Great Northern the A1 Pacific: Chapter 24

Gordon's View

Gordon the big, blue engine had been at the Steamworks for nearly two months. He had been out of service thanks to bursting one of his cylinders while pulling the Express. Gordon had felt humiliated by the accident but was grateful for the care and attention given to him by the workmen at the works. However, his accident might've been a blessing in disguise.

"It's a good thing you did break down, my friend," said Victor one morning. "The men discovered that some of your boiler tubes have rusted over too. It's a good thing we found them when we did. Who knows what would have happened if you didn't break down sooner?"

Gordon was relieved. "I'm pleased to hear that, Victor. Shall we be killing to birds with one stone then?"

"Indeed, my friend," Victor chuckled. "Although, you'll be out of service for a little longer. I hope you don't mind."

"No, no," Gordon replied. "It'll be nice to have a break, I just hope the others can handle the Express."

"You don't need to worry about that, Gordon. The Fat Controller has informed me that Great Northern will take over your express duties for you."

Gordon was delighted. "Trust my brother to pull the Express just like me!" he boasted. "He makes me feel so proud."

From there, Gordon enjoyed a lovely rest at the works as the men tended to him and had him repaired. One night, Gordon saw a familiar shape backing down into the works. He looked out of the works to see Great Northern talking to another engine. After the engine had been shunted back down into the works, Gordon finally realised what kind of engine was in front of him.

A Claud Hamilton? he thought, shocked. But I thought all the Claud Hamiltons were scrapped. And... is that who I think it is?

As Gordon looked at the black Claud Hamilton, he could hear her talking to someone. Or was it something? There weren't any other engines nearby, nor were there workmen. So, just who or what was this engine talking to?

"RC... Y-You're here..." the Claud Hamilton mumbled.

RC? Who's RC? Gordon pondered as he decided to call out to the engine. "I say, excuse me?" Gordon watched as the Claud Hamilton jumped with a fright. "Oh, my. I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"I-It's alright..." the Claud Hamilton murmured. "W-Who are you? You sound familiar."

"Why, I'm Gordon. The North-Western Railway's No. 4 and the premier express engine." He spied the scuffed number on the engine's cab. "62541? I don't remember any Claud Hamilton having that kind of number when I was young and green."

"I... wasn't always that number..." the Claud Hamilton sighed. "When I was first built, I was numbered 1850. And then during the LNER, I was 8850."

Gordon was bemused. "8850? Now why does that name ring a bell?" Gordon thought long and hard, thinking back to almost fifty years in the past. Finally, it clicked. "Molly... Molly? I-It can't be! I just can't! Molly, is that really you?!"

Molly was surprised by Gordon's outburst, but was thankful. "It is me! And you're Gordon! As in Gresley's A0! Oh, I just knew I remembered you from somewhere! How long has it been? Almost fifty years since I first met you at Top Shed."

Gordon was delighted. "I remember that day well. You had come from Stratford and you were helping me and my siblings with some express trains. I can still remember all those stories you told us about your early years in East Anglia. Actually, I must ask, how did you get here?"

Molly then explained The Fat Controller's plan to build a new branchline and how Great Northern had saved her scrap, so she could be the passenger engine of the branch. Gordon was amazed by Molly's bravery at Stratford before being rescued by Great Northern. Once again, Gordon felt nothing but utter pride for his younger brother. He truly was a credit to Gresley himself.

"Molly, if you don't mind me saying," Gordon began. "If I know anything once you are rebuilt and are in working order again, you'll run this new branchline like clockwork. I can already see it."

Molly, in return, gave Gordon a small, but thankful smile. "Coming from you, Gordon, that means so much. Thank you."

From there, the two old friends would continue to talk over the coming month or so. However, Gordon swore that he did hear Molly talking to someone else nearby. He felt like asking who she was talking to again, but he thought against it. Given what she must've gone through back at Stratford.

Survivor's guilt, he thought to himself. I wouldn't be surprised if she really is plagued with it. Still, I never would have ever thought she would be one to afflicted with it. And it seems to affect her very badly. And just who is this RC she keeps talking to?

