#water lorry

[amthorinternational]

Why a Custom-Built Water Truck is the Best Investment for Your Business

When it comes to water transportation, choosing the right vehicle for your business needs is critical. Whether you're in construction, agriculture, landscaping, or disaster relief, a custom-built water truck offers unparalleled advantages over standard models. At Amthor International, we specialize in crafting water tanker trucks tailored to meet your unique requirements. Here’s why investing in a custom-built water truck is the smartest choice for your business.

Tailored to Your Specific Needs

One of the main benefits of a custom-built potable water tanker is that it’s designed to meet your exact specifications. Whether you need a vehicle for transporting drinking water, irrigation, or dust suppression, a custom solution ensures the features you require are integrated into the design. For instance, you can choose the tank size, material, pump systems, and accessories that align with your operational needs.

Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity

A custom-built water tanker is optimized for your workflow, saving you time and resources. Unlike off-the-shelf models, which may include unnecessary features or lack essential ones, a tailored water truck eliminates inefficiencies. This means quicker filling and discharge times, better maneuverability, and improved overall performance in the field.

Durability and Longevity

Every business owner knows that durability is key when investing in equipment. Custom-built water tanker trucks from Amthor International are constructed with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship. This ensures your water lorry can withstand tough conditions and heavy use, providing a longer lifespan and better return on investment.

Compliance with Industry Standards

Different industries have unique regulations and standards, especially when it comes to transporting potable water. A custom-built potable water tanker ensures full compliance with all applicable health and safety guidelines. This is particularly important for businesses that deliver drinking water or operate in regulated environments.

Cost-Effective in the Long Run

While a custom tanker truck water solution may have a higher upfront cost, it’s a cost-effective choice in the long run. Tailored features reduce maintenance expenses and increase operational efficiency. Additionally, a durable, high-performance truck minimizes downtime, maximizing your business's profitability.

A Professional Image

A custom-designed watering truck not only performs better but also enhances your brand's professional image. A well-maintained, specialized truck demonstrates your commitment to quality and reliability, building trust with your clients and partners.

Why Choose Amthor International?

At Amthor International, we understand that no two businesses are the same. That’s why we offer customizable solutions for water tanker trucks, ensuring you get a product that fits your exact needs. Our expert team works closely with you to design and build a truck that meets and exceeds your expectations.

From potable water transportation to irrigation and dust suppression, our custom water trucks are built to handle it all. Contact us today to learn more about how a custom-built water truck can transform your business operations.

[miningequipmenthire]

Top-Quality Quarry Mining and Construction Equipment: Lorry Water Tanks by Comet Equipment

In the high-demand industries of quarry mining and construction, reliable equipment forms the backbone of productivity. Comet Equipment understands the unique needs of these sectors and supplies top-grade quarry mining and construction equipment designed to perform under pressure. Among the essential components we offer are lorry water tanks, which play a vital role in dust suppression, machinery cleaning, and on-site fire management.

Our quarry mining and construction equipment delivers unmatched durability and efficiency for tough Australian conditions. From dust-laden quarry sites to heavy-duty construction zones, our solutions keep operations smooth and safe. The lorry water tank stands out as a versatile addition to your fleet, ensuring your site stays dust-free and compliant with safety regulations. Dust control not only improves air quality but also extends the life of machinery, keeping maintenance costs lower and productivity higher.

Comet Equipment’s lorry water tanks come in a variety of sizes, so you can match the capacity to your operational needs. Each tank design incorporates robust materials to withstand harsh environments and heavy usage, delivering long-lasting performance. Our tanks also include advanced spray nozzles and pump options, which allow operators to adjust water flow rates, maximising water efficiency across large work areas.

In addition to dust suppression, lorry water tanks help in keeping equipment clean and ready for use. Clean equipment functions more effectively and reduces downtime, which saves on both time and costs. With easy-access ports and user-friendly maintenance features, our water tanks support routine checks and straightforward cleaning. This focus on ease of use means less time spent on maintenance and more time devoted to essential on-site tasks.

Comet Equipment prioritises quality and reliability in all our products. Our quarry mining and construction equipment, including lorry water tanks, meets the rigorous demands of the industry, providing peace of mind and lasting value. If you want to keep your mining or construction site efficient and safe, explore our range today and see how Comet Equipment can make a difference in your operations.

Source

[puppyandmau]

Fuso Tipper for Sale in Kenya: Tough and Efficient

Looking for a reliable tipper truck? Check out the Fuso tipper for sale in Kenya. Perfect for construction and heavy-duty applications, this truck offers superior payload capacity and durability. The Fuso FJ 1623 offer is a powerhouse in the Kenyan trucking industry, known for its exceptional performance and reliability. Discover the versatility and dependability of Fuso Canter trucks for sale, perfect for businesses in Kenya.

[livingstyleup]

Mitsubishi Canter Truck Spare Parts & Fuso Tipper for Sale in Kenya

Explore our wide selection of Mitsubishi Canter truck spare parts and Fuso tippers for sale in Kenya. Whether you need genuine replacement parts or a reliable Fuso tipper truck, we offer quality products to meet your commercial vehicle needs. Contact us today to find out more about our inventory and competitive pricing in Kenya.

[onlinewordworld]

Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, Fighter, and 10-Wheeler Trucks for Sale - Find Your Ideal FUSO Truck Today

Discover the perfect Mitsubishi Fuso truck for your business needs. Browse through our extensive range of FUSO Canter, Fighter (FK/FM), and 10-wheeler trucks. Our inventory includes single and double cab variants, manual and automatic transmission options, and a wide range of customizable features. Find a FUSO dealer near you, book a service, or explore our value-added services to lower your total cost of ownership. With FUSO Genuine Parts and FUSO Genuine Service, keep your truck running smoothly and reduce downtime. Contact your nearest dealer today to learn more about our FUSO trucks for sale.

[aurianneor]

Zero emission transport

Producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water using various primary sources of carbon-free energy (wind, sun, water) could prove useful for trucks (which contribute 25% of CO2 emissions in the transport sector), public transport and boats. Unlike electric cars, which consume lithium, the use of which is harmful to the environment, hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water is perfectly ecological. As lorries, public transport and container ships make recurring journeys, it would be possible to set up a green hydrogen supply.

What’s more, solar and wind farms are often shut down because they produce too much electricity. We could use this (free) surplus energy to electrolyse hydrogen reserves instead of wasting it. So 100% green hydrogen would quickly make large quantities of fuel available in stock.

Finally, if there’s a polluting factory next door, we can recover the CO2 from its chimney to make methane using the same installation.

