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English
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Part 57 of The Extended Railway Series
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Published:
2025-07-25
Completed:
2025-07-28
Words:
2,626
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4/4
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Bertram the Brave Engine

Summary:

Dear Friends,
Goodness has Bertram come a long way since Mavis first found him in that abandoned quarry, all those years ago? Since then, the Old Warrior has faced ghosts, fights, the past and his own fears, showing that bravery isn’t about being unafraid, but about facing what makes you afraid and doing your best to overcome it. He certainly deserves a break!
The Author.

Notes:

Please do not put this story into an AI for any reason or copy it elsewhere without my permission. Thank you.

Chapter 1: The Scaredy Engine

Notes:

Warning - this chapter mentions the mistreatment and passing of horses. I don't usually put chapter warnings, but this one seemed pertinent.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Dressing up for Halloween was becoming more popular with the children who lived along the Skarloey Railway. They enjoyed wearing costumes of heroes and villains, ghouls and ghosts, and then going out trick-or-treating for sweets. 

The engines did not do anything different though, telling ghosts stories the same as they always had.
“And so the ghost engine runs every year, whistling and howling as it vanishes into the tunnel–” Sir Handel cut off, a spooky look on his face.
“Pah!” huffed Ivo Hugh. “Ghosts aren’t real!” Duncan scowled.
“They are so! I’ve seen them with my own eyes!” Ivo Hugh just snorted, and rolled his eyes. Duncan glared – he still remembered his encounter with a ghost well. 

“It’s alright Duncan,” said Rusty. “He’s only young.” Bertram, however, decided to pay Ivo Hugh out.
“If that story wasn’t scary, let me tell you a tale that’ll make your cylinders quake: Long, long ago, there were no engines on our railway - only horses. But these weren’t like the horses you see today in the fields, they were work horses. And the workmen back then didn’t treat them well. One night, they forced two horses to work during a storm - the horses were scared, and wanted to go back to their stables - but the men wouldn’t let them. The horses ran faster and faster. Too fast. As they tried to cross the causeway near the end of the line, a truck derailed. It fell into the lake, taking the train, men and horses with it. But some say, when the wind howls and the rain falls, they ride again - trying to make it home. But they never do.” 

“That story is as real as the tooth fairy!” snorted Ivo Hugh. But secretly, the story had made him nervous. 

The causeway crossed over the south corner of the lake, cutting it in two. The wind was always stronger at this part of the line, and engines were sometimes forced to go extra slow when a storm was brewing. Bertram knew this well, and decided to put a plan into action. 

Ivo Hugh was on the slate workings with Rheneas, and had to use the causeway for every trip he made.
“It’s just a pile of rocks,” the young engine huffed. He didn’t know that his crew were looking out over the causeway, looking for the perfect spot to carry out Bertram’s plans. 

And then a few days later, the rain came. It started as an early drizzle in the morning but by lunchtime the restrictions on speed over the causeway had been put in place. 

Ivo Hugh had to pull the last slate train of the day.
“Hurry up!” he complained. “We’re going to be late!”
“Don’t blow a valve,” huffed his driver. He could tell that Bertram’s plan was working because Ivo Hugh seemed very nervous indeed. 

Then, they set off. 

Things seemed to be going well until Ivo Hugh noticed what looked like a pair of eyes, watching him from the trees. Then, he heard something that cut through the howling wind and rain. 

Hooves. Hooves hitting the ballast at a gallop. 

“I don’t like this,” murmured Ivo Hugh. They reached the causeway. A pair of lanterns appeared in the distance, getting closer. Ivo Hugh slowed to the restricted speed. 

His fireman threw a large rock from his cab. It smashed into the side of the causeway, echoing all around. The lanterns, the hooves, the eyes - it all vanished. 

“L-let’s get going,” gulped Ivo Hugh. 

When they got back to the sheds, Bertram was waiting with a smile.
“Spooked, are you?” he asked.
“Very,” grinned Ivo Hugh’s driver. “Maybe now he’ll learn some manners.”
“You tricked me!” snapped Ivo Hugh. “How did you do it all?”
“Do what all?” asked Ivo Hugh’s driver.
“The lanterns, the eyes, the hooves!” 