In the meantime, Molly was once again talking to Royal Claud.

"Who did you say he was again?" Royal Claud asked.

"That's Gordon, Gresley's own A0," Molly replied. "He's an old friend of mine back on the LNER. It was marvellous when we worked together, but it was all over so soon. He had to leave for Sodor a couple of months after the LNER had officially formed."

"I see... So, that's why I don't recognise him. Despite him being a pacific. And how are you repairs going?"

"Oh, well enough. Victor says I'll be able to choose my livery soon. I'd like something new and fresh. A new kind of livery for a new start of life."

Royal Claud didn't seem to appreciate this. "And what happens if you do get your new livery and life? Does that mean you'll forget about me too?"

Molly was aghast. "RC! Don't speak like that! You know I'd never forget you!"

"Oh, really? Everyone else seemed to do. I became nothing after my accident at Hilgay. Not even the Royal family gave me any notice. And now when you start your new life, you'll forget about me too."

"No, RC, I won't!" Molly admonished. "How could I ever forget about you? You're my little cousin, and if anything, by me working means that I'm keeping your memory alive along with the rest of our late cousins and siblings."

"Keep telling yourself that, Molly," Royal Claud said gravely before disappearing once more. Leaving Molly alone to her thoughts while Gordon just watched her, filled with pity. He could only imagine what had happened to his old friend at Stratford on a scrap-line for all of those years.

Soon, a month had past and Gordon was ready for service once more. Molly had almost been rebuilt too. The workmen had been toiling overtime to get her ready as soon as possible for The Fat Controller and his new branchline. They had nearly rebuilt Molly in record time too. Then again, money was always a good motivator, and lately, the NWR had quite the amount of it.

Now, a grey undercoat was being applied to the D16 as Gordon had been steamed up and was completing some tests for Victor. A blue car pulled up in front of the Steamworks as The Fat Controller strode over to the engines.

"Ah, Gordon!" he said, smiling at the blue engine. "How are you feeling? Have your repairs done you good?"

"Oh, absolutely, sir!" Gordon beamed. "I feel as good as new. And I can't wait to get back to work."

"That's the spirit! Now, once you are ready, I want you to head to Barrow. Great Northern has just finished the first run with the Wild Nor' Wester and I want you to take the Express on its next journey back to Knapford. From there, you will take the express as usual."

Gordon was very pleased. "Thank you, sir. I simply cannot wait."

The Fat Controller tipped his hat Gordon before turning to Molly. "Molly. How goes your rebuild? I trust the men are treating you well?"

"Yes, sir," Molly replied with a grateful expression. "They've been ever so kind and thoughtful. I'm just surprised that they have me ready as I am now. I could've sworn that it would've taken me longer to have me rebuilt."

"Well, that's what our men here at the works can do," The Fat Controller chuckled. "When they really get down to it, there's nothing they can't do. Now then, since you'll be back in service shortly, there is something else to be done."

"Which is what, sir?" asked Molly, curious.

"Your new livery, of course," The Fat Controller laughed. "Now, tell me, would you like your GER royal blue or LNER apple-green? Great Northern told me how much you hate your British Railways livery, so I won't have you painted in that."

Molly couldn't help but smile at The Fat Controller. "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate that." While Molly was very tempted to go back to her old GER livery, she felt as though she wanted something different. A different kind of livery for a new lease of life on this railway. "Sir, do you happen to do yellow liveries on your railway?"

Gordon was stunned. "Yellow? You want a yellow livery?"

The Fat Controller was also taken aback. "Yes, Molly, why do you want a yellow livery of all things?"

Molly felt a little embarrassed. "I know it does sound a little petty, sir, but in all honesty, yellow is my favourite colour. I feel as though if I wore a new livery on your railway, it was signal a new beginning, a new life for me, after everything that has happened. I really hope you understand, sir."

The Fat Controller stood up straight with his arms behind his back and gave a small grin. "Molly, with reasoning such as what you've just given, how could I ever refuse? Very well. You will have your new yellow livery. You'll be given yellow with red boiler bands, how does that sound?"

"That sounds lovely, sir!" Molly exclaimed happily.

