Author's Note: May become part of a larger story.

At the end of a hard day's work, Rheneas shunted Skarloey into the shed. He had failed earlier in the day and would need repairs before he could work again. Mr Hugh checked over him and simply shook his head. Skarloey would be out of action for a long time. The two engines stared at each other in silence for a while. Once the people had left the shed, Rheneas finally spoke.

"Skarloey, I... I..." He stuttered. "I... I'm scared about our future, the railway's future. I don't think I can run the entire railway by myself for long. We've been running at bare bones conditions for so long. You're pretty much worn out, I'm not in the best condition, the coaches are falling apart, the track is awful... I don't think we can last like this for much longer."

Skarloey gave a weary smile to his younger brother, in a attempt to reassure him.

"Chin up Rheneas. We've survived through the adversity this long, we can survive for a while more yet!" He said, with determination.

Rheneas sighed. "But for how much longer Skarloey? The last 20 years have taken its toll on everything... You might not run ever again! The quarry is on its last legs, and while more passengers are coming... Its not enough to save the railway, but too much for me to handle. I don't know how long I'll be able to last under this strain on my own and if- no, WHEN I fail... That's it. The end. The railway will close and be ripped up. And us two? We'll be scrapped! Another Sir Handel Brown won't pop up and save us this time..."

Skarloey thought for a few moments. He knew what Rheneas was saying was true, they couldn't survive under the current conditions for much longer, but he didn't want to give up hope on the railway yet. He knew he had to remain optimistic, for both of their sakes.

"Rheneas..." He said with as much confidence he could muster. "I know things look very bleak right now, but we have to remain hopeful and carry on. We've got a great team dedicated to keeping the railway going. Mr Sam, Mr Percival, the Hughs... And what Sir Handel Brown has done for us can't be understated! They'll get us through these lean times. Through hard work and dedication we've lasted 80 years! If we can keep it up, and with a lot of luck, we'll last 80 more! I know it seems hard, but you mustn't give up. We can pull through this, if we have hope!"

Rheneas smiled meakly. "I wish I had your optimism, brother. I'll carry on until my last puff, with a jammed valve gear and broken springs if I must, but... I'm scared Skarloey. Whe- If the railway closes, we'll be scrapped." He repeated. "Who would want two worn out narrow gaugers like us? I don't want to be scr..."

"No engine wants to be scrapped Rheneas. Which is why we have to carry on, and in the end, we and the railway will perservere. But if the worst does comes to worst... Then I'd be able to go knowing that I gave all I could to a fantastic railway, and with the best brother an engine could wish for. But I assure you Rheneas, it won't come to that! We are survivors."

Rheneas smiled. "Thank you... I suppose hope is all we have left. I don't know how long it will last but I guess we must just hold on it... We may just make it. Thank you again Skarloey. I needed a bit a reassuring."

"Anytime Rheneas." Skarloey replied. "Now get your sleep, you need to be ready for tomorrow. You're going to be working for the both of us for quite a while, remember."

The two old engines rested. While Rheneas still harboured doubts about the railway's future, Skarloey's optimistic words ignited a spark of hope in him that would be impossible to extinguish. A spark that may just ignite into the flame that will save the railway.