hazel-of-sodor

[hazel-of-sodor]

[hazel-of-sodor]

Please make a post about the story of the RMS Carpathia, because it's something that's almost beyond belief and more people should know about it.

Carpathia received Titanic’s distress signal at 12:20am, April 15th, 1912. She was 58 miles away, a distance that absolutely could not be covered in less than four hours.

(Californian’s exact position at the time is…controversial. She was close enough to have helped. By all accounts she was close enough to see Titanic’s distress rockets. It’s uncertain to this day why her crew did not respond, or how many might not have been lost if she had been there. This is not the place for what-ifs. This is about what was done.)

Carpathia’s Captain Rostron had, yes, rolled out of bed instantly when woken by his radio operator, ordered his ship to Titanic’s aid and confirmed the signal before he was fully dressed. The man had never in his life responded to an emergency call. His goal tonight was to make sure nobody who heard that fact would ever believe it.

All of Carpathia’s lifeboats were swung out ready for deployment. Oil was set up to be poured off the side of the ship in case the sea turned choppy; oil would coat and calm the water near Carpathia if that happened, making it safer for lifeboats to draw up alongside her. He ordered lights to be rigged along the side of the ship so survivors could see it better, and had nets and ladders rigged along her sides ready to be dropped when they arrived, in order to let as many survivors as possible climb aboard at once.

I don’t know if his making provisions for there still being survivors in the water was optimism or not. I think he knew they were never going to get there in time for that. I think he did it anyway because, god, you have to hope.

Carpathia had three dining rooms, which were immediately converted into triage and first aid stations. Each had a doctor assigned to it. Hot soup, coffee, and tea were prepared in bulk in each dining room, and blankets and warm clothes were collected to be ready to hand out. By this time, many of the passengers were awake–prepping a ship for disaster relief isn’t quiet–and all of them stepped up to help, many donating their own clothes and blankets.

And then he did something I tend to refer to as diverting all power from life support.

Here’s the thing about steamships: They run on steam. Shocking, I know; but that steam powers everything on the ship, and right now, Carpathia needed power. So Rostron turned off hot water and central heating, which bled valuable steam power, to everywhere but the dining rooms–which, of course, were being used to make hot drinks and receive survivors. He woke up all the engineers, all the stokers and firemen, diverted all that steam back into the engines, and asked his ship to go as fast as she possibly could. And when she’d done that, he asked her to go faster.

I need you to understand that you simply can’t push a ship very far past its top speed. Pushing that much sheer tonnage through the water becomes harder with each extra knot past the speed it was designed for. Pushing a ship past its rated speed is not only reckless–it’s difficult to maneuver–but it puts an incredible amount of strain on the engines. Ships are not designed to exceed their top speed by even one knot. They can’t do it. It can’t be done.

Carpathia’s absolute do-or-die, the-engines-can’t-take-this-forever top speed was fourteen knots. Dodging icebergs, in the dark and the cold, surrounded by mist, she sustained a speed of almost seventeen and a half.

No one would have asked this of them. It wasn’t expected. They were almost sixty miles away, with icebergs in their path. They had a responsibility to respond; they did not have a responsibility to do the impossible and do it well. No one would have faulted them for taking more time to confirm the severity of the issue. No one would have blamed them for a slow and cautious approach. No one but themselves.

They damn near broke the laws of physics, galloping north headlong into the dark in the desperate hope that if they could shave an hour, half an hour, five minutes off their arrival time, maybe for one more person those five minutes would make the difference. I say: three people had died by the time they were lifted from the lifeboats. For all we know, in another hour it might have been more. I say they made all the difference in the world.

This ship and her crew received a message from a location they could not hope to reach in under four hours. Just barely over three hours later, they arrived at Titanic’s last known coordinates. Half an hour after that, at 4am, they would finally find the first of the lifeboats. it would take until 8:30 in the morning for the last survivor to be brought onboard. Passengers from Carpathia universally gave up their berths, staterooms, and clothing to the survivors, assisting the crew at every turn and sitting with the sobbing rescuees to offer whatever comfort they could.

In total, 705 people of Titanic’s original 2208 were brought onto Carpathia alive. No other ship would find survivors.

