#coppernob things

[mean-scarlet-deceiver]

How would Nobby react to Gordon? I could either see Nobby trying to impart wisdom onto the young engine only for Gordon to blow him off because “I’m the best engine ever” Or Nobby doing a double take because how did they get another pacific???? This backwater island that was begging to buy any locomotives just bought 2 large steam engines?? How???

Yeah, that pretty well nails it. Well, that nails everyone’s reaction ("How did they get another Pacific????" — and remember that the N.W.R. is acquiring more large engines circa 1922-3 than just Henry and Gordon. Somehow they got a whole shed full of 'em.) But Nobby in particular has some experience with Topham Hatt’s method of procuring engines… so his reaction might be more specifically "What is the catch with this one?" and "Wonder if Hatt actually went to inspect this one first or if this is yet another deal he struck sight unseen and just… hoped for the best." You know. Questions for the ages.

As for Gordon’s reaction to Nobby trying to boss him around impart pearls of wisdom, well, yeah, I think you’ve pretty much called it. I’d say for the most part Nobby, especially at first, would like to very much ignore Gordon. Nobby’s got not only the Furness engines but now all sorts of newcomers into their territory to keep track of (also they keep renumbering everyone so that’s a headache right there), the N.W.R. is not his responsibility and, as of the year Gordon comes, those engines come and go too quickly to bother with them anyhow. It’s not like the new Pacific doesn’t seem to be able to garner all the attention he wants from his own railway. 

BUT sometimes Gordon’s… high-spirited behavior must be checked for the sake of station decorum and when Nobby does intervene the tension is HIGH. Coz usually Nobby is only telling him something that a long string of people and engines have told him already, and Gordon would LOVE to loftily sweep his objections aside right along with everyone else’s. But… Nobby has two advantages that no one else around does:

1) Gordon comes installed with respect for preserved engines, they’re the only engines further up the hierarchy than, well, you know. Him. Hierarchy is very important in G.N.R. culture, it’s rigid, and at first no one Over Here thinks Gordon knows anything about etiquette, but it’s just that G.N.R. hierarchy is… different. Unlike, say, the Furnessians, Gordon doesn’t have to defer to humans in general, no not even drivers, or at least drivers-who-didn’t-distinguish-themselves-during-the-Great-Races (oh God, Gordon’s first Sodor driver had nerves of steel, raise a glass); he also doesn't have to respect older engines who are not his direct forbears; hell, at first Gordon manages to even rationalise away nearly half of Topham Hatt I’s authority (Gordon is great at rationalisation, he’s a genius at it). HOWEVER. Preserved engines do outrank him. Unequivocally. So when Coppernob reproves him, Gordon is FURIOUS but… he can’t talk back. But this is also 1920s Gordon, who WILL burst a safety valve before taking anything he doesn’t like. BUT this is a PRESERVED ENGINE. #$%^&@!!!!

So Gordon would fall lividly silent and glare at Nobby in a way that would unsettle or provoke any other engine (Nobby doesn’t give a shit) and just sail into a fuming bout of mental trigonometry, furiously trying to work out some sort of excuse by which he can decide Coppernob is an illegitimate member of what he regards as one of the most respectable clubs in the world. Unfortunately... he can’t do it. (Maybe if Gordon had known Edward Bury had been sacked as loco supe from the GNR after cheating the company, lmao. But I don’t think Gordon does know this.) SO HE’S JUST SO PISSED OFF. How did he get exiled to the middle of nowhere, AND SOMEHOW THERE’S A BOSSY ENGINE FROM THE RAILWAY BOOM ERA kept here in immaculate condition to purely for the purpose of annoying him??! It's — it's — 'disgraceful' doesn't even seem to cover it, somehow. It's like you need more words than that. Hmmm.

Anyway, somehow — even with his resentment topping out at 10000% — Gordon keeps his mouth shut. 

Which is stunning. I think the first time it happens, Gordon’s poor driver nearly falls off the footplate. Silence is golden, man. 

Nobby himself is a little surprised at how easy it is to check Gordon — unless his temper is maxed out (which is not in fact an everyday occurrence), most of the Seagulls give him WAY more lip, and 133 is currently running him ragged at every opportunity. He’s already observed that Gordon’s temper is equal to his own so was expecting one hell of an argument, not instant submission.

Now, it would take a heart of stone to not be tempted to use this unexpected superpower to fuck with the temperamental young thoroughbred...

... and Nobby ain’t exactly a saint, so he goes right on ahead fully enjoying the ability to yank Gordon’s chain. 

2) But after a year this is starting to wear off — like most new engines, Gordon’s "programming" is not impervious to environment and experience, and, when you chuck him to a railway clear on the other side of the country, it’s gonna start crumbling even sooner. As far as Gordon is concerned, he’s been exiled to the WILDERNESS, he had to put up with all manner of indignities (a goods train! a goods train!), the social contract is already in cinders so he does NOT have to put up with Nobby giving him unreasonable orders like "pronounce the 'r' in 'Furness'" and "don’t call your fireman a blasted fool in the middle of my station" and "say 'thank you' to our station pilot or I’ll have you sent back to Doncaster on five separate flatbeds" and "if I’ve told you once then this makes it twice, 'Furness' requires an 'r' sound in the middle, don’t make me say it again."

So things might have changed, but Nobby gets a second trump card up his sleeve after going to the Wembley Exhibition. Coz now he’s acquainted with the Flying Scotsman. And he can not-so-subtly remind Gordon, if Gordon is being especially absurd, that he may well be in a position in the future to tell tales about him to his famous little brother. Maybe even tells Gordon that Gordon can let him know if he has a message for Scotsman, next time he writes… (It’s only Columbine that Nobby exchanges letters with but Gordon doesn’t need to know that.) 

At the same time, Nobby kept Scotsman in line during all the months of the Wembley Exhibition by pointedly talking up what a responsible and respectable and restrained engine Scot’s older brother Gordon is, what a fine young engine, I see him every day back home, he’s the epitome of grace (or whatever other quality Scotsman is failing to demonstrate on that particular day). 

I expect in ’68 Gordon and Scotsman realized that the wily old crafter had bludgeoned them both by talking each other up behind their tenders to each other, instilling them with low-key inferiority complexes that lasted until roughly that minute. While never once saying anything nice about either of them to their own faces. 

(They laughed, but only Scotsman really let it go. Gordon would still get Nobby back for it if he ever saw an opportunity. Not like this consumes him, not at all, but he just, like, listen. He’s aware that there is a score to settle… and Gordon believes in revenge served cold.)  

[mean-scarlet-deceiver]

Yes! That is Poppet's number. How you can read it in this photo is beyond me, though.

Awesome pic. I've never seen this. Where did you find it??

Hey @mean-scarlet-deceiver would this be Poppet?

It’s number is 11553, which I think used to be Furness No.19 if I remember correctly.

[weirdowithaquill]

Traintober 2024: Day 5 - Exhibition

The NRM Stoplight System:

The engines who live at the York National Railway Museum have spent many years with their fires unlit and no water in their boilers at all. They are exhibits, always on display. Sometimes, things are changed up when a special exhibition brings in new engines or shuffles around the residents – these exhibitions also bring in a lot of extra visitors, and so the NRM developed a chart which visitors to the museum can check to see who may be interested in talking to them when they go; this chart includes a description of the engine and a stoplight colour – the colour tells visitors whether or not the engines are comfortable speaking to guests, while the blurb explains why. Here is a small excerpt from the NRM webpage:

‘Hello everyone! This is a quick explanation of the stoplight system in use at our museums. When you visit, you might notice that on the exhibit signs we have included a large, coloured disk – this is a very important part of our museum, but does not have anything to do with the history of these fabulous machines. Instead, it is there to let you know whether or not the exhibit you are looking at will be up for a conversation. Green means they will happy to have a conversation, yellow means that there may be special provisions that may stop the engine from wanting to have a chat and red means that these engines do not want to talk to our guests at all during exhibitions. Here are a few examples from our York Museum, with a short explanation behind their colour:

Stirling: Green. Of all the engines in our collection, Stirling is one of the most unique and one of the cleverest too. Built by Patrick Stirling to pull The Special Scotch Express, this engine has no limit to the knowledge he has gathered over the decades. He loves chatting up a storm and always has a fun fact for everyone – if he could become a University Professor, he’d have left us years ago!