Jupiter 1000 : l’aventure du Power to Gas: https://youtu.be/KfVsW1n2_Hw

L’hydrogène : miracle ou mirage énergétique ? | Les questions qui fâchent | ARTE: https://youtu.be/mr_3A3Rq8fA

------------------------------------------------------------------

Le flou artistique des voitures écologiques: https://www.aurianneor.org/le-flou-artistique-des-voitures-ecologiques-i/

Tomorrow – Chap 2: L’énergie: https://www.aurianneor.org/tomorrow-chap-2-lenergie-demainlefilm/

Energy and Civilization – Vaclav Smil: https://www.aurianneor.org/how-energy-makes-life-possible-bill-gates/

Healthy Road: https://www.aurianneor.org/healthy-road-be-healthier-with-fewer-traffic/

Piste scooter / Moto: https://www.aurianneor.org/piste-scooter-moto-healthy/

Le transport zéro émission: https://www.aurianneor.org/le-transport-zero-emission/

[wisteriagoesvroom]

Would you ever consider writing Carcar where Lando accidentally finds out about them and decides to wait for them to come clean…only it’s been nearly 6 months and Lando is fit to burst, but they both seem happy and he doesn’t want to meddle?!?

that would be a funny epilogue to at a constant speed wouldn’t it??

mainly it’s because oscar and carlos aren’t subtle like, at all. little hints here and there.

carlos starting to smile at oscar at the driver’s parade even if the fans only ever catch oscar staring for a beat too long, and never smiling back. the fans suspect oscar has food poisoning. the carcar believers think something is up.

oscar spends texting too long to carlos, talking about the history of like, lorries that cross the australian desert or something. lando asks if oscar is “writing an essay or something”. oscar blushes and says, “no, i’m making a point”. lando says “ah so you’re writing an essay then.”

carlos walks into the mclaren motor home, chats to lando, and tosses a pack of double-layered tim tams at oscar who catches it stoically. lando stares at them both and once carlos leaves, goes: “you’re on talking terms now?” and oscar says “if you noticed, we actually weren’t talking.” then goes back to staring at his chess game on his phone.

carlos and oscar go dolphin watching in the off season for some inexplicable reason. carlos thinks it will be funny. oscar is not sure why he goes along with this. it turns out to be kind of romantic. carlos never lies to lando and says “i am going dolphin watching.” oscar just says “i’m on a boat.” lando is getting very suspicious now.

and at one point:

carlos eats a specific type of spanish mackerel as part of his meal plan and lando is over at oscar’s monaco place and carlos has to quickly leave the house and hide somewhere (“this is undignified,” he tells oscar before he makes himself scarce). lando goes to open a cupboard to get some water and then sees the specific tin of fish and is like. OMG! I KNEW IT, BOTH OF YOU

there is also a polaroid that carlos took of oscar when they both cycled to a hilltop once. oscar eventually sticks that one near his sim rig. “spite motivation”, or so he tells himself.

[sashi-ya]

𝑻𝑶 𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑨𝑳 𝑨 𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑻. Trafalgar Law x F! Reader

🌨 a/n: so I recently been to Austria, a country I often visit since it's literally like a dream. (plus, my mom knew she was pregnant with me there, so I was used to come back to Innsbruck as much as I could with her). But in any case I got inspired there to write this little fic, that might -or not- be a multi chapter one if you all like it. The place exists and the scam part, happened to me -kinda, the airbnb existed, but not as it was listed :P- but in any case, please enjoy and don't forget to leave some feedback if you want more~ ❄ tw: a very sfw story, that might evolve into something else if you want me to keep writing about their trip 😏 ☃ wc: 2.6k

Hijacking for the first time, what could go wrong? Maybe everything, maybe nothing.

A two-month long trip all around Europe has found you on a little village of Austria. Your boots are cold, but luckily they are snow proof ones. Your skin all bumpy, your cheeks irritated. It’s been snowing all night, and despite the sun rising for now, some clouds in the sky menace with more white blessing to fall upon your shoulders very soon.

Those little mountain streets around the Alps are wonderful, they surround mountains going up and down and in a spiral way. But those are wonderful, as long as you can drive a car with heating. And you don’t have one right now.

The crunchy sound of the snow beneath your boots mix with the melody of a glacial river running in between the mountain and the road. It is certainly beautiful, the little rocks and stones being bathed by such pure and cold water, the rests of dry leaves and some moss growing on an everlasting shadow casted by tall, enormous peaks.  Everything is worth taking a picture, but you should prioritize your battery life this time around. The GPS is sometimes wonky, being that high can affect the service.

Many cars have passed by, but none of them have stopped. Little lorries carrying logs pass, cars completely drenched in dirty snow and that mix of salt that roads have during winters.

However, just when your hopes for finding someone to at least give you a ride to the next village were about to run out, the yellow shine of an old VW ban flashes before your eyes.

There, behind a curve -a very dangerous one if you ever went to the mountains- something smells like smoke and a tall man of white furry hat swears up to the skies.

You walk towards him, carefully. Who knows what is happening? Who knows who that man is capable of? There is one thing you are sure, however, and it is that this man is absolutely mad at his old van.

When peaking behind a dark wooden tree that’s now covered in spots of white snow, you discover the annoyed man is a young -handsome- one.

His van, a little rusty but still cute, seems to be having problems to keep going and the smoke coming from it shows it very well.

“Sir? Sir! Your van is catching fire!” you announce, realizing the smoke is indeed a very serious issue.

The guy of chocolate skin and tattooed hands turns around to look immediately at you and then to the back of the van. Those 70’s vehicles had actually their engines right in the back instead of the front.

And Indeed, you were right. Apparently the climb had been too tough for the poor old VW and its engine couldn’t take it any longer.

He quickly opens the back door, maybe searching for a fire extinguisher while you grab fistfuls of snow in an attempt to put down the incipient flames. Quickly enough, and with not many damages to count, the fire stops, and the only thing left is a big black spot on the back of the caravan.

“Thank you” he says, as dry as hopefully your socks. “No problem. What happened? Did the engine over heat?” you ask, curious despite his “I don’t want friends” face. “Yes; these hills are no joke. This never happened to my Polar, but there is always a first time…” he sighs, assessing the damage with a sad expression.

Apparently his van has a name; “Polar”. That’s very cute, and his eyes too. A golden shine in them looks even beautiful with the pristine white around. His tattoos do as well. You wonder about his name, and what is he doing on the road, but you are not sure if it’s proper to ask. However, he asks first.

“What are you doing here? do you have a car?” he mumbles, his voice is as attractive as he is. His eyes scan the place, but nothing catches his attention.

“No, I am actually hijacking. No one stopped so I started walking before the sun starts going down. I definitely got scammed; the Airbnb I was supposed to stay in didn’t, in fact, exist.

He grunts, almost silently. Apparently he is not happy with what happened to you but that’s it.

