The Sudrians: The Salvation Collection

Fish Line

Accept - Part IV

July 1976

It had been quite surprising to everyone, that Arthur did not need as many repairs as first thought out. It did take him a while, but he was now getting the hang of steaming back up. It felt like he was going over his restoration all over again.

"You're definitely are the biggest undertaking we've ever had!" said the workmen, "and coming back to us really take the biscuit, but we've managed to fix some minor issues you had when you were out from the works doing your tests at Tidmouth!"

"That's good!" smiled Arthur, at last, the big tank engine was allowed to move slowly and carefully out of of the works under his own steam once more. He felt better than the last time and was pleased that the workmen had done such a wonderful job on him again. Arthur felt just as good as he did too!

He was given his paces and two days later, Stephen arrived to talk to the engine. "Hope you're well Arthur," he smiled, "I am pleased that no permanent damage was caused in the accident."

"Yes sir, so am I, sir," Arthur said, returning the smile at the tall, thin figure in front of him.

"As of such," said Stephen, "you will be heading to down the Norramby branch line hear with a goods train tomorrow."

He then paused, pursed his lip for a split second, hesitant with saying what he had to. "James will be there to teach you the ropes on handling the line and its tramway."

"Oh erm... yes sir," said Arthur, the big tank engine had been told by the workmen that James caused the accident by giving false information to him with handling trucks. He did not know how to feel about it, well... he did feel confused by it all truthfully.

Stephen nodded. "If you want to," he said, "I could get Donald or Douglas to replace him if he causes too much stress?"

"No, no sir," Arthur said, "that won't be necessary, honest!"

A sceptical look crossed Stephen's face, but he sighed and nodded. "Very well," he said, he turned to leave, then stopped in his tracks, "I think you know with this accident, your spotless record has... erm..."

"Been broken sir," finished Arthur sadly, "I know sir, and I can accept that... eventually. Thank you, sir."

"I and my father will see how you're getting on soon," Stephen said with a sympathetic smile, "farewell."

And with that, Stephen walked away, leaving Arthur alone with his thoughts.

***

The next day, Arthur arrived at Vicarstown, he was quite surprised at how unique it was, a town with a station outside its premises, with a yard next to the town on the left side when Arthur entered, and a few more tracks exiting at the other end and headed to the mainland. Sidings of all sorts could be seen and a small shed nearby could also be seen around the corner where some tracks curved right towards them.

It seems a nice, quiet place, Arthur smiled, this would be a lovely place to work at. Suddenly, a toot of a horn made him jump, it didn't sound like Bear's. He was right, as rolling up alongside him, was a DMU.

The DMU looked over Arthur with an unimpressed look, the big tank engine felt rather uncomfortable. At last, the DMU spoke. "You must be the new engine Hatt has given us to run the goods on our line," they said with a very imposing tone which made Arthur feel like he was a trespasser.

"Well... erm... I--I... see," stammered Arthur.

"Look here," cut in the DMU rudely, "me and my sister run the passenger trains, you run the goods, meaning we have higher standards than you."