Henry Oakley: Green. Of all the engines in the museum, Henry Oakley is one of the most polite and gentle. Henry Oakley is quite an old engine, meaning he has met many people and heard many stories throughout his career, and he loves to share them! Make sure to say hello to Henry Oakley, especially if you have small children, as he is one of the few engines to regulate his tongue!

Lode Star: Green. Lode Star is a very kind woman who loves to talk to guests; in fact, she’s so talkative that some people can’t get away from her! This is one engine who is happy to speak to everyone – it’s quite the contrast to other GWR express engine King George V, who is a red-light engine. Make sure you say hello to this kindly and chatty engine, and if you want a long conversation, ask her all about her express runs.

Coppernob: Yellow. Built in 1846, you must forgive Coppernob for being a bit of an old grump at times. This old engine has spent the vast majority of his life motionless now, and it has made him irritable sometimes. Coppernob does have a dry wit and can be very fun to talk to, however he tires easily and can be somewhat outdated in his views due to his age.

Boxhill: Yellow. Boxhill is a very cheerful and bright locomotive, however she is unfortunately entirely deaf, and only understands British Sign Language thanks to the dedication of the NRM team. If you can sign, Boxhill will be happy to reply, however because she is unable to understand anyone unless they use BSL, she is included as a yellow-light engine on our list.

Evening Star: Yellow. Unlike many other engines on this list, Evening Star is extremely uncomfortable with large crowds associated with exhibitions, and as such her colour is moved to yellow whenever a major event is happening at the NRM. She is sometimes ok for a short chat, but please be mindful of her and be aware of any signs she may exhibit of being uncomfortable.

Mallard: Red. Please do not speak to 4468 Mallard at any point during your visit during any exhibition, event or on regular opening days. Mallard was taught that she was the greatest engine ever due to her breaking the world steam speed record, and she has never managed to unlearn this view. She can be rude, abrasive and demanding, and we recommend looking, but not speaking to her.

Duchess of Hamilton: Red. The Duchess used to be a yellow rated engine, however recently she was upgraded to red due to her temper and her foul mouth, caused by her trip to the United States and later her time as a holiday park attraction. The Duchess does have her nice days, however most days she prefers to sleep, and trying to start a conversation with her may lead to her swearing or starting an argument with Mallard.

Thank you for reading this quick explainer about our stoplight system here at the NRM, and we hope to see you soon!’

During major exhibitions at the National Railway Museum, these coloured disks are often placed around the engines beyond their exhibit information board, to help tourists if they are unable to see the board. This system was developed after the Great Gathering exhibition in 2013, when Mallard and Duchess of Hamilton got into a screaming match over a question asked by a tourist that was so foul that the museum got fifty-seven separate customer complaints. It’s included in the brochures, and signed in at least twelve different languages – so hopefully, when the next exhibition occurs, guests to the museum will know not to speak to some of the engines.

Back to the Master Post

[thatcheeseycandle]

T2024: Day 15, Stars | TC-LRAU

That could've gone as messy as it did, but for the record, it shouldn't of had happened. It's been said to not let those two be in the same environment, or else that would be the result. Right?

Either way, she’s just grateful that they were escorted out of there, back to the museum, but it still worries her. She’s heard from Nadi how they feel about Scotsman, yes, but honestly she didn’t expect them to act on it so suddenly, especially during an event such as this.

Though they did have a point when bringing up his actions as of recent. She couldn’t blame them, they were quite questionable. Questionable in a way where those sort of things happening to an engine such as Scotsman felt nerve wracking. 

And it was also odd on how it even happened in the first place. It wasn’t right, how could the NRM let such a thing happen if it did happen? It felt impossible, honestly, and if it did happen Truro or Coppernob would’ve known about it one way or another. It felt wrong to let it happen, and even the thought of it felt wrong. It felt out of place.

Was it to deceive or was it unfaithful reality? Perhaps she’ll have a chat with Henrique about it. Though for now, her mind was mainly set on Nadi. 

She cursed Scotsman under her breathe as she glanced over to where she saw him and Gordon would speed pass through, her mind drifting off to the memories of the Flying Scotsman in his 2000s overhaul, otherwise known as the Decade Overhaul. A time where most of it went down hill for him and for Nadi.

Recalling how neglectful and suspicious he was, oh that little shit–

“Evening star, what a surprise,” a voice came from behind her, cutting off her train of thought.

“Ah, hello Ms. Lode Star.” Evening Star

“I thought you would’ve accompanied my fellow Great Westerns in the Museum at York, even more seeing as I’ve heard the fifth King’s attitude has not withstood time as much as he’s claimed it to have.”

“Don’t say it like you haven’t started to age a little yourself, Lady Lorraine. I myself have heard what you’ve been up to from those diesels,” she jabs back at her. “But, I’m also getting to that point in age as well. We’re all growing old and the only way to go through it is with acceptance.”

Lorraine would give an acknowledging hum to that as she looks to where Evelyn had, spotting the engine that had just arrived starting to form up a little crowd around them.

She couldn’t see the nameplate as clear as she would’ve liked to, but she could identify that this engine was most likely one of those Southerners, specifically a School class with how the smoke deflectors and running board looked.

It was certainly another surprise considering she was not told that there would be any other Southerners arriving in the exhibition here other than the ones that have already arrived.

Perhaps they were the surprise that was supposed to come later in the day, she’d have to have a word or two with this engine to find out.

But Evening Star on the other hand, she just couldn’t help but let her thoughts about Nadi keep flowing in like a tsunami.

Considering their history and relationship with Scotsman, they would not let it go as easily as most people would think. It concerned her, what if Scotsman says something out of hand like the last time? What if Nadi starts a scrap with him? At least one or two people, both engines and human, will get hurt in the process if ever.

Lorraine looked over to her as she noticed the thoughtful expression on Evelyn’s face and couldn't help but inquire, "You seem deep in thought, dear Evelyn. What's on your mind?"

Evelyn sighed, glancing over at Lorraine. "Just thinking about Scotsman and all the trouble surrounding him lately. It’s been quite the whirlwind, hasn’t it?"

Lorraine nodded sympathetically. "It certainly has. I’ve heard bits and pieces, but it seems the situation is more complicated than some of us had realized."

"Indeed," Evelyn replied. "The tension with Nadi and the sudden actions during the event.. it's all been a bit too much. Scotsman’s behavior has been questionable, and it’s causing a lot of unrest."

Lorraine looked thoughtful for a moment, pushing aside her opinions before fully understanding the situation. "Do you think it is something that can be resolved? Or is it one of those things that will just keep simmering beneath the surface?"

Evelyn took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I honestly think we need to address it directly. Maybe it’s time we sat down and had a proper discussion, clear the air. Nadi’s been holding onto a lot, and it’s practically eating away at both of them."

"I can understand your concern," Lorraine said thoughtfully. "But perhaps it's an opportunity to address these issues head-on. Sometimes, facing the problem directly can bring about resolution."

Evelyn smiled slightly. "I was thinking the same. But it’s not just about the past grievances. It’s also about setting a tone for how we move forward. Scotsman needs to understand the impact of his actions, and Nadi needs to ."

Lorraine nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a sensible approach. Communication is key in these situations. And you have my support, Evelyn. We’re both in this together, after all. Don't you recall that night?"

"Thank you, Lady Lorraine," Evelyn said after a while, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. (Or footplate-) "It’s good to know we have each other’s backs, especially concerning Nadi unlike most engines. Let's hope we can find a way to give both of them a satisfying conclusion to their long lasting tension."

Lorraine gave an encouraging smile. "We will, Venus. Sometimes, it takes a bit of turbulence to find smooth tracks again. And remember, it’s not just about Scotsman and Nadi. We all need to work together to keep the harmony." Evelyn nodded, appreciating Lorraine’s wisdom. "You're right. It's a collective effort. Maybe we can set up a meeting with everyone involved, create a space where everyone can express their feelings and concerns."

"That sounds like a brilliant idea," Lorraine agreed. "And perhaps we can also include a neutral party, someone who can mediate and ensure the conversation stays productive."

