Dathew The Friendly Diesel Locomotive
By SteamLocoLtMtn

The work in Northern Nathan Railway have increased signifficantly, passenger trains and goods trains is
on high demand especially that the railway needs a new locomotive; specifically a diesel. So one day, 
a new locomotive arrives with The New Strict Controller, Catlin Lucy Cat who is an adult female cat. The
new engine is very unusal as he has two cabs on each end and two bulldog nose on each end and he is painted
blue with yellow ends and a black roof. The locomotives have never seen such a locomotive like this.

"This is Dathew, he will be helping with work loads on mainline and branch lines," says Catlin, "Please
make him feel welcome on my railway." "Yes Miss Catlin," says the locomotives in unison, Caltin goes off
to her office. Each of the locomotives have greeted themselves to Dathew, well all except Erica The Emerald
steam Locomotive. She is proud of her emerald green paint and vain but she is somewhat untrustworthy to different 
locomotives especially a diesel-electric locomotive. Dathew is soon put to work, he proves to be a success and
a huge help to the railway as he can manage passenger trains and goods trains with ease. Because Dathew has cabs
on both ends, he doesn't need a turntable and his driver and the off-sider just inter-change cabs but can operate
his controls from his rear cab. Many of the locomotives have accepted Dathew as he has a friendly character but
Erica just find him too happy.

"You seem to enjoy yourself as if you day is like a Sunday afternoon," grumbles Erica, "You're just too friendly to
have a miserable moment!" "I did have bad times when I worked on the railway after I was built," says Dathew, "But 
I am just happy to work again since being stuck for an overhaul." "Pah!" snorts Erica, "You're just a oblivious, 
carefree diesel who is happy like nothing hurts you....even if the younger diesels have taken your jobs away." Erica
puffs away leaving a very hurt and unhappy Dathew who hates hearing about the "newer" diesels taking his jobs when he 
and his other members were withdrawn from service. "Oh take no notice of her," comforts Trap The German Tank Engine,
"She may be vain but she will see sense." Dathew hopes Erica does.


With the summer season work gets more and more busy, this means more railway services are required to attend to the 
work loads, even more so than Big Tony The Bigboy Locomotive can manage. But the passenger and excursion passenger
services are the most busy railway services as the good trains because many passengers and tourists all want a tour
of the mainline particularly whether steam or diesel, and sometimes electric too. It is obivious that Erica is chosen
to take the excurson train as Big Tony had to assist the heavy goods train jobs. "Would you like my help?" asks Dathew,
"This excurson have lots of coaches and this may need an assisting locomotive." "No way," scoffs Erica, "I don't need
help from a friendly diesel like you!" The guard blows the whistle and Erica storms out of the station.

Erica is enjoying herself as she races across the mainline with the passengers enjoying the view, all is well until 
something goes horribly wrong; her fireman tries to open the injectors but the valves aren't working well. If the 
injectors fail that means the water from the tender or tanks won't feed the boiler and could overheat the boiler and
can be extremely dangerous and may cause the boiler to explode. Immediately, her driver stops the train at the next 
station uncouple Erica from the excurson train, knock the fire out and another locomotive quickly shunts Erica to a siding 
out of the way. Thankfully, Erica is cooled down but with her injectors failed, she is too risky to take the excurson train.
The only available locomotive is Dathew where the stationmaster arrives to speak to him.

"Erica's injectors have failed and the excurson train is left stranded, can you please rescue the train?" "I will sir," says
Dathew and his roars away. He arrives at Glennook Station where the coaches are left at the platform with the staff providing 
cakes, drinks and tea as an apology for the delay and inconvenience. Erica is red in the smokebox with annoyance, as Dathew is
coupled to the coaches, passengers are impressed with a sleek diesel much to Dathew's cheerfulness and Erica's shock. Dathew 
soon departs with the excurson train, continues the excurson trip and arrives back to Main Station 5 minutes early. The passengers
all thank Dathew for coming to the rescue. Dathew comes back to collect Erica and take her to Crewe for repairs as Dathew arrives
at Crewe with Erica, Catlin is waiting for them.


"Well done Dathew," says Catlin, "You have saved the excurson train and you're a great help to my railway." Dathew is very pleased
with the praise. Catlin then speaks severely to Erica, "You have said mean things to Dathew that have upset his feelings. He is 
friendly because he likes working with all locomotives whether be steam, diesel or electric and treats them as any friend. I am very
displeased with that sort of behaviour. You owe Dathew an apology." "I'm sorry Dathew," says Erica humbly, "Thank you for helping me and
rescuing the excurson." "Well that's alright," says Dathew, "At least the passengers have enjoyed the tour with me." Erica smiles "You
know," she says "You're the best diesel locomotive in the railway because you are useful and friendly to the others." Dathew smiles, it's
good to be friends with nicer, friendly locomotives.

Now Erica has full respect and acceptance with Dathew as he and Erica take turns of the passenger or excursion trains. Dathew can also help
the other locomotives including Erica. Now Dathew is happy as can be to be working on Northern Nathan Railway as he proves his usefulnes and
likes to have friends even if he is a diesel.