“Well, that’s so unsafe. I am sorry I can’t give you a ride right now. Apparently none of us have been blessed with good luck today” he says, walking around his vehicle with long legs covered in spotted jeans.

You nod. Your tongue is aching to ask about him, but you clearly catch the hint… he doesn’t want you there.

“Yep. Well, I wish you luck! I must keep going” “Same to you, be careful”

He doesn’t even look at you, something that makes you -somehow- very sad. In any case, you start walking away. There is no point in staying there… even if you have great mechanical skills that could help.

And as you do, you also have a very, very loud consciousness voice screaming at you on how could you leave him with no solution if you know it…

“Sir, you should check your water level…”  you shout, a few meters away from him. The sound of your voice echoes in the huge natural immensity of the Alps and his golden eyes finally fall upon you.

He stops moving for some seconds, lost in you. You, as well, wait for him to say something else. Something like “stay with me” or “don’t go”. A total stranger you want to hang up with. A total unknown woman he wants to protect.

“You know how to fix this?” “I do…”

Or so that was what you thought.  

No more than a couple of minutes took you to help him out. VW vans are noble machines; they are durable and easy to fix despite their particular design. And soon, as a part of your payment, the man that you learned is called Law and you drove away through intricate roads and huge snowflakes.

“Where are you going, (Name)-ya?” he asks, handing you an old cover from an old comic, Germa 66.

“I was supposed to stay for a couple of days in Bad Goisern, and then I thought of visiting Salzburg. I am on a long trip through Europe. What about you?”  you ask, cuddling with the blanket. A certain blessing for your freezing hands.

He nods, checking the breaks before going down the hill.

“I am too. I just graduated medical school and I thought of taking a little vacation before my residency starts. I’m going to be a surgeon. A cardiac surgeon” he tells, full of dreams he fails to cover up behind a tough guy expression.

You celebrate his success, and the next couple of hours become a ping pong of questions and answers. A smile on your face that leaves your cheeks hurting accompanies you until the sun hides and the little lights on the mountains start to scatter.

You didn’t want to go down in the first village, nor the second, nor the third. Law, didn’t want you to go down his van either. You named Salzburg, and he promised you to take you there.

But the night found both of you, and apparently your mechanical skills weren’t as good as you thought the would… Polar decided to stop, in the middle of nowhere during a dark, very dark winter night.

You close your eyes as the sound of rusty gears fail and Law’s annoyance grows stronger than ever. When Polar finally loses all of the power, Law manages to agonizingly park on the side of the road and a huge sighs escapes his lips.

You peak through your left eye; his DEATH tattooed fingers squeeze the wheel, and you know he will snap at any moment. But he doesn’t…

“I’m sorry. I thought- I-“ you try to give a plausible apologize, even though you had nothing to do with it.

“No. It is not your fault… it is mine- As we didn’t stop, I have completely forgotten to fuel Polar up” Law says, absolutely mortified for such stupid mistake. Apparently you were enough distraction to keep him from the basics of road tripping.

You breath alleviated and try to stop your upcoming laughter. Your grimacing did nothing to hide it, and a big burst of laughter took over the van and everything around.

Law looks at you pissed, but a soft smirk garnishes his lips. You can’t stop, perhaps it isn’t that funny… but you feel so happy right now. And you have no idea why, since you are literally stranded in a very dark wood with temperatures below 0C and snow pooling on top of that van.

“Welp, it’s ok. We should wait until tomorrow, then” you say, knowing the risks. “You- you prefer spending the night in here? aren’t you afraid of dying?” he asks, surprised.

“I am, in fact, scared of dying. That’s why I know very well I can’t walk during a snowstorm in the middle of the night in the Alps. Plus, you are too sweet to be considered a threat” you joke, searching for some chocolate inside your backpack.

Law narrows his eyes, deepening his frown. Apparently being called “sweet” and “not a threat” is not something he enjoys.

“I could cut you open and took all of your organs out during the night” he says, serious as hell. “Go for it. Don’t forget to steal my heart, doctor” you laugh, taking your jacket off.

Law is flabbergasted; he has never confronted someone like you before… but he is beginning to like it now.

A bar of chocolate that you had kept in your backpack for too long lays too close to his nose. You shake it, offering its sweetness to him.

He takes it but doesn’t eat it. Instead, his hand gets pressed against the window behind you. Law has pinned you against the door of your side. He is not a very muscular man, but he is indeed very tall and lean… if he wanted, he could do anything to you.

Your eyes widen, big as the moon. You swallow, thinking maybe walking through the forest might be a safer option.

“L-Law… I- didn’t mean to-“ you tremble, asking yourself where did you put the Victorinox blade you bought in Switzerland… it should be enough to defend yourself, right?

You notice his chest is also tattooed as his clothes open just a little. His arms, are too. His scent, despite the danger, smells deliciously tempting…

“Don’t trust strangers that easily, (Name)-ya” he whispers, a few centimetres from your lips. Letting you go after and biting the chocolate bar as if nothing has just happened.

You remain there, frozen up with your eyes widen and your lips softly trembling. He is, in fact, very right. Law is indeed a stranger, after all.

When oxygen finally begins to reach your lungs and brain again, you move and blink the dry eyes away. Silently you sit back, properly. You aren’t able to say anything, somehow you have run out of words.

You squeeze the blanket he gave you, covering you as much as you could, making yourself as tiny as possible on that old leather seat.

“Are you ok?” he asks, so nonchalantly.

“Ye-yes, I’m… ok” you mumble back, almost sticking yourself to the passenger door. “Is it ok if I go to sleep? I’m tired”

Law nods, confused. Maybe he was just joking around, but it did scare you big time. He goes down the van and opens the back doors. You look at him disappearing in the darkness until a very little glimpse of silver light coming from the moon filters through the doors.

But, soon after, fairy lights illuminate the back allowing you to discover a very cozy space behind the front seats.

“I am glad I installed this independently from the fuel tank. I have a little power generator for the back. It’s not a hotel bed, but it does the job” he says, showing you a precarious mattress covering the entire floor of the vehicle.

You smile softly, it looks cozy and pretty. The walls are full of random posters and maps, and there is even an old picture of a younger Law with three more guys wearing fancy hats with something written in the snow. You take a closer look at it, to discover it says, “Pirates of Heart” and you giggle. What a peculiar gang name.

“Law, this is really cute. You even have a lot of blankets and cushions!” you chime, easing a little bit.

“My best friend Bepo decorated it for me, I only helped him with the lights” he says, a little embarrassed.

You jump right back, leaving your backpack in the front seat and forgetting everything for the moment. What a reckless lover girl.