At 12:20am April 15th, 1912, there was a miracle on the North Atlantic. And it happened because a group of humans, some of them strangers, many of them only passengers on a small and unimpressive steam liner, looked at each other and decided: I cannot live with myself if I do anything less.

I think the least we can do is remember them for it.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Do you prefer the original or rebuilt Bulleid Pacifics?

In terms of appearence? I flip back and forth honestly. They were rebuilt for a reason however. Well alot of reasons. Visability, reliablity, stopping them from catching fire. Bullied had a habit of reconginzing the future too early, before the tech was ready.

Rebbeca is a rebuilt one in my AU bc only 34090 fit the backstory I had in mind for her.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Tonight's engine Seaford of the LBSCR! Originally built in 1859 under Craven, she would go on to be the first engine on the East London Line in 1869. Eventually replaced by Terriers, Stroudley would have her rebuilt in 1873 at Brighton with a new Cab and tanks. Withdrawn in 1879, she would be saved (in my AU) by the Denbigh and Wrexham Railway.

[hazel-of-sodor]

For whatever reason, this old post has always done well (even after Henry was completed) so heres the current equivalent.

current wip (no Im not ignoring Henry, I just haven’t started him yet.)

[hazel-of-sodor]

Presenting the British Railway's D16/2! These Bullied designed diesel locomotives were origannly ordered by the Southern Railway, but the wouldn't enter service until after nationalization.

The first two, 10 101 and 10 102, were built at BR Ashford Works in 1950 using 1750 bhp engines and transmisions from English Electric.

The Third, 10 103, would be built at Brighton Works in 1954 with an improved 2000 bhp engine, and would serve as the bassis for the BR Class 40. In my AU a further three the three, 10 104 through 10 106, were built to the design of 10 103 for trialing diesel traction on the Chester and Holyhead Railway.

The original three would be sold the DWR following their withdrawl in 1963, taking over the DWR's express run to London.

The C&HR trio would remain in service with the C&HR, taking over the railway's expresses past Chester when the Mainline Steam Ban came into effect.

[hazel-of-sodor]

So, here's an interesting thing I thought about, as I have an engine of this class on my own railway: How do the GWR 3200 "Earl" Class 4-4-0s work? The frames of a GWR Bulldog and the body of a GWR Duke, merged into one engine.

I remember in one of your Traintober oneshots, other engines would occasionally wake up in Percy's body due to all the parts from different engines used on him. Would something similar happen with the Earls? Are they just the original Duke? Are they the original Bulldog? Do both exist sharing the body? Is the resulting Earl a completely new entity? Do all three share the body? It's really quite interesting to think about, and i'd love to hear your thoughts

So they're usually the Bulldog, as the frames came from them. Percy had so many engines put into his "construction" and so many parts modified, it resulted in the events of Stranger in My Own Body. The Dukedogs, were basically the Bulldogs being given new boilers, cabs, and other above frame fittings. They were given the Duke's numbers as a nod to the components from said engines, but by and large personality wise they were the Bulldogs, just rebuilt.

[hazel-of-sodor]

This explains alot about your stories actually

One of my favourite ways to break through writers block when I'm stuck on a story is the advice I received long ago from I can't remember where but it goes like this;

If you're stuck on a story ask yourself this:

What's the worst thing that can happen right now?

My readers have become quite acquainted with what that means and I do apologise. But not really.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Out of all the designs you have made over the years, what do you feel is the most outlandish and the most realistic?

The LNER Duplex (non-canon) prolly is the most outlandish.

My H&PR engines prolly are among the most reasonable.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Star Trek Lower Decks and Star Trek Online... I'm alway up for more Lower Decks content

[hazel-of-sodor]

What was Elena's reaction when she learned one of her sisters came back from the dead?

I honestly had never planned that out.

Relief, prolly? Remeber that for the last like five decades Emily was the only other one left. Now, how one from 90 years ago came back...definetly some strong langauge came out. I may do a story with this one day.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Train Family

The folks on Discord really liked this one. :)

The year after the Great War started, Robert Sam came up to the two narrow-gauge engines, looking absolutely thrilled. In his arms was a little boy, looking up at Skarloey and Rheneas with wide, curious eyes. "Skarloey, Rheneas," Robert Sam began, "this is my son, Peter. Peter, say hi to them."