Evelyn’s smile grew. "I think I’m looking at that someone right now, don’t you think?” She remarked, getting a soft chuckle out of Lorraine.

As they shared a moment of mutual understanding, the vibrant atmosphere of the museum seemed to lighten, a small but significant step toward resolving the underlying tensions.

With the Great Western’s support, it lifts her spirit, Lorraine always proves time and time again she’s as loyal as she was when they united as true friends for the first time.

[tgr-2x5-roleswap-au]

You've Got Mail - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - The Other Victorian

Paint Pots and Queens - Season 4 Episode 23

Word Count: 1,191

Fought with my sanity with this chapter smh. i blame the original idea i had. it just wasn't working or reasonable to have

~

“There you go, dear! A perfect spot for a Victorian like you.”

Edward agreed as he mused over his temporary environment and the volunteers left, whispering about.

For one, it was far away from Old Coppernob. The copper firebox was smack dab in the center of the facility. The Larger Seagull could still see him but, thankfully, Coppernob couldn't, facing the opposite direction.

But what he was more pleased about was that he was surrounded by other engines from his era, from his time. From the older Victorians to the ones built around the turn of the century, he figured he could socialize with them. Maybe it'll be easier mingling with those from his time.

Maybe.

…

It was not.

Once the volunteers left, the four surrounding engines greeted him. Voices ranged from high-pitched but slow to soft yet bubbly. Despite their politeness, FR 21 was overwhelmed. It didn't help that he was placed between two of them, one in the front and another in the back, right next to a wall.

“Who are you?” One of them asked once the quick greetings stopped. They were green, a similar shade to the other three, but their shape was drastically different. Their cylinders were outside and connected to their smokebox, powering a massive single pair of drivers.

This must be the Stirling Single! She looked similar to the one from the North Western Railway. “Furness Railway Twenty-Ane,” the Larger Seagull quickly stammered, just so he wouldn't overthink such a simple question. “Edward, as well.”

“Ah, you have a name! Well, then, I'm the old Great Northern Railway Number One,” she beamed, her wrinkles and dimples becoming prominent. “But you may call me, Esmeralda. It's lovely to see another pre-grouping engine survive. Not many are around, you know?”

The Furness red engine hummed, agreeing.

“Oh, don’t be shy!” exclaimed the single non-green engine of the group, unaware of startling Edward. He was ochre yellow with white and bronze accents. “Gladstone! A pleasure to meet you, lad!”

“N-Nice tae meet ye, too!”

“I'm the North Eastern's number fourteen-sixty-three!” piped up the NER E5 class.

“And I'm their number sixteen-twenty-one. Oh! Same numbers!” The NER M class giggled. “What a coincidence.”

“B-But-” Oh wait- “Nevermind,” mumbled the FR 21 class. They meant the last two. They're being literal. 

“Now, don't overwhelm the poor thing!” Edward almost scoffed. ‘Poor thing?’ He wasn't a newly built engine. He's over half a century old! But a quick look over at the ones in his range of vision changed his mind as they seemed older. “How about you tell us a little about yourself, hm?” suggested Gladstone.

“Och- well- I'm frae the Furness Railway…” His train of thought froze. What else was he supposed to say? He wasn't sure he wanted to tell them about his time in the forest. Being a part of the Scottish greenery in a territory far away from home… The critters, the twigs…

The rust…

He was glad no one mentioned it. It must not be as noticeable as he thought.

The thought soothed him. Yet he realized how hypocritical he was being. Just days ago, he told another engine he'd just met. It was someone who initially didn't take a liking to him. Edward was engrossed in the conversation that day. He felt comfortable sharing with someone who understood—to some degree—how he felt. 

“Edward?” FR 21 perked up. “Is everything alright?”

Edward hummed. “Aye. It’s awrite.”

“Mmm, if you say so.”

Silence followed for a bit. The occasional clank of metal was heard as volunteers wandered around, checking up on the engines. There seemed to be another conversation happening elsewhere but it could barely be heard. They were either whispering or just far away. No one from the group could tell.

“So,” squeaked the M class, “how was the Railway Show? We heard you won!”

“Oh, yes, please tell!” Excitement creaked from Esmeralda.

“Och, well-” Easy enough! “Twis’ nice.”

“Nice? It was a close finish! That must've been exciting!”

“It- uh-” The clear memory of the Canadian Pacific running across the track, nearly knocking off the poor, little diesel into the pit of a turntable, came back. “It wis.”

“Weren't there preserved engines?” asked the E5. “Estelle said they'd go there.”

Edward frowned, confused. “...Who?” I don’t remember hearing an “Estelle.”

NER 1463 gasped. “Goodness, my apologies! The Caledonian Single! A blue single with white lining.”

Lips pursed, and then a bell rang. “Och, them!” Ah, the other single he spoke to. They were sweet, but they didn't speak much. It was comforting yet odd.

“Is something the matter? Did Estelle say something?” NER 1463 glanced at Esmeralda.

And before they could continue, the green single fumed, “Don't you start!”

“Esmeralda!” scolded Gladstone.

“You know it’s her fault!” Her face wrinkled as fury covered it.

“And you play right along…”

“Just who does-”

“This normal?” Edward whispered.

“‘Fraid so,” replied NER 1621.

“-she think she is? I was elated to know, to see that singles would come back, and she had the nerve to disrespect a pioneer-!”

.

.

.

“-As such, I’m here to straighten your behavior.” The eldest of the Seagulls strolled closer to the side of the oldest Larger Seagull. The Seagull was smaller, but 21 felt like a cornered mouse. “If you don’t listen, then say goodbye to your sisters. Leaving them behind because of your selfish behavior! So unlike an eldest.”

.

.

.

“You'll burst your valve-” continued Gladstone. The engines remained unaware of Edward's jolt.

“I'm not even in steam!” Esmeralda protested.

“Mmm, you'd be surprised…” Gladstone sighed as Esmeralda continued, bringing the attention back to the newcomer. “What were we on about?”

“...The railway show?”

“Ah, yes. Estelle, we speak of.” He cleared his pipes. “Did something happen?”

“Nothin’… They were quiet.”

Amused, Gladstone pressed on. “Have you met them before?”

“Noo…” Edward squinted. “Just seemit…” He stopped. He was one to speak. He himself was quiet these days since… that, so he shouldn't be judging. “Never mind.”

“Odd?” Gladstone hummed. “Estelle has changed since they were preserved. It's nothing out of the ordinary… It happens to everyone.”

As soon as those words came out, the atmosphere changed. The group made no noise, so quiet that a pen dropping from the opposite side of the building could be heard. Even the voices from the other group went quiet.

I've hit a sore spot. “S-Sorry… I-”

“Haven't you been to the show before?” piped Gladstone. “I do remember hearing the volunteers make a mention of such.”

“Och, yes.” The guilt of ruining the atmosphere bubbled within. “I huv.”

“Do tell. You've yet to fully introduce yourself, mate.”

“Well…” He might as well. It seemed that they wanted to move on from it as if it never happened. Edward could do that, so from there, Edward told Gladstone about the time he went to the Great Railway at the turn of the 20th century. His sentences weren't complete, his words were jumbled about, and he refused to make eye contact, but that didn't push away the other engines from tuning in. The little tale was a welcome starter to a new and comforting conversation.

~

important!!!

if you're looking to find the table of contents of all the chapters, i made a page on the desktop version with all of the chapters, including the ones for this story!

Otherwise, here's the link! (TGR 2x5 Roleswap AU - Table of Contents)

And here's the first batch of new characters!

GNR 1 "Esmeralda" - GNR No 1 (GNR A1 class"Stirling Single")

NER 1463 - NER E5 class

NER 1621 - NER D17 class

LBSCR 214 Gladstone - LBSCR B1 class

Notes:

Edward going to the Great Railway Show before this one was part of the original plot of "TGR but There's a Roleswap - Chapter 7: The Furness Railway 21" but I scrapped it, along with other revelations that just didn't make sense.

EDIT 09/01/2024: Fixed the links!

[tornadoyoungiron]

TRAINTOBER | Day 27 - Record Breaker

The Seagulls are excited to discover that the famous Great Western, City of Truro, is visiting Barrow-in-Furness. Coppernob is less than excited, however.

