Ruth is the North-West Railway's maintenance engine, works unit number 2. Here's her story so far.
"Hello, Ruth, is it? I'm Edward."
"That's right. Are you part of this new railway?"
"Yes, but I've only been here a few weeks. Thank you for helping us out."
"Building three railways into one sounds like a challenge. I think I'll enjoy it."
"Ruth, I've heard good things about you from young Hatt in the works unit."
"Thank you, sir."
"We'll need to maintain this railway, too. Would you like to stay on for that?"
"It would help," Edgar added. "I'll look after the trains, you do the track."
"Okay."
"Apologies, Lucy. You'll have to wait til tomorrow. Thought you'd been told."
"I didn't think you'd overlook that. Did your owner forget?"
"I may be here under contract, but I still report to the North-West Railway's works unit. They should've let you know."
"I'll come back tomorrow, then. Scrap doesn't go anywhere."
"No. No it doesn't."
"Have I said something wrong? That was a bit flippant, my apologies."
"No, it's just, I was in a scrapyard once."
"What? When?"
"I was sent there by the LSWR."
"Back in 1897, had an accident shunting cattle trucks. Afterwards, I was written off due to possible frame damage and sent for scrap."
"That's a bit harsh."
"Yes. We later found it was part of a scam. Local shed engineer claimed both the insurance and scrap money."
"Mr Wilson found me in the scrapyard barely a month later. He bought me to work for his construction company. Named me after his wife, too."
"You must've been happy."
"I was. But when my crew and I found out about the insurance scam, the next year, we did wonder."
"Thanks for helping us look after our passengers, Ruth. I know it's not what you’re supposed to do."
"You're welcome Annie. It's what's needed. Until Henry, Gordon and James see sense."
"It may not be that long."
"Oh?"
"Mr Hatt's getting a new tank engine soon."
"Welcome to our railway, Ruth."
"Welcome? I've been here longer than you, Cheeky."
"As a contractor, yes. I'm glad the Fat Controller bought you when Mr Wilson went bankrupt. Is that Edgar's old livery?"
"Yes, works unit black."
"It suits you."
"Thanks."
"Feeling alright, Ruth?"
"Yes, thanks, ah, Jinty, isn't it?"
"That's right. Your new coal bunker will probably feel strange for a while."
"It's worth it, though, if I can do my job better. Especially with this war on."
"I'm glad you're okay, Ruth. Heard you were at Norramby Harbour a few nights ago."
"I managed to get out. Emily...didn't."
"You mean, she...?"
"We didn't find her. I couldn't help search. That blast damaged my eyes."
"I hope she's okay."
"So do I."
"You must be that works unit lassie."
"Donald and Douglas, I take it?"
"Aye. We’re to help with maintenance and goods trains.”
“That explains the works livery and mainline numbers.”
“Mr Hatt also said it was a temporary livery. Anyway, shall we get to work?”
"Well, what do we have here? You're overdue for a visit to our ironworks."
"You're right. When did you last have a track audit?"
“What? That’d shut us down for days!”
“Yes. You’ll not treat me like you did Lucy.”
“But…”
“I think you’d better run along now, Harry.”
“What’s this, Barry? Shunting trucks into the ocean?”
“I don’t know what came over me, I’m sorry.”
“You’d better figure it out. Those trucks went straight through a perfectly good set of buffers. Just as well we had a spare set. They don’t grow on trees!”
“Ruth, you know we’re the most important engines on our railways.”
“Most important? I wouldn’t say such a thing exists.”
“No trains could run without the tracks we maintain.”
“Yes, but I can’t pull Gordon’s express. The one that brings all the visitors to the island.”
“So you’re going to be part of this ‘Sodor Steamworks’ company?”
“Yes. I’ll still be doing the same job, just for them. Won’t be the NWR’s W1 any longer. You can have that number, if you’d like.”
“Thanks, but I’ll stick with W2. I’ve only carried it for decades.”
“I just can’t cross that bridge. Had to be rescued a few hours ago.”
“I understand. I’m the same with cattle vans.”
“Really?”
“Yes, had an accident with them once. But I still found my niche. Is there something you could do here?”
“Maybe. Thanks, Ruth. That helps.”
Comments