“I am going to sleep in the front seat, don’t worry. Use as many blankets as you need” he informs you, closing the back doors and leaving you there. You most probably were to say “no, stay here” but you simply couldn’t.

After all, this tattooed doctor is a gentleman. Right?

You let yourself rest for a bit on that improvised bed, with your sight blurring while looking at the fairy lights. The scent of the blankets and pillows is the same as him, something you secretly enjoy without even knowing. You catch a glimpse of the reflection of him sitting in the front through the back windows, at how he takes his hat off revealing a dark shade of onyx spiky hair.

For the next half an hour, or maybe less, you both become silent. The only sounds are the huge slaps of snow falling from the sky against the van and the subtle whistle of the wind filtering through the doors.

It is cold, but it’s probably colder in the front as Law is only using his Germa 66 blanket to cover up…

“Law? Are you awake?” you ask, shyly.

“Mh? Yes... why?” he asks back, with not much emotion but a soft tremble on his voice. He is probably cold, very cold.

“I feel bad for you; you must be freezing. There is plenty of room back here, you could sleep here. It’s ok with me” you say, taking advantage of not being in front of him.

Law takes a few minutes to move, but he ultimately does. He hops to where you are and sits there crossing his long legs. He is not wearing his black leather boots, so you can see Sora’s socks.

“Cool socks” you say, sitting right in front of him watching his cheeks go blushed. “Here, cover up. You are freezing, doc”

Both of you cover up with heavy blankets and fall into the mattress at the same time, facing each other.

Maybe, it is too strong to deny it. The attraction is natural, and you both can’t stop it… Exactly like the wind and cold reaching your skins.

“I am still cold” you mumble.

“I read in one of my books that the best way to keep the warmth of our bodies is to share it… skin to skin” he whispers, unable to take his eyes away from your lips.

“Is that so?” you breathe, coming closer to his embrace, allowing his arms to surround your frame and your hips to join with the other’s.

His forehead slowly touches yours, the bridge of your noses do as well. Your fingers, playfully but slowly, crawl to the crook of his neck. While his, squeeze your waist with delicate dominance. A leg that snake into the other’s, crossing, tangling…

Lips coming closer, so close. Breaths warming up, going faster and bumpy. Hearts that indeed had been stolen, the first kiss of two strangers, meeting for the very first time like two snowflakes join while falling from an endless sky

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤWill they continue their journey together? 🦢

[daniswoso]

You’re ill.

Vivianne Miedema x reader.

Warnings: illness, viv being overprotective, reader is sick, MINOR illness fluff.

Summary: You’re ill and try to hide it, safe to say it doesn’t last long.

************

You were ill. You knew it, you could feel it coming even a few days before.

And apparently everyone else knew, too. So that meant a tall, overprotective Dutch woman known as Vivianne Miedema also knew. Which meant that with no doubt she wouldn't allow you to do even a minute of training, let alone a match.

"Y/N!" Her voice rang out around the Arsenal locker room.

"Shit." You grumbled as Leah chuckled and Kyra threw you a sympathetic smile, which you returned. "Hey, love, what's up?" You asked innocently, trying to make your voice sound less hoarse than it actually was.

"How could you not tell me you were ill!?" She asked, passing you one of her hoodies before pressing a cold face cloth to your forehead and pressing the back of her hand to your cheeks, trying to gauge your temperature.

"I'm sorry, love." You sniffled, resting you head against her, as she wrapped her arms around you and pulled you closer.

"God, you're going to be the death of me." She murmurs, kissing your temple. "It's okay, love, we'll get you home yeah?"

You don't even have time to think, you just knew you had heard the word 'home' and nodded, nearly falling asleep against your partners chest there and then.

The Arsenal girls bid their goodbyes to the both of you as Vivianne led you out to the car, your body almost a dead weight against her side, your head resting against her as you fought to stay awake.

Eventually she manages to get you into the front seat of the car, your teeth chattering slightly. "Are you cold, babe?" She asks, checking your temperature and grimacing when she saw you had broken out into a cold sweat.

You nod as she lays a blanket over your lap, which you smile weakly, but gratefully, for.

You end up falling asleep on the car ride home, the last thing you see being the gleam of the satnav in Viv's car, only to wake up to the soft gleam of the living room lights in your shared flat.

"Love?" You croak out, sitting up before a wave of nausea and dizziness hits you full force, making you lay back down and curl in on yourself as you desperately tried to stop the bile from climbing up your throat.

"Hey, love. You feel any better?" She asks tentatively, placing down a tray with a cup of tea, a small glass of water and soup on it down, before plonking a box of ibuprofen and paracetamol down too. You weakly shake your head, grateful gulping down some of the tea, the warm, honey-infused liquid soothing your throat.

"Not really. Kinda feels like Ive been hit by a lorry." You chuckled weakly, sitting up as she helps you get comfy, letting you take your meds.

You fall asleep not long after, wrapped up in Viv's arms. It was pure bliss.

Until she sneezed.

"Well, guess we're both sick now." You snickered weakly, kissing her cheek sloppily.

She grimaced as she wiped her cheek, giving you a half-hearted disapproving glare before smiling and rolling her eyes, "Yeah, no thanks to you, love."

You both chuckle and end up falling asleep wrapped up in each others arms.

And a few days later, when you'd recovered, Viv did indeed come down with the same horrid affliction you had.

*********

A/N: enjoy!!

[elfven-blog]

Complacent (2)

Summary: It's the prison break scene from the game! But with more water!

Orca!Merman!Connor Kenway x Reader A mini series.

CW: Connor in too small a tank again (But not for long!)

Dedication: Still to the lovely @ramshackledtrickster (who I also commissioned for the art of Ratonhnhake:ton in this chapter)

Word count: 1.5K

You didn’t realise just how hard it would actually be to get the large merman out of his enclosure. Had spent hours agonising over plans to get Ratonhnhakè:ton out of that aquarium. (and possibly still keep your job)

At some point you’d managed to get in contact with people from other aquariums, or those who didn’t agree with what was happening. There was even some captain who had been involved in the capturing of them.

He had told the story of the hunting trips he’s been on, how the eyes of the merfolk had haunted him so much he’d nearly drank himself to death. How that was when he knew he needed to do something to help.

Captain Faulkner had agreed to help you, if you needed his boat to get Connor out and where he needed to go. He also happened to own a rather large lorry that you had been trying to figure out how to turn into a tank.

If you could get the large Orca out of his enclosure and into the lorry. You could get him to the ocean.

But it was very difficult to try and make a plan when said Orca kept trying to have all of your attention. At some point the director had put a stop to your visits to Connor’s enclosure and had some other keeper cover for his main ones when they couldn’t be there.