"I say that you'll make quite the sight," Gordon remarked. "I bet James might even be jealous too."

"I wouldn't be surprised," The Fat Controller agreed. "Now then, Gordon, please head to Barrow right away. The Wild Nor' Wester is waiting for you."

"Yes, sir!" Gordon cheered as he said goodbye to Molly and made his way out of the Steamworks and towards Barrow. When he did arrive, he backed down onto his coaches next to Great Northern with his own local train. "Look who's back, brother!"

"Ha-ha!" Great Northern laughed, happy to see Gordon once more. "Gordon! It is good to have you back, how was the works?"

"Caring as always, but I'm certainly glad to be back to work with the Express. I trust you took good care of it while I was away?"

"Perish the thought if I didn't," Great Northern chuckled. "Anyway, did you happen to meet Molly at the works too? You remember her, don't you?"

"I do indeed," Gordon replied. "She was at Top Shed with us in '22 and '23. Although, when I was with her at the works, something about her seemed... rather queer."

Great Northern gave a bemused look. "Queer? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that whenever she wasn't talking to me or anyone else at times, she was talking to someone else. I didn't get a proper name, but I heard her say 'RC' for some reason."

Great Northern pondered this. "RC? RC. RC... Now why does that ring a bell?"

Gordon was about to say something when his signal dropped as the guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag. With that, Gordon left Barrow proudly with his express once, whistling cheerfully to Great Northern as he left with his coaches rattling behind. For the next few days, Gordon made up for lost time with his express. The passengers were thrilled to have the big blue engine back in service, as were the coaches. They appreciated Great Northern and his treatment of them, but in their eyes, Gordon was always their engine.

However, as good as things were going for Gordon, he did have some minor issues.

One time, his firebox would be clogged at the big station as his fireman had to work hard to clean him out as quickly as possible. Some mornings he would steam properly, and he even suffered wheel slips out on the Mainline. Needless to say, Gordon was not happy with these inconveniences and made his intentions known to the others one morning. Most of the other engines ignored him, but James was fed up.

"Why are you complaining all the time?" the red engine grumbled.

"Because," Gordon sniffed. "I'm the premier express engine and I know everything, and I shall complain whenever I please. You're a just a small, red mogul with ideas above your station."

Jinty saw a chance to have a tease. "What are you talking about, Gordon? I can't see any."

"Any what?" Gordon grunted.

"Ideas above the station, silly. The sky is empty."

"Like your smokebox, Jinty!" laughed James.

Gordon was still upset. "One day, I'll show you just what a big engine can really do."

"So, what can a big engine really do?" teased Jinty.

"Not speak to silly tank engines for a start!" replied Gordon and he puffed importantly away.

When he arrived at the Big Station, he found The Fat Controller waiting for him.

"Gordon," said The Fat Controller, "once you've finished your first run with the express today, I need you to help bring down some empty coaching stock to the new station at Kirk Ronan. The way gang have completely rebuilt the branchline and we've had it reinforced. We'd like for you to test it out."

Gordon was appalled. "Why can't Henry do it? He likes idling in stations!"

"You will do as you are told," came the blunt reply.

So, Gordon did just that.

After finishing with the Express, Gordon was coupled up to the coaches bound for the new station on the rebuilt branchline. But as he went down the Mainline again, he was still grumbling. Finally, he arrived at the new Kirk Ronan Station. But as he pulled in, in front of him was a blank wall with huge buffers.

"What a boring view!" Gordon jeered. "Engines like me should have a panoramic view. Where I can see people and people can see me!"

Finally, Gordon was ready to leave as Rosie had come by to shunt the empty coaches away. Gordon was delighted to leave the station and head back out onto the Mainline. And despite his reservations with branchlines in general, he knew that Molly would indeed enjoy herself as the passenger engine of the branch.

A couple of days later, after Gordon's test had been a success, The Fat Controller organised Kirk Ronan Station's Grand O pening. Emily, Rosie and Neville would be at the celebration as Great Northern would also be joining them along with special visitors for the party. The Fat Controller himself would also arrive on board Gordon. Gordon was very pleased with this and set out at once as soon as The Fat Controller boarded his cab.

