#rusty rws

[motharaya]

“I wish all diesels were like you. Let's be friends.”

[ladychandraofthemoone]

Saw this meme going on about and had to join in, it fits them so well

Bonus: some alternative rws Duncan pic icon concepts & the og:

[sudriantraveler]

A happy little diesel

And a smug bastard

[duncandonuts06]

IT'S CHRISTMAS, DUNCAN THE HUMBUG!!

Have this little thing I threw together over the last couple of days!

felt like bein sillayyyy and gave them all eyecolor. (Eyecolor stolen from Ferlost teehee not sorry. Just love your designs very much)

Have a safe and Happy Holidays my friends!

[ferlost]

the gang's all here.

[shelli-gator]

First you draw a circle, then a rectangle. And then you draw the rest of the fucking train!

Group drawing fun times with @ferlost @wysteriaisapenguin @rungian @oldslowcoach @gummybuggy and friends! And meeeee! Fun was had by all 💖

[insaneiceshard]

What if Rivulet,,,,,but pokemon sprite...

[calitheheart]

"Skarloey's boys, they call us."

so here's something I've been whittling away at ever since I got back into the railway series - a ttte fire emblem-esque au! it's a niche within a niche but I've had it in my brain for ages and just wanted to get SOMETHING out! Presenting Sodor Cipher!

To start off, some of the members of the Skarloey - Sir Handel, Duncan and Rusty! In my general canon for this au I like to imagine the Skarloey as a Duchy with a heavy emphasis on their physical prowess and mineral mining thanks to their close proximity to the Culdee Fell mountains and the Blue Mountain Quarry - As such, Shane Dooiney is the industry capital for the area. Being far out from the rest of the towns and kingdoms means that many come to the Skarloey for a fresh start, and those that do inevitably forge stronger bonds than they've ever known before. Those bufferbeam-style belts aren't just for show, Skarloey's boys are so good at what they do that they have the sheer force of will to expertly maneuver mining equipment with just their bodies.

As for character bios/ mini backstories (can you tell ive never actually made an au before and dont exactly know the most eloquent way to explain things oop) we've got:

Sir Handel - Once known as Falcon in another kingdom, moved to the Skarloey after receiving a knighthood to get away from the life of a knight. Despite maintaining that he's an excellent mentor, he is rash and impulsive - all for a good cause though, he just wants to get through the day and clock off for some good-old-fashioned banter. Still good with a sword, but prefers to not have to touch it in favour of staunchly gathering resources.

Duncan - Once a lower member of a Mercenary group, he learned that being brutally vocal was the only way to get by. Not a bigot, but not exactly a saint either, he has a hard time letting new people into his life - not exactly the best disposition to have when you're leaving your life behind to work in the chattiest mountains on Sodor. Despite being in a merc group and being a supposed dab hand with an axe, he isn't the most well-travelled.

Rusty - Born in the Mainland before immediately being raised in Skarloey, Rusty has an undying love for the people of the Duchy and the rest of Sodor in general. They have a keen eye for detail and are quick to educate fellow knights on proper conduct - even if they don't exactly ask for it. Rusty runs double duty, conducting inspections in the mining sectors and guarding Crovan's Gate as a surprisingly adept Halberdier.

I'm still working out the specifics of details in this au as it's a blend of each era and general medieval fantasy worldbuilding, so I welcome any and all questions ! <3

[skarloeyspa]

a hot summer's day!

here's my part of my art trade with @glowynviator!!! featuring their rusty and rheneas :3 no lighting/bg version below!

[anonymousboxcar]

TTTE Headcanons: Engines’ TV Habits — Skarloey Railway Edition

I really enjoyed making that post about what some engines on Sodor might like to watch on TV. Here’s one all about the SR!

——————————————

Skarloey likes shows about space and space travel. When out of service in the early 1950s, he often had nothing to do except listen to the radio… which exposed him to the Space Race. It was a nice distraction, taking his mind literal worlds away. He developed a genuine interest and continues to tune into documentaries.