Furness Railway’s No. 3 ‘Coppernob’ in their Glasshouse at Barrow-in-Furness

~~~

A wild storm had blown through one night. In the morning, the true extent of the damage had been revealed, roofs had flown off houses, trees had been sprayed over the roads and now lorries and cars could not use them.

The rails had been the lifeline, and within a few hours, they had been mostly cleared to allow resources to get through where they were needed most. 

Certainly, Barrow-in-Furness had the advantage of being a major port town but marine transport was far too slow for the mail or the resources would be far too costly to transport via the ocean. 

And so this was how the Great Western’s bright spark, the City of Truro found himself racing towards the North on a mercy mission with supplies and mail from the South. He was passing through LMS territory where once, the bigger engines would jeer and try to spook him, but now they cheered him on, the engine that claimed to beat the LNER’s golden boy.

To them, anything was an improvement over Flying Scotsman, such was the rivalry between the two railways so great.

“He’s here, he’s here! There he goes! The fastest engine in the West!” Came the tittering of engines as he passed and City of Truro arrogantly raised his boiler higher on its frames, basking in the Furness Engine’s praise. 

He loved it, he loved the attention, it validated him, made him strive to be better, to prove to his railway that he was invaluable.

He came upon Barrow-in-Furness station to find it empty and no one to receive him. Truro scowled, deeply annoyed. There was supposed to be somewhere here to meet him to authorise and check his mail run. Oh he did so hate being made to wait.

“This place used to run a lot better before Grouping,” a voice called to him. “Sad sorry lot these LMS fellas. Too much area to oversee makes them slack at the top. Things fall the cracks you see.”

Truro looked over to the grand structure nearby, a magnificent glasshouse with ornate designs framed an older-looking engine with a strange globe-like firebox and a boiler like that of a think barrel. 

He had heard tell of this engine. The fiery red Coopernob, they called him with a personality to match his paint.

“Well, the Great Western Railway takes pride in doing things the correct way and not allowing things to slip through the cracks,” Truro boasted. “I’m the City of Truro. Perhaps you’ve heard of me?”

The red engine’s eyes narrowed and his lips parted into a thin line as his gaze grew critical of the Great Western engine before him. 

“You boast that the Great Western way fills in its cracks yet here you are, breaking records behind their backs and making yourself a damn nuisance and a poor role model to the younger engines here,” Coppernob suddenly spoke harshly of Truro and the Great Western was shocked.

“Excuse me?” Truro spluttered. He’d heard that Coppernob could be a right ass but he hadn’t been expecting to be quite this upfront about it.

“You’ve got the young ones all a titter with your supposed Record Breaking run,” Coppernob scoffed deeply annoyed. “Now that you’re here they’ll be all caught up in their own heads rather than focusing on work.”

“Excuse me for wanting to be something more than the purpose I was created for!” City of Truro scoffed, annoyed. “What right do you to be judging me anyway, sitting pretty in your little glass house?”

“My judgement comes from decades of experience young one,” Coppernob disputed. “I have more than half a century over you and you do not look like much to me. Just another young upstart who thinks he can bend the rules due to his fame.”

Truro just snorted in response and turned his attention to a Larger Seagull approaching the station, presumably the one to takeover his train.

The Seagull squeaked at the sight of him.

“City- City of Truro! It’s an honour to meet you!” Number 24 squeaked. “My brother would be beside himself to meet you but he’s on the Island of Sodor.” 

“Haha well if you see him again then tell him I send my regards!” Truro winked and him and the Seagull made a strange noise in response. “But who knows, maybe one day I’ll visit there myself, you never know!”

“His, his name is Edward if you happen to meet him!” 

“Sudrian Number 2, I think you will find,” Coppernob interjected and Truro glanced at him. 

Ray of sunshine this one was, wasn’t he?

Not wanting to cause more fuss, Truro simply smiled and gathered his steam again.

“Well this was… fun, but I must be off,” the City Class smiled. “Cracks to fill and all that.”

Coppernob frowned but said nothing more as the Larger Seagull gave a shrill peep goodbye to the engine.

“Good-bye Mr Truro, thanks for helping us out!” 24 called and with a blast of his whistle, the City of Truro disappeared down the line. 24 glanced at Coppernob. “Interesting fellow, isn’t he? I won’der if we’ll see him again.”

Coppernob said nothing, but he had a feeling that he would end up meeting that engine again. Just in ways he would have never have anticipated.

~~~

I always find it hard to write Coppernob. He’s so different from the other engines because he comes from a time of different values and it’s hard to mesh him with the others. He always ends up very antagonistic even when I don’t want him to be. Still, I did want to give him a little more time in the spotlight because he is a deeply important engine in history.

It’s so rare that anything like him gets preserved in the same way that he did. 

You’ll notice that young Truro is a little more like Scotsman in personality than he is currently. Before everything, Truro was full of life but sadly, a lot of things took that childish joy away from him. 

[cerenemuxse]

TGR but There's a Roleswap - Chapter 12

Chapter 12 - Lonely

Goodbye Fat Controller (Season 19 Episode 25)

Word Count: 706

The story can be found at @tgr-2x5-roleswap-au for easier access.

~

Before Edward knew it, he was back in his shed at the Furness Railway Trust’s temporary headquarters, located near Derby Works. A few days had passed since he’d returned from the Great Railway Show and all was quiet. He was no longer near Coppernob, who was returned to the National Railway Museum. Thank goodness was all that he could think of the moment the older engine was taken away, looking forward to enjoying the quiet for a while. To give it a rest before feeling lonely again that is.

That was the idea but it didn’t work out as such. The moment his temporary crew left him alone, it felt too quiet. It was much more lonely. The absence of engines was stronger than before.

And he absolutely despised it.

Edward felt agitated the day after his return and felt that way ever since. The "shed," as they all called it, was small and bland from the inside. He was typically surrounded by its cream-white concrete walls, facing the metal shed door.

The volunteers of the Furness Railway Trust would occasionally bring him out but he never went farther than the tiny yard surrounding the area. British Railways wouldn't allow him on the traffic lines unless he absolutely needed to so there was no interaction with other engines for him.

"W-When dae I leave?" Edward asked the volunteer attending him.

And by attending him, the job was as simple as just keeping him company.

"Next week," replied the volunteer.

"Where?"

"Edward, you know that's a surprise!"

The Larger Seagull engine huffed.

The elder volunteer chuckled. "You know, you're more…" His words drifted into a hum.

"...more…?"

"Talkative," the volunteer admitted. "It feels like just yesterday you weren't able to talk."

"I've… I can talk."

"Let me be more clear. It feels like just yesterday that you weren't able to talk properly. Why, the day before you left for the show, you were just starting to form sentences. Now you're speaking with more clarity."

"Och."

"What's wrong?" asked the volunteer, noticing the solemn tone.

Edward sighed. "It's… It’s lonely."

"But you have us."

"Thon's no' whit I mean."

"Then what do you mean?"

"There's nah other engines."

The volunteer eyed him suspiciously.  "I thought you didn't like the company of other engines."

"Ma siblings-"

"Anyone except your siblings."

"Well, nah, but…"

"But…?" The volunteer leaned forward.

"It's nice- It’s nice bein' around other nice engines, even wit' yer past."

"Well, they don't know-"

"They dae."

"Pardon?"

"They dae. Those engines frae the North Western Railway. They're nice."

"But didn't you have a bit of a run-in with one of them?" asked the volunteer cautiously. "Everyone knows what happened when you got left behind on Sodor."

"I did. I apologizit. He didnae take it at first. He scarit me a bit," said Edward. "He was a bit… a bit rude."

"But you kept looking for him. Were you trying to pick a fight?"

Edward immediately frowned. "I wisnae!" he huffed out, pissed off.

"Alright, alright!" immediately exclaimed the volunteer. "I just wanted to make sure."

Edward wasn't convinced, looking unamused and nervous at the volunteer.

"Now what about that engine?" the volunteer asked, hoping to divert the conversation. "Did he help you or not?"

With a hum, he replied. "Nah. But then I found him… later thon day. We talkit for a bit."

"About what?"

"Aboot ourselves. We told stories. It wis nice tae jist talk. It's nice tae have a friend."

