japanese Army and the police to protect Koreans; 23,715 Koreans were placed in protective custody across Japan, 12,000 in Tokyo alone. The chief of police of Tsurumi (or Kawasaki by some accounts) is reported to have publicly drunk the well water to disprove the rumor that Koreans had been poisoning wells. In some towns, even police stations into which Korean people had escaped were attacked by mobs, whereas in other neighborhoods, civilians took steps to protect them. The Army distributed flyers denying the rumor and warning residents against attacking Koreans, but in many cases, vigilante activity only ceased as a result of Army operations against it. In several documented cases, soldiers and policemen participated in the killings, and in other cases, authorities handed groups of Koreans over to local vigilantes, who proceeded to kill them.

#Great Kantō earthquake #Conspiracy Theories #conspiracies #crime

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trainalt22 · 1 year ago

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1949-1953

In 1949 1034 was being rebuilt into an experimental tank engine by Crovan Gates lead engineer Thomas Abby a southerner from England was inspired by seeing the odd and fascinating designs of the LBSCR and later the southern railway he especially liked how the E2's looked however their design flaws left a lot to be desired so he drew up what he called a baby E2 (officially know as E2X) In earlier designs, the water tanks were smaller but kept the same, and the bunker was longer. However, the director threw them out because they looked "too short and stumpy." After some trials and tribulations in 1950, a new engine, 1034, rolled out of the works. However, the British government became suspicious that the NWR had an engine whose face looked identical to 1034. So, the military came to Sodor to interrogate the now "Sir" Topham Hatt. However, all of their paperwork suggested that 1034 died on the final night of the bombings. They interrogated the former 1034 after only been rebuilt a few days prior. He hadn't even been steamed yet. The "new" tank engine fibbed and lied his way through all the questions. But when asked his name, he froze. He never had a name. On the spot, Thomas Abby spoke up, claiming to name the engine he built after himself, calling him Thomas. The now Fat Controller and "Thomas" agreed that it was a splendid name.

By 1951, Thomas was still undergoing trials at Tidmouth. He became the pilot for the station, and it was here that his friend/enemy relationship with Gordon began. Thomas teased the poor express engine relentlessly, and Gordon, fed up with his naps being interrupted, schemed to get back at Thomas.

On the day of his prank, Gordon struck up a conversation with the workmen who usually uncoupled Thomas from the express coaches, stalling until his guard blew his whistle. Thomas's crew had just stepped out to find the man when the whistle blew, and Gordon set off. Poor Thomas was terrified, and they made it all the way to Welsworth before word had reached the signalman, who stopped the train.

Thomas and Gordon were reprimanded harshly by the Fat Controller. Thomas promised to ease up on his teasing, and Gordon promised to ease up on Thomas. Edward was brought in to help Thomas relearn how to shunt, as he was finding it difficult. Thomas, fed up that he couldn't shunt like he used to, dreamed of a life outside the yard.

It was around this time that the Railway Series books started to reach international acclaim, and so the Reverend came back to Sodor to write about the island.

In mid-1952, Edward, seeing how fed up Thomas was with his slow progress, offered him his goods train to leave Crosby for the harbor at Tidmouth. Thomas eagerly accepted, wanting to test his range. The trip went well until the incline after Marron. The trucks bumped Thomas down the hill, and he stopped (rather roughly) in the Welsworth freight yard, where the Fat Controller was waiting for him. As punishment for disobeying his orders, Thomas was moved to Welsworth, as well as Edward, and they both weren't allowed to leave the yard until Thomas could shunt trains.

Three months later, James came racing through Welsworth, his wooden brakes finally worn and on fire, screaming that the trucks were pushing him. Thomas, acting quickly, ran to find the breakdown train. While this was happening, Sir Topham visited Edward to ask about Thomas's progress. When they both saw Thomas race by with the breakdown train, Topham thought Thomas was disobeying orders again and shouted for Thomas to come back, furious at the tank engine. But Thomas just ignored him. Topham and Edward gave chase, and coming across Thomas and the workmen, readying a damaged James to be lifted out of a field.

That night, Thomas and Edward were summoned to Tidmouth, and Thomas was welcomed like a hero. The Fat Controller awarded Thomas the newly restored Ffarquar branch line, as James was being shifted from the branch line restoration to mainline work before his crash.

#ttte au #ttte thomas #ttte edward #ttte #He's a really useful engine #Vivamus machinis

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