The baby gurgled, a smile on his little face. The two engines couldn't help but coo, and off to the side, Mrs. Sam looked on, finding the entire situation absolutely adorable. "He's going to be a railway man one day," Robert Sam said proudly. "I can tell! And then he'll be your driver, Rheneas."

Rheneas managed to tear his eyes away from the baby long enough to frown at his driver. "Robert, I know how enthusiastic you are about this, but you'd best not pressure this boy into doing anything he doesn't want to do. His future is his own, and even if he doesn't come to work the railway, you WILL support him!"

Robert simply laughed in response. "Of course, of course. But I can feel it in my bones; my boy's going to be just like me."

Rheneas rolled his eyes. "Oh lovely," he replied, his tone deadpan. "I can't wait to have to put up with two Sams' worth of antics."

At this, Skarloey and Robert broke into laughter, with even little Peter joining in, and Rheneas couldn't keep but grin—the joy was absolutely infectious.

-----

"Hi, Pop!" called a youthful voice, and Robert Sam alighted from Rheneas' cab to see 8-year-old Peter running towards him, waving wildly. A beaming smile so wide it seemed like it might hurt stretched across his face. "Hi, Rheneas!"

"Good afternoon, Peter," the crimson engine smiled. "Did you have a good day at school?"

"Of course I did!" Peter grinned. "I even saw Skarloey go by today, and I waved at him!"

"Oh?" his father chuckled. "I'm quite sure that was us, though. Wasn't it, Rheneas?"

The engine gave his driver a sidelong look, but his smile didn't waver. "Don't involve me in your nonsense, Robert Sam."

In that mercurial way that only children can manage, Peter's earlier grin vanished, replaced by a pout that caused his face to scrunch up like he'd sucked on a lemon. "Yeah! Leave Rheneas alone, Pop! Besides, it wasn't you; I know how to tell the difference between Skarloey and Rheneas! I have to know these things if I'm going to be a driver one day."

This proclaimation caused the easygoing smiles on Robert and Rheneas's faces to subtley shift into twin expressions of wonder, both sets of eyes wide in surprise. "Peter... you seriously want to be a driver one day?" his father asked.

"Yeah!" the boy replied, his grin bubbling back up at the thought. "Rheneas and Skarloey are my friends! I want to go up and down the line with them, just like you!"

Engine and driver felt their hearts swell. But before either could respond, there came a call of "Peter!" Mrs. Sam had arrived, ready to take Peter home, and the boy waved at his father and his friend one last time before running off.

"Robert... you didn't—" Rheneas began.

"Not at all," Robert marveled. "He decided all on his own. See, Rheneas? I told you he was like me. You'll have a friend for life!"

Once again, Rheneas rolled his eyes, but the sparks in his firebox felt bright. Maybe these things did run in the family after all.

-----

"You have everything you need, right?" Robert asked, a rarely-heard trace of worry in his tone.

"Yes, Pop," a 16-year-old Peter Sam smiled, seemingly unaffected by his father's aura of anxiety. "I'm all packed!"

The young Sam had quite a bit of luggage, and Rheneas idly wondered how well he would be able to manage it all. Peter was going to be away for quite some time, off on an apprenticeship and volunteer opportunity with another railway. Both father and engine were excited for him, but Rheneas couldn't deny that he also felt somewhat sad.

"Do your best, Peter," Robert counseled. "Ask for help if you need it, accept advice as it makes sense to do so, and while not everyone is your friend, not everyone is your enemy either. Make friends, learn a lot, and please do write to us." With that, the driver embraced his son in a hug, and Rheneas couldn't help but smile.

"Your father's right, Peter," he seconded. "If you are truly committed, then you must give it your all. No being half-hearted about it!"

Peter laughed as his father finally let go, his familiar cheer bringing Robert and Rheneas no small amount of comfort. "Ok, ok! Geez, it's like I have two dads! I'll be alright, and I'll write you when I get there."

Suddenly, a loud whistle sounded as Gordon pulled up with the Express.

"There's my train!" Peter exclaimed, eyes bright as he began corralling his luggage. "Off I go. Bye, Pop! Bye, Rheneas!"

"Good luck!" Rheneas called.

"Have fun!" his father shouted.

