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.
