Alice's Steam Dream
Alice
stood at the edge of the platform, her heart
racing as the sound of the approaching train
grew louder. The unmistakable
sound of the steam
engine made her pulse quicken. Alice had
always been different from the other girls
at school. While they talked about fashion,
pop stars, and the latest social media
trends, Alice’s world revolved around the
steam engines of a bygone era.
The
moment she saw the gleaming black locomotive
with its billowing steam and powerful
presence, she was hooked. The engine seemed
alive, like a giant iron beast from another
world. She remembered tugging on her
father’s hand and asking question after
question, her curiosity insatiable. As she
grew older, Alice’s love for steam engines
only intensified. She would spend hours
researching the history of railways, poring
over books and old photographs, learning
about the pioneers of steam, and dreaming of
the day when she could be close to these
magnificent machines.
Now,
standing on the platform, Alice felt a
sense of anticipation as the train rounded
the bend. The gleaming brass and polished
wood of the carriages caught the sunlight,
and the engine itself was a sight to behold,
an old GWR locomotive, lovingly restored to
its former glory. As the train pulled to a
stop, Alice breathed in the familiar scent
of coal smoke and hot oil, a smell that was
comfortingly nostalgic.
She had been volunteering at
the railway for the past year, spending her
weekends helping out with odd jobs and
learning whatever she could from the
engineers and conductors.
But Alice
wanted more. She wanted to be part of that world,
to feel the heat of the firebox on her face, to
hear the engine’s steady heartbeat under her
hands, and to know she was keeping history alive.
Her dream was about to become a reality. In a few
months, she would leave school at sixteen, and
she had already applied for a full-time position
with the steam preservation society. The thought
of working with these incredible machines every
day filled her with excitement.
To a time
when things were built to last, when
craftsmanship and dedication meant something.
She wanted to be a part of that, to contribute
to preserving that legacy for future
generations. As the train puffed away from the
platform, Alice’s heart swelled with
determination. This was what she was meant to
do, and she would do whatever it took to make it
happen. The final months of school passed in a
blur. Alice focused on her studies, but her
mind was often elsewhere, filled with thoughts
of steam engines and the work she would soon be
doing.
Her
teachers noticed her distraction, but
she was determined not
to let her grades slip. She wanted to prove to
everyone, that she was capable of achieving her
dreams. One afternoon, she
was called into the school’s career advisor’s
office. Mrs. Turner, a kind but practical woman,
had a stack of brochures laid out on her desk.
“Alice,” she began, “have you given any more
thought to what you’d like to do after you leave
school?” Alice nodded eagerly.
Mrs. Turner’s looked up
in surprise.“The steam preservation society?
That’s quite unusual. But, Alice, are you sure?
It’s not a typical career path for someone your
age. There are other options, you know. College,
apprenticeships, have you considered those?” “I
have,” Alice replied, trying to keep her tone
respectful. “But this is what I want more than
anything. I’ve been volunteering there for a
year now, and I know it’s the right place for
me. I love steam engines, and I want to help
keep them running.”
“It’s clear
you have a passion for this, Alice. But it’s a
tough industry, and it might not be easy to make
a living from it. Have you thought about what
you’ll do if it doesn’t work out?” Alice had
considered the risks. She knew the preservation
society relied on donations and volunteers, and
paid positions were few and far between. But she
also knew that she couldn’t live with herself if
she didn’t at least try. “I have,” she said
firmly. “But I have to give it a shot. It’s what
I’m passionate about, and I think I could be
really good at it.
I’m willing
to work hard and learn everything I can.” Mrs.
Turner smiled gently. “Well, Alice, I can see
you’ve made up your mind. I wish you all the
best. Just remember to keep your options open,
okay?” Alice nodded, though she was certain she
didn’t need a backup plan. She knew where she
belonged. The letter arrived on a crisp morning
in early spring. Alice’s heart pounded as she
tore open the envelope, scanning the words with
wide eyes. The steam preservation society was
offering her a position as an apprentice
engineer.
