Stories by christopher
(a sneak peek)
The Light Railway Series
By Christopher Paquette
PILOTS
This is the Light Railway: a privately owned and operated railway line in Greater Manchester. It runs from a small station at Manchester Junction where the line connects with British Railways. The line runs to the bustling city of Wigan, passing through valleys and forests along the way. The railway’s owner and managing director, Mr. Zeke McLight, has run the railway for many years and is very fond of it. There are many engines on the line. Some are loaned in from British Railways, but most of them are owned by Mr. Mclight. 2 of Mr. Mclight’s own engines can be seen here at the junction. They are Chris, an unusual GWR 5600 who has been painted in Lined BR Black, and Colin, an LNWR Coal Tank who claims to be rather intelligent. They’re best friends, having arrived on the railway together in 1954. Shall we see what’s on their minds this evening?
“Are you certain that you're going to be at Wigham this evening? I don’t want to have to sit and listen to Harry & Mona’s shunting stories on my own again Chris,” said Colin.
“Pretty sure I’ll be there Colin. I’ve got that passenger train to take later and I’ll chill with you for a bit before coming back down here,” said Chris.
“Oh good. I’ll probably stay up there tonight. I mean, it’s closer to Rochdale than here. But I do love coasting down upway hill with a cool breeze in the early morning sun.”
“Chicken-”
“Hey, screw you Chris! Hahaha… Oh, hello William.”
William is a BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 steam locomotive that was loaned from British Railways for express work. Though he is good natured in general. He was bullied by other steam engines back on BR so he put on a tough exterior to try and act tough however he has warmed to Colin and shows him great respect. Chris, on the other hand, was still a little skeptical of William. Nonetheless the 3 engines got talking.
“Oh good evening Colin. Good evening Chris,” said William.
“Oh hello William. What brings you here this evening? I thought you liked hanging out at Tameside with the other BR steamers.”
“Well. I must confess, I am getting pretty sick and tired of hearing about Harry & Avery’s shunting stories. So I thought I’d pop down here and see what you 2 were up to.”
“Not a lot. I’m heading back to Oldham with a local goods train in a minute.”
“And I’m stuck here for a bit waiting for a passenger train to Ramsbottom.”
“Well. I’d better get going. I’m due out soon. I’ll let you 2 get to chatting.”
Colin chuffed away to collect his goods train for Wigham, leaving Chris & William alone. They both watched Colin head up the line and they both fell into a cold silence for the longest of times. Eventually, Chris spoke, hating the awkward silence.
“Soooooooo, uh. Did I tell you that my passenger train is special?”
“Colin did mention something about that.”
“I also gotta admit, I’m a bit nervous to pull the train with a visitor from another railway.”
“Who?”
“I think It’s……LNER No. 4771.”
“You mean Green Arrow?”
“Yeah that’s the one-Oh.”
Chris stopped talking, for at that very moment, a Bulleid Pacific backed into the sheds. His name was Kremy and unfortunately, he took all manners about his designer very seriously and despite being built by BR in 1947, he defended the old southern railway with a passion.
“Good evening. Good evening. Now Chris, what was that you were saying about Mr. Bulleid?”