"A friend?" He was surprised. "You made a friend?"

"Aye…?" Old Coppernob's words started hurling back at him. "Is thon bad? Am I no' allowit tae?"

"Of course, not! This is a good thing, Edward," he reassured. "If anything, you'll be fine when you come into contact with Esmeralda."

"Who?"

"That GNR Stirling Single. The one built back in eighteen-seventy."

"The Stirling A-Ane?"

"Yes-!"

"Excuse me! Quinn!" interrupted the voice of another volunteer, a younger man. Both Edward and the older man peered over at the young volunteer. The young volunteer lifted his arm and waved around an enclosed envelope. “There’s a letter-!”

“Leave it in the office, Reginald,” quickly interrupted Quinn. He looked back at Edward. “Now, as I was saying-”

“But it’s for Edward!”

~

Tysm for reading! To anyone who commented on the now-deleted Ao3 upload, thank you so much. 😭 They mean a lot.

At the time of posting this, there is a sequel in the works! When will the first chapter be up? I have no idea. I threw myself another project due to my recent hyperfixation of Helluva Boss. Also got stuff going on irl (exam week is upcoming and im on my way to fail a class-)

[the-rewritten-railway-au]

Rhys

🩷 Autumn 1899; December 1968

CW/TW: Pre-transition period (Edward), hostile work environment, gaslighting, mentioned character death, mentioned workplace violence

Buckled Tracks and Bumpy Trucks - Season 20 Episode 17 (edited)

Word Count: 1,823

Someone else was his first love interest.

A/N: "Rhys" is pronounced "reese." I didn't come up with that, btw. His crew did.

~

In the chilly autumn weather, passengers walked about Barrow-in-Furness Station. The leaves cluttering the ground crunched as folks stepped on them, awaiting the next passenger train.

A sharp whistle, reminiscent of the squawks of seagulls flying by coast line, went off in the distance, pulling in the passengers’ attention to the Indian-red tender engine approaching. She steamed into the station with a range of blue coaches with white trim, easing to a stop.

She was a Class 21, a class of engines dedicated to express passenger services. The sunlight reflected against the brass trim of her splashers and brass dome, giving it a gleaming shine. The oldest of the Class 21s greeted the awaiting passengers with a warm smile, as steam gently spewed from her chassis.

The weather was nice that day. There was no wind. Just the gentle breeze against her frames. It was like a soothing touch, which she appreciated.

Coming in the opposite direction, a small four-driver tender engine came by, hauling a goods train for someone else to take care of. Once he blew his whistle, the eldest Larger Seagull groaned. She would be foolish to not recognize it.

“Guid day, Coppernob,” she greeted through clenched teeth, trying to sound as nice as possible. Her crew reminding her to be nice to the elderly engine had become a daily routine, despite how arrogant and bossy he was. She didn’t need to turn the scolding into a daily thing.

Coppernob wasn't taking her forced greeting. “Don't treat me like a fool, young engine!” he hissed. “Such disrespect. You're better than that.”

“I wid if ye'd just go awa’,” she grumbled, “and didnae go around, gossipin’ aboot me.”

“It’s for the well-being of others, Alice,” he reminded her as her crew hushed whispers, telling her to knock it off. “We can't have your reckless behavior ruin the reputation and workflow of the Furness.”

Alice scoffed. “It’s always aboot thaim wit’ ye.”

“Bunny!” hissed her driver.

Before Coppernob reprimanded her, a Furness Railway 7 class steamed up to the platform adjacent to Alice’s. Unlike Coppernob, he had splashers, designed in a style similar to hers.

“Good day, you two,” he greeted. “Anything new I missed?”

“Nah! Nah!” Alice squawked out, immediately blushing out of embarrassment from the slip-up. She ignored the piercing glare from FR No. 3. “Nawthing new, Rhys.”

Rhys hummed, not convinced. A Furness engine would have to be a fool to not notice the conversation from kilometers away. And not to notice how furious the glare directed towards him was. However, he chose not to poke any further. Yet.

Alice’s guard blew his whistle, interrupting the thoughts going through the engines’ minds.

“Och!” she perked up. “Thon’s me. Guid-bye, Rhys!” With a quick whistle that resounded throughout the station, Alice departed from Barrow-in-Furness, heading north on her railway line, the Cumbrian Coast Line.

Once she was gone, Rhys sighed before glancing at Coppernob. “What is it you have against me?”

Coppernob didn't respond. Instead, he stormed off, leaving the other confused.

…

About a week later, Alice and Rhys met again but at Roose Station. The latter had finished telling a story that left Alice squawking.

There was just something about spending time with Rhys that comforted Alice, making her feel warm and appreciated. It was different to the way her sisters would comfort or check up on her every evening, especially if she’d had to defend one of them from one of the other Furness engines.

It was different, yet she couldn’t figure it out.

As she calmed down, a saddle tank engine pulled in, hauling a small freight train of steel rails, coming from the Barrow Haematite Steelworks.

“Diane!” exclaimed Rhys, noticing the black tank engine. “How’s the Steelworks going for you?”

Diane gave a quick smile to Alice, who smiled nervously, before replying. “Exhausting!” she exclaimed. “But it's good work!”

“Good to hear, dear! Good to hear!”

“You know, I’m surprised the old horse hasn't tried physically separating you both,” Diane noted. “He complains about you two whenever he runs out of things to whine about.”

Alice hummed, her freckled face crunching at the mention of Coppernob. “I din’ get why he diz’nae want me near Rhys. He diz’nae make sense aboot it.”

“Remember, dear,” Rhys assured. “He just… wants the best for you.”

The Larger Seagull frowned.“Well, he huz a funny way o’ showin’ it.”

Just then, her guard blew his whistle. With a heavy sigh, she bid farewell to the other two engines and promptly left.

Once she was gone, Diane shot a glare at Rhys. “Have you told her?”

The 7 class winced.

“Rhys!” she scolded.

“I know! I just-” He took a deep breath. “It’s too soon. We don't know when.”

“But it’ll be soon, Rhys!”

“I’ll tell her tomorrow, I promise!”

“You better!” she exclaimed before steaming off to Ravenglass, leaving her friend to go his way with the daunting thoughts in his head. His crew tried to soothe him, but it only made him feel more guilty.

…

“Alice! Stay away from that engine!”

Her safety valve was ready to burst. Earlier that morning, she fended off one of the Seagulls, her predecessors, up at Foxfield after seeing them pester one of her baby sisters. The utter annoyance those older engines could be.

And then they wonder why they could’nae get me and ma sisters tae ‘behave’ being the thought to go rampant in her mind after every confrontation.

“Bug’ aff! I'm no’ dealin’ wit’ ye today!” yelled Alice before storming off.

Coppernob chased her down. “Listen to me, young lass-!”

“Shut it!” she screamed. “Yer raps ma knittin’!”

“Watch your tongue-!”

“Or whit?” she taunted. “Whit'r ye goin’ tae dae? I'm no’ afraid o’ ye!”

“I want you to get away from that engine…” hissed Number 3, the words seething like painfully hot steam. “And you will do it as soon as you see him.”

“Ye cannae control me!” Alice argued. “Why is it thon when I’m finally doin’ better, it’s all wrong?”

“It wouldn't be wrong if you weren’t acting like that with him!”

Still furious, she looked at him confused. “Like whit? Whit’re ye implying?” she questioned.

Coppernob stared at her in horror, eyes going wide.

The look brought tension to Alice’s frame. “Copper-?”

“You can't even see it, can you?”

“See whit-?”

“You’re too far gone,” he mourned.

“Excuse me-?”

“Stay away from Rhys,” he hissed. “I don't want to find out that he’s broken the same way you are.” With that, he steamed away, returning to his work leaving a stunned Bunny behind.

“Broken…?”

…

That evening, Alice returned to her shed, only to find Rhys, resting in a siding. His crew were smoking cigarettes, unaware of the larger engine. Coppernob’s words had stung her to the core. She spaced out momentarily when Rhys called out for her.

“Alice! There you are,” he hollered, alerting his crew. They quickly climbed aboard into his cab. “Listen. I-”

“Am I broken?”

“...Pardon?”