And with a bevy of bags and bustle, Peter Sam got himself on the train, waving good-bye to his father and (self-proclaimed) second dad. In a few short minutes, the train pulled out of the station, leaving Robert and Rheneas to watch it go with complicated emotions on their faces and in their hearts.

"...Do you think he'll come back?" Rheneas asked quietly, his words almost imperceptible over the sound of Gordon's grand exit. "He's a good lad, but there's so much more out there than here on Sodor, especially our little railway. Maybe he'll find work on some large railway somewhere."

"Truthfully, I don't know," his driver replied, his anxiety now replaced with a resigned somberness. "But just as you said, whatever he does, we'll support him. And hey... you'll have me for as long as I can manage, old friend."

Rheneas smiled as Robert Sam gave his boiler a companionable pat, the familiar gesture appreciated amidst all of the change.

"And as always, I am grateful for it."

-----

Robert Sam walked out of the Crovan's Gate stationmaster's office with tired eyes, but a wide smile on his face. "Well, Rheneas, it's official! Sir Handel Brown wants me to take over as the next railway controller!"

Rheneas beamed in response, all of his earlier anxiety vanishing like steam in the wind. "That's wonderful, Robert! You'll do an excellent job."

After a moment, however, the engine's good cheer waned as a quiet hesitance took its place, his next words coming out a little slower than he would have liked. "I suppose that means that I'll have to have a new driver, though."

Robert Sam gave his engine an understanding pat. "I know you're not thrilled by the prospect, old boy, but it has to be done. I can't manage the railway effectively if I'm running trains."

"I know," Rheneas replied, his pensive expression once again being replaced by a small smile. "And you've been so good to me for all of these years. I've been quite spoiled."

At this, Robert gave a funny little grin that reminded Rheneas very much of Skarloey. "Well, as it happens, I'm leaving you in very capable hands. We received several applications for who would be your new driver, and it'll ultimately be your choice, but we have a candidate that I think you'll like very much."

This unexpected news caused Rheneas to blink, a look of surprise finding its way onto his face. "Oh? Who did you have in mind?"

Robert Sam chuckled knowingly, a twinkle in his eye. "He'll be out in a moment."

The newly-crowned controller had barely finished his sentence before the office door opened once again, this time to reveal a fresh-faced 21-year-old dressed in a good suit, with a rather dashing demeanor to match. However, Rheneas saw past the costume immediately, looking into the eyes of a boy whom he'd known since the time he was born.

"...Peter Sam? Is that you?"

"Hi Rheneas," the young man answered with an achingly familiar grin. "I'm home."

"So you are," the old engine breathed, willing the water in his tank to stay where it was. "But... what are you..."

"Well, I did say I wanted to become your driver one day," Peter replied sunnily, closing the distance between himself and the crimson engine. Once he was close enough for only Robert and Rheneas to hear, he continued. "And... between you and me, Pop said that if I was going to do it, I'd have to learn some secrets of yours, things that have been rather hard on you."

For the first time, Peter Sam's joy now had a hint of worry to it, a gentle kindness that he hadn't fully realized before he'd left but was so very him. "Pop said he wouldn't tell me what they were until you agreed that I could be your driver, but... whatever it is, I can handle it, Rheneas. I promise. You and Skarloey mean so much to me, and I'd be really happy if we could go up and down the line together. My apprenticeship and volunteer work was to learn how to operate engines, so that I'd be ready to drive one of you one day." Peter Sam bit at his lip, staring at the old engine with cautiously hopeful eyes. "So... what do you say?"

Rheneas was silent for a long moment, simply allowing himself to think back to Robert Sam's statement way back when. A friend for life. He couldn't deny that he'd been skeptical of Robert's bold claim, but looking at Peter Sam, it was clear that the lad loved railways, and that he loved this railway in particular. He'd really meant it when he said he was home. And Rheneas also couldn't deny the warm, fluttering feeling in his firebox at an outlandish declaration come to pass, through neither force nor coercion, all because the Sam family truly was, as Robert had said, a train family. A train family that had decided Rheneas would be their friend forever, just as he had decided to entrust himself to Robert all those years ago.

"Well," Rheneas said at last, a reassuring smile spreading across his face, "I suppose that I could be convinced to let you trial me. I've put up with your father for this long; I somehow doubt you could be any worse."

