#rws au

[rustedgolddust]

So remember what I said about not being able to draw, well after a few..., horrific shall we say attempts, I managed to get Rusted Gold AU's Thomas (and you already know I had to use blue lining!

CONSTRUCTIVE Criticism is appreciated and welcomed! ☺️

Here he is, probably a few months later after all of the angst and stuff, (hopefully) looking adorable! 🥰

[randomttte-rwsfan]

Thomas is a tank engine who works hard at the Docks on the Island of Sodor. She’s a cheeky little engine with six small wheels, a short, stumpy funnel, a short, stumpy boiler, and a short, stumpy dome.

She’s a fussy little engine, too, always pulling trucks loaded with cargo straight off the ships and out of the yard like she used to at on her old railway.

Confused?

Well then, welcome to my AU, dunno what to call it yet, open to suggestions!

Now as to why Thomas is female: In a caption on Wilbert Awdry's photograph of the first Ffarquhar Branch layout, Thomas is referred to as female in a sentence saying "and she's away".

And the engines in the rws didn't get numbers until book 6!

So yeah!

[hazel-of-sodor]

Nowhere Model Railway

Book One: The Three Model Engines 

Edward's Day Out.

Other Chapters

Other Stories

Once there was a little model engine named Edward. She lived on a retired Reverend's model railway with five other model engines. The other engines were all larger, stronger and newer than her. 

She had been the good Reverend’s first engine you see, a gift from one of his parishioners back when he had still been their Reverend. A model kit of a 4-4-0 of Midland type known as a 2P, she had been lovingly built in his spare time. Painted in a lovely blue with red stripes, the colours of his parish, she had spent many years before his retirement happily, either on a short stretch of track on his desk or traveling with him to the local model club. 

But the good Reverend was retired now, and finally had time to build his own layouts, and had bought more engines to run them. The newer engines had slowly become the ones to go to the club and it had been a long time since Edward had been run.

This particular morning was a special one indeed, for the Reverend had completed his exhibition layout, and was taking it to his first show.

Some of the other engines boasted to her, “the Reverend won’t pick you again. He wants strong, modern engines like us. Last thing he needs is for you to embarrass him.”

Edward quietly began to cry.

The Reverend entered the room, a kind souled man used to watching over his flock for many years, immediately spotted his first engine's tears.

“Miss Edwards my dear,” he said gently, “whatever is the matter? Are you feeling up to the exhibition today?”

The other engines stared in disbelief as Edward asked, “I'm…I'm going sir?”

“Of course my dear,” he soothed as he gently lifted her from her spot on the shelf, “I could hardly leave my first engine behind on such a day as this.”

He carried her over to his work bench and began gently dusting her with a soft brush. The Reverend’s wife entered the room carrying Edward’s travel box.

“Thank you my dear,” he kissed her lovingly on the forehead as he took the box, placing Edward in with care. 

The Reverend had long fitted a small window to her case to allow her to see out, saying “it is only right for an engine to see their travels,” so she was able to contentedly watch the journey once she had been loaded into the family car.

The trip did not take long, as this show was local, and in fact hosted by their model club. Several of the Reverends' friends were waiting for them.

“I say old man!” one of them exclaimed, “You actually finished it in time?”

The Reverend chuckled warmly as he hugged the man, “I said it would be, Robert.”

Another of the men chuckled, one Edward remembered being named Mister Sand, clapping Mr. Robert on the back, “old Hatt can actually finish a project, unlike some of us.”

“Oi!”

Edward’s case was carried to their table by Mrs. Hatt, leaving the men to sort out themselves and the layout. Mrs. Hatt gently lifted Edward from her box and set her on the table to watch as the men set up. The Hatt’s table was at the end of the club’s exhibition layout, allowing the Reverend's layout to be joined up, and trains run through. The men fussed around the layout, making sure the baseboards were aligned and the wires connected in proper order, until finally it was time.

The Reverend gently lifted her and lowered her onto the rails with practiced care.

“Speaking of,” Mister Sand said, “is that Miss Edward?”

The Reverend nodded as he checked to make sure she had been properly rerailed. “But of course, I could hardly leave her at home today,” he began lowering a rake of coaches onto the station side track behind Edward. “The only reason she hasn't been to the club lately is the others needed proper running in.”