And Ratonhnhake:ton had decided to show his displeasure and protest by refusing to eat. He also was rarely surfacing at this point, his keepers had tried everything. Which had resulted in him nearly biting someone, not that you thought he would, he probably just bared his teeth and snarled.

Now you had the rest of the plan sorted. You just had to figure out how to get him out. It was your day off and you were ‘visiting’ the aquarium as a guest with your friend, Desmond. All under the guise of getting some kind of an idea.

Ratonhnhake:ton was still not available for the public, which was good for you, but unfortunately meant as you weren’t on schedule that you couldn’t technically go see him. Luckily for you, Desmond had a penchant for getting into places he wasn’t meant to be.

And the moment you had told him about the large merman it was like a fire was lit under his ass and he almost demanded to be involved in your plan. 

Your eyes shifted around to make sure no one was watching as Desmond messed with the lock on the door. He had been worried about the cameras but rolled his eyes and let out “oh of course!” when you told him they didn’t actually work, they were just there to scare potential thieves.

It took him less than a minute to open the door as you looked at him in wonder, your mouth open and eyes blinking slowly. Desmond shrugged as he closed your mouth “You might catch flies you know?” 

His words made you roll your eyes as you gently swatted his arm before walking through the door, you could see his scarred lip twitch upwards as you both began walking through the hallway to where Connor’s enclosure was. The man behind you is practically bouncing off the walls in his excitement.

You pause as you open the door at the end of the ‘kitchen’ where you prepare the food, turning to Desmond with narrowed eyes “Don’t get too close” as you step through the threshold.

Desmond stayed in the outer area, watching and waiting. His own eyes narrowed with that familiar protective glint in his eyes. He couldn’t help but be protective, you had known each other since you were young and from everything he had read (and that you had spewed in your rants about the director lately) merfolk could be dangerous.

At first it was like there was nothing in the water, reminding you of the first time you’d ever entered the enclosure. You kneeled down at the water's edge, peering over and into what felt like an endless void. Your nose scrunched up, the corners of your lips turning down at the state of the pool. 

The water had grown dark and murky, you could see algae building up on the glass on the other side and you we’re almost positive that the water hadn't changed. 

Desmond cocked his head as he watched your eyes almost double in size, he knew that look. It was the same one you always got when you had an idea. 

Your hand reached out to pat the water making a small ripple around your palm, nothing happened for a moment and then a large hand touched your palm. Fingers curling around your own as something large took shape under the water, until you were pushed backwards by Ratonhnhake:ton emerging.

His eyes flicked to Desmond, who held his hands up and tried to disappear against the wall. The merman was distracted when your hand tugged his own and his eyes were quick to turn their focus back to you “Ignore him, he’s here to help”

“Help?” he repeated in that rumbling voice that seemed to echo without actually producing the echo. Your tongue darted out to wet your lips as you gave him a short nod.

“Your water hasn’t been cleaned in some time, I shall have to push for it” the look in your eye seg something off in Connor’s stomach, it seemed dangerous and therefore all the more exciting. His hand let go of your own, finding their place either side of your legs as his eyebrow raised. 

“I haven’t let them, I don’t like the small water” He seemed offended at the noise you made, halfway between a snort and a laugh. His hand swatted at your leg for the crime of laughing at him. 

He, of course, meant the temporary cleaning tank used while the main pool was cleaned. “You’ll have to bear with it for a while, it’s your only way out” Conor took a deep breath and released it with a growl before nodding his head.

“Fine, if I am free of this place then I will deal with it” Your arms reached up to wrap around his broad shoulders in a hug. Barely able to hug him properly even as his own arms wrapped around you “Only this once”

It was all planned. The beginning had started.

The Director had been easily convinced that his ‘star attraction’ needed cleaning, and when Ratonhnhake:ton had been moved into his temporary home, which is meant to last for a few hours at most, they drained the pool.

Only for (shock horror and gasps all around) the realisation that the pool needed a good long soak. Which meant that Ratonhnhake:ton needed transportation to a nearby aquarium with enough space.

Which led to you and Desmond waiting with Captain Faulkner at a lorry stop. You had managed to talk to the lorry driver hired to take Connor, convinced him that there had been a change of plan and that about half way the lorries would be swapped.

You couldn’t believe that the driver had brought it.

But your heart almost stopped as you saw the driver pull in, Robert choked up a coughing fit as he saw it. Letting out a ‘Damn me, it worked’ as all three of you watched the truck stop.

Changing over cabins seemed easy from where you were, you smiled and thanked the driver while wearing your uniform. Making it all seem more official just to dissolve any of the questions that the driver would have.

Once his lorry was out of sight, Faulkner locked you in the back where the Orca was being held and the two got in the front. Heading to their destination where the boat was docked. Heading towards Ratonhnhake:ton’s freedom.

Your hands settled onto the glass as you gave him the softest smile you could. He looked so small and cramped in the tank compared to the pool. You couldn’t help but wonder how he looked in the ocean, something you hoped you got to see before you both departed ways.

“We’re nearly there, just a little longer” His eyes opened at the sound of your voice, one of his own hands placing against the glass with yours. Oh how sad his eyes seemed, there was excitement there too but it seemed overshadowed by the profound sadness. 

His other arm wrapped around his waist, hand placed right above his hip and his tail seemed to curl up. Well not quite curl it was more that he had been forced into a foetal position. Now you understand why he didn’t like the ‘small water’ as he called it.

“You’ll be able to stretch out soon, before you know it, Bull” you used the nickname in hopes of bringing him a smile even if it was small but all that happened was he turned his head and closed his eyes. Head buried against his bicep.

[odinsblog]

🗣️ BOMBING AND STARVING PREGNANT WOMEN & CHILDREN IS A WAR CRIME

Charity worried about impact of food and water shortages on women and newborns in Gaza

Women in Gaza are struggling to produce the milk they need to breastfeed their babies and keep them alive, ActionAid has said.

The charity describes food shortages in the Strip as “acute” and is concerned about the impact on the mothers of newborns.

Heba, who is currently at a UN shelter, told ActionAid the situation in Gaza is “very, very bad"”

She added: "There is no food in the supermarket, no tinned food, no food.”

“Regarding bread, we have to wait in line. We go at six in the morning and wait until the afternoon to get it.”

“This is if you even manage to get some bread, of course. Apart from that, the water we drink is not suitable for human consumption.”

Sabine, who was displaced from her home and is currently sheltering in a school in southern Gaza, gave birth to her son seven days ago, ActionAid said.

She commented: “Here there is no water, there is no food, there is nothing to drink, and there is no place to shelter the child… We do not have nappies, milk, or anything.”

A number of aid lorries have been allowed through the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza, but the quantity being delivered is far less than before the conflict began.

