ERS Volume 41 – Evan The Private Engine
From Sodor Island Forums
Author
SillyEvan
Stories
Private Owner
An important man approaches the Thin Controller, requesting he use a private line and engine to take him to and from his estate. The Thin Controller agrees, and an engine only known as No. 1 comes to the railway and meets Rusty. No. 1 rests that night, wondering who works on this railway and whether he'd be able to do any proper work again.
No. 1's Bad Day
No. 1's work had increased since he first started, including hauling trucks of honey from his Owner's Honey Factory. But one day some of his trucks break away, causing Sir Handel to crash into them whilst pulling the Express. No. 1 fears for what would happen, but his Owner reassures him nothing bad will happen to him. Sir Handel however is less than pleased with being covered with honey!
The Unforgotten Engine
Many years had past since the honey accident, and over that time the Honey Factory had closed down and No. 1 had been left in a shed on the private line. Whilst passing the line, Ivo Hugh (who previously didn't know about No. 1) becomes curious and asks the engines about it. Sir Handel then remembers No. 1, and they arrange for the Owner to come and tell the engines about what happened to No. 1. Instead, he surprises them by telling them about No. 2, the American engine from Duke's old line.
The Steam Gala Surprise
To cheer the engines up, the Thin Controller organises a special Steam Gala. Engines from other railways come to visit, and everyone is kept busy pulling around passengers and tourists. On the last day however, Peter Sam and 'Blanche' take a train up the old private line, and the passengers find Evan in a pile of junk. No. 1 is immediately dug out and taken to the Works, and comes back the next day as a wonderful surprise to the engines who didn't know what had happened. No. 1 is then given a proper name, 'Evan', and he and his Owner are very happy.
Notes
- Featured Characters: Ada, Duke, Dolgoch, Duncan, Ivo Hugh, Jane, Mabel, No. 2/Stanley, Peter Sam, Rheneas, Rusty, Sir Handel, Skarloey, Talyllyn, Thin Controller
- Introduced Characters: Evan the Private Engine, Blanche, Stanhope & Elin the Visiting Engines, Rick the Important Man
- Introduced Locations: Rick's Estate/Cottage, The Private Line, The Honey Factory
- This is the first official volume of the ERS (Extended Railway Series).
- Evan is a Hunslet Quarry Saddle Tank Engine. His livery is blue with red stripes.
- Blanche is described as having a funny tender. Stanhope is described as having no cab and Elin is described as looking just like Peter Sam.
- In this volume alone, the Skarloey Railway engines are depicted and described with their TV Series liveries.
- References to the stories 'Mountain Engine' and 'Sir Handel Comes Home' are made.
- Rustys driver's name is revealed to be Charlie.
- This volume's current cover (created by the author) can be found here