Rheneas sometimes watches meditation programs. After years of running his line alone, he struggles to relax. He can’t follow all the directions, being an engine, but it still helps him feel more present and shake off “crisis mode.” And the gentle music and voiceovers are soothing after a long, hard day’s work.

Peter Sam loves catching dreamy, technicolor Hollywood films when they air. The Wizard of Oz is a favorite, with the “no place like home” message resonating with him over the years. TV musicals and musical episodes are also a big hit with him. He enjoys the high energy of those shows and singing along with them.

Sir Handel watches sports, usually football. Or rather, his crew puts it on during breaks, and he complains about it being loud and stupid… but he always gets sucked in anyway and has a blast. He also watches the news so he can chat with Gordon about “the state of the world” on their connecting trains.

Duncan likes stand-up comedy — the more foul-mouthed, the more he laughs — and anything to do with rock n’ roll. If Top of the Pops features a rock artist, he watches and shimmies in place in the engine equivalent of head-banging. He loves getting caught up in guitar riffs and drumbeats that he feels in his frames.

Rusty tunes into home renovation shows. Being a maintenance diesel, they’re curious about the ways humans repair houses and buildings. They also watch shows like Too Cute. This is partly because cute animals are cute animals, but also because they love dragging Duncan along and watching him try not to melt over kittens and puppies. (His record is three minutes.)

Fred, as someone often on weedkiller duty, started to watch gardening shows for tips. He soon became interested in cultivation in general. Now he’s a regular viewer so he can better look after the line-side wildflowers and the station flowerbeds. He hopes to convince the Thin Controller to set up a community vegetable garden, too.

Ivo Hugh watches a lot of animated shows, particularly those to do with superheroes. Aside from enjoying the flashy action sequences and dramatic storylines, he appreciates their moral questions. They spark interesting conversations with the older engines around him. He comes away feeling like he knows himself better… and that none of the heroes on TV compare to the ones he talks to every day.

Duke has strait-laced habits: local news, talking heads, and the occasional program about railways. Or at least, that’s what he wants you to think. He secretly enjoys the show Jeeves and Wooster. He relates to Jeeves, a competent butler who fixes the messes that his well-meaning but barmy employer gets himself into. He would never admit this for fear of hurting His Grace’s feelings.

(He doesn’t know that Sir Robert also loves the show, finding it to lampoon the sort of pretentious, nasty aristocrats who call him improper and ridiculous.)

[railwayseriesbookcast]

Trucks!

The Little Old Engine starts now! A classic book for many reasons, join us here at Railway Series Book Club as we meet new characters, learn about the TR and it's rolling stock, and say hello to a special guest!

[traintrainingmontage]

Te's Narrow-Gauge Ships in a Nutshell

Skarloey x Neil (Neilloey):

Starcrossed lovers who decided to call themselves married the night before one of them disappears during the war. Skarloey and Neil had always been close, ever since Skarloey had arrived on Sodor. When WWI broke out, the two decided to be married, with their loving crews tying ropes around their buffers in an approximation of handfasting as Robert Sam officiated their ceremony. They promised each other that they would live through the war, but even though they both did, once the war ended, Neil's whereabouts were unknown. Luckily for both of them, Neil had ended up in the back of an abandoned warehouse, and through a series of connections, is unearthed in the modern day. He's taken by the SR, restored, and finally, FINALLY, Skarloey has his other half back, the only engine other than Rheneas he can be vulnerable around, the one who grounds him when he gets bouncy, the one who feeds into all of his schemes and jokes. Neil is grounding; easy-going; calm, kind, and collected; and just what Skarloey needs when he doesn't need to FIX the problem--just vent about it. Skarloey, for his part, is sprightly, energetic, insightful, and clever, and Neil always appreciates the joy that Skarloey brings to each and every day. His laughter colors Neil's entire world, and being back together gives them both a sense of rightness that they were both deeply missing. Expanded Neilloey thoughts here!

