800101 and Andy and Steve
800101 stood gloomily at Gloucester station. His mood was worsened every Monday morning (and Monday mornings were bad enough anyway) by the excited chatter of two men who should know better at their age. Every Monday morning, they awaited his arrival, happily carrying their football kit. At their age!
And every Monday morning, they alighted at Stroud station, swinging their boots as they walked past the old mill: “Monday again, Steve.” “So it is, Andy. The best day of the week. Our walking football day at Stratford Park.”
800101 turned and glowered.
————————————————
He was about to commence the part of the journey to Paddington that he disliked the most. He quite liked St Mary’s Crossing near Chalford where he cheerily tooted his horn as he passed the cottage and the gates, and Isaac and his mum would give a cheery wave, but then, without fail, the self-doubt returned. How he loathed the climb up the incline and the agony of the tunnels at Sapperton!
What had stuck in his mind was the nightmare he once had whilst dozing in the sidings at Old Oak Common. His restless sleep was disturbed by the haunting presence of a silver-haired clergyman talking about how in the old days a train needed banking engines to get up that incline from Chalford and through those tunnels at Sapperton.
———————————————
He recalled how he had awoken with a start! What if he ran out of power climbing up the hill and slipped backwards? Or ran out of power in the tunnels and came to a dead stop? A cold sweat dripped down his cab window.
He had tried therapy. He had listened to old diesels. He had even listened to the wisdom of old steam engines. He had looked at websites and entered chatrooms. He had even tried AI. All to no avail …
Every time he left St Marys behind, the nightmare returned … “I’m not sure I can do it, I’m not sure I can do it …”
————————————–
The following Monday, 800101 was delayed by a signal at Gloucester. The two men decided to enjoy the fresh air on the platform rather than ensconce themselves in a carriage. The two men chatted away whilst 800101 eavesdropped with a quite overwhelming sense of complete and utter joyousness.
It turned out that these two walking footballers used to work on the railway. They were reminiscing about how they used to maintain the track, the tunnels at Sapperton, the gates at St Mary’s and how regular inspections ensured tip-top safety; they then walked down the platform to stand and admire 800101: “A perfect example of the high-speed 800 class”, said Andy. “None better. Perfect way to travel”, replied Steve.
————————
The signal changed to green and off they went with 800101 proudly passing Standish Junction to cheerfully stop at Stonehouse and then Stroud where Andy and Steve alighted once more.
800101 gave a cheerful toot on the horn; Andy and Steve turned round where in surprise they saw a great big grin and a wink. “Have a great game, boys, score one for me. But make sure you walk and don’t run. You know the rules. But I’ll be running up the incline today. I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT!”
Thanks to Andy and Steve, the nightmares have gone. Without doubt, 800101 is now the happiest member of the 800 class that you could find anywhere on the line.
And every Monday at Stroud station you can see three thumbs raised.