A/N: this story is in honour of Kieron0103 and his 'Beacon Railway' book. I enjoy his books, along with the 'Thomas and Friends' TV series and some films, so I think creating this story is a good idea.
Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are bei...
"Hey, Brave." Tyler gently patted the dog's head, the German Shepherd giving a low rumble of appreciation. "Looks rather good for this sign." The dog barked in agreement. Then, he perked up his ears, as he could hear something in the distance, and barked at this. "What is it, boy?" Tyler asked. He turned to look down the heritage line, and he could see a cloud of smoke coming from the trees. "The 10:30 is already here? Talk about timing. You've got some great ears, Bravery." He patted the German Shepherd's head, the dog smiling.
Just down the line, a whistle could be heard, as a steam engine chugged it's way along with one of the first passenger trains of the day, and it was making great time. The locomotive in question is a Victorian Railways J Class 2-8-0 steam engine, painted in a jet black colour with red lining along the sides of the footplate, the traction rods sporting red lining, and two red smoke deflectors either side of the boiler face, with a large headlamp sitting on top of the boiler.
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The Victorian Railways J Class was a branchline steam locomotive that was once operated by the Victorian Railways (VR) between the years of 1954 and 1972. A development of the successful Victorian Railways K Class 2-8-0 engines, it was the last but new class of steam locomotive introduced on the VR.
The J Class locomotives adopted an alternative approach to the problem by utilising a high-set boiler (with the boiler centre 9ft 2 1⁄2"(2.807m) above rail level, compared with the with 8ft 4"(2.54m) for the K Class), setting the firebox above the frames and driving wheels, and retaining the K Class' short wheelbase. The J Class also features a number of other design advances over the K class. It has a larger grate, enabling grate sections to be compatible with those of the N Class and permitting an increase in firebox volume sufficient to allow two arch tubes to be installed. Another innovation is the use of a regulator valve incorporating a centrifugal steam separator (to draw away any water and thus provide the driest steam), rather than the simpler (though extremely reliable) D Regulator Valve used in the K Class. The J Class also features substantially redesigned cylinder porting to improve steam flow and efficiency. The innovative SCOA-P type driving wheel centre developed for the Victorian Railways R Class is adapted for the 55" (1,397mm) diameter J Class drivers. The high-set boiler, together with the German-style smoke deflectors, give the J Class engines a distinctly European appearance.
The driver of the locomotive calls this engine 'Crystal', since he can sense this locomotive is alive. The driver, who's name is Billy, a man who's in his 40's, but has over 20 years of railroading experience, arrives with his train at the station. After parking up the train for a half-hour break, Billy walked over to Tyler and Bravery, the latter two relaxing by a park bench. "That is some fine work, Tyler. Great job." He complimented the boy's paintwork for the sign.
"Thanks, Billy." Tyler replied back, then he looked down at a sheet of paper on the table. "Hey, Billy. Take a look at this." Tyler next shows a map of the Merrillville Heritage Railroad, and nearby the marked track that goes through the hills and mountains, not far from the main highway, there seemed to be a faded grey line, which seems to be well hidden. "I've been looking at this map, and I've noticed these odd looking lines. They look like that of railroad tracks, but I don't see them at all. I mean, except for the ones that you travel on."