Rheneas x Stepney (Rhenney):

Lovers who could never last. They met in the summer of 1962 when Stepney came to Sodor and Rheneas had gotten back from the works. Stepney had just been entered into preservation and was being paraded as a mascot; Rheneas had just returned to his railway after being overhauled. Both of them feel like fish out of water; for Rheneas, the last time the line was this nice was when it was new, almost 100 years ago, and he's never had permanent co-workers before. He's home, but... home is more crowded than he remembers. Stepney gets that; for Stepney, he's not used to being on such a short line. There's a sense of adjustment that they're both struggling to navigate, and with Stepney being on Sodor, the two of them finding another engine that they can deeply relate to in this way is incredibly meaningful. It's not hard to fall in love with the other, really; they mirror each other, a standard-gauge engine out of place among his fellows, a narrow-gauge engine feeling the same. The right place at the right time. But it could never last, could never be anything more than a sweet summer fling; Stepney can't stay, and Rheneas can't leave. But for that one sweet summer, they have found their other halves, and that summer will remain etched in their minds forever, captured only in the letters that their supportive drivers pen on their behalf. This is the relationship most likely to be queerplatonic versus romantic, but I do rather like the extra layer that the romance adds, particularly if Rheneas only realizes it's love while listening to his driver read Stepney's letters and hearing the adoration buried in between the lines.

Sir Handel x Peter Sam:

Wholesome lovers who are one specific flavor of the grumpy one loves the sunshine trope, but also have depth beyond that. These two are quite sweet together--even as they're teasing each other about their various upgrades, Sir Handel can also be vulnerable around Peter Sam and knows that he can trust him with his life. He can trust Peter Sam with his vulnerabilities and fears. If he's being serious, Peter Sam won't laugh or put him down. He'll just listen and support him. And for Peter Sam, he loves Sir Handel because despite Sir Handel's arrogance and ego getting in his way (even if it eases up later), Peter Sam can see the good in him. The pride that pushes him. The ability to admit and reflect on his mistakes. The willingness to learn from other engines, such as Skarloey. The desire to do well even when he claims he hates working (and frankly, I don't think he does; I do think that as the express engine of the Mid-Sodor, he's fearful of messing up at the beginning and lets his preconceptions about what he should be able to do override the reality of having to navigate a new railway, new coaches, and new coworkers, so because he doesn't want to fail, he claims he doesn't want to work). Peter Sam has seen him become a better engine over the course of their tenure at the Skarloey Railway, and he absolutely loves that about him.

Rusty x Duncan:

Another flavor of grumpy/sunshine, but different from Sir Handel and Peter Sam. Rusty is calm and kind and has a heart of gold, as well as a strong work ethic. Duncan, of course, is rude and brash and prickly. However, once Duncan overcomes his initial distrust of Rusty, I feel that they warm up to each other quite quickly. Rusty makes Duncan feel safe in a way that he's not quite used to, but can't get enough of. He's the odd one out on the Skarloey for multiple reasons, including his factory work and the fact that he's not from Sodor, but being around Rusty makes him think that such things don't really matter nearly as much as he'd thought. He can let his guard down around Rusty; with the little diesel, he can rest. As for Rusty, I think Duncan is their closest friend in a lot of ways. Skarloey and Rheneas have been running the railway by themselves for so long, and are mentor figures to all the younger engines on the railway (including these two). Sir Handel and Peter Sam knew each other long before coming to the SR. Thus, Rusty and Duncan are the two "new engines" on the block, and this brings them closer together. Rusty also loves how fiercely Duncan both loves and lives his life, and while he can certainly be grumpy, Rusty is the only one privileged enough to see his softer side.

Duke x Stanley (Smudger in the TVS):

