Twin Trouble

For many years, I have called this place home. Ever since the year my twin and I were built together at St. Rollox Works in 1909, for the Caledonian Railway, later grouped in the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923. We di nea have names then, just numbers. As of right now, on the Scottish Region of BR, I'm 57647 and he is 57646.

On this particular day, 57646 and I were doubleheading a goods train together.

“Right, 47.” Called 46, who was coupled infront, “we’re comin’ to yong hill up ahead.”

“Let’s get a good run at it, 46!” I replied.

The two of us gathered speed and put sand on the rails.

“Hold back,” I hold a truck say, and they passed the word down tae the others.

“No, hold forward.” Cried one near the middle.

How in Glasgow does a truck hold forward? I thought to myself, but regardless, 46 and I forged up the hill, panting as we got to the top.

“These trucks are being trickier than usual.” 46 told me.

“Ai.” I agreed. We were usually decently ok with trucks, but today was another matter.

We started to coast the hill after that, and we began to sing a song we like to call ‘The Bluebells of Scotland’.

Oh where, tell me where, has your Highland laddie gone?
Oh where, tell me where, has your Highland laddie gone?
He's gone wi' streaming banners where noble deeds are
Done
And it's oh, in my heart I wish him safe at home

Unfortunately, we di nea know that a bus had broken down in the middle of the road. It’s radiator was overheated, and the driver had gone for help.

“He dwelt in Bonnie Scotland, where blooms the sweet… Bus on the line!” 46 cried, cutting himself off midsong.

I was confused by the concert ending so soon, but both of us braked hard. Unfortunately, what we di nae know at the time, the trucks pushed uz at the same time. We were diverted into a siding, and 46 came right off at the points. I was still on the rails, and stopped at the buffers when my driver put my regulator at 0 and applied the brakes.

“Stop bein’ pushy!” 46 snapped.

I was insulted, let me tell yer. “Don’t call me pushy.” After all, yer can nae stop properly if yer brakes fail.

“Yer should nea push me off the tracks.” Huffed 46.

“Yer pulled me yer mean.” I argued.

“Di nea.”

“Did.”

“Di no.”

“Did tae.”

An LMS Ivatt class tank numbered 41204, he was nicknamed ‘Arthur’ took the train on, and an LMS 3F numbered 47176, nicknamed ‘Jinty’ brought the breakdown crew to help 46 back on the rails.

46 and I di nae talk to each other for the rest of the day after 'at, as we both thought tae other was in the wrong.

The next day, yong controller came tae the sheds.

“I need an engine to help Arthur with trains that run down to Ballahoo.” He said.

“May I go, sir?” 46 asked eagerly.

“I only need one engine.” Our controller replied, “Not two.”

“I am only one engine, sir.” said 46, “And I would like to work with Arthur.”

Though surprised, our controller agreed.

“Won’t you miss one another?” Said 47001, he was nicknamed ‘Pug’ by his friends. “I know I’d miss Jinty.”

“I’ll work better on my own.” I sniffed, puffing off to get mi next train.

“I have work to do.” Huffed 46, heading off to find Arthur.

“This can’t end well.” Jinty sighed.

“I see what you mean, ol’ sport.”

(57646’s POV)

Huph! I thought, I’ve worked without 47 during the war effort, I can do it again now.

I soon reached where Arthur was.

“Oh,” he gasped, “46. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Our controller di say yer needed help, de yer not?”

“Uh, yes.” He admitted, “Well, if you can do half of the trains today, then we’ll get it done much more efficiently.”

I happily set oof the wook, doing the first goods run of the day. When I got doown to Ballahoo, I ran into a 0-6-0 pannier tank. I have nae seen oone before, though I heard they were exclusive on yong Western Region.

“Hello.” He said pleasantly, “My name is Montague, but everyone calls me ‘Duck’ cause they say I waddle.”

“They do?” I asked in surprise.

“Yes, but I like ‘Duck’ better than ‘Montague’.”

If engines could shrug, I know I would have. Duck seems to be a pleasant sort though.

“I dae nae have a name.” I replied, “just 57646.”

“Every engine deserves a name.” . Said Duck, "What do you want me to call you?"

I dinae really think much aboot that, but... I remembered something from way back, when I was called by a nickname.

"The engines here used tae call me 'McIntosh' on my first visit, after my designer."

I believe Duck may have been told by other engines about me, because he gave me a big smile.

"Well, now I know that," Duck replied, "it's an honour to meet you, McIntosh."

We chatted for a wee while, and Duck told me aboot the engines on the railway they had gotten over the years while our trucks were loaded. He also gave me updates on Thomas, Edward, Gordon and Henry.

“Sounds like yer railway's gotten bigger over the years.” I smiled. "How long have yer been here, Duck?"

“It has gotten busy.” Duck grinned. “I've been here since 1955. However, our workload’s getting a bit heavy. We may need another engine.”

