Not every story has a happy ending

This is an amazing story, the dialogue is deep and the Diesel engine emphasizes how he squandered his chances at preservation by acting rude on sodor and will be scrapped, feels like awdry writing.

I've seen several stories that've tried to redeem D261 as a character, but this is by far his best outing apart from "Bowled Out". For one thing, his reasons for wanting to make amends with Stepney feel as natural as can be; he's destined for the cutter's torch, so he finally understands what Stepney had been through. But what really knocks the story out of the park is that it doesn't end the way you think it would end; it leaves the diesel's fate ambiguous, which gives the story that much more weight to it.

Very somber stuff, my friend. Thought I'd give D261 the voice Old Square Wheels had provided for him in _Tales From the Other Railway._ Hope I did it justice, especially for this story.

A really great story here. It's amazing how even though it's just two characters talking, it can still be interesting and engaging. Maithwaiter did a wonderful job and you did great bringing it to life.

It’s kinda like the truth about scrap by narrow gage with the story

I really appreciate the choice to leave the ending wide open; could Stepney and the others pull off a... "disputation" and save Bowler from his fate? Or is he already doomed and was only pulled to bail out James because he was still in working condition waiting in line to join his brothers? Or perhaps something else awaits Bowler; neither scrap nor Sodor but another fate entirely? Fascinating dilemma, and one of the most compelling fan works I've ever seen. Bravo to everyone involved.

Now I understand how shielded the eyes of the Sudrian engines are to reality, their already safe , and threats, (news of threats counted,) either is dismissed, or doesn’t affect them. I hope Bowler gets rescued, but he’s just nothing to BR. After all, they need to build more Diesel Electrics to advance the transport industry,

This shows how sheltered the Sodor engines are. Trevor was saved, Douglas was saved, Oliver, Isabel and Toad were saved, and Stepney was saved. The Fat Controllers over the years are just so thoughtful and the engines look up to them. (Okay, Trevor was saved by someone else and Stepney is owned by the Bluebell Railway in the books and RL, but still). But some engines... they just cannot be saved. While I prefer Stepney to be on the actual bluebell railway as opposed to being a Sodor resident, this is a beautiful and tragic tale.

I can confirm that the real D261 was not preserved; being withdrawn in 1983. However, it should be noted that several of the Class 40s were named after ocean liners, (Namely Canadian Pacific Liners, Cunarders, and Elder Dempster Liners) so some of them _were_ given names. Also of note is that, given the feminine nature of some of these names, some of the sentient Class 40s may have been female. For example, D231 was named _Sylvania,_ which, depending on if you go by Victor Tanzig’s theories, assigned names, or both, it may well be her name, or it was Sylvia.

Wow… This was deep.

This feels like it belongs in the "horrors of the rails" series With narrow gauge narrating it and all

A gut wrenching, heart-breaking tale, man. Well done to you and Maithwaiter for making it work so wonderfully, and to my fellow VAs, Narrow Gauge and DarthWill3 for their utterly stellar performance once again - the three of us seem to be very proficient in the sadder, more morbid Thomas stories, huh(!)

Well this certainly was well presented. A lovely thought provoking story that really changes things. It was nice to see D261 and Stepney make peace even if it wasn't under the circumstances either wanted. D261 has learned a lot from his early years but alas hindsight can be as much a blessing as a curse. We learn so much from it but sometimes can only look back and are powerless to rewrite fate. I see where this story comes from since it's derived from what happened to the real life D261. Of course being the TTTE universe his fate not being directly stated is left to audience interpretation which is a nice direction to go in.

Amazing work here, very introspective and well-done. Keep up the great work

Whenever I hear Narrow Gauge voice in a project, my mind knew that isn't gonna be a cheerful or a wholesome story

Really like the idea behind this, Jerome! It's a nice and ironic full circle symbolically. Though you could've been crueler by ending the story visually by showing D261 arriving at a scrapyard siding at a similar angle as Stepney was at the start. As it is, it's still a very effective end.

All of a sudden, I feel bad for D261. The story made me think he truly knows what it means to feel worthless.

Wow, this was amazing, such an indescribable feeling and the message conveyed here, sad the engine didn’t have a happy ending

See, this is what we needed. A story that not everything can end like you want it to. There is always something new to replace the old, always something more “efficient” than the past. Just because you’re the newest thing now doesn’t mean you’ll stay in that place forever.