All the hard work, all the hours spent volunteering and studying, had paid off. She ran into the kitchen, waving the letter in the air. “Mum! Dad! I got it! I got the job!” Her parents, who had always supported her passion even if they didn’t fully understand it, enveloped her in a congratulatory hug. “We knew you could do it, love,” her father said, his voice filled with pride. Alice could hardly contain her excitement. She called her friends, who, though they didn’t share her passion for steam engines, were thrilled for her. That evening, the family celebrated with a special dinner.
The
following Monday, Alice arrived at the heritage
railway, ready to start her new job. She was
greeted by Mr. Jones, the head engineer, a
gruff but kind man with a bushy beard and a deep
love for the engines under his care. “Welcome
aboard, Alice,” he said, shaking her hand with
a firm grip. “I’ve seen you around here before,
but now you’re part of the team. Ready to get
your hands dirty?” “Yes, Mr. Jones,” Alice
replied eagerly. “I’m ready to learn
everything.”
It’s about
understanding how they work, maintaining them,
and knowing their quirks. These machines have
souls, Alice, and it’s up to us to keep them
alive.” Alice nodded; her excitement tempered
by the realisation
that this would be a challenge. But she was
ready. The first few weeks were tough. Alice
found herself doing a lot of the less glamorous
jobs, cleaning the
engines, greasing the bearings, shovelling coal.
It was hard, dirty work, but Alice didn’t mind.
Mr.Jones was a patient teacher,
explaining the intricacies of the engines, how
each part worked, and why it was important. He
showed Alice how to fire the boiler, regulate
the steam pressure, and listen to the engine’s
“voice” to know if something was amiss. Slowly
but surely, Alice began to understand the
rhythm of the steam engines. She learned to feel
the heat of the firebox, the pull of the
throttle, the steady chug of the pistons. Each
day brought new challenges and new lessons, and
Alice soaked it all in, determined to become
the best engineer she could be.
As the months passed, Alice’s skills
grew. She became more confident in her
abilities, and the other engineers began to
respect her for her hard work and dedication.
But the job wasn’t without its challenges. One
day, Mr. Jones approached her with a serious
expression. “Alice, we’ve got a problem with
the old GWR locomotive. She’s been running a bit
rough lately, and we can’t figure out why. I
want you to take a look.” Alice’s heart skipped
a beat.
She felt honoured and nervous. She
spent the next few days carefully examining the
engine, checking every part, listening to the
sounds it made, and consulting the old
maintenance logs. It was tedious, painstaking
work, but Alice was determined to find the
problem. Finally, after hours of investigation,
she found it, a small crack in one of the boiler
tubes that was causing a loss of steam pressure.
It was a tricky repair, but with Mr. Jones’s
guidance, Alice was able to replace the damaged
tube and get the engine running smoothly again.
When the locomotive steamed out of
the shed, as powerful as ever, Alice felt a
deep sense of satisfaction. She had proven
herself capable, and she knew she had earned her
place in the preservation society. But the
challenges didn’t stop there. Working with steam
engines required constant vigilance. Alice
learned that even the smallest oversight could
lead to serious problems. There were days when
the work seemed overwhelming, when the engines
wouldn’t cooperate, or when the weather made
everything more difficult.
But she never gave up. She loved
the work too much to be discouraged. Her
dedication didn’t go unnoticed. One evening,
after a particularly difficult day, Mr. Jones
called her into his office. “Alice, I’ve been
impressed with your progress,” he said, his
voice softer than usual. “You’ve got a real
talent for this, and I think it’s time you took
on more responsibility. How would you feel about
becoming a qualified fireman?” This
It was a big responsibility, but it was
also exactly what Alice had been working
toward. “I’d love to, Mr. Jones,” she
replied, her voice filled with determination.
“Good,” he said with a nod. “We’ll start your
training tomorrow.” Training to be a fireman was
intense, but Alice thrived on the challenge.
She spent weeks learning the intricacies of the
firebox, mastering the art of shovelling coal in
just the right way to maintain an even fire, and
understanding how to balance steam pressure with
the demands of the locomotive.