“Am I broken, Rhys?” she asked again, looking Rhys straight into his eyes. “Coppernob said I’m broken.”

“What-?” He was dumbfounded as he approached the young Victorian engine. “No, of course not, Alice! Don't listen to Coppernob. His age is getting to him,” he reassured her.

“Okay…” was all she said before letting the silence overtake.

Her mood upset Rhys, making him rethink his choice. Should he? He didn't want to upset the young engine even further, but she needed to know.

It would be worse if she went about her life, not knowing what happened to her dear friend.

“Did… ye want tae say somethin’?” asked Alice after a while of silence. “Sorry if I-”

“I'm being withdrawn.”

Bronze pupils shrunk as her eyes went wide. “Ye're what-?”

“I'm being withdrawn, Alice. I don't know exactly when… but it might be soon,” he stated, carefully wording his sentences.

“Soon? How long have you known?”

“Alice-”

“How. Long?” she asked sternly. Her eyes burned in frustration and despair.

Rhys sighed with guilt. “A month.”

“And you didn't tell me?”

“I don't want to break you.”

“Break me?” she scoffed, offended as tears brewed up and her voice began to crack. “I'm not fragile, Rhys!”

“But you're still growing out of your old behavior!” he exasperated as both crews held onto the brakes of their respective engines. Alice’s crew held extra tight, making sure they didn’t let go as their engine tended to be hostile, especially out of emotion. “Alice, please promise me you won't go back to your old self.”

“Rhys-!”

“Alice, please,” he begged. “Please, do it for your sisters. For Diane. For me. The board isn't going to tolerate it any further, and you know that.”

At the mention of her little sisters, Alice agreed. “I promise, Rhys,” she sobbed. “I promise.”

…

“I hope ye're happy,” Alice sneered. It was the following morning and she’d come across Coppernob at Barrow-in-Furness once again.

“What?” scoffed Coppernob.

“Rhys is bein’ withdrawn.”

Shock went through the older engine's frames. “Whatever for?”

“I dinnae ken. Go ask him yerself,” she sneered.

“Alice!”

“Dae me a favor and boil yer smokebox,” she hissed before storming off, jerking the coaches by accident. The sentient ones yelped and her passengers were startled as her crew scolded her severely, and Coppernob called out for her.

She blocked out the sounds of the world around her as her four driving wheels pushed her north towards Foxfield.

.

.

.

Later that week, Rhys was withdrawn. He was able to bid farewell to Diane but not Alice. Diane was the one to break the news to Alice.

Alice broke her promise.

And Edward made a realization.

Rhys, I’m so-

“Edward?”

Said engine jerked, accidentally jostling his trucks.

A few days had passed since he left the Steamworks with his pistons fully repaired. He’d spent a week waiting for the parts to arrive.

“Did you even hear what I was saying?” James asked again, concerned as the extra Troublesome Trucks Edward hauled yelped and complained.

“Guidness, naw,” Edward replied, guilt building on his panic. His freckled cheeks burned. “Och, dear. I’m sae sorry-!”

“Are you okay?” James interrupted. “You spaced out for a bit.”

“Er, somewhit?”

“We can stop-”

“Naw, naw!” he exclaimed. “No need to! It's just- You reminded me of something.”

“Something you'll tell me?” James asked with a glimmer of curiosity in his heterochromatic eyes.

“N-No’ today…” He looked down. “Sorry.”

“Oh…”

“B-But-!” Edward stammered, “what about your adventures on the Mainland, hm?”

“You're gonna have to be more specific, Ed,” chuckled James.

The smaller engine pieced together what he could recall from the conversation that had taken place. “That incident with the twins! Up in Whitehaven?”

James winced playfully. “Oh, what a mess that one was-”

As James continued to ramble on, Edward's mind focused in. But not after he processed what he'd realized.

I wis in love wit’ Rhys, and I didnae even ken…

~

AND then his twin baby sisters were built the following year and things are all good again, right...?

...right? :)

Well damn, i guess I did end up writing a story before the 1910s ovo ANYWAYS, first EoSR story of 2024 and it ended up being a ship-verse story but its angst-

very normal muxse behaviour

i got to actually sit down and work on Edward's backstory a little more. It was EXTREMELY vague before so hopefully this starts adding up, especially for "You've Got Mail." (i'm a bit all over the place with my fics)

Being the oldest of a new generation is already a lot of pressure but how would it feel when its tradition for them to try to shape you in a way that is deemed appropriate in your railway. This usually works but Edward was different.

Notes:

Rhys had zero romantic interest in Edward.

Rhys' basis: 16 - FR Class A3 0-4-0 - built 1858 by W. Fairbairn & Co., Manchester - 1899 withdrawn

Introduced Diane (FR 17 "A5" class) and Old Coppernob (FR 3 "A2" class) sooner than I thought ovo Oh well.

The family relations on the Furness are a bit odd because the A2, A3, and A5 don't have a specific designer, just like the K2s. Just know that Edward isn't related to them. To my understanding, the Furness Railway 21s were designed by Sharp, Stewart & Co. Neither Pettigrew or Mason designed them. Same goes for said classes. Only the A5s were built by Sharp, Stewart & Co. but in the original Manchester location.

^ that being said, Diane and Edward are probably distant cousins for that reason, but Old Coppernob and Rhys aren't related to them. :p

Rhys translates to "ardor" in Welsh. Ardor means a strong intense feeling, which i think perfectly describes what engines feel when they're in love. :)

there was a lot of back and forth on previous love interests for these two. at one point, i considered Goldilocks to be James' first love interest but went against because i just thought it was weird and it would imply that Edward is a replacement for Goldilocks. I did not want that so i scrapped it.

Edward and Old Coppernob are basically the failed unintentional attempt of a healthy father-son relationship. They're both at fault for this. (yes, Edward has daddy issues. it just kinda happened but it also feels like it makes sense considering his role as the oldest and the issues he has)

guys i dont JUST write angst, i swear- :((((

evidence:

ps if i made you sad, read "He Squawks!" (one of my favorites /bias) it has pre-2x5 fluff + silliness (not the main focus but the silliness is :p the screenshot is unrelated :p)

[jobey-wan-kenobi]

WIP GAME

RULES: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPS.

Thanks for the tag @youcandalekmyballs ... (this forced me to organize my Evernotes so now i hopefully actually have all my WIPs in one place!)

--

Okay, so now (even after deleting a few) my WIP evernote tag is RIDICULOUS, i have more WIPs than i have mutuals (what a loser thing to say), so that last bit ain't gonna exactly happen like that

They're all Railway Series/Thomas the Tank Engine fic unless otherwise noted. Yes, these days i am THAT cool 😎 S'how i roll now

(ph) 9 Times Lena Ebsley's Orientation Didn't Serve Her (and 1 Time It Did) — original fiction

(ph) The Positive Truth — original fiction

(ph) Two Time — original fiction

(ph) Untitled ("It wasn't odd to hear a stray zipping siren on the Lordeway at any hour of the day or night...") — original fiction

3 and 4, con't — rws/ttte meta

'10s

125 & 36

125 fic prologue

anonymous prequelly edward

another crew #2 scenelet coz WHY NOT

baby 124 + 125

barbara/stephen + bridget

barbara + edward

Bird - autumn

Bird - wherein we unlock the coppernobs' tragic backstory

Counterfeit — original fiction

Crow

diesels deserve ghost stories too

early 20s just put it here

early 20s—Bits

early 20s—Clearing a Line #2

early 20s—detritus?

early 20s—Firelighters

early 20s—H.'s first goods

early 20s—Names and Numbers

early 20s—One Eye Open

early 20s—Railman's Holiday

early 20s—The Autumn After

early 20s—The Conspirators

early 20s—The Express Engine****** v6

early 20s—The Spare Engine

early 20s—Timetables

engine mental health ask — rws/ttte meta

Ex Condor Through the Time Machine

Geometry in Jewels/Irmafax — original novel

good place/cheers crossover — the good place & cheers

Henry Tricks the Clergyman

James prequel

James the branch line BOSS 😎

joscelyn—beginning?