Everyone stared at each other in shock. Rheneas opened a sleepy eye.
“Skarloey and I replaced those horses,” he murmured softly, before drifting back to sleep. 

No one said a word.

Notes:

Ivo Hugh's reached his teenage years and is now a grump, while Bertram has reached crazy old grandpa age, and is enjoying causing chaos. Oh dear...

Chapter 2: The Opera

Notes:

This one came to me while I was listening to a record on my record player (I promise I am not that old...)

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

As the weather grew icier through November, the Skarloey Railway began to prepare to all but close for the winter. The narrow gauge railway only ran the most essential of services for most of the holidays, especially after Christmas through to when the snow melted. This was for everyone’s safety, as thick drifts blocked the line for most the year. Normally, the engines disliked this time of year, hating the cold and lack of work. 

But this year, Bertram was very excited. The Sodor Opera Company was putting on a performance of a world-famous opera right beside the lake. Bertram couldn’t wait! 

“An opera! On our line!” he exclaimed excitedly. “I wish I could take part!”
“Of course you do,” muttered Duncan. Rusty was more interested.
“What opera are they putting on?” asked the little diesel. Bertram beamed, looking very pleased to have someone to tell about the opera.
“Il barbiere di Siviglia!” he replied. Rusty just stared at the steam engine blankly.
“Sure…” 

Bertram only got more and more excitable as the night of the performance drew nearer. He even volunteered to pull the trains of supplies up to the site. The Sodor Opera Company was building a temporary stage on the side of the lake, and needed to move a lot to the spot they had chosen. Bertram loved helping! It was not only a great change of pace, but it also gave him a chance to watch the actors and actresses rehearse. 

“Isn’t this all wonderful?” Bertram asked Rusty as the two watched one such rehearsal while waiting for Rheneas to pass with his passengers.
“It’s… something.”
“It’s a marvel! The talent, the control, the beauty! I wish I could sing like they do.”
“I don’t - it’s bad enough to listen to Duncan complain about my two-tone horn,” Rusty said.
“Ah, but that is a horn,” replied Bertram. “This! This is art!” 

Rusty was never more glad to see Rheneas puff into view. 

On the day the opera was due to open, Bertram got even more jittery with excitement! As he began making his way back from dropping off the last supplies, he began to sing.
“Tutti mi chiedono, tutti mi vogliono
Donne, ragazzi, vecchi, fanciulle:
Qua la parruca... Presto la barba...”

He was actually quite good! But as he sang, he forgot to watch where he was going. 

“Qua la sanguigna... Presto il biglietto…
Tutto mi chiedono, tutti mi vogliono
Tutti mi chiedono, tutti mi vogliono
Qua la parruca, presto la barba, presto il biglietto, ehi!
Figaro! Figaro! Figar-wooaah!”  

With a jolt, Bertram jumped the points, right in front of a crowd of people at Rheneas station! Luckily, no one was hurt - but Bertram had to be towed to the Works. Rusty was very bemused! 

“How’d you do this?”
“The spirit of Rossini overcame me!” declared Bertram. Rusty decided to chalk the accident down to temporary insanity. Bertram was silent almost all the way back to the Works. Rusty was secretly quite thankful for that. The little diesel was fond of Bertram, yes - but the little steam engine had been increasingly manic over the last few weeks, and the little diesel needed a break. 

“I was a bit foolish,” sighed Bertram eventually.
“A bit.”
“I’m going to miss the performance.”
“I’m sorry Bertram,” Rusty replied, being genuine. 

The Thin Controller was waiting for them when they arrived.
“After your good work, I was going to ask you to pull the special guests’ train,” he sighed. “But now, I will have to make other arrangements. Rusty - please take Bertram to the Works.” 

The ‘other arrangements’ turned out to be Ivo Hugh. As the little engine backed onto the train, he caught Bertram’s eye. 