He flipped a final switch and reached for the controller, easing the power on. Edward couldn't help a shiver as electricity flowed through her once again. She reversed slowly onto the coaches, stretching her wheels as she went.

 She gently coupled up to her coaches, who were quite pleased to see Edward. “We're glad you're taking us today,” they sang, “the others are much too rough and impatient.”

The Reverend chuckled at their complaints, “the others are still learning my dears.”

The coaches grumbled quietly, the still chuckling Reverend shaking his head amusedly.

Edward waited and waited, but still the show didn't start. “Where is everyone? “We were supposed to start quite some time ago.” she fussed anxiously, the coaches tittering in agreement.

“Patience my dear.” He soothed gently, “these things never start on time.”

“They do at other clubs,” Mrs. Hatt teased good naturedly from where she had begun knitting.

Finally the doors opened, and the crowd walked in, following a blushing club member.

“It's time my dears,” Reverend Hatt called as he advanced the controller.

“Peep Peep!” Edward whistled as she dug her wheels in and pulled, the train slowly starting. The coaches quietly sang as they picked up speed.

As the first visitors approached, Edward raced smoothly onto the Club's layout.

She ran up and down the layouts throughout the day. Alternating between her coaches and goods trains as they worked through the time table. 

Children waved as she raced past, Edward always making sure to whistle as she passed them. Many of the adults were the Reverend's former congregation, and were used to seeing Edward on his desk, so made sure to greet her as well. When resting at the stations she spoke with the models owned by the other members of the club, catching up on old times. 

By the time the show came to a close, Erward was exhausted, but content.  Mrs.Hatt carefully placed her back in her case as the Reverend and his friends broke down the layout and loaded it back into the car. It was well past dark when they returned home and Edward was placed back on the shelf.

“Well done Edward,” he praised quietly, “I'll be sure to take you again to the next exhibition.”

Just what the other models thought of that Edward didn't know, for she fell asleep, tired, but so very happy.

A/N: Hello Loves! Here is the first story in my model railway rewrite of the RWS. Yes Edward is a girl, and other engines will be as well. I did this to balance out the cast and shake things up a bit. I don't want this to be word for word to the RWS after all. I will be dropping a story a week as per my normal schedule. Book Two-Tasha the Model Engine, is arleady complete and I will soon begin writing Jasmine the Red Engine. I don't know how far this rewrite will go, to be honest it depends how well its received. I hope you all enjoyed this take on an old story, Love Y'all!

[scattered-sense]

Percy (1969)

The old shunting man has some stories to tell.

[killyjapes]

Our Marvellous Machines - The Shining Time Spur - Part I

Hi again everyone and Happy 2025 !

The festive period had me a bit drained and procrastinate-y but this idea was one that'd often repeatedly turn up to the mind rotation sessions that all my whims and ideas spawn into.

With the recent loss of Childrens Telivision Legend and TTTE producer Britt Alcroft (Rest in Peace), I more than ever wanted to share this idea with anyone who may read.

As stated previously my continuity here is a madcap fusion of every RWS-adjacent thing I ever loved and what better way to demonstrate this than not only incorporating something from TATMRR but something from the human part of TATMRR.

Below the cut, I shall detail my rough idea for what I call The Shining Time Spur.

So, it's the late 1800s, and a community of like-minded people from the USA set off in the direction of Europe, hoping for new horizons and adventure. They do not end up in Paris or London or any of the other cultural touchstones of the world, they end up on sleepy old Sodor, and much like many tend to, they fall in love with the island, despite many of its natives being wary and distrustful of outsiders, the island has a magnitisim to it, they find some open land near a large hill they jokingly say the sudrians can use to muffle them and there they stay.

They form their own little town, a new home away from home, their Shining Time.

Time passes, Sodor thrives, Railways are formed, Railways fail, Railways are born anew. The people of Shining Time remain, generations of children are born to them. Some stay, some leave.

The North Western Railway is bouncing back after the strife of wartime, their leadership sturdy, their engines Really Useful. Tourism is rapidly gaining traction on the island and the railway is keen to capitalise, the people from the mainland usually seek the picturesque coastline and beaches with Norramby as a popular touchstone but what about those even further beyond, from the States, what would draw them in?

"Maybe," they considered, "their own little piece of Shining Time."

Negotiations were fierce, the people of Shining Time were staunchly independent, years of being viewed as mere foreigners or worse invaders, and now the Sudrians wanted to use them, use their Shining Time?

