How does no one see the pattern of it being the same brake van behind the train every time?
RainbowChaser96
@rainbowchaser96.bsky.social
146 followers 471 following 66 posts
AKA Demonic Ink Press (DIP). Animator, Illustrator. Aromantic-Asexual. Likes TTTE, Pixar Cars, Amphibia, TOH, Ninjago, LMK, P&F and Murder Drones.
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Brake Vans are typically strict and vigilant. They help ensure a train's safety, especially in the event of breakaways or if something goes wrong on any of the wagons.
One van, however, had taken to weaponizing his position. No one suspected him - rough treatment, old equipment, even the other trucks would be blamed before he was.
Every move, every train, was calculated. He watched the engines from afar, gaining intel from what they'd let slip when they thought no one was listening, or from trucks that couldn't keep their mouths shut. From there, he'd weed out the engines he was to go after, and do everything in his power to make their lives miserable.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreifutyraikkmh2clgqu6e52lmusky246n3pm7nubyagt2vv3kfpqou)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
A new double-decker bus had been brought to the island's roads, and he had quickly made it everyone's problem.
The big red bus made no secret of his distaste toward the rail network, nor his plans to overthrow them as the "tyrants" he believed them to be. He vowed to triumph the proclaimed superiority of the roads, uncaring as to who may stand in his way.
He would reshape the future of Sodor's roadways - and he would do it alone if he had to.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreiabrmy3ybgxspv3pp3qk7dviwn3i3xprfkxegktipsz55cdlvoufi)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
8754 and 2984 were not well liked by most of the North Western's residents. 8754 was hostile, bitter, and distant with a painfully persistent refusal towards passenger trains of any kind. 2984 was snooty, uppity, and carried an exaggerated view of himself and his worth to the railway.
Thomas and Edward in particular held disdain for one in particular - Thomas, 8754, and Edward, 2984. Things weren't always as tense as they ended off when the two were eventually sent away, but neither engine likes thinking back on those times - and for good reason.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreif6pzhs2w6oip4nem7um7vzb3lgh2o5kg52fi335q6ecom7exonae)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Gerry fussed into the shed, eager to brag to Stuart about how quickly he'd brought the slate from the quarry to the harbour. Stuart countered that he typically brought more trucks at a time, even if the trips then took longer.
Gerry determined to take extras while maintaining his - he presumed - impressive time. Freddie, meanwhile, didn't take much enthusiasm from either party. He could only hope their ongoing rivalry would mellow out before things ended up taking a turn for the worst.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreic2imfvsz44djj7sv5ihfsan6ljzlrdlvyss5wh6caqxyr6yhe7ge)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Evening Star, number 92220, was the last steam engine built by British Railways. During her working life, she often wondered what made her special. Virtually every evening, she was polished until her brasswork shone.
But few other engines got even close to that kind of treatment. There were engines like Mallard, like Hamilton, and the diminutive City of Truro.
Evening Star tried not to think too hard on why she was the exception to her class. Why of all the 9F's, only she received that special treatment..](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreidwapolc3dqdorqmv3j54x66czivgwraq6cjrtcxqg72fxllybare)
![[1913]
“Soo, how'd it go?”
“Great!” Hermes beamed, either missing or deliberately ignoring the snide tone. “The foreman was very impressed with my work.”
“Was he?” Ares scoffed. “You're back two days early.”
Hermes stuck his tongue out at the red engine.
“I finished the job ahead of schedule.”
“Somehow,” Circe sniffed, “I very much doubt that.”
“Well you always finish your contracts late.” Hermes fired back. “So that's hardly surprising.”
The lime engine bristled.
“They just keep me longer because of how useful I am to them.”
“Yes, because that's definitely how our contracts work.” Ares scoffed. “And I suppose that's why you seem to never land the same company more than once?”
“I have!” Circe snapped. “Remember Benjamin Harper?”
“That was explicitly because Apollo over there was mid-repair, and the rest of us were out with other jobs.”
The blue engine in question glared, but said nothing.
As Circe and Ares began bickering, Hermes chuckled to himself.
The workshop was loud, cramped, and every engine got weird looks when they were out working, but at the end of the day, it was home - well, home enough.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreicnb7aswvqxvo7efvzwwvnjbz75ydabcqgpvhcpotzxc75v6vcw2y)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Nia and Kessie sat outside their shed. The two initially discussed the latter's choice in paint - namely off-white with predominately crimson accents. The discussion suddenly shifted to their sister, Talia, who had been transferred elsewhere a few months prior.