Les Frenês — original fiction

oliver & boco

philip !

rocks fall lansky wins — original fiction

splendid spin-off — edward & henry

splendid spin-off — scrapyard

splendid spin-off

splendid spin-off — emily

splendid spin-off — scrapyard 2?

splendid spin-off — thomas & toad

splendid spin-off — toby & joe

Stack Alone

Steam and Light II

Suited — the fugitive

the gays can have a little gordon!angst. as a treat

The Penitent — original fiction novel

The River — original fiction

the problematicness of thomas & friends — rws/ttte meta

Taboo2 — original fiction novel

Tobeisel

Trouble in the Big Station

Untitled ("The bump wasn't so much hard as unexpected")

Untitled ("36's entire world was bitter")

Untitled ("Trusty old Dumpling was missing")

Untitled (" 'Bless my bell,' Toby murmured, staring at the receding train")

Untitled ("The return had to be the best run of Edward's life")

Ward B — original fiction

@shinygoku, @academicgangster, @angryskarloey @houseboatisland, @joezworld, @lswro2-22, @putuponpercy, @whumpster-fire, @janetm47, uhhh yeah my brain's pretty fried and i am blanking on writer mutuals, @savageandwise, @youcandalekmyballs (why not have another go? idek), @weirdowithaquill ... @anyone at all who sees this and wants to play

[putuponpercy]

absolute yelling at the model coppernob I saw today that thing was cat sized I repeat cat sized coppernob

[askyoungiron]

So Coppernob, what sort of things does the Furness consider to be its core values?

Coppernob: You see the Furness Railway prided itself on doing things as they should be done. By the book and no stone left unturned. One expects its engines to be the same, no matter if they were sent away to other railways or even if those shoddy LMS fools took over.

The Furness Railway bred proper engines, ones who knew how to conduct themselves and knew what a proper day's work was!

[mean-scarlet-deceiver]

Going absolutely nuts today thinking about the Clapham Transport Museum in the 1960s.

The social dynamic here is incredible, rail-vehicle-wise (I dunno much about the road vehicles tbh). Majority of them are fresh into retirement after insanely long working careers. Most of them who have been out of service a long time have been languishing for 15+ years in solitary storage. All of them have dealt, largely alone, with grief and loss and war and the pressures of being Engine Emeritus, Last of My Kind.

... and now they're clean, and displayed, and visited in a shiny new museum.

They're finally surrounded by others like themselves.

They once again have peers.

They are able to network with the wider world.

They all have unaddressed trauma.

And it's the Swinging Sixties, baby!

Long story short, I've decided they spent most of the decade having insane after-hours parties. Also, the Kinks definitely recorded an album there.

[theflyingkipper]

apologies for the rambling

I don't know if im the only one in the Fandom whom feels we are missing a great chance to jump on this but i feel like Neville as the sibling to the Q1 in the nrm. and the nrm Q1 is just a silen menace to the other nrm locos and they all fear the Q1 in the sence that it worked its rear off during ww2 and still worked after it no mater what until it was retired. plus I imagine coppernob enjoys seeing the Q1 glare at the snooty engines and only drops the military aditude atound Neville since i feel like Neville is the youngist of the Q1 family

no offense but I think you send me a lot of things that would be great as your own post and not something you submit- you have a lot of really cool ideas and im not sure why you put them in my inbox instead of posting them yourself

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/top-21-things-to-do-for-free-in-york/

Top 21 Things to do for Free in York

York is one of the UK’s gems. A wonderfully preserved medieval city, walking down its cobbled streets is like taking a trip into the past. With a wealth of attractions, you could happily spend a couple of weeks in York and not get bored. Even better, there’s an abundance of free activities to do and places to visit. Here’s a guide to the top 21 things to do for free in York.

Outdoor Spaces and Activities

The Shambles Possibly the most famous part of York, The Shambles is an old street in the city centre with a number of overhanging timber-framed buildings, some of which date back to the 14th century. The name comes from its old Anglo-Saxon name Fleshammels, literally translating to ‘flesh-shelves’, as the street used to be filled with butchers’ shops and it was possible to see the cuts of meat hanging in the windows. Now the butchers’ shops don’t exist, but as you walk down this delightful cobblestone street, you will find a great mix of shops and restaurants. The street is also the location of the home of Saint Margaret Clitherow, who was married to a butcher on the street and was pressed to death for harbouring Catholic priests; you can still see the priest hole fireplace where she hid priests at number ten, now a cufflinks shop.

  The Snickelways As well as the Shambles, there are dozens of small streets running off the main thoroughfares in the city centre of York. Most of these narrow streets, big enough only for pedestrians to pass down, are medieval, although a few are more modern. The name ‘Snickelways’ is a portmanteau of the words snicket, ginnel and alleyway, coined by Mark W. Jones in 1983. It is cool to wander around the city seeking out all these little streets which usually have quirky names like Mad Alice Lane, Pope’s Head Alley and Grape Lane. York City Walls The impressive city walls of York have guarded the city for over 700 years. At approximately two miles long, they are the longest medieval walls in England. A walk along the walls takes about two hours and takes you past five main gateways, one Victorian gateway, one postern and 45 towers. Free Guided Walking Tours There are a number of companies which offer free walking tours of the city. The Association of Voluntary Guides leads a two-hour tour taking you past some of York’s biggest attractions and sights, including York Minster, Monk Bar, St Mary’s Abbey and The Shambles, as well as telling you many stories about the city and its history. The great thing about this tour company is that not only is the tour completely free, they don’t insist on tips either. Other walking tour companies to consider are: White Rose York Tours; Footprints Tours; and Strawberry Tours. The Cat Trail Since records began in the city of York, cats have been considered lucky and have played a major part in city life. For about two centuries, statues of cats have been placed on buildings in an attempt to frighten away rats and mice and therefore reduce the risk of disease; they were also believed to ward off evil spirits and to generally bring good luck to the occupants of the property. It is possible to download a Cat Trail map from the website of the Cat Gallery; not only will you be able to seek out the cats of York, but it will take you past some of the most beautiful parts of the city. Shambles Market In the heart of the city is Shambles Market, a vibrant market consisting of 85 different stalls selling a wide variety goods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, books, cosmetics, flowers, crafts and gifts. There’s also a really great street food area; be sure to try out the North African and Levantine food. The market is open seven days a week from 7am. Shakespeare’s Village Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre is Europe’s firs pop-up theatre. Although you have to pay for the plays which are performed, it is free to wander around the Shakespeare’s Village the theatre is set in. Located in the car park next to Clifford’s Tower, the village captures the atmosphere of a medieval village, with oak-framed, reed-thatched buildings offering the finest Yorkshire food and drink along with wagon entertainment, minstrels and even a lovely Elizabethan garden with flower and herb beds. The theatre and village only pop up in York during the summer months; in 2019, the village and performances will start in June and run until the beginning of September. Museums and Libraries National Railway Museum One of the city’s most popular museums, the National Railway Museum is the largest museum of its kind in Britain. The museum details the history of rail transport and the impact it has had on society. It has a collection of over 100 locomotives and around 300 other items connected with trains and railways. Some of the most impressive trains in its collection include: a 1938 Mallard; a working replica of the steam locomotive the Rocket; an 1846 Coppernob; and a 1976 Shinkansen bullet train, the only one on display outside of Japan. Other highlights of the museum are: the George Cross medal awarded posthumously to train driver Wallace Oakes for staying on a burning train after it had been involved in an accident; the Royal trains, including a carriage that was used by Queen Victoria; and the warehouse, which houses a permanent exhibition telling the story of the Flying Scotsman.

The Bar Convent Founded in 1686, the Bar Convent is England’s oldest living convent. Originally founded as a school for girls, it still has members of the Congregation of Jesus living there today. Housed in grade I-listed 18th-century buildings, they are open to the public. Here you can visit an exhibition on the interesting history of the convent; at the time the convent was founded, practising Catholicism was very dangerous, so the ladies who lived there had to be very secretive about what they were doing. You will learn about radical nun Mary Ward who traversed the Alps twice on foot and get the chance to hide yourself in a priest hole. There’s also a cafe and accommodation on site.

