Chapter Text
(Gary pats Scott's hand).
Gary: Steady old boy. It's February.
(Scott tries to speak groggily).
Scott: My boiler?
George: Being fitted now for a trial.
(Scott takes a breath).
Scott: I can breathe better.
Gary: That's wonderful. If all goes well, you can finally get back into your body.
Scott: Thank you.
(He looks at the iv in his arm).
Scott: What's this?
George: Don't touch that. You've been given painkillers to make this whole experience more bearable.
(He leans back in bed).
Scott: To think. I've been asleep. For only a couple of months.
(There's a long pause).
Gary: Scott. What year is this?
(He takes a breath).
Scott: You mentioned February. That means it must. Be my birthday soon. In 2008.
(Everyone looks at each other).
George: Well yes. Your birthday will be coming up soon. But it hasn't only been a couple months.
Gary: He's right mate. This is 2009, about 18 months since work stopped on your boiler.
(Scott looks at the two and lets the birthday card from Gordon fall out of his hands. In a state of shock he sounds strangely American).
Scott: Well that sucks.
(They all chuckle).
Mr. Scott: I understand the confusion. However we did make quite a bit of progress. It isn't quite the same as a steam test, but you can breathe yes?
(Scott tries to breathe).
Scott: Not as my original form. But it is better.
(Mr. Scott hands over the phone).
Mr. Scott: I have Sir Topham Hatt on the phone for you. Gordon wasn't able to make it today.
(Scott takes the phone).
Scott: Thank you sir.
(Everyone leaves the room while Scott talks).
George: Is there a specific reason behind the refitting happening now, sir?
Mr. Scott: There are talks of another Railfest. I'm sure you are aware of the latest Peppercorn completing her first passenger trip on the Main Line.
Gary: Yes. Isn't she to be officially named by the Crown Prince?
Mr. Scott: Indeed. On the 19th. Hence, the talk of showcasing her at an official exhibition. My hope is to have Scott be in a relatively suitable position to appear.
(They sit down in the waiting area).
Mr. Scott: The money put into Scott's overhaul has been. Astronomically high. Railfest will prove to be a great opportunity to recoup some of our losses.
George: How so?
Mr. Scott: Depending on the engines available, the plan is to construct a roster of record breakers.
Gary: And Scott would be one of them as the first official engine to go 100 mph.
(They take a moment to reflect that revelation).
George: How much time would we have before then?
Mr. Scott: I don't know as we are still in initial talks. Given the numerous delays, I have no idea how much longer this will take. My hope is that we will have at least a couple more months of progress while Scott is awake.
(There is a moment of silence).
Mr. Scott: I best be going now. Until I get further notice, just do your best to keep things normal.
Gary: Yes sir.
George: His birthday will be coming up soon so we'll celebrate in his room.
Mr. Scott: Good. Now to get my phone back.
(He goes to collect his phone as Scott hangs up with Sir Topham Hatt).
Scott: Thank you for letting me. Borrow your.
(He looks at the phone).
Scott: No-kia.
Mr. Scott: You are most welcome.
(He leaves the room as Gary and George sit back then).
George: Hey mate. How are things?
Scott: I'm still in pain. But with this... tube I find it to be more bearable.
George: That's good. We we're thinking about how to celebrate your birthday this year.
Scott: Splendid, I would love to hear it.
(George turns to Gary).
Gary: Well. We of course have to follow your care team's orders. And you have to go through some testing to see how you're doing.
Scott: Ah yes. With it still being February, I can admit to not being up to any outdoor activities.
Gary: But if your doctor says it's alright, we might be able to tuck into a treacle tart.
(Scott's eyes light up).
Scott: Oh that will be glorious.
Narrator: The next few days were uneventful until the day of the Peppercorn's naming ceremony.
(Gary turns the tv on).