Kessie expressed their discomfort with the arrangement and concern towards the wellbeing of their sister. Kia comforted Kessie, reassuring them that their manager would never allow any of them to be sent somewhere that would bring them harm - even with hard times setting in.
Before they went to sleep, Kessie made Nia promise that, if they ever got split up, that they would continue to be friends.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreighb3sxr7lhmt6bta4oasr7qwh4h5yitevje2fwjsuemj6uqmxlrm)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Toby's Tramway had closed. The little tram engine, his coach Henrietta, and luggage van Elsie, had no idea what would become of them.
The driver and stoker promised they'd find work nearby, so they wouldn't have to leave the area completely. This helped, but if even the last engine crew had been laid off, then it truly was official.
There really was nothing left.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreicfavnvjwjxtqj45feodiy6q75nybu2azlhpnccqqr4dkimywcicy)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Norman, Sidney, and Paxton stood within Vicarstown Sheds. They spent the night discussing their future on the North Western Railway, and their concerns that they may not be accepted given the riot within Crovan's Gate Works they unfortunately played no small part in.
They had been misinformed, but would the Sodor Engines accept that? And what would happen to them if they didn't?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreicu33myczwviumf3augi5fjwx2cbhogk34zdzhoop6p6grmm5m7ou)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Michelle was eager to get up to speed on the main line - there she could focus on her work and not have Gordon looming over her. That changed very quickly when the big blue engine in question came storming up alongside her, seemingly intent on overtaking her.
The impromptu race took them all the way to Wellsworth. By that point, Gordon was completely wrong-roading, with only two tracks making up the stretch of the main line they were occupying. Either Gordon hadn't thought that far ahead, or he'd expected to overtake Michelle before this point. Whatever the case, Michelle continued to serve much more of a challenge than what he'd expected.
As the two soared by Wellsworth Yard, Emily appeared on the track ahead. She clamped down her brakes and tried to stop, but, in a moment of panic, Gordon took Michelle's moment of hesitation to try and overtake her.
Michelle, with no time to stop, smashed into Gordon's train. The last thing she remembered was hoping as her wheels left the rails that her coaches and passengers wouldn't be too badly injured in the wreck.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreihkyuqsodesvgnuyflv5jks7hgv3aqbr23gv7ykhseim3h3jjxsja)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Gordon was livid when he heard that Michelle had been chosen to pull the new express. He, meanwhile, had been rostered on a goods train to Vicarstown. As he sulked, a very dangerous idea came to mind as to just how he would prove his capabilities against his rival Pacific once and for all...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreihlu3rxa6usyjb3k7vdpn4hhd4bd522lk5jmptdlpalehob46cxny)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Lewielol, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
As Autumn settled, Michelle grew increasingly exasperated with Gordon's attitude and wished more than anything to not have to put up with him. One morning, she was summoned to Tidmouth Station to meet with Sir Topham Hatt. On the way, she overheard Gordon talking with one of the tank engines, and the name of her designer came up.
Simply put, what she did hear left her on edge.
Sir Topham Hatt met her at the station, and introduced her to the coaches that would make up "The Sudrian", the North Western's new boat train service. Michelle was given the task of running the inaugural journey, something that lifted her spirits a great deal.
Unfortunately, as she set off, she never noticed the other presence - namely the other big blue engine standing in the station, having overheard everything.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreidkp4xgsfnskrw3qdmeejd7vgiemc54kw5bkwdldp2q3hlfs5cvbe)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
The days that followed were exhausting. Whenever Michelle and Gordon shared a yard, shed, or station, the latter made the exchange difficult. He cut in front of her at the water tower, taking the water for himself. He took the first express when they both knew Michelle was rostered on it, and dismissed her when she tried to argue. Once, he even shoved some trucks into her while she was stocking up on coal.
All in all, Michelle was growing fed up with Gordon's attitude, and wished more than anything that he'd buzz off and let her do her work in peace.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreifn2tildso3kqdyisrs4hwbrr4ul56nfecc6p6u3vb42opr7evgnm)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Henry backed into Vicarstown Shed, and confronted Michelle on cutting in front of him earlier that morning. Emily backed Michelle up in assuring the incident was isolated, and would not be repeated. Gordon broke into the conversation moments later, attempting to rag on Michelle as he had the night prior. Again, Emily assisted Michelle in standing up to the big blue engine.
Michelle added that if Gordon was going to speak negatively about her, that he should say his commentary to her directly. She also explained that she had not been carrying an express train, and as such, could not be held responsible for any harm brought to the coaches. Gordon wasn't going to dignify that with admitting he'd made the incident up, and the matter was subsequently shelved - at least for that evening.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreiafu54gmz753tpkhimtdamsweaq5emn43itqx3eesic3qmonsvbki)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Emily found Michelle in the yard and told her off something fierce. It didn't take long for Michelle to regret running so recklessly with the express. She admitted to Emily what Gordon and Saint had said the night before, and how it had frustrated her.