The ending music made that moment much more impactful. I also loved that it didn't end happy, made it feel alot more real, the way Awdry wanted the series portrayed. The Reverend W. Awdry would be proud.

Damn, hope Bowler gets preserved one day. Who knows, maybe Stepney and the other engines will help save him?

Now this was something I didn't expect to see. I was surprised to see this story take a dark turn like this. But good to see the diesel understand how Stepney felt back then. Well done to everyone involved with this video :) .

He rolled sadly away. Hoping that his hopes would stay as they were. Hoping that D261 was wrong, that he would truly be saved. *Although deep down, he knew he wouldn’t see him again.*

This actually hurt to see, that diesel who thought he was all that, humbled. Stunning work to you all!

i love it, the sad ending makes the characters more real

It is a cruel irony. Most likely the same mindset steam engines had to previous models and now the time for diesels to face that too. Sir Topham may not be a magician, but as the Hatt family have done since the first director of Sodor railway, they can save whatever engine they can provided they prove themselves useful. Hell they never give up on Henry despite his failed construction.

You don't get many stories centered on the scrapping of diesel engines. Granted we have had a few in recent months but it is nice to see people carrying it on.

D261 deserves a name When I had his wooden railway model I called him Kieran

Well done Jerome. I would love to see a sequel where Bowler officially joins Sodor and take passenger and freight trains to and from there especially to and from London.

This has made me genuinely upset any more provoking and I will cry. So thank you, for making me sad.

Hi The GermanofSodor I can understand what Stepney must have felt when he was left in the scrap yard . Now that he is safe a diesel who made a massive mistake when he was a younger and missed his chance to live on sodor is now going to end up in the scrap yards and is very scared. It just so sad to see but GermanofSodor you made it so brilliantly well it makes sense really well done and keep up with the fantastic videos GermanofSodor

Dang it really is a cruel irony…I can imagine any older vehicle would probably have a similar reaction. Like old lorries and steam rollers being withdrawn and replaced just like how steam engines are replaced by diesels and how those diesels are replaced by new diesels. You start to wonder if maybe we should have taken back what we said about wanting those diesels to know what it’s like to be on the other end as kids.

Between this tale and Something in the Mines, poor old Stepney's certainly had his share of confronting experiences thanks to the fandom!

Just as I was going to start editing my own Stepney and D261 video, this came out. Wow

This was a great video. It's always interesting when people put a spin on the idea of scrap.

Very well done. It was quite emotional.

This story was amazing, it seems that I feel a little bit sorry for D261 along with the other diesels. But hey, at least the story was amazing to listen.

Damn, that was awesome! So simplistically complex. Nice work 👍

This could be a sad end for D261 or a follow-up could happen.

I was quite fortunate to have ridden on the short railway from Windermere to Hathewaite in Cumbria. And encounted an Austerity class tank engine like Sheffield! D261 was given the name Daryl and was saved as one of the mixed traffic engine for the NWR railway. Along with Bear and Boco! Even taught James a lesson, by pushing the Express at a speed that astonished and scared him right off his cylinders! I think that there's a further story here. Involving Stepney. You can tell, my friend! And certainly worth pursuing.

This is a work of art, great work!

This is a great story. I feel bad for D261. I'm glad he learned about the railway is scraping old locomotives as they're replacing new modern locomotives.

Just finished watching this and I'm at a loss for words. This is beyond fantastic. By the way, does anyone know the music at the beginning and end of the video?

i love the description. especially the last paragraph

Well done with the brilliant story. It's heart warming to hear.

Whether it be steamies or diesels, no engine lasts forever...

Palpatine: Ironic. He deemed steamies obsolete, and he became the obsolete.

A very interesting story. Ace voice casting, here. Crisp and beautiful. All of you did a fantastic job.

The Song used at the beginning and end is called Reversion by Myuu

This was awesome! It was sad but still enjoyable!

The real D261 in real life was withdrawn from service in 1983 and scrapped at Crewe in March the following year.

Well, HIS class of diesel was being pulled from service. Shame tophamm couldn't find a place for him...but even Sodor can't take EVERY engine in need

I'm so excited!