Announcer: What a lovely day in York as we bring you to the station where His Royal Highness, Prince Charles of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are slated to name the latest creation in British Rail history. We have on field reporter Harry just outside the station. Harry, how would you describe this morning crowd?
(Scott turns to George).
Scott: Latest creation? Have I missed something, gentlemen?
(George takes a breath).
George: You are familiar with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust correct?
Scott: Why yes, I am. They attempted to use my redundant second tender for their new engine. The last I had heard was that it was meant to be a Peppercorn worth over a million pounds.
George: Well, they finished the engine while you were asleep and officially completed a run on the Main Line.
(Scott's eyes widen).
Scott: This is wonderful news!
(Gary and George look at each other).
Gary: It is?
Scott: Of course. I'm aware you gentlemen would not have been alive for this, but the Peppercorn Class were top of the line passenger trains immediately after the war. Why my own brother mentored the young engines as they were being tested.
Gary: I didn't know Gordon took special trips to mentor.
(Scott's mood sours).
Scott: Gordon was not who I was referring to. While it is true he is my brother, please keep in mind that I have had a plethora of siblings. My immediate eldest brother was Great Northern. He was the pride of that class and by Gresley he was the best performing. It was an absolute devastation for an engine of his caliber to be scrapped.
Gary: I'm sure it was old boy. But given that this engine was completed well before your own repairs using similar resources, how is this wonderful news.
Scott: You have no idea what it would mean for me to see another steam engine in operative condition these days.
George: Hold that chatter, they're showing Prince Charles.
(The crowd on tv cheers as the Prince begins his speech).
It clearly is wonderful that so many volunteers and enthusiasts have put so much time and effort and sheer love into building this incredible locomotive. I have nothing but the greatest admiration for the team of people who for the last 19 years have been doing their utmost to produce this remarkable achievement. A tribute I think to all those incredible British engineering skills, which have made this country so famous. It clearly is wonderful that so many volunteers and enthusiasts have put so much time and effort and sheer love into building this incredible locomotive. What gives me even greater pride and pleasure is the fact that I’m exactly the same age as the A1 Locomotive - 1948 - a very good vintage I promise you. I think also this locomotive is a great tribute to Arthur Peppercorn and his original design. He was the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North East Railway and the wonderful thing is that his widow Mrs Dorothy Mather, is here today as President of the A1 Trust. I’m sure she shares equally in my delight to see the birth of the fiftieth A1 locomotive. So ladies and gentlemen after a wonderful tribute to the commitment and hard work of the A1 Trust and its army of voluntary supporters over the past 19 years, to whom we owe the greatest possible debt of gratitude, the steam engine has been returned to the British mainline and will again serve as an iconic and inspirational symbol of Britain. And as someone who remembers the days of steam engines so well, this really is a special day. Now Ladies and Gentlemen, my wife and I would like to declare that this engine is named ‘Tornado’. May God Bless all who are lucky enough to locomote behind her.
(Scott claps as Tornado's face is revealed to the public as a female engine).
Scott: What a perfect name to honor the RAF fighter forces from the decade prior and the original Peppercorn's history as a speedy passenger train.
Gary: Scott can you please elaborate on why you view this so positively?
(He stops clapping and turns to Gary).
Scott: Yes of course. For an older engine like myself to survive the Beeching Cuts, dieselisation, and my own withdrawal from service. I had seen practically my entire family disappear with only memories that remain. The days of steam appeared to be completely over and that it was by sheer luck that I was spared.
(He takes a breath).
Scott: I can understand the frustration that my. Overhaul has not come to plan, but I don't hold any ill will to this young engine. She is clearly a product of well intentioned, and highly focused individuals dedicated to steam history.
(He looks at the tv and sees how excited and nervous Tornado is).
Scott: Perhaps, this will finally be my purpose for being saved. The pressures of being the media darling in the steam world are something I'm very familiar with. She needs a mentor. And I believe I can serve that role once I'm in better condition.
(George turns the tv off).
George: You will old boy. One day.