Emily vowed to try and return to the sheds sooner, and made Michelle promise she wouldn't do anything else quite so rash or dangerous going forward. The blue engine promised to do better, and they left it at that.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreidmlw7iyzfntybafwcevse4t43nrt2is7sdvcxyatedlhxcp7cmay)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Lewielol, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
[Can't Catch Me ~ Brad Allen & Emily Ricks]
Michelle soared down the main line with the express. She took Clarus's words and ran with them - literally. She wasn't just pulling an express train. She was making a statement.
She rocketed through Wellsworth Yard, giving Edward quite a surprise.
She cleared Gordon's Hill and Maron Station beyond before she ran into trouble. The express hurtled past a red signal that its engine only noticed too late. Farther up the line, Henry was about to cross over their line with a goods train. Michelle decided in the heat of the moment that her only option was to try and outpace the smaller Pacific.
Henry, meanwhile, ground to a halt with inches to spare. To call him displeased would be putting it very mildly.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreigy2ardnyyq2mfi6jpv7s4zusqzmqjh4hkwobxblh3ozv35liirba)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Lewielol, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Michelle backed onto her first train out of Tidmouth. As she prepared to leave, she took notice of a small blue engine at the adjacent platform. The engine introduced herself as Clarus, and quickly noticed all was not well with the big engine.
Once she learned of the events of the night before, Clarus pushed Michelle to give Gordon something to be afraid of. She encouraged Michelle to capitalize on the advantage she apparently had, and to give both the other express engines a run for their money.
If Gordon wanted competition, he'd gotten it.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreihndrljpwhj3rd5ed6og3y5jzvgml3pwebvzncpm5r5ngzmjjut44)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Michelle arrived at Vicarstown Sheds after her last trip with the express. She would quickly grow to wish she hadn't, as Gordon and 2984 had one go after another at her, insinuating that she'd been reckless with the express.
Every time the Northeastern engine tried to so much as get a word in, she'd get rudely interrupted - usually by Gordon. This went on for what felt like hours, but by the time another engine arrived, the two seemed to have suddenly stopped.
Emily noticed Michelle looking upset, and asked about it. Michelle blew her off, claiming to just be tired after the day's events. Really, she was seething to herself, and working on how she would get her own back.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreigs2ydlfvpgvta5admkfbmsuqmzvbwoiyeoh4e4irhdj63e2gc6fe)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Gordon had ruptured his safety valve outside Ballahoo Tunnel while pulling the express. He wasn't out of service long, and was soon back at work. He met 2984 in the yard, and quickly sought out his assistance.
The two big engines conspired together on how to rid the railway of their new Raven A2 colleague.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreibcpc5oqnb2oum5comu5aksgndkvexxjiohole4sbpoxa44iqw3wu)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Duke sat outside Crovan's Gate Sheds, resting before his next train. While he waited, he noticed Ivo Hugh - the new little engine - looking upset.
She told him about how the others - whether they knew it or not - constantly treated her like a kid. She was still young yet, but wanted to show them that she wasn't just a child.
Duke advised her to enjoy her young years, and not wish them away. He reminisced on how he hardly ever got the chance to do the things other young engines did. Everything had to be "just so" from day one. He admitted that every once in a while, he found himself feeling jealous of what the younger engines got away with - things he was always scrutinized over, and ensured that he never did.
He also quipped that Sir Handel might just be jealous himself that he no longer had the youth Ivo Hugh had - though he asked her not to bring that up if she saw him.
Ivo Hugh was left still miffed about being the "kid" of the group, but with a bit of a new perspective on the situation. Well, and an idea as to what she'd say to Sir Handel if he had another go at her age.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreihkulk4gwqwzgidmk5wpzkwaqpgaffw7lpidf6i5mfulr7raqccvm)
![[Sprites by Cj-the-Creator, Princess-Muffins, and Myself]
Jock brought the first rake of empty ballast trucks to Arlesburgh Junction, where he met Sigrid of Arlesdale picking up the quarry workers. He offered to let her through first, even though she wasn't yet ready to leave. Despite her reluctance, she allowed the younger engine to wait for her.
The two chatted until Sigrid was ready to leave. She set off, more amused at Jock's insistence on letting her go first than anything else.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jvtoggbymkbodoe4dljn6lq/bafkreig4ojipqyeqiy3epwc5okgtck4esaey3cj3osvtxttysb6fkhns4q)