Israel says it is concerned that Hamas will seize the supplies. (source)

[reverie-quotes]

The fight for necessities—water, food, shelter, schools, hospitals, a common good. As always, he would take his tipper lorry of language and empty the horror in plain view, so no one could claim they had not known. There was nothing more to say and, of course, he would go on saying that same nothing.

— Anne Michaels, Held

[bestfictionalplant]

Round 2 Group 6

Propaganda and spoilers under cut

Jumpkin:

It's a little guy :D More seriously, it's a monster. All monsters in Cassette Beasts can be "recorded" so you can turn into them! "A Jumpkin is a special monster created by smearing the goo from another monster, Jellyton, on a normal pumpkin. It's pretty much the only monster with this kind of capture method. Jumpkins are just funny little guys that, as their name implies, jump around! They have such zest for life. A jumpkin tape can be ""remastered"" into two other monsters, Beanstalker and Draculeaf."

Karzahni:

in the time before time, when the evil mayor impersonator makuta was planning his plan to get the little robot meat guys in their little memory-erasing containers and before he'd impersonated the mayor (i think; don't quote me; i am Not Good at the timeline) he was like "hey i should make a plant that will force these four-foot fuckers towards the big sports and politics stadium under threat of murder so i can easily get my bastard robot cops to force them into the amnesia balls" and then he made karzahni. who was too smart and cool and powerful. so he did not get deployed. he is named after the legendary Lego Hell and Lego Satan where Bad And Naughty Disabled Robots Go For "Repairs" And Never Return. it's expensive to copyright names. they had to double up on occasion. or triple up. or quadruple up. anyway so evil mayor impersonator who is also ANOTHER Lego Satan but that's besides the point, creates this plant. but the plant is too smart. so he puts it somewhere and forgets about it and makes the morbuzakh NEW PARAGRAPH anyway so basically most creatures in this universe are immortal bar murder and fucked-up circumstances. no old age, basically. but this plant has one, because Bionicle Satan (Not Karzahni) makes his shit with limited lifespans so they can't wait for ten thousand years gathering their power and then kill-murder him to death. six big robot meat superheroes fight a fucking big monster in a tunnel. the cool smart one who used to be a teacher gets poisoned. but because karzahni (plant) is so fucking cool it can make an antidote. and it holds the antidote hostage in exchange for Cool Oil, which is oil from the apocalypse planet where the robot meat guys' creators are from, but they fracked too hard and split the planet into three pieces so that's a bit fucked-up and yet besides the point. anyway they get the magic juice and give it to karzahni (plant). previously in the story (but later in the timeline; this is a TWO-YEAR FLASHBACK EPISODE BABY) some other robot meat superheroes took a dunk in this cool fucking water and got mega-boosted powers. super-superheroes. but that's because god exists and has predetermined what can happen in each individual's life. those guys got Good Results From Applied Goo. karzahni (plant) does not. it just fucking. dies. it is then chopped up to make some lorries float so they can take the amnesiac sphere guys up to a cool new island they found, because their old island got FUCKING WRECKED NEW PARAGRAPH anyway a cutting of karzahni survived (known as karzahni ii) with all the memories and shit of the real one and just sort of goes. FINE. i will join you, Lego Satan (not karzahni but the evil mayor impersonator) in gaslighting this mentally ill man into thinking he's short and his life is a lie in order to get the time travel device he made out of some magic fucking frisbees. karzahni took on the role of the morbuzakh. then the guy's like "this is bullshit" and gets thrown off a cliff but Karzahni II catches him and goes "hey. everything's alright. i tortured and killed a guy and he said you're doing good and everything is gonna be okay" and then the evil mayor impersonator (who by this point has not been impersonating the mayor for like. at least a week?) kills it. again. for real this time

[disco-archetypes]

INLAND EMPIRE - In the still mirror of the bay you see Martinaise, reflected. Tall edifices of ruins reach into the water, like shimmering towers. And the shacks too. Pine trees and motor lorries, upside down...

INLAND EMPIRE - Islets and posts like stepping stones lead into the water in front of you. Go. Step in... it's been too long.

[accidental-king]

BURYING THE NOT QUITE DEAD: A DISCO ELYSIUM FANFIC

My take on the events after the game featuring a multi-fic HarryKim slowburn. I'm also just a sucker for case fics. This is just a snippet from Chapter 1 but I actually have several chapters written. I'll be posting them on AO3 eventually but I'd like to run it by some beta readers first. Feel free to DM me if you're interested!

SHIVERS - As the sun begins to lower over Jamrock, the dome of an old silk mill shines like brass in the golden light. It's not difficult to see a time in which masses of workers filed in and out of its entrances, and the motor lorries lined up along its western wing to collect their wares. Miles upon miles of lustrous textiles to be shipped across oceans and isolas to glide across the skin and furnishings of those few who can afford it. The Revacholiere will never be one of those people. 

The long and blocky building projects off of either side of the dome like a russet brick ladybird, splitting its chitinous hide and stretching its wings between half-demolished tenements and modern high rises alike. Its masonry tells tales of a time before the deathblow. A time when even the utilitarian still showed a thread of residual vanity in the form of granite steps, sharp stone arches, and molded concrete cornerstones. Original varve clay brick, brown like dried autumn leaves, sit in contrast to newer, coppery replacements, highlighting the scars of war and neglect in cracks, blotches and even an entire end of one wing. Always visible like a reality you can't unsee. 

ESPRIT DE CORPS - It has been a Police Precinct longer now than it was ever a Silk Mill but its old purpose still lingers in the bones of its columns, trusses, and long abandoned smoke stacks.

INLAND EMPIRE - It’s all that you have left.

What’s to the North?

What’s to the South?

What’s to the East?

What’s to the West?

What’s inside this building?

Shudder and blink

YOU - What’s to the North?

SHIVERS - A peninsula. A district left abandoned by its surrounding infrastructure. Bombed out ruins and mountains of shipping crates slowly turning red. The harbor has been locked up tight since shots rang out in the square. Blood and heavy fuel oil paint an old mosaic red and hang in the air like a fog that dares to challenge the sunlight. Motor lorries still sit abandoned in the circle, where you left them. A bookstore is no better now than your last visit, and a hostel is now empty of guests minus a few lucky souls who now grieve their lost brothers in the Union booth.

INLAND EMPIRE - It was your home for the past week.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - It is your birthplace. Born of a drug and drink deluge, on a floor covered in a lifetime of mistakes. 

YOU - And beyond that?

SHIVERS - An islet of crumbling concrete and steel. The wind whistles through water reeds and swathes of tiny white petals that push through the last spring snow. Ashes of a fire long gone out blow out into the sea to be swallowed like the memories of the cause that built it. Its only resident is gone now, taken away for medical treatment and for a prison sentence that will see him to his final days.

