Winds of change: Sheds scene

Narrator: Bear backed down into the sheds, noticing the sombre silence, instead of the usual chatter.

Bear: So, you've heard then?

Alice: You mean about Gordon? Yes....

Shane: Was it a dangerous section of the line?

Henry: It's that crossing after East Knaphord Station. It's just beyond the curve, so there's little distance to stop once you can actually see it.

Narrator: Henry explained. He had a near miss there himself, a few years ago.

Shane: I see. I'll have to be careful on my timed run tomorrow then.

Narrator: The other engines stared at him, confused.

Diesel: What timed run?

Narrator: Shane explained about Gordon's challenge. By the time he finished, most of the other engines were frowning.

James: Is that all you can think about at a time like this? Gordon wouldn't even have had that accident if you weren't here.

Shane: Nonsense!

Narrator: Shane glanced over at Henry.

Shane: You just said it was at a dangerous corner.

Narrator: Henry didn't reply immediately. He knew that most engines took that corner slower than the speed limit.

Henry: Well, if he hadn't of felt threatened, he wouldn't have tried to take that corner at the speed limit.

Narrator: Shane was taken aback.

Shane: Me?! A threat?! I'm only here to compare...

Patrick: Compare your performance with ours, yes. Don't be so naive. If your found to be more affiance, what do you suppose will happen to us, hmm? Do you know what happened to my brothers on the other railway? They were replaced by more powerful diesels like you!

Narrator: Shane paused and looked over at the other engines. From Diesel, the smallest, to the largest, a Stanier 8F named Peter, all of them were engine classes that had been withdrawn years ago. He'd rarely seen engines like them, and only then on railfan excursions. 

Shane: Huph. Efficiency is the key to a railway's survival. Though I can see why you vintage engines can't understand that. I must admit, I can't see how your railway is still running.

Narrator: The other engines were outraged. Even Alice looked furious.

Patrick: How dare you!

Henry: Disgraceful!

James: Despicable!

Bear: You've got some nerve!

Narrator: Alice whistled loudly, her shrill blast drowning out the angry brawl. When she'd finished, silence fell over the sheds.

Alice: Might I suggest, that you try looking at facts before judging something you know nothing about.

Shane: Hupm! I know perfectly well how to handle trains.

Peter: I think Alice means, you know nothing about our railway.

Alice: That's it exactly, Peter.

Narrator: The other engines mummered in agreement.

Diesel: If I may say something.

Narrator: Diesel said, looking closely at Shane.

Diesel: I used to think like you. But I soon realised the fact is that this fully operational railway was, and still is, running successfully with 'vintage' engines. I realised I was missing something. Age, doesn't come into it.

Shane: We'll have to wait and see then.

Narrator: An uncomfortable silence fell over the shed. But, as the other engines drifted off to sleep, Shane couldn't help thinking about what Diesel had said. Like it or not, he couldn't deny that the Class 08 had made a good point.

*****

I really like this scene. Sheesh, you know you've done something wrong if Alice of all engines is cross with you. Diesel had a shining moment in this scene too, which I really liked. And we also get an indication Patrick had escaped from scrap himself, (I asked WNW this very question, and he said yes Patrick did in fact have a narrow save).