Another doomed love, with the potential of a redemption arc. I have often imagined that Stanley's attitude toward carelessness and spills concealed worries of inadequacy, but the Mid-Sodor management decided to give a rather draconian punishment for his actions, and he ended up abandoned in a flooded mine. Stanley was remorseful after he lost his wheels and was turned into a pumping engine, and if able to be rescued, I can imagine him trying to repair his relationship with Duke, especially if Duke was initially against him for his apparent carelessness. However, after seeing the Mid-Sodor's punishment for him and seeing how his defiant personality softened into something more genuine and remorseful, Duke decided to try getting along with Stanley and would ask to be parked near the shed so that Stanley would be less alone. After a few years of late-night talks, they became incredibly close, with Duke appreciating Stanley as an equal rather than him being another granchuff like Sir Handel and Peter Sam. It was only after Stanley was put in the mine that Duke realized the extent of his feelings for the other engine, but by then, it was far too late. It was only thanks to fate's meddling that the two were reunited in the 1970s, with Stanley barely able to believe that Duke remembered him, much less petitioned the management of the SR to rescue him. Duke's granchuffs, of course, know full well how much of a stubborn bulldog Duke can be when it comes to not letting go of his loved ones, so really, this is par for the course. But either way, Stanley is mistrustful of the SR and everyone on it at first, butting heads with some of the more fiery personalities, but once it becomes clear that the SR really is as much of a found family as they seem, he finds himself being dragged along by their pace until he feels right at home. What Duke loves about Stanley is that he brings out Duke's less elegant side. With Stanley, he can laugh loudly and let loose in a way that he's not comfortable doing in front of most others. He takes great pride in his knowledge of etiquette and elegance, to the point that it can be hard to bond with others when they want to be more casual, but with Stanley, it feels easy. He's seen the real Stanley, beneath all the bluster, and finds that this is an engine that he can truly be comfortable around. For Stanley, Duke is his confidante, his closest friend, the one who always cared about him even when he was at his worst. He didn't see Stanley's punishment and think that he deserved it; he saw Stanley's punishment and was compassionate instead.

[baldwin-10-12-d]

SKR incorrect quote:

Sir Handel: *wins a game of connect four* Bingo!

Duncan: actually it's check mate!

Rheneas: Nuh uh it's uno!

Rusty: wha

Skarloey: ???

Duke and Bertram: *looks at each other confused*

Fred, Freddie, Mighty Mac, Peter Sam, Ivo hugh, Stanley and Smudger: we're surrounded by idiots

I hope I've tagged the correct characters

[sudriantraveler]

Did you know that Pendre Sheds on the Talyllyn Railway used to have a small cottage built into it, originally for the railway's chief engineer to live in?

With that in mind, I think it was a missed opportunity in The Railway Series to not have Mr. Hugh live in the sheds with the Skarloey engines.

[duskstargazer]

[1969]

Duke gazed up at the darkening sky.

“Be careful out there, Stuart. It’s going to rain.”

“Two things, Granpuff. One, I’m Peter Sam, and two, are you sure? Those look like ordinary clouds to me.”

“No, the wind’s picking up. And it's getting humid, too. We’ll have a downpour in about half an hour.”

“Then it’s a good thing we just finished repairing that rough patch near Rheneas Bridge!”

Duke and Peter Sam looked over, as Rusty purred into the yard. They’d already left the works coach with the others, and were making their way to the shed to rest.

“Who… are you?” Duke’s old eyes hardened.

“I’m Rusty.” The little diesel replied, hesitantly.

The old engine arched an eyebrow. “I meant your name.”

“Oh! No, Rusty is my name - it comes from my designers, Ruston & Hornsby.”

Duke bit his lip. He muttered something under his breath.

“…Granpuff?” Peter Sam looked over at the old engine.

“Ruston… and Hornsby…” Duke seemed to test the words as he spoke them. He didn’t seem to enjoy the taste. “And what do you do, Rusty?”

“I’m an inspection diesel. I handle the maintenance work, and help Mr. Hugh see to any part of the line that needs repairs.”

Duke closed his eyes, though he looked far from calm.

“Not again…” he whispered.

Peter Sam bit his lip anxiously. He began to speak, but Duke broke the silence before he could.

“My apologies.” He said, quickly. “The past three decades have not been kind, but I do not intend to take that out on you, Rusty. I should go and prepare my train. I will see you both after the journey. Goodbye.”

Peter Sam and Rusty watched as the old engine made his way swiftly out of the shed.

“Should we have told him his train isn’t due out for another twenty minutes?” Peter Sam asked, to no one in particular.

[transsexualunderground]

happy 5/5 to all the no. 5s out there