Tales from the Rails

By Berwick Writers Workshop

An anthology of short stories and poems a theme of Railways - particularly around Berwick upon Tweed and the Eastern Scottish Borders, compiled in conjunction with the Stephenson 150 Project which celebrated the life of railway engineer Robert Stephenson. Some of the stories are fact based, some pure fiction. Print version published 2009. Also contains 10 photographs.
Author Contributors:
Mary Rawnsley, Wendy Bell Scott, Helen Minto, Helena Anne Murray, Jacqui Adams, Sue Handoll, Anne Hogben, Hilary Graham, Jean Curtis, Gary Neal, John Marsh, Angela McLaughlin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Berwick Writers Workshop
• Release date: Apr 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476198880

Berwick Writers Workshop

Berwick Writers Workshop was founded in 1985 to help writers from North-Northumberland and the Eastern Scottish Borders to develop and promote their writing. Since 2005 they have produced an anthology almost every year on a chosen theme, and hope to continue this aim in the future. Some of the authors have long experience of published stories, articles or poetry, etc. Some are beginners. Each anthology is a reflection of the work being produced at that point. Some contributory authors also publish books individually through Blue Button Publications,so watch out for those too!

Book preview

Stephenson 150 Anniversary

Tales from the Rails

by

The Members of

Berwick Writers Workshop

A Border Bridges Publication

Smashwords Edition

Copyright ©2012 Border Bridges Publications and the Authors & Photographers as named.

Publishing History

Print version first published in Great Britain in 2009.

Published by Border Bridges Publications,

Berwick upon Tweed, TD15 2RH.

Print ISBN 978-0-09552066-2-7

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold

or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,

please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did

not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to

Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work

of these authors and photographers.

Cover design by Bluebell.

Cover Photograph by Gary Neal

Editing and Layout by Bluebell.

Contents

Day of Reckoning by Mary Rawnsley

The Strike by Wendy B. Scott

My Dearest Father by Helen Minto

Full steam ahead to the seaside by Helena Anne Murray

Joe Gnome by Jacqui Adams

The Bridges of Berwick by Sue Handoll

Memories of the Night Mail by Anne Hogben

Connection by Hilary Graham

The Last Train to Nowhere by Jean Curtis

Tracks by Gary Neal

The 8.05 to Town by John Marsh

Penmanshiel 1979 by Angela McLaughlin

About the Authors

More Border Bridges Publications

More Books by these Authors

Day of Reckoning

by Mary Rawnsley

The coals glowed red and threw out warmth as well as colour into the old-fashioned sitting-room, but Robert, seated in the armchair by the fireside, didn’t notice. Nor did he feel the heat, nor notice the brightness. His mind was absorbed. Could he have prevented this from happening? Would he have enough money to meet their demands? He had believed that all his hard work had made him and Fanny comfortable for life. He must not let her find out. Dear God! She was in a bad enough way as it was. He must shield her.

A shadow settled on his pleasant features. Good God! What would his father say? His father had strong opinions about everything. He would have much to say about this situation. How could Robert have been so careless as to allow himself to be trapped into this position...

The little maid, Daisy, entered. She looked very young for her sixteen years. The uniform, a blue cotton wrapper, covered by the apron, white as a seagull’s breast, was unflattering.

Mr Brunel to see you, sir.

Robert Stephenson looked up.

How is your mistress, Daisy?

Just as usual, sir. She took some gruel and a dish of tea. The mistress is resting now.

Thank you. You are a kind girl. Please show in Mr Brunel. Brunel was a faithful friend, he reflected. He didn’t disappear from view when you were beset by troubles.

As Isambard Kingdom Brunel came into the room, Robert stood up and went forward to greet him.

This is a bad business, my friend, said Brunel, as they shook hands.

Indeed it is, and no word of it must reach Fanny’s ears, Robert replied.

How is she?

Her condition is poor. I despair of her ever getting better. Let’s be seated and Daisy will serve a dish of tea, to warm you.

As they sipped the tea, the men talked of un-important matters, but at last Brunel asked about the subject they had been avoiding.

How have your problems come about, Robert?

The trouble was, that the Stanhope and Tyne Railway was not set up by Act of Parliament, like all the others, Robert answered, and the law says that the shareholders are responsible for the company’s debts.

How many shareholders are there? Brunel asked. He was beginning to understand the seriousness of the situation.

"I’m the only one with