“Der yer think maybe…”

“I’ll ask Sir Topham about you.” Duck promised. “You’d be a real assist here.”

With that, Duck puffed off with his train and whistled goodbye.

The rest of the day was mostly uneventful, and I liked working with Arthur.

However… in the afternoon, things started going wrong.

“Did yer shunt those trucks onto the other line?” I asked.

“You said you wanted them on the other line!” Arthur replied.

“Not that other line, the other other line!” I was cross, “47 would have known what I meant.” I puffed off tae arrange them myself.

“I knew Jinty and Pug should have helped me together.” Arthur sighed.

57647’s POV.

Working on my own was nice and quiet. No one tae bother yer, just me and my crew taking the hill with a goods train.

Maybe it was… a bit too quiet.

I started singing ‘Bluebells Of Scotland’ to pass the time.

“Oh where, tell me where, has your Highland laddie gone?”

But… no one sang the next line. I sighed to myself as I pulled into the goods platform. Next tae me with an LMS Coronation Class. Her real name was Duchess Of Devonshire, but she likes being called ‘Caitlin’.

“What’s up, 47?” She asked, “you look a bit put out.”

“I tried singin’ “Bluebells Of Scotland” while on the way up here.” I explained, “but no one was singing wi me.”

“I’m afraid I don’t really know that song.” Catlin admitted. “But… aren’t you usually with 46?”

“We got into a fight.” I told her, “and now 46 is helping Arthur with the Ballahoo traffic.”

“Maybe you better apologise to each other.” Caitlin said wisely, as her guard's whistle blew and she was away.

I watched her go into the distance. Maybe noow, 46 would say sorry for pullin’ too far forward.

That evening, my driver took me to visit 46.

“I was just passin’.” I said.

“Have yer come tae say you’re sorry?” 46 sniffed.

This made me very cross. “I have nothin’ to be sorry for!” I said, and steamed away in a huff.

57646’s POV

The next day, my controller came tae see me.

“57646.” He said, “I’ve received a message from Sir Topham. Duck recommended to him to send you to the North Western Railway.”

I gasped. The NWR was every steam engine’s dream come true. A railway which had the modern safety regulations of BR, but steam engines would run forevermore. And I was going to be sent there.

“Thank yer, sir! I will nae let yer down.”

My crew eagerly started to prepare me to head down tae Barrow. I would nae be too far off noow.

But, I would also have tae think of a good name for myself, as every engine there had one. McIntosh was nice... but I dae nae think it fit me 'at well.

Hmm… that pannier called himself ‘Duck’ back down at Ballahoo, I thought.

“Hey, driver,” I called, “wasn’t there a famous cartoon duck made by Walt Disney in the 1930s?”

“Aye,” He replied, “that duck’s name was Donald. My daughter loves that show.”

Donald. That name… yes. I’ll call myself that tae remind myself of the day I first met Duck.

I wonder what 57647 should call himself. I should apologise tae him before I go. I mean… he is my brother after all, we caen nae be mad at each other forever. Maybe Sir Topham caen allow both of us tae stay. Now that… that would be a real dream come true.

57647’s POV.

I was a little restless, and di nae get much sleep last night. That apology di nae go as well as I hoped… and I was beginning tae think I had tae apologise to 46 first.

“As soon as my crew get here, I’ll find 46.” I said to myself.

But, to my surprise, there was a diesel backing down on me.

“Uh, excuse me?” I said, a wee bit nervous, “but this berth is occupied.”

“For now, yes.” The diesel replied, and a shunter coupled us up. “That is about to change.”

I gasped in horror.

“No! This can nae be!”

“Yes!” The diesel grinned deviously, “steam is out of date, and some of your brothers and sisters have been withdrawn. It’s your turn now.”

This has to be my worst nightmare! I got tae get outta here!

“HELP!” I cried, as the diesel took me away tae a scrapyard. I was never more terrified in my life.

I was shunted into the overgrown siding with some other engines. I di nae have my crew, so I could nae puff away and hide.

“I guess this is it…” I sobbed. “Goodbye BR. Goodbye crew… and goodbye 46. If yer hear me, I’m sorry for what I did tae yer…”

Just then, I heard the rumble of a diesel, and he stopped at a red signal by the scrapyard.

Worse and worse I thought, this one’s goin’ tae laugh at me.

But, he didn’t. He looked at me with a sad expression.

“I don’t understand why BR is getting rid of perfectly good engines.” He said quietly.

I looked up, shocked.

“What did yer say?”

“Many steam engines are more reliable than my brothers and sisters.” He explained, “We are experiential, and my motor keeps on breaking down, I keep leaking oil, I overheat, among many other problems.”

“I… di nae think diesels had problems.” I gasped. “I guess I was wrong.”

The diesel nodded.

“I don’t know if I will be much help, as most steam engines probably won’t trust me,” He continued, “but, if I do find someone to preserve you, I’ll lead them to you.”

I smiled weakly.

