Barry Scrapyard (Barry saga, part 1)

On the mainland, steam engines don’t run on the network anymore. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t around. Some of them have been lucky enough to find a third lease of life on various heritage railways. And some have managed to still be fully operational on the North Western Railway on the Island Of Sodor.

Sadly, some engines could still be found rusting away in scrapyards in the UK. Their destinies lay uncertain, as to whether they would be scrapped or saved to work again, or at the very least, live in a Railway Museum. Anything to get out of a life of torture of that horrible, damp, cold, lifeless place.

During the year of 1986, a family had boarded a train to Sodor, pulled by two BR class 43 power cars. They were heading there to see their family. In the family were a mother, a father, a twin sister and brother, and a little toddler girl.

The dad had dark purple hair, wore a yellow top with a pair of feathers in the middle, black shorts and purple and black shoes. His name was Frankie Bob Cue, but everyone calls him ‘Flutter Butter’ because of his somewhat jumpy but calming nature.

The mum had bright blue hair and wore a deep pink top with music note on it, a deep pink and purple skirt, and purple boots. Her name was Suzie Shannon Cue, nicknamed ‘Sweet Song’, as her favorite songs are ballad music.

The older girl had bright purple hair, dark purple eyes, a pale pink top with a musical note on it, a purple skirt and pink and purple shoes. Her name was Susan Cue, but everyone called her ‘Song Cue’, because she loves to sing like her mother, but she likes any genre of music.

Her brother, had green hair, pale yellow eyes, a bright orange tee-shirt, black shorts and orange and yellow shoes. This was Oswald Bert Cue or ‘Orange Sherbet’. He was called this because he loved baking sweets with his dad in the kitchen.

And the toddler sister, had bright blue hair, pink eyes, and wore yellow baby clothes. Her name was Hershley Cue, nicknamed ‘Heartsong’ by her family and friends.

As the train pulled out of the station, Song Cue glanced outside the window.

“Travelling by rails is nice like this.” the pink haired child said to herself, “but I can’t wait to get to Sodor. Steam engines still run to this day.” She flipped to the final illustration of the story ‘The Twin Engines’, where the NWR fleet had fully accepted Donald and Douglas as part of the team.

“I see what you mean.” Orange grinned. “It’s one of the main attractions to the island. Fluttershy’s lucky to live there.” He added, referring to their cousin who was about a year older than them.

But on the way, the train was shunted into a siding to allow another train to pass.

“Oh man…” groaned Orange, and Heartsong started to babble in annoyance too. But when Song Cue looked out the window, she almost cried and clutched her book close to her chest.

“Barry Scrapyard…”

“Big sister?” asked Heartsong.

“It's a sad place for steam engines, little one.” Song Cue sighed. She brought out another Railway Series book ‘Stepeny The Bluebell Engine’, and flipped to a page where the steam engines were sitting on the sidings, just like the ones right outside the window.

“People can be so cruel to engines sometimes,” said Orange Sherbet. “If we had our way, scrapping steam engines would be against the law.”

Before Song Cue could reply, she caught sight of an engine that was quite close to where the train was parked. The 10 year old couldn't make out what class she was, as she was covered in rust from smokebox to tender. However, she identified the configuration as a 2-6-0.

“That poor thing,” sighed Song Cue. She opened the window to see if she could talk to the engine. “Hello there!”

The engine jumped in fright.

“P-Please don’t hurt me," she cried. “I-I just want to be in steam again.”

“Don’t be afraid,” said Song Cue. “I won't hurt you. I only wanted to say hello.”

“Oh…” the engine smiled weakly at her. “Um, I guess I could. I don’t have a name, but my number was 78013.”

“My name’s Song Cue,” said the young girl. “Would you like me to give you a name?”

“Uh, I don't know if I need one,” she sighed, “I mean... this is a scarpyard.”

“That’s no excuse,” protested Song Cue. “Every engine should have a name.”