It was the recently appointed Charles Topham Hatt who came to the rescue.

The shrewd and charasmatic controller was quick to suggest perks, comprimises, and opportunities that would see both the railway and town be able to work and thrive together while keeping both their individual prides and independences intact.

After long deliberations, it was agreed, and construction of the "spur" began in earnest.

This dear reader is where things end for part I , from here things complicate slightly, I dont know where exactly I want the spur to be.

I had originally thought around the west coast of the island, but I did not want to encroach upon the boundaries of either the Arlesbrurgh Branch or indeed Tidmouth itself. There is no real spot on that side that doesn't spark a hive of complicated logistical quandries.

For the moment, I am privy to operating with the idea that the spur is located near and serving the station at Ballahoo on the Crovan's Gate side with the points accessible cab-forward when travelling in the west direction. While the tunnels at the Vicarstown side of Ballahoo are well remembered, the actual station and other railway infrastructure has seen no real substantial depiction and is therefore the best candidate for the insertion, though i am open to other ideas if they're suggested.

Next Time: The Shining Time Spur - Part II : Hank and Billy, Stones and Ladies.

[darumokos]

"Skarloey's boys, they call us."

so here's something I've been whittling away at ever since I got back into the railway series - a ttte fire emblem-esque au! it's a niche within a niche but I've had it in my brain for ages and just wanted to get SOMETHING out! Presenting Sodor Cipher!

To start off, some of the members of the Skarloey - Sir Handel, Duncan and Rusty! In my general canon for this au I like to imagine the Skarloey as a Duchy with a heavy emphasis on their physical prowess and mineral mining thanks to their close proximity to the Culdee Fell mountains and the Blue Mountain Quarry - As such, Shane Dooiney is the industry capital for the area. Being far out from the rest of the towns and kingdoms means that many come to the Skarloey for a fresh start, and those that do inevitably forge stronger bonds than they've ever known before. Those bufferbeam-style belts aren't just for show, Skarloey's boys are so good at what they do that they have the sheer force of will to expertly maneuver mining equipment with just their bodies.

As for character bios/ mini backstories (can you tell ive never actually made an au before and dont exactly know the most eloquent way to explain things oop) we've got:

Sir Handel - Once known as Falcon in another kingdom, moved to the Skarloey after receiving a knighthood to get away from the life of a knight. Despite maintaining that he's an excellent mentor, he is rash and impulsive - all for a good cause though, he just wants to get through the day and clock off for some good-old-fashioned banter. Still good with a sword, but prefers to not have to touch it in favour of staunchly gathering resources.

Duncan - Once a lower member of a Mercenary group, he learned that being brutally vocal was the only way to get by. Not a bigot, but not exactly a saint either, he has a hard time letting new people into his life - not exactly the best disposition to have when you're leaving your life behind to work in the chattiest mountains on Sodor. Despite being in a merc group and being a supposed dab hand with an axe, he isn't the most well-travelled.

Rusty - Born in the Mainland before immediately being raised in Skarloey, Rusty has an undying love for the people of the Duchy and the rest of Sodor in general. They have a keen eye for detail and are quick to educate fellow knights on proper conduct - even if they don't exactly ask for it. Rusty runs double duty, conducting inspections in the mining sectors and guarding Crovan's Gate as a surprisingly adept Halberdier.

I'm still working out the specifics of details in this au as it's a blend of each era and general medieval fantasy worldbuilding, so I welcome any and all questions ! <3

[anonymousboxcar]

Moving Forward AU: Romance?

(This was something I meant to have out by Valentine’s Day, but… yeah. No spoons. The silverware drawer was empty. Apologies for the lateness, folks!)

I’m pondering what romantic shenanigans Stanley might get up to in my AU. I imagine it would be years before he felt up to pursuing that kind of relationship. But once he’s had time to settle into his new normal, process his trauma, and make new friends, he might feel more comfortable with it.

One possibility I see is that he and Duncan decide to give it a try!

I like the idea of Duncan falling for this rough n’ ready, plainspoken engine who helps him not blow up over the little things in life. And for awhile, Stanley is too busy adjusting to his new life to see it. But he feels ever fonder of his grumpy friend who makes him laugh and doesn’t ask him to be patient all the time.

Once they sort themselves out, they’re not ones for extravagant gestures. They do what they did before, watching tapes of George Carlin and cracking jokes, with the new understanding between them. It’s very easygoing and comfortable for them both.