Parks and Gardens Rowntree Park Located just a ten- to 15-minute walk south of the city centre, Rowntree Park is a wonderful place to take a long stroll. As well as the well-kept gardens, there is also a lake, canal and water cascade which are home to a number of swans, ducks and Canada geese. There’s plenty of facilities to make use of, such as tennis courts, a skate park, a basketball court and bowling greens. If the weather is nice, there are also some picnic areas for you to enjoy a meal in the sun. Kids will enjoy the excellent play area which has climbing frames and a zip wire. Dean’s Park Located north of York Minster, the main draw of Dean’s Park is that it offers spectacular views of this fabulous church. Although you need to pay to enter the Minster, it is free to admire the wonderful exterior. It’s a lovely spot to take some time to relax during a hard day’s sightseeing, and during the summer there are places to buy ice cream and soft drinks. Yorkshire Museum Gardens and Observatory Set in the grounds of St Mary’s Abbey, Yorkshire Museum Gardens is a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet in the middle of the city. There’s a lot of things to see in the gardens. It houses the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire, built between 1832 and 1833; the telescope inside was built by Thomas Cooke, the man who went on to build what was then the largest telescope in the world. The observatory is also home to a clock dating back to 1811 which tells the time based on the positioning of the stars; it is the clock that all others in the city were set by back in the 19th century. There is also an abundance of flora and 40 species of bird to spot. Homestead Park One of the most beautiful natural areas of the city, Homestead Park is located in Clifton, 1 ½ miles from the city centre. The park’s main features include: a wild flower meadow; a tree-lined avenue; herbaceous and extensive shrub borders; and the Backhouse pond and rock garden. There’s loads of facilities for children in the popular play area, such as a paddling pool, table tennis, a monkey gym and helter skelter rides. The park also offer leaflets with different walks, such as several tree-trail walks and a wildlife walk. Yorkshire Lavender Technically not in York itself but only a short 15-mile drive away, Yorkshire Lavender Gardens and Specialist Plant Nursery offers some of the best views in the county, being set in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As well as the award-winning lavender gardens, there is a sculpture park to explore, a lavender maze to get lost in, a sensory garden, and Highland cattle and lambs to pet. Churches York St Mary’s Dating back to 1020, this beautiful medieval church is known for having the city’s tallest spire, standing at 47 metres high. Having been consecrated in 1958, it spent a few decades as a heritage centre before being transformed into a contemporary art gallery in 2004. Exhibitions change regularly and the church makes an ambient place to view the artworks. St Michael le Belfry Known primarily as the church where Guy Fawkes was baptised in 1570, St Michael le Belfry is an impressive building. It is free to enter but tours of the church are run entirely by volunteers, so it is best to check before you visit whether it is possible for you to enter. St Mary’s Abbey Established in 1088, St Mary’s Abbey was once one of the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. The history of the abbey connects two very important events in England’s history: the abbey was built by order of William the Conqueror as a way of exerting control of the north, and was destroyed under the reign of Henry VIII as a consequence of his Reformation of the church. Visitors can see the remains of the nave and crossing of the abbey church. The walls surrounding the abbey, built in the 1260s, are considered to be the most complete set of abbey walls in the country.

Festivals and Events York Food and Drink Festival One of the most popular festivals in the city, this year the York Food and Drink Festival are running three events in 2019: the Chocolate Festival in April; the Taster Festival in June; and the main festival in September. It’s a complete not-for-profit event; the festivals and demos are free to enter and any money that is made from food and drinks sales goes back into funding for the festival the next year. Their aim is to promote local food and drink producers, to put York on the map as a culinary destination and to provide educational workshops on food and cooking.

Jorvik Viking Festival Possibly the city’s most famous festival, the Jorvik Viking Festival celebrates York’s history as a Viking settlement. It takes place in February every year to coincide with the Viking festival of ‘Jolablot’, which was a celebration to say goodbye to winter and herald the coming of spring. Although you have to pay for some of the events, there are also free events during the week-long festivities. Events include workshops, talks and re-enactments. York Festival of Traditional Dance Taking place in September every year, for two days you will hear the sounds of jingling bells, tapping clogs and clashing sticks during the York Festival of Traditional Dance. Throughout the city you will see over 100 dancers and musicians performing a wide variety of dance styles. York Christmas Market From November to December every year, York is transformed into even more of a wonderland than it usually is. Tens of wooden chalets set up shop selling all kinds of festive goods. The Christmas standards of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and grilled sausages can be found all around the city centre. Kids will love Santa’s grotto and adults will love Thor’s Tipi, a Scandi pop-up bar complete with warm open fires and cosy fur hides. York is a stunning city to visit whatever the season. And with this list of free things to do, you can enjoy the city for less.

[mean-scarlet-deceiver]

Would Nobby ever tell Thomas he saved him from the front lines? I doubt Thomas would remember some old engine in a glass box that literally told him to go sit in a factory for a week and then said he was going to “France” but I wonder if Nobby remembers Thomas? And when he gets big and basically becomes the face of steam locomotives, would Nobby ever reminisce and think “Damn. If I didn’t risk my tender for this kid I didn’t even know, would he still be here? Would Edward still be here? Would anyone know of the “No-Where” Railway and its engines?”

I’m not 100% sure but I think Thomas figured out at some point during/after the second war that Nobby had saved him from a very early death. He does remember that week or so in Barrow because he was so mad for so long after realising that Sodor is definitely not France and that he’d been “tricked”.

Nobby definitely remembers Thomas and on occasion, after a particularly annoying group of youngsters have blown through the museum (decked out, of course, in all the Thomas merch), has doubtless muttered “I should have let that tank engine board that bloody ship” just to relieve his feelings.

He doesn’t mean it of course, he’s well and proud of any life he’s helped save. I don’t think it’s ever occurred to him to take credit for the N.W.R.s prosperity even though you can indeed make a case for it. But FC1 was always ambitious with a terrific head for publicity, and he had become pretty devoted to his railway and engines long before Thomas became famous and, like. Sooo much has happened since that day in 1915. So yeah, you could make that case, but Nobby hasn’t connected that chain of causality and he might argue with you about it if you proposed it.

[mean-scarlet-deceiver]

Fic Snippet: In Buccleuch Docks

I have a snippet from a Nobby WIP that actually touches upon the topics of my last two asks, so... for anyone interested!...

This was a fic toying with inventing a Nobby visit to Barrow (specifically to be displayed in the docks for a week) in the early '60s, mostly as an excuse for me to have him see the steelworks engines and Edward again, for the first time since 1941. Not sure if this is going to be "canon" or not, but it was fun to draft.

1964, maybe

There was a pause, as both watched the great yellow-and-black hammerhead crane slowly swing a piece of container freight. Coppernob was impassive as ever, but Edward was smiling.

It was the blue engine who next spoke. "Town has never been the same without you… I expect you’re getting a good many visitors here?"

"By the train-load," said Coppernob, matter-of-factly. "They really ought to have put me at the new station. Me being here is a disruption to dock operations."

"They may move you, yet. Have you seen the new station?"

"No. But you needn't wrack your smokebox thinking how to break the news gently. I know very well how ugly it is."

Edward smiled again, tamping down a nostalgic sadness that he knew Coppernob wouldn't appreciate. (Or that he would appreciate, but would take aim at anyway, by reflex.) "Gordon complained about the new station every night for two years."

"He left off complaining too soon." Coppernob eyed the younger engine, committing several mechanical alterations to memory. "Are those new frames?"

"No?"

"Don't take that tone with me. Well, if they're the same old, then that paint is doing wonders. New boiler?"

"No."

"Then why did they raise it?"

"They did swap out for a new one, while mine was in repairs, and that one required these braces. It seems they liked the look. I'm still not so sure."

"No one cares what you think, son," said Coppernob dryly. "If you please your directors, it's all that matters."

"Thanks, Nobby. Can always count on you."

"Always. You're still taking main line trains, then?"

"Not often." Edward grew quite animated. "My friend BoCo usually takes this train. He offered it to me for a day so that I could come see you. He's a class 28 — you've seen them, haven't you? The main line diesel-electrics that are stabled here. Do you know, they were built by the company that merged with Vickers?"

"All right, son." Coppernob eyed him askance. Not exactly reproving, but bemused. "I didn't need your friend's life story." A faint blush began to grow on the Seagull's smokebox. "So what do you do these days, when you're not swapping jobs with dodgy diesels?"

"He's not dodgy..."