“Well, if you insist,” the engine paused. “I’d like to be called... Barry.”

“After Barry Scrapyard?”

“Well, if I ever do get out,” Barry told Song Cue, “It will be a reminder of the engines who weren’t as lucky as I was.”

“I see,” said Song Cue. “I do hope you get out soon.”

Barry smiled again.

“Thank you…” she said softly.

At that moment, the other train went past, and the train Song Cue’s family was on was clear to proceed.

“I hope to see you again soon,” said Song Cue as the train began to move.

“Farewell, Song Cue…”

As the train gathered speed, Song Cue had Barry on her mind the whole time.

“I hope someone will save her…”

“You alright, sis?” asked Orange Sherbet, a little concerned for his sister.

“Just thinking about Barry.” Song Cue sighed. “She needs to be rescued.”

“Rescwe Bwrry!” Heartsong babbled in her mother’s lap.

“Who's Barry?” asked their mother.

“That engine I was talking to while we stopped at Barry Scrapyard.” explained Song Cue. “She deserves a new home, not to be cut up for scrap.”

“Hmm…” the father of the three children looked in thought. “We should talk to your aunt Posey and uncle Cloud Whisp when we get to Sodor.”

Though Posey’s real name was also her nickname, Cloud Whisp’s real name was Cody Wyatt.

“I hope they can help,” said Song Cue.

Eventually, the train reached Barrow In Furness where a green 4-6-0 tender engine was waiting with some coaches.

“We’re here, little ones,” said the father.

The tender engine smiled at the pair of diesels.

“Thanks, Pip and Emma.” he called.

“You're welcome, Henry,” said Pip, who was infront.

The family disembarked from the train.

“It's just as our cousin said,” Song Cue grinned excitedly. “fully operational steam engines on Sodor.”

“Yay!” cheered little Heartsong.

Henry looked at the family in surprise.

“So you’re Fluttershy’s extended family,” he exclaimed, “she often visits my forest.”

“I’m glad to hear she mentioned us to you,” said Song Cue. “My name is Song Cue.”

“I’m Orange Sherbet,” her brother added, “we’re twins.”

“Just like our Donald and Douglas, and Bill and Ben.”

Heartsong babbled innocently.

“And who’s this little one?”

“That’s Heartsong.” Song Cue gestured. “She’s our baby sister.”

“Come along now, children,” said their mother. “We best get on board before we miss our train.”

“Oh, ok…”

“Catch you later, Henry.” Pip smiled.

“Take care, Pip,” said Henry. “You too, Emma.”

“Later, Henry, thanks!” Called Emma as the two raced back to London together.

Soon, the family boarded the train, and when the guard blew his whistle, Henry puffed away.

“So, what is your island like, Henry?” Asked Song Cue.

“Sodor is a wonderful place to be,” said Henry. “It’s home to many steam and diesel engines who do not wish to be scrapped.”

“It sounds like paradise.” Orange said fondly.

“It definitely is,” said Henry. “You’ll love it there.”

When Henry’s train got to Cronk, Florence Sherry ‘Fluttershy’, her brother Zeggy Bruce ‘Zephyr Breeze’ (He was 7 years old) and their parents were there to greet Song Cue and her family.

“Song Cue! Orange Sherbet!” cried Fluttershy happily.

“Coz!” Song Cue and Orange embraced their older cousin. “Are we glad to see you.”

“I'm happy to see you too,” said Fluttershy. “And so’s Zephyr Breeze.”

Zephyr sighed.

“I can say that myself, sis!”

“Did you have a good run from London?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes,” said Song Cue. “But then we had to stop by Barry Scrapyard.” It was then Song Cue told Fluttershy and Zephyr Breeze all about Barry.

“Oh, the poor thing.” Fluttershy cried.

“Those controllers over there are cruel.” Henry said darkly from the track. “Douglas and Oliver narrowly escaped the cutters torch when they arrived here... come to think of it, so did BoCo.”