It was exhausting work,
but Alice loved every minute of it.
Finally, the day came for her
first solo run as a fireman. Alice was nervous
but excited. She had been paired with Dave, one
of the more experienced drivers, for the trip.
They would be taking a group of tourists on a
scenic journey through the countryside, a route
that Alice knew well from her years of
volunteering. As they prepared the engine,
Alice felt a mixture of pride and anxiety. This
was her chance to prove herself, but she also
knew that a lot could go wrong if she wasn’t
careful.
“Ready,” Alice replied, trying to
steady her nerves. The whistle blew, and with a
loud chuff, the engine began to move. Alice
focused on her tasks, carefully managing the
fire, keeping an eye on the steam gauge, and
listening to the engine’s rhythm. The
countryside rolled by, the scenery beautiful and
serene, but Alice’s attention was entirely on
the locomotive. The journey went smoothly, and
as they approached the final stretch, Alice
allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction.
She had done it, her first solo run, and
everything had gone perfectly.
But just as they were nearing the
station, something felt off. The engine’s rhythm
changed and the steam pressure began to drop
rapidly. Alice’s heart raced as she quickly
checked the firebox. The fire was burning low,
and she realised she had misjudged the amount of
coal needed. “Dave, we’re losing pressure!” She
called out, trying to keep the panic out of her
voice. Dave glanced at the gauges and nodded.
“We’re close to the station. Keep shovelling,
and we’ll coast in.”
The engine slowed, but Dave
expertly guided it along the tracks, and with a
final burst of effort, they rolled into the
station, coming to a stop just in time. Alice
slumped against the side of the cab, exhausted
but relieved. It hadn’t been perfect, but they
had made it. Dave clapped her on the shoulder.
“Well done, Alice. You handled that well. It
happens to all of us, especially when we’re
starting out. The important thing is you kept
your cool and got us home.”
The engine was unforgiving, and there
was no room for complacency. But she was
determined to get it right. Over the next year,
Alice continued to grow as an engineer and
fireman. She became more confident, more
skilled, and more in tune with the engines she
loved. The work was still hard, and there were
always new challenges, but Alice embraced them
all. She developed a deep respect for the old
machines, understanding that they were more than
just engines, they were living pieces of
history, each with its own story to tell.
To keep the steam engines running
for future generations to experience and enjoy.
Alice also found herself becoming part of a
close-knit community. The steam preservation
society was like a family, with everyone working
together to keep the railway alive. She formed
strong bonds with her fellow engineers, drivers,
and volunteers, all of whom shared her passion.
One day, as she was finishing up a shift, Mr.
Jones pulled her aside. “Alice, you’ve come
a long way since you started here.
I think it’s time we made it official, how would you like to become a fully qualified engineer?” Her eyes widened in surprise and joy. “Really? I’d love that!” Mr. Jones smiled. “You’ve earned it. Keep up the good work, and you’ll have a bright future in this industry.” As she walked home that evening, she couldn’t stop smiling. She had achieved her dream, but she knew it was just the beginning. There was still so much to learn, so much to do, and she was ready. She thought back to that first trip to the heritage railway, to the moment when she had seen her first steam engine.
She had come so far since then,
but her love for these incredible machines had
never wavered. And now, she was living her dream
every day, working to preserve the history she
cherished so deeply. Alice knew that she had
found her place in the world, and she couldn’t
wait to see where the road would take her next.
Years passed, and her reputation as a skilled
and passionate engineer grew. She became a
mentor to younger volunteers, sharing her
knowledge and inspiring others to follow their
dreams.
Ensuring that the history and legacy of these magnificent machines would be preserved for future generations. One day, as she stood on the platform, watching a newly restored locomotive steam into the station, She felt a deep sense of fulfilment. She had dedicated her life to the engines she loved, and she knew that she had made a difference. And as the train chuffed away into the distance, Alice smiled, knowing that the journey she had embarked on so many years ago was still far from over. The road ahead was long, and she was ready to face whatever challenges came her way.