He smirked. ‘Revenge’, Ivo Hugh mouthed, whistling cheerfully to the special guests. 

Bertram decided to force Stanley to go and record the performance for him instead.

Notes:

There's a hidden meta joke in here - see if you can spot it!

And yes, the meta joke requires a little bit of background knowledge, so let's see who's a diehard Thomas fan?

Chapter 3: Snowstorm

Notes:

And as we enter December (in the story), the weather changes again...

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Bertram was not badly damaged after his accident, and was back to work quickly. He worked hard to make up for the incident, pulling any train that was given to him. 

As December hurried on, the weather changed again. The weather turned from frigid rain and teasing wind to early winter flurries, interspersed with low, miserable drizzles that quickly froze into icy patches. All the engines hated this type of weather. For Rusty, it meant handling torrents that threatened to wash away the line. For Peter Sam, it was a reminder of how he’d lost his old funnel. 

For Bertram, this time of year always reminded him of the Old Iron Bridge and the spectre that had haunted it. 

“What dreary weather,” sighed Stanley. “I always hate when it's my turn to be ‘on-roster’ at this time of year. Duncan, Duke and several others grunted at him from under their protective tarps, already sheeted up for the winter.
“I don’t mind it,” Skarloey replied, watching as the workers began to pull a tarp over Stanley too. “It’s peaceful, to be almost the only one out on the line.” 

Bertram - who was being steamed up - couldn’t help but disagree.
“It’s too quiet for me,” he said. “It makes me feel… rather lonely.”
“Of course,” snarked Ivo Hugh. “What a weirdo, hating peace and quiet.”
“I swear he’s the most teenaged engine I’ve ever met,” grumbled Skarloey as Ivo Hugh puffed away. “Youngsters were not like that back in my day.” 

Skarloey, Rheneas, Ivo Hugh and Bertram were ‘on-roster’ for this particular winter, leaving all the others in their nice warm sheds while they pulled the essential trains. Bertram mostly worked with Rheneas, while Skarloey pulled supply trains high up into the hills, where Stanley usually worked on the clean energy and national park projects that had replaced the mines. 

One evening, Bertram returned after his last train of the day. Rheneas and Skarloey were the only two still out, and the weather was closing in fast. It was almost pitch black, with only the shedlights allowing Bertram and Ivo Hugh to see just how much snow was falling. 

“Goodness, it doesn’t look good,” murmured Bertram’s driver.
“Agreed,” said Bertram softly. Ivo Hugh just grunted. 

And they were right. 

Five minutes later, the shed phone rang.
“Skarloey is stuck in a snow drift near the New Iron Bridge,” the yardmaster told Bertram and Ivo Hugh. “Someone needs to go find him before the storm gets worse.” Ivo Hugh looked away, too nervous to volunteer. Bertram took a deep breath.
“I’ll go.” The yardmaster and Ivo Hugh book looked at Bertram with shock.
“Good luck,” the yardmaster said. 

Bertram found his old friends the waste trucks, and coupled up.
“We need to save Skarloey,” he said.
“We can do it!” the trucks cheered. Bertram smiled softly; the waste trucks always made him feel braver.
“Agreed, we need to go find our friend.” 

The wind was horrendous! It howled and screeched and threatened to throw Bertram off the rails - but he kept going. 

Finally, Bertram found Skarloey. The very old engine had hit an especially large snow drift and gotten stuck. 

“We’re here!” called Bertram. His voice was carried away by the wind. Then there was trouble. The snow was too packed for the shovels, and they just couldn’t get it to shift.
“What are we meant to do?” quizzed the workers.
“Use some ashes from our fires,” Bertram directed. “It will help melt the snow!” 

The rescue team rushed to do so, and after an hour of shovelling, they reached Skarloey.
“Oh thank goodness you came,” grinned Skarloey. “It’s freezing!” 

Going back over the New Iron Bridge was torture. The wind screamed, snow whipping Bertram’s face. He wanted to go back - but they powered on. 