“Who’s BoCo?” asked Orange Sherbet.

“Oh!” Song Cue remembered, “is he this engine?” She got out ‘Mainline Engines’ and flipped to a picture of said diesel.

“Yes, that's him,” smiled Henry. “I see you’ve taken a liking to the books the Thin Clergyman likes to write.”

“Why would British Railway want to scrap a diesel?” asked Zephyr Breeze. “I thought they made diesel engines just as an excuse to scrap steam engines.”

“You’d be shocked, young Zephyr.” Henry told him, “Diesels replaced steam engines for one reason: They are cheaper. BoCo’s design was a flawed one, kinda like my design was… or, kinda still is, and his class was being withdrawn quite quickly.”

“How awful,” said Song Cue.

The extended family agreed that it a good thing Sir Topham would never scrap an engine who has potential for the Sodor Railway.

“Do you think he could help rescue Barry?” asked Song Cue, hopefully.

“Well, I have noticed that some branchlines on this railway haven't gotten much attention.” Henry noted. “Perhaps Barry can help out on a few of them.”

“We’ll try getting a word with Sir Topham Hatt over the matter,” said Cloud Whisp.

“Thanks, Uncle Cloud Whisp.” Song Cue hugged him.

“You're welcome, little one,” smiled her uncle.

Henry agreed to take the family down to Knaphord, which is where Sir Topham’s main office was at.

When they arrived, they thanked Henry and asked to speak with Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt was sorting through some papers.

“Oh dear.” he said quietly. “Where are we going to get another engine to help with the branchline traffic?”

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Fluttershy walked in with her family.

“Um, Mr. Hatt sir?” she asked shyly.

“What may I do for you, Miss Sherry?”

“I’m sorry if we’re bothering you, sir,” said Fluttershy, “but my cousin Song Cue knows of an engine you could use to help with the railway.”

Sir Topham stared. “Proceed, Miss Cue.”

“Her name is Barry, sir.” Song Cue explained, “And she needs help. She could be a valuable assist to the railway if she was restored.”

“I see,” said Sir Topham Hatt. “Where is she?”

“Barry Scrapyard, sir. She doesn’t deserve to be cut up. Please save her.”

Sir Topham didn't need telling twice.

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” he smiled.

“Thank you, sir,” smiled the girls.

So, it was arranged that a BR class 47 diesel, this one named Christopher, was to go and get some well wagons to bring Barry back to Sodor.

“I’ll be there in no time sir,” said Christopher.

“Thanks, Christopher.”

“You'll be a big help.” Orange smiled.

“Think nothing over it,” smiled the diesel. With that, he set off for Barry Scrapyard.

Meanwhile, the engine in question was staring up at the sky.

“I’m surprised how long I lasted in this siding.” she said quietly, “But that day’s got to come and seal my fate…”

Suddenly, a telephone inside one of the buildings rang. A workmen went to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hello, this is Sir Topham Hatt of the North Western Railway. I have reason to believe you have in your possession a BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0.”

“Yes. There’s one here.”

“Well I wish to restore her for my railway. I’m sending an engine to collect her.”

“That's wonderful, sir.” the workman smiled.

With that, he hung up the phone and walked out towards Barry.

Oh no, thought Barry nervously. It must be scrapping time…

“Good news, little one,” said the workman. “I just got off the phone with Sir Topham Hatt of the North Western Railway. He wants to restore you. You've been saved.”

“Rescued?” Barry gasped. “That's grand news. Thank you!”

“They're sending an engine to pick you up soon,” said the workman. “Best get you ready.”

Barry smiled brightly for the first time in years.

“At last!” she cried. “A new home!”

Before long, Christopher arrived.

“Come along, Barry.” he said gently. “Next stop, the North Western Railway’s works at Crovens Gate.”

Once Barry and her tender were on the well wagons, Christopher pulled Barry away to her new home.