But as they approached Kirk Ronan, there was trouble. Neither the driver nor the fireman could apply his brakes. Something had jammed. The driver reduced steam as the fireman tried to put out his fire, but Gordon was still going too fast. Gordon whistled frantically as the other engines watched him race closer and closer towards the buffers in front of him.

"Look out!" Gordon cried, shutting his eyes tight as he burst right through the wall.

Gordon's leading wheels dangled over the city below him as his buffers were bent twisted. Broken bricks, dust and soot covered his boiler, running plate and smokebox. A piece of bunting was also draped around his smokebox. Gordon said he wanted a view, and ironically, this what he got.

Gordon then watched as his crew and The Fat Controller rose up to meet him on a scissor lift. All three men were battered and bruised from the collision. However, the fireman had taken the most damaged as his arm had been broken after squashing it against Gordon's cab side. His arm was now in a sling and Gordon felt most ashamed.

"Well, Gordon," said The Fat Controller. "I knew you wanted a panoramic view, but this is certainly not the way to achieve it."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir..." Gordon muttered.

"Oh, my..." Emily murmured that night to the other engines after Gordon had been taken back to the works as the debris had been cleared. "I heard about something like this happening in Paris in 1895. It was called the Montparnasse Derailment. The Granville-Paris Express was late and overran the buffer stop, just like Gordon. The locomotive ran right through the wall and fell onto the street on the Place de Rennes below. And because of the crash, a poor woman was killed by falling masonry."

Bear shivered. "Thank goodness nothing like that had happened to Gordon. I don't know what he'd do if he accidentally caused someone's death. I really hope he can recover from this."

"If anyone can," said Great Northern, "I'm sure Gordon can."

And indeed, the A1 was right.

A few weeks later, Kirk Ronan's official re-opening was ready. Once again, Emily, Rosie, Neville and Great Northern were all at the station for the celebrations. Then, Gordon arrived at the first platform along with a brake coach with several men inside. They were none other than The Fat, Thin and Small Controllers. This time, they arrived safely as the people on the station platforms cheered.

But that wasn't all. From the distance came an unfamiliar whistle as a 4-4-0 yellow tender engine pulled into the platform next to Gordon. It was none other than Molly, now in her new NWR yellow livery. She looked absolutely splendid and had two special guests behind her. They were Skarloey and Rheneas. The two old engines who had first arrived to Sodor at Kirk Ronan over a hundred years ago. Needless to say, the narrow-gauge engines were very happy.

"I still can't believe we've haven't been here in so long, Rheneas," said Skarloey.

"Oh, yes!" Rheneas agreed. "I still remember the stories of when you were left hanging over the dockside too!"

Skarloey couldn't help but chuckle. "I might've been a young engine then, but I remember that day as clear as crystal. Anyway, the station looks beautiful."

Gordon looked to Molly. "You look marvellous, my dear."

Molly giggled. "Thank you, Gordon. I feel marvellous too. This branchline and this station look lovely. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it here."

"Thank you! Thank you, everyone!" The Fat Controller called as he stood in front of the hole made by Gordon, which had now been made into a panoramic view of the outline Gordon's smokebox and funnel. "Ladies and gentlemen, I heartily thank you all for attending the official re-opening of Kirk Ronan Station and the branchline. Next, I would like to thank Emily and her crew for rediscovering the line, without them, we wouldn't be here today. I would also like to thank Sir Peter Sam and Fergus Duncan for their contributions to the new line as they will undoubtedly profit from it in conjunction with the North-Western Railway."

He paused impressively as the crowd clapped.

"I would also like to welcome the three new engines of the branchline. Rosie who shall be taking care of shunting and mixed-traffic duties. Neville who shall be handling the freight work and Molly who shall the passenger duties. For the citizens of Kirk Ronan, I implore you to make them feel welcome in their new home and I hope you come to know them as family."

The crowd cheered once again as The Fat Controller looked to Gordon.

"Gordon, your panoramic view is here to stay. And I trust that all of you engines will see through it from the safety of your own rails."

Gordon and the other engines, heartily agreed.