I Feel Sorry For What is Going to Happen to D261 Will There an Episode Were D261 Gets Saved By The NWR and Becomes Really Useful Engine

Brilliant as always. Also Needed some more inspiration to write stories of my own and I got it, thanks mate 👌

The music is eerily beautiful !

I think this story deserves a continuation in some way, that's how drawn to it I was, makes me want to see more

I was about to cry but at the same time we age and become old

Awesome video can’t wait for the next episode

I love it. Great stuff

Could their be a sequel where bowler works on the railway forever

I can’t wait so I’m thinking D261 is back

Nice work dude!

Very deep. Makes you stop and think for a minute.

I hope D261 can get preserved soon.

It is a very true story as it may appear. First generation diesels of any type were quick to appear and quicker to be removed and scrapped in favor of second generation diesels, which appear to still be prevalent today. I know the local FA-2 locomotives, which had the steamers all but eradicated woth none preserved, served 12 years before being traded and scrapped. None of them survive. Fortunately, the traction motors live on under the second generation locomotives. Im talking about rebuild programs where you see GE locos with ALCO traction trucks. Although this example may be American, it is true across the board. The period of unprecedented technological progress did not exclude the obsolescence of its own children as a result. Rip Ann Arbor FA-2 locomotives. The Wabash/DT&I didn't know how cool streamlined heavy freight locomotives supplying a large carferry operation would have been to preserve. The second generation ones still roll the tracks stamp-dated to have seen the FA-2's themselves. Other first-generation AA diesels survive. But only of Switcher (S) and Road Switcher (RS) categories with both RS2'S unfortunately being scrapped in recent years by a museum itself. Railroads can harbor stories of sadness as well as intrigue.

Deltic class right? I’m glad some have survived. Still, sobering and scary to think of what’s waiting for you. No one escapes the end of life.

Oh FINALY diesels are old why can’t people realise that

This is so sad. I love when D261 gets some love, but this was a different kind of love. I would love to see a follow-up to this where he gets saved by a heritage railway or the NWR. But I suppose it's really up to speculation that decides his fate.

This is exceptionally well done. Also kind of sad.

This episode was terrific and I remember watching it as a child

That was very impressive!

This feels like an early sneek peek at hotr 4, witch I'm more than happy for.

So this is somewhere around 1988-89 since the real D261 was withdrawn and scrapped in 1989

D261:Farwell Stepney.Im glad we could meet one final time.Me:Rest in peace.

I hope there is/will be a continuation to this story, I'm eager to see if Stepney can help save the Diesel and they can solidify a friendship.

2:10 lol rusty floating

In reality, there was a Class 40 numbered D261. In reality, this Diesel was sadly scrapped

Excellent work!

Stepney: Now I feel sorry for him

The ironic thing about d261 is that his real life counterpart was actually scrapped, but at least there are several class 40 diesels preserved.

Ah, the life of machinery… there’s always going to be a new version coming along sooner or later.

At one point I was going to make an entire series focusing on D261 and how he was eventually redeemed and given a home in a railway museum. That was until I realized how ridiculously expensive his Hornby model was. I´ve since changed the series and he will appear but in a slightly different form.

That was a pretty dark story. I wonder what the future holds for D261.

I doubt it at this point Wat do you, Ey, Ey!? Such a British response

this needs a part 2

awesome

What was the name of the music at the beginning and ending of this story?

Can’t wait

This is a great video

It was a bad time in 1963-1985 my brother D40125 was cut up in July and spamcan was in a nuclear flask test.😔

I knew D261 would come back.

Considering D261 is a Class 40.. yeah.

This was heartbreaking

What doesn't make sense, and leaves too-much for speculation: ALL diesels are being withdrawn? For what reason(s)? This needs further elaboration. [:\

For those of you looking for the theme in the beginning and end, it’s called Reversion by Miyuu. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r7mkdcWcrJvGdYU.html

It's super weird too me that the narrow gauge railway has a line that stretches to the other railway, its such a huge plot hole, as its never mentioned again

Cool

D261 entered service in 1960 for British Rail, he visited the island in 1962 on loan for the NWR and in 1983 BR withdrew D261 from service and he was scrapped in 1984. Just 24 years of service, compared to Stepney’s 146 years, still on going.