"YAHOO!" Peter Sam yelled gleefully, pumping his fist in the air before suddenly realizing that he was making a scene. "I mean, thank you, Rheneas! You won't regret this! We'll be great! Hahaha!"

Once again, Rheneas couldn't stop himself from laughing along as Robert also joined in. If there was one thing that he could say about the Sams, it was that Peter Sam's joy truly was as infectious as his father's.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Tonight, the remaster of of my L&YR class 29, James!

Top right is as he arrived on Sodor

Top left is if he never had his accident

2nd Right is NWR red

2nd left is BR Black

3rd Right is BR Blure

3rd Left is BR Green

Bottom Right is NWR Green

Bottom Left is an AU where James ends up on the DWR.

Lore Piece for the DWR AU:

"and here we see 52620, a unique variant of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway's class 28, it was built as a mogul with 5'6" drivers designed by George Hughes in hopes of curing the class's tendency to dive at speed. While the 52620, then L&YR 1948, did perform stably at speed, it was decided to not pursue any more of this variation.

while normally being a non-standard one off design would have speeled doom for any engine on LMS metals, 52620, then 12620, was spared by a twist of fate. She was at Crewe, set to be scrapped, when Rhyl sheds phoned for an engine to replace another that had been in an accident with some trucks. 52620, had yet to drop her last fire, and so was sent to cover for the the stricken engine

The crews in Wales took a liking to the one off Mogul, and refused to send back the engine, saying she was a perfectly fine locomotive. The engine spent the rest of her life under the LMS and British Railways wandering the region around Rhyl, overhauled at local engine works. By the Time of this picture, British Railway's lack of care toward's their steam engines had taken its tole, but relief was in sight, as come the new year, her home shed will be part of the newly reformed Denbigh and Wrecham Railway"

[hazel-of-sodor]

Presenting the LMS 6202, the Turbomotive!

[hazel-of-sodor]

Tonight, a brand new engine, The LMS Princess Royal!

6201 Princess Elizabeth- was purchased straight from British Railways in November 1962 by the Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society.

6211 Queen Maud- Purchased discretely in 1961 by a preservation group, the engine would be moved to The Rose Line in 1973, joining 6206.

46205 Princess Victoria- Purchased for the Sodor Railway Museum in Suddery upon withdrawal in 1961

46200 The Princess Royal- was preserved as part of the National Collection when withdrawn in 1962

46209 Princess Beatrice- Hidden by Caomhnóir in 1962, was eventually given to the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust.

46212 Duchess of Kent- 1961, Purchased by her old Driver, in private ownership.

6206 Princess Marie Louise-Purchased directly from British Railways in 1962, the group that purchased her would later purchase the closed line that became The Rose Line, with 6202 becoming the line's flagship engine.

46210 Lady Patricia- When withdrawn in 1961, it was donated to the Krestaen Railway Museum in an attempt to improve relations between the Chester and Holyhead Railway and British Railways.

6207 Princess Arthur of Connaught- was purchased by the Great Western Railway, and was used to help develop the railway's Cathedral Class pacifics, who all consider 6207 their mother. Sent to Barry in 1964, she was saved by the Kingsbridge Preservation Group in 1970, joining her child 8502 Avebury.

46203 Princess Margaret Rose- was initially preserved in 1962 as a static display at a Holiday Camp, but these days is owned by the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust.

C8 Gwenllian ferch Llywelyn- formerly 6208 Princess Helena Victoria, was purchased by the Denbigh and Wrexham Railway upon her withdrawal in 1962, and has remained in service there ever since.

46204 Princess Louise- was sold to the Chester and Holyhead Railway in 1961, and can be found hualing Expresses, both goods and passenger.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Did Charles consider rebuilding Rebecca to the unstreamlined version of the Battle of Britain class?

Sorry, I took so long to respond. So Rebecca is 34090, "Sir Eustace Missenden" and was already rebuilt by the time she was purchased byt the NWR. Her appearence on the show reflects her design and personailty when she originally met Gordon during the 1949 exchange trials.

[hazel-of-sodor]

No, but it made sense to make an alternate version of him while I was making this, also I imagine any surviving 28 would prolly be made to look like him in DOWT events

Tonight, a brand new set of engines, the L&YR Class 28 and rebuilt Class 27!