What’s to the North?

What’s to the South?

What’s to the East?

What’s to the West?

What’s inside this building?

Shudder and blink

YOU - What’s to the south?

SHIVERS - An apartment building. Mostly stone, though partially the ivy and wisteria that have done their part to claim it in an attempt to reach the heavens. They are a part of one another now; inseparable without either coming to ruin. Inside, a marriage has been strengthened thanks to an unusual discovery made by an unusual officer of the RCM. Husband and wife embrace as they look over the colorful image between them.

YOU - And beyond that?

SHIVERS - A wind whips down the long stretch of Boogie Street that barely contains the buildings and crowds on either side. Neon signs illuminate dark windows that are rattled by the music within. Lively chatter fills the air both inside and out. A young woman walks out with her lover in hand. She presses close to his side to fight against the chill of the spring air as her dark brunette curls whip about her face. The man flashes a charismatic smile and he pulls her in closer to lead her away to a shiny white lacquer motor carriage parked just off the main street. They each know something the other does not.

What’s to the North?

What’s to the south?

What’s to the East?

What’s to the West?

What’s inside this building?

Shudder and blink

YOU - What’s to the east?

SHIVERS - Seemingly endless blocks of brutalist apartment buildings that tower over the residences that survived the revolution 43 years ago. The whole district lies in a millennium old riverbed, leaving it forever in shadow of Jamrock to its west, the GRIH to its north, Grand Couron to its east. Grand Couron and the Old South district maintain their borders with two of La Delta’s canals. 

INLAND EMPIRE - A mark of constant probability. Everyone of Revachol West is just one bad couple of weeks away from moving to the Eminent Domain or the Burnt Out Quarter.

SHIVERS - Across the water, a woman in a satin robe sits with her elderly dog, surrounded by shining white marble as she peers out her 11th story window. The glass leaves the evening in an emerald tint. She would have the Eminent Domain wiped from the face of the Earth if it meant sparing her view. The canal and a financial cushion are all that separates her from the proles.

And beyond that?

SHIVERS - La rivière Espérance and Revachol East

What’s to the North?

What’s to the South?

What’s to the East?

What’s to the West?

What’s inside this building?

Shudder and blink

YOU - What’s to the West?

SHIVERS - A home you will never see again. Trees and underbrush devoured the old hospital and surrounding buildings of the Pox long before you even had a chance to remember it. Stray vagrants find their way through the bombed out ruins, shuffling past abandoned wire bed frames and rusted carts of broken tare. There is nothing left to be found here but a little bit of shelter from the wind. But the Valley of Dogs lurks nearby and most know never to stay unless they’re entirely out of options. This place will likely never be safe again.

What’s to the North?

What’s to the South?

What’s to the East?

What’s to the West?

What’s in this building?

Shudder and blink

YOU - What’s in this building?

SHIVERS - As day begins to fade and the lights begin to slowly begin to blink on across the city, multi-story factory windows will slowly transition from the concealing darkness to exposing illumination of what is no longer the East Insulindic Textiles Company. The loading docs have now become the motor pool for the 41st Precinct of the Revachol Citizens Militia. An old Coupris 40 whirs past a vehicle of a similar model and one of a decidedly newer model as it turns into the garage for the evening. Both MCs it passed do not belong to the 41st.

Inside the building proper, a stern looking man in a well tailored uniform walks toward the elevator at a brisk pace. His left breast is heavily decorated in medals and ribbons. One from the Suzerain, three from the Commune, most from the Moralist International. He bears the weight of the whole city on his shoulders but he carries it with an air of pride and authority. He’s heard tell of some strange happenings and without seeing it for himself, he’s not sure he believes it. 

Across the precinct, in the East wing, tucked into the far end of the first floor an eclectic group of men sit inside a dimly lit Lazareth. Three surround one in a way not too dissimilar from how the interviewee had been earlier in the day.

What’s to the North?

What’s to the South?

What’s to the East?

What’s to the West?

What’s in this building?

Shudder and blink

YOU - A violent shudder passes down your spine and you find yourself suddenly aware that you have been staring off into the ether for about 3 minutes. You are one with your body once more.

PRECINCT 41 - The Lazareth Office of Dr. Nix Gottlieb is small despite the size of the precinct that it maintains. Cabinets and shelves line just about every surface in some manner or capacity. And each and every surface was crammed packed with medical supplies, specimens, and piles upon piles of folders and textbooks. There isn’t much space to move, let alone work. The center of the room is dominated by a surgical table that is currently sporting a flimsy pad that serves as a cushion for your injured ass.

INLAND EMPIRE - This is the closest thing to private healthcare you’ve seen in years.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - Your bullet riddled leg has already been looked over. You’d managed to pull your stitches and partially reopen the injury during your little jaunt about Martinaise and the islet.

PAIN THRESHOLD - You wish you’d been unconscious like the first time you got sewn up. Gottlieb is quick and efficient but he’s merciless in the empathy department. In other words, you cried. And your leg still hurts like a bitch.

EMPATHY - Kim radiated pride and relief behind his subdued expression when the doctor had complimented his work.

ESPRIT DE CORPS - [legendary: failure] He’s just glad it wasn’t worse.

NIX GOTTLIEB - The doctor is a bespeckled elderly man, dressed in civilian clothes, a dark, woven turtle neck covered by a brown blazer that stopped fitting him in the shoulders about 10 years ago. His forehead and brow are permanently creased by stress and a deep look of concentration. His brow deepens when you shake yourself out of the thought. “Welcome back, Detective.”

RHETORIC - That was sarcasm. He doesn’t care.

PERCEPTION [smell] - On his breath, mingled with the scent of Tioumoutiri cigarettes, you catch a whiff of peppermint schnapps.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - If we play our cards right, maybe he’ll share a belt.

VOLITION - We’ve been clean this week. Don’t fuck this up now.

NIX GOTTLIEB - He scratches at his wispy white hair and beard as he speaks over his shoulder at two other men. “And how long would you say these episodes tend to last?”

KIM KITSURAGI - Your partner of the last seven days looks between you and the blue notebook in his hands, occasionally flipping through its pages. He still stands in his field attire; Orange nylon bomber jacket zipped up to his collar, white crew shirt hidden beneath it, brown aviation mechanic pants tucked neatly into his black boots, and his brown leather driving gloves. 

KIM KITSURAGI - He thumbs over a couple of pages before answering, “Anywhere between a few seconds to several minutes. This… is one of his longer episodes.”

CONCEPTUALIZATION - Wait! Has he been taking notes on you?

LOGIC - [medium: Failure] Of course not. We’ve already established that this is his method of working through his thoughts. This is likely a method of recall for him.

