Bertie Buys an Engine

[Kismet]

'The gardener doesn't have enough to do,' sniffed Lady Lacey. 'I'm sure he'll be able to build something suitable in a couple of weeks.'

[Fairblue]

Bertie wondered what Lady laws gardener would make of that idea. "You'd have to get planning permission," He protested. "Council bods, all over the bally place. Can't stop 'em, once they start."

[StoneRoad]

And once the railway is built, you will have to get it inspected, so a proper design is imperative ...

[Kismet]

'Oh, I'm sure that isn't really necessary,' Lady Lacey said dismissively. 'What a boy you are for thinking up obstacles. You need a wife. She'll give you some confidence.'

[Fairblue]

Bertie gave up. The last thing he wanted was Lady Lacey trying to pair him off with a suitable ‘gel’. He decided his best course of action was to do exactly as Lady Lacey wanted. No doubt Algy’s father would have something to say about the cost. Bertie would make sure he’d see the bills.

[Kismet]

In need of some sanity, Bertie drove to Port Madoc to see what was happening there. He could sound them out about Lady Lacey's ideas.

[StoneRoad]

He found a short train in the platform, and a very young man with an earnest manner was happy to talk about the railway.
The General Manager wasn't in, he had gone over to Boston Lodge to fetch the engine for the next train, he would be back in about 20 minutes.
In the meantime, the tea room was recommended. Bertie ordered tea and a sticky bun, whilst thinking about how to approach the manager.
First step would be to buy a ticket, a return to Tan y Bwlch.
The earnest young man offered to nip across to the booking office and came back with both a ticket and a guide book, he asked Bertie a couple of questions and offered to speak to the General Manager. Bertie heard two long whistles as his informant said, "That's Prince, the old gent is almost here. I have to go and help, back shortly"
Bertie went out to watch after drinking his tea.
Once the engine was coupled up, a stout Scotsman jumped off the footplate and came over,
"Hello, I'm Allan Garraway, I understand you want to ask me a few questions, you had better come on the Engine. I'll get you a boiler suit. Coal's messy, you know".

[Fairblue]

Bertie, highly delighted to be in the footplate of the engine, would happily have sacrificed more than one of his expensively tailored Savil Row suits and Jermyn Street shirts.

[StoneRoad]

"You can earn the passage" as Allan handed the firing shovel to Bertie "Yon laddie will keep you right" but I need to concentrate until after Penrhyn.

The first mile was flat and straight, so Bertie got his eye and hand in, with the shovel.

After a quick stop at the Lodge Halt, to drop someone and a parcel off, Prince attacked the climb with gusto.

[Kismet]

This was hard work, Bertie thought, busily shovelling his coals. He'd rather be the driver than the stoker. He liked to be in charge and see where he was going.

[Fairblue]

Although, come to think of it, with working with Biggles, he wasn’t in charge and sometimes didn’t know where he was going either.

[StoneRoad]

Quite soon they had called at the two stations and were "in the woods" on the final stretch leading to Tan Y Bwlch.

Allan settled back as the route unfolded in front of them, and asked Bertie over to him, saying "let Tom do the rest of the firing and then you can explain why you want to talk to me".

[Kismet]

Bertie explained that he was considering acquiring an engine for himself, and that a friend's mother had heard about this and was interested in one of her own.

'Lady Lacey,' Bertie said apologetically. 'She lives near here. You may have come across her.'

[StoneRoad]

And since he wanted to use the engine, not have it as an oversized garden ornament, he wanted to see what was involved - behind the scenes, as it were - before he went ahead.

[elderlyfemalerelativ]

"There are a few questions you should ask yourself" he was told. Bertie looked inquiring. "Have you an unlimited amount of money. Are you mad. Do you have anything else to do in your life. Do you know who John Blenkinsop was ,will do to start" he was told. "If you can answer yes, yes, no, and yes, you've got a chance."

[Fairblue]

“Yes, yes, no, apart from work, and yes,” intoned Bertie.

[StoneRoad]

And you are aware that there are waggon loads of regulations and insurance requirements that must be complied with for anything larger than a small model like a Mamod ? Allan carefully reminded Bertie.
Steam loco boilers are dangerous things, even small ones.

[elderlyfemalerelativ]

I thought I might go on a driving course" said Bertie hopefully. "most of the heritage lines do one"

[Kismet]

'Will you be responsible for making sure Lady Lacey follows all the appropriate regulations?' Allan asked.

[Fairblue]

Bertie shook his head. "No, I'm only staying for a few days. And I don't see why I should have to bally well be, either. She's the one the contract will be with."

[StoneRoad]

"At the moment, she thinks that they don't apply to her !" Bertie replied.

"Oh dear" Allan laughed, "Then someone will have to tell her that there aren't any exemptions ... "

[Fairblue]

"Not me," Bertie shook his head emphatically. "I've already jolly well warned her. "

[Kismet]

Bertie firmly turned the conversation to what he could do, at Chedcombe.

[Fairblue]

Allan allowed himself to be distracted. This was where the money could be, after all.

[StoneRoad]

They happily discussed options and practicalities until they came into the approaches to TanYBwlch

Allan advised Bertie to get into the tea room quickly, as they would be going back to Port Madoc in less than half and hour and he had to run around the carriages before the footplate crew could have a short break.

Bertie suggested he fetched them all tea and scones.

[Kismet]

Not the scones, Bertie was advised. But the chocolate cake and the jam slice were very good.

[Fairblue]

Why not the va ones, Bertie wondered?

[StoneRoad]

When he went into the tea room, he was also offered welsh cakes.

[Fairblue]

Bertie decided on an assortment. A large plate was made up for him.

[StoneRoad]

He took the assemblage and the large mugs of tea out to the end of the train where the engine was just about to be recoupled to the carriages.
Allan quickly did a brake test and then came to join the others on the "staff bench"