“Thank yer… err… uh…”

“D5702.”

“02.”

02 headed off tae carry on his run, and try tae find me some help.

Donald’s POV

I was almost done with my preparations, when I heard the rumble of a diesel locomotive. I tensed up a bit as he drew close.

“Excuse me?” The diesel called, “are you related to engine number 57647?”

“Er… yes,” I hesitated. “Why do yer ask?”

“Well… I’m sorry to say your brother’s been withdrawn this morning.”

I gasped in horror.

“Did yer do this?!” I snapped at the diesel. I swear, if my brother was scrapped…

“No!” He replied, and he sounded genuinely concerned, “I only saw him down there after I stopped at a signal. I want to help.”

I could nae really trust diesels, but I had no choice tae this time. If my brother truly was in danger, I had to find him, fast!

“Which scrapyard is it?” I asked quickly.

“Follow me.”

I di so, as fast as I dared, an’ stopped tae collect my brother’s crew on the way. As they di nae find him at yong sheds, I realised that this diesel had been correct.

“Please di nae be scrapped, 47.” I puffed to myself.

57647’s POV.

I tried tae keep myself busy by watching the clouds… but my mind kept wandering back tae the scrapper’s torch.

“Oh, who am I kiddin’?” I asked myself, “I’ll never get outta here in one piece.”

“Brother?” I heard someone call, but very faintly.

I looked up again, but could see no one. Gosh, I’m hearing things a loot.

“47?!” This time, the voice was much louder.

“46!” I cried, “Is that yer?”

And it was. He puffed into the yards on the track alongside.

“47!” He panted, “Oh, you’re still alive!”

“46.” I sighed with relief, “I’m glad tae see yer… if only for one last time. I’m sorry.”

“Na, I’m the one who’s sorry.” He replied.

“Na, I’m sorry!”

“I am!”

“Don’t have a rowel about who’s sorry.” 02 commented, “just be glad you’re back together.”

We both were. I’ve never been so happy tae see my twin… however…

“You’d better go.” I advised, “I di nae want yer to be withdrawn too.”

“Actually.” My brother grinned, “I have a plan. I’ve been bought tae the North Western Railway, and yer’er coming wi me.”

I wanted to go. Really, I did, but there was a wee problem.

“That’s thoughtful of yer, 46.” I sighed, “But, one look at the number, and I’ll be sent straight back.”

“What if Sir Topham couldn’t tell you both apart?” D5702 called from his track. “As in, your numbers were painted over?”

We both smiled broadly and agreed it was a good plan. Our drivers went to get some black paint, while our firemen coupled us up.

When the drivers go back, they painted over my numbers.

“Hey, that tickles.”

46 chuckled at this, then turned a wee bit serious.

“47, we need some way to diffract ourselves to Sir Topham.” He said.

Oh yeah… even if our numbers are covered, one mention, and I’ll be back at square one.

“Every engine down on Sodor has a name,” My brother continued, “I’ve named myself Donald, after that disney character with came out in the 30s. What do yer want tae call yourself?”

I thought hard. I wanted my name to be similar to Donald’s, you know, like most twins are.

Then, the perfect name struck.

“Douglas.” I said proudly.

“Douglas?”

“Aye.” I replied, “My driver did research on that name a while ago. It means ‘Dark Steam’.”

Donald grinned at me.

“It’s perfect, Duggie.”

“Donald and Douglas. Sounds like a nice ring to it, you two.” Chuckled D5702. “Good luck on your escape.”

“Oh, 02.” Called Donald, “Arthur still needs help with taking trains to Ballahoo. Could yer help him?”

The diesel smiled warmly.

“I… I guess I could. It sounds fun. And don’t worry.” The diesel added, “This escape is between us and our crews.”

With a friendly toot of his horn, our new friend was away. Our crews climbed aboard us, and my crew laid doown, trying to keep hidden.

Then, Donald started away with me.

It di nae take long tae get to Barrow-In Furness, and Donal's numbers were painted over tae.

"Are yer sure yer want me to come?" I asked nervously, "What if one of uz is sent back anyway?"

"Positive, Duggie." Donal' said firmly. "We won't let that feud get tae us. Besides," He went on, "A 5700 pannier named Duck told me that Sir Charles is sympathetic to steam engines like uz. He just might keep uz both if we woork hard."

I smiled a bit, but I did nae think I was oot of the woods.

Sir Topham was planning on sendin’ on’ of uz back anyway, but when they discovered that we wook better as a team than alone, they kept us both. Noow, we’re in NWR blue with the numbers ‘9’ and ‘10’ on our cabs, the NWR logo painted on our tenders, an’ our names on our smoke boxes.

Arthur and D5702 became good friends too, and D5702 became ‘BoCo’. Eventually, they, Jinty and Pug became part of the NWR fleet, while Caitlin was bought by a heritage trust. But those, are different stories entirely. Until next time, this is Douglas and ‘is brother Donald, signing off.