TRANT HEIDELSTAM - A lean blonde man in a tailored suit looks over you from where he stands, with fascination glittering in his hazel eyes. You saw a similar light when you spoke with him in front of the defunct Feld R&D when he spoke of their pre-revolution efforts. He was also one of the only ones in the fishing village who stood up for you against your partners onslaught of insults.

ESPRIT DE CORPS - This man is a special consultant taken onto the Major Crimes Unit in C-Wing. His well-traveled knowledge and personable demeanor has lent itself invaluably to the task force.

AUTHORITY - /Your/ task force.

INLAND EMPIRE - Not anymore. You’ll be lucky if they’ll even let you back into the field as a patrol officer, given the circumstances.

TRANT HEIDELSTAM - “And what do you experience during these… lapses, Harry?”

HALF LIGHT - Don’t. This is a trap.

[RHETORIC - challenging] Explain the skill set

+1 Kim is here -1 Butcher doctor -1 This sounds insane

[VOLITION: legendary] “The city speaks to me sometimes.”

+1 Revelation in the church +1 She loves you -1 This sounds insane

[DRAMA - godly] Convince them your thoughts are normal (lie)

-1 Kim is here -1 Butcher doctor -1 You’re already insane

“A real shit show of internal monologue that drowns out the world around me.” [continue]

Really? Anything else?

YOU - Really? Anything else?

CONCEPTUALIZATION - Nope.

[RHETORIC - challenging] Explain the skill set

RHETORIC [challenging - Failure] What spills forth is a vomited spew of half finished sentences, aborted gestures, and some words you’re pretty sure you’re misusing. You throw in some apologies and self-depreciation for good measure like a dog half-heartedly trying to bury its own shit.

NIX GOTTLIEB - “Try again. But in Vacholian this time.” His arms cross and his fingers drum impatiently on his bicep.

[RHETORIC - challenging] Explain the skill set

[VOLITION - legendary] “The city speaks to me sometimes.”

+1 Revelation in the church +1 She loves you -3 This sounds insane

[DRAMA - godly] Convince them your thoughts are normal (lie)

-1 Kim is here -1 Butcher doctor -3 You’re already insane

“A real shit show of internal monologue that drowns out the world around me.” [continue]

Really? Anything else?

YOU - “Just a real shit show of an internal monologue that drowns out the world around me.”

KIM KITSURAGI - “It’s inconvenient at times, but he often comes through with concepts and ideas I never would have considered. Unorthodox as it may be, it was invaluable to the investigation.”

DRAMA - [Medium: Success] He means it, sire.

EMPATHY - He’s concerned about your well being, but he also doesn’t want to see you misrepresented in the eyes of these men.

+1 Morale

[weirdowithaquill]

Traintober 2023: Day 18 - Blueprints

Crovan's Gate Works is Home to many Blueprints:

Crovan’s Gate Works is one of, if not the, largest steamworks in the United Kingdom – and the single best equipped. It services steam locomotives from all four of Sodor’s railways, as well as engines from across the country and further. Many of the engines who appeared in the infamous ‘The Great Race’ movie – especially those from Europe – were actually engines being overhauled at Crovan’s Gate when Mattel sent people to do research for the film. The works has machines that can make any part needed for an engine on the Fat Controller’s railway, and beyond – but that’s not all they have.

In a dark, slightly dusty room underneath the main offices, there are filing cabinets. Row upon row of the things which stretch out through the basement. And in these filing cabinets are the blueprints. There are thousands of these blueprints carefully sorted and filed away in this room. Everything from the designs of the A1X Terrier through to the Streamlined Coronation class. It’s all in this one room.

And it was originally the folly of Sir Topham Hatt I, back in 1897.

When he was the CME of the Tidmouth, Knapford & Elsbridge Light Railway (TK&ELR), Topham Hatt began collecting old blueprints. Some people collect stamps, others collect coins – but Topham collected blueprints. He had already copied many of the Great Western’s blueprints during his time as an apprentice at Swindon Works, and these he kept with new plans sent to him by his friend William Stanier in his office.

When building the TK&ELR Coffee Pot engines, he consulted a huge number of blueprints, trying to find something he could build considering the extremely low amount of resources he was allocated. And he did utilise some ideas from the various blueprints he had acquired – specifically a redrawing of the ‘blueprints’ used for the Novelty from the Rainhill trials… only the blueprints Hatt had were extremely well-drawn fakes, which did a bit of messing with the exhaust system. Topham Hatt mixed these blueprints with several others, but the exhaust system became infamous for spewing out dirty brown water.

This led to Topham Hatt deciding that the best way to avoid such an embarrassment in the future was to get more blueprints. He managed to bargain the blueprints of almost every engine he ever bought into the deal, with one notable exception: Henry.

Henry was built using stolen blueprints which were muddled and half-right. Hatt never managed to nab the stolen blueprints for himself, which made diagnosing Henry all the more difficult. It was actually Richard Hatt – Topham’s great grandson – who found the formerly stolen blueprints. He managed to find them in a garage sale!

Percy was another engine whose blueprints did not fully arrive with the engine. The warehouse Hatt bought him from had a grand total of around 59% of his original blueprints, with the other 41% being scattered across the West Country, the Midlands and Wales. If you can believe it, Topham Hatt went on the hunt for these blueprints all throughout the 1930s, and was able to snag the last one from the wreck of a bombed house in Cardiff in 1941.

When British Railways was formed in 1948, the now Sir Topham Hatt utilised his new position on the board of the company to gain access to every blueprint British Railways had under its control. Carriages, trucks, engines – even railway adjacent lorries, ships and buses all had blueprints that Sir Topham was able to have copied and sent to Crovan’s Gate. These were all placed in a special room and have been updated since.

Sir Charles Topham Hatt also added to this collection – but for a very different reason. In the 1960s, as Sodor gained more independence – and more diesels – it became increasingly clear that the island had to repair its engines on its own. To this end, Sir Charles began having copies of engines he bought sent to Sodor so that in the event of repairs, the works at Crovan’s Gate would be able to use the original blueprints before beginning the overhaul, saving time and allowing the workers to know what parts the engine might need. Sir Charles also had updated blueprints of all of his engines drafted, as many of his older engines had been heavily modified since arriving (such as Edward, Henry and Gordon), meaning that new, accurate blueprints were required. The first of these would be Edward’s when he went in for an overhaul after his ‘Exploit’ in 1965.

Today, there are thousands of blueprints kept at Crovan’s Gate Works, with new ones added each year. These are often copies of blueprints for locomotives built outside of the UK, as it is believed that Crovan’s Gate Works has a copy of the designs for every British locomotive, carriage, and wagon to have ever run – bar those which never had blueprints.

Back to Master Post