(There’s also an ongoing competition between them to call each other the most ridiculous, nauseating pet names possible.)

Another possibility: you know how there’s a notion in the RWS of engines being paired up with coaches, almost “courting” them? I like to think Stanley scoffs at this. It seems silly and quaint to him. But he’s also rejecting any closeness due to his old, ingrained fears surrounding derailments and getting somebody hurt.

And then, at the rail museum, he meets a truck.

The truck works with Stanley in his capacity as an exhibit on trench railways. They used to carry troops and supplies during WWI, though not on the same railway as Stanley’s old wartime circuit. At the museum, they haul passengers around the grounds.

They notice Stanley’s uneasiness over this business and try to reassure him: “So what if you slide off the track? I blew up once!”

“…what?”

“Well, it was a ways ahead of me in the train. Got a face full of shrapnel and a bent axle. But! Point is, I’ve had worse. I can take a bump or two.”

Full of irrepressible cheer and optimism, the truck helps assuage the worst of Stanley’s anxieties. In return, Stanley — grateful and a touch bemused — does his best to give smooth rides. This wins him the trust of the truck, who never experienced such gentleness in an unpatronizing package.

They start chatting on their runs and at the end of the day about museum gossip, guests, and their old lives. The truck shares their adventures with other trucks after the war. Stanley tells the truck about operation on a more typical railway like the SKR.

Hearing about Skarloey and Rheneas’ treatment of their coaches, the truck wonders what it’s like to be treated the way a civilian engine treats their coach. Stanley, thinking of his own struggles to fit into a “normal” railway on the MSR, offers to help. The truck accepts.

Stanley stumbles over calling the truck “dear,” as well as the other typical flowery compliments and language. He’s self-conscious and a little embarrassed by the time the day’s over.

But he’s also flustered by the warmth in the truck’s responses, their own compliments towards him. They’re not flowery, demure, nor outrageous, but honest and open.

The truck, seeing how red in the face he is, apologizes for making him uncomfortable. “You already made me feel respectable, proper-like, before I asked you to do this.”

Stanley admits he liked their compliments. “Just didn’t know what to with ‘em, I guess,” he says. “But… I really did like ‘em. Made me feel good.”

“Oh. Well, you can tell me that, if you like.” The truck looks Stanley in the eye. “You can tell me anything. I won’t laugh.”

“Not even if I ask you to keep doin’ what you did today?”

“Not even that. Though — if I’m honest? I’d like it if you kept up your end of things, too.”

So they keep at it. Their exchanges become more natural, more like second nature over time. They become mixed into casual conversation, become less about meeting expectations of engine-rolling stock relations and more about what they like in each other.

After a certain point, one curious child visitor asks for how long they’ve been married.

A pause follows. It’s long enough for Stanley to realize he isn’t surprised or confused by the child’s assumption. It’s long enough for him and the truck to make significant eye contact, to see his happiness and hope reflected back at him.

“A year,” they both say at the same time, smiling.

[lnwrcauli]

Coaching Stock: An NWR Ramble

Following my earlier rant about Swindon engines and the NWR, I thought it appropriate to ramble about Swindon coaches. To me, the coaches in the early RWS illustrations resemble GWR B set coaches very closely. As it's canon that Sir Topham Hatt is an admirer of the Great Western, it makes sense that at least some of his coaching stock would come from there, so here are a couple of ideas for types of stock that might be found on the North Western.

GWR B Sets

The Great Western Railway B Sets were a type of coach built in the 1920s and 1930s for suburban and branchline service on the GWR. They were mostly allocated to the Bristol division, but could be found all over the network from Cornwall to Cardiff. They seem like they could be quite the interesting basis for the NWR fast passenger service coaches. The one problem I can see with this design is the lack of a corridor, which brings me on to my next idea...

Stanier Period III Coaches

The LMS Stanier P3 Coaches seem like a perfect fit for the NWR's express services in my opinion. I struggled to find information on these, oddly enough, so take this history with a grain of salt.

They were built from 1933 onwards and could be found all over the LMS system on everything from stopping trains to expresses, only really being phased out with the introduction of British Railways Mark 1 coaches in the 1950s. These both seem like excellent standardised fits for the NWR's coach roster, let me know your thoughts if you have any.

I'll see you in the next one.

Cheerio!