“Thank you,” said Skarloey when they made it back to the sheds.
“That’s alright,” Bertram replied. “If I hadn’t, Rheneas would’ve.” Skarloey huffed.
“It was still a very brave thing to do. Take the compliment!” 

In the shed, Ivo Hugh heard everything.
“It really was brave…” he murmured.

Notes:

Oh Ivo Hugh, you'll get braver with age and experience!

Chapter 4: Bertram And Ivo Hugh’s Christmas Adventure

Notes:

Yes, this is Christmas themed in the middle of the year - has no one ever heard of Christmas in July? XD

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The snowstorm lasted a long time. The engines were confined to the sheds, gazing out the window and counting down the days till Christmas.
“If this keeps up for too long, the people in the villages will be trapped,” murmured Rheneas. “And then it’ll take till New Year’s to free them!”
“Oh I hope it stops soon,” sighed Skarloey. “Mr and Mrs Last are expecting a baby soon.” The engines all agreed that they wanted the snow to end soon. 

When the storm finally ended, the island was covered with thick snow. The engines found getting around the yard difficult. They had to help clear snow from the rails while workers hacked at the frozen banks of ice. 

Ivo Hugh set off for the mountain villages with food and fuel as soon as he was able to. He used his snowplough to push the snow aside - but all too soon he began to slow. Then, he saw a bright red scarf. Ivo Hugh drew to a stop next to Mr Last!
“My wife needs to get to a hospital, and the line up ahead is blocked at the tunnel!” he explained.
“We’ll go and get help,” Ivo Hugh’s driver promised. 

Ivo Hugh rushed back down the line, where he found Bertram collecting more supplies.
“Leave those there - we need to get snowploughs and workers!” he called. While Ivo Hugh’s driver went to telephone for help, the little engine told Bertram what Mr Last said.
“I’ll go and get her!” declared Bertram, collecting Lucy the coach. “First class treatment for the mother-to-be!” 

Everyone sprang into action. The airfield sent Harold the Helicopter with hot drinks and medical aid to help the villagers while Ivo Hugh gathered every local who could help. Bertram rushed to the Last family cottage and collected the husband and wife, safely bringing them to the Works Station. Bear was already there, ready to rush them to the nearest hospital. 

With the Last Family looked after, Bertram headed back up the line. He found Ivo Hugh near the tunnel.
“The snow is extra deep here,” said Ivo Hugh, charging the snow.
“No worries,” replied Bertram. “We’ll break through!” 

Puffing hard, the two battled against the snow until at last they made it to the village. The villagers were overjoyed to see them!
“You’re the best Santa Claus we’ve ever had!” they cheered. Ivo Hugh looked over at Bertram.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so rude,” he said quietly. “You were very brave to rescue Skarloey.”
“It’s alright, and I’m sorry too,” smiled Bertram. “You’re only young yet, and you’re just trying to figure your place in the world out.” 

Just then, Skarloey and Rheneas arrived. They’d brought yet more supplies, as well as a special crew sent to make sure the electricity lines were alright and working. 

The villagers were all very thankful, and decided to do something to thank the engines. That night, all the engines went back to their sheds except for Skarloey and Rheneas. The two of them instead went up the line to the villages. The villagers loaded paint pots and parcels into the coaches, then set off through the moonlit countryside. 

“Oh, this will be lovely,” hummed Skarloey.
“Yes,” agreed Rheneas, “so long as you can keep quiet!” 

The engines were sound asleep in their sheds when the very old engines slipped silently into the yard. The pair grinned to each other; they knew it was going to be a big surprise. 

When the engines awoke the next morning, they could not believe their eyes! The sheds had been completely redecorated, and the villagers had all chipped in to find presents for the engines. It all looked marvelous! 

“Merry Christmas,” murmured Ivo Hugh to Bertram.
“And a Merry Christmas to you too,” grinned Bertram, who was the happiest of all.

Notes:

Thank you everyone for reading! I have most of the next installment already completed, so keep a close eye out for it! Especially because the next installment will be celebrating four years of writing the ERS! That's right, we're going to check in on our good friend 'Mavis the Quarry Engine'!

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