An Unexpected Encounter
What on earth is that?! I muttered, puzzled, as I leaned forward in my seat, squinting through the windscreen of my locomotive.
Within a heartbeat, I shot to my feet, peering intently into the darkness ahead. No, I wasnt seeing things. In the beam of the headlight, I could clearly make out a figure, standing right on the tracks about three hundred yards ahead.
Our passenger train was approaching a small countryside station, and Id already eased the speed down to just under 25 miles per hour, but even soif I didnt hit the brakes in time, disaster might strike. And I certainly didnt want that on my conscience. Yet, to know whether I should brake or not, I really needed to figure out whoor whatwas standing there on the tracks.
Slamming on the emergency brakes is serious business, and if I did it every time I fancied, well It wouldnt end well. Thats what both the boss and the health-and-safety inspector kept telling me.
If theres a person on the rails, theres no question: you stop, full stop. But if its a pet or some wild animal, usually a few blasts of the horn do the trickthey run off and all is well. The point is, there has to be a mighty good reason for an emergency stop.
Otherwise, thered be hell to pay in the managers office, and whether Id get off with a slap on the wrist or lose my bonuswell, only the Lord knows. Certainly nothing pleasant.
Thats why I kept my eyes fixed on the darkness, trying to judge if I had enough time to stop if the worst happened.
Doesnt look like a person murmured my mate, Tom, plastering his face to the glass to get a better look at the unidentified object ahead.
The distance made it hard for both of us to tell just what, or who, was in our way.
Then it became clear.
Its a dog! I exclaimed, surprised. A proper dog! Whats it doing, just standing there smack in the middle of the tracks? Couldnt find somewhere better?
I immediately started blaring the horn.
In the quiet of the night, interrupted only by the steady clatter of wheels on rails, the deep train horn echoed outonce, twice, three times.
The longer I signalled, the more I frowned.
Usually, if a dog or deer or any other animal finds itself on the tracks, a few loud blasts and off it sprints, tail between its legs.
Animals, after all, have a keener survival instinct than most peopleno sane creature is going to tangle with a train.
But tonight, something was off.
The dog on the rails didnt so much as twitch at the repeated, insistent horn blasts.
It didnt even try to move aside.
It just stood stock-still on the rails and looked straight at the approaching locomotive.
Stared right at me, and while I couldnt see the expression in its eyesjust two glowing points reflecting in the headlampsI somehow felt certain this dog wasnt planning to move.
Bloody hell! I cursed, louder than I usually allow myself.
So, what are we going to do? Tom asked, nervous. An emergency stop nowd really mess things up. Were already running late.
I know!
If were any later, well be hearing about it, I guarantee. Maybe try the horn one more time?
Truth be told, the delay was already bad enougha mechanical issue earlier had put us behind schedule. And now this dog
Where on earth did it come from? I wondered.
Meanwhile, the engine was inching ever closer to the creature. So
I made my choice.
Are you really going to hit the brakes? Tom gawped. But
What do you suggest? I grumbled. Just close my eyes and let fate decide? Thats not right, Tom.
You know thisll mean paperwork, right? And if any of the sleeping passengers fall off a bunk in the sudden stop… Its night, after all.
Dont worry, TomIll be careful.
With no time left to lose, and sure the dog wasnt going anywhere, I took a deep breath, crossed myself as habitold habits die hardand began the emergency stop.
Was I sure I was doing the right thing?
More so than not. Before Id transferred to passenger trains, Id spent years driving long goods trains, and there had been more than enough moments when, in a matter of seconds, Id had to decide: brake or not. Big freights take even longer to stop, so Id learned to keep my head.
Id always prided myself on playing by the book, and after over three decades on the tracks, Id earned the railwaymans silver badge. Thats not given out for nothing.
So, yes, while I was nervousmy hands shook and sweat beaded my foreheadI knew I was reading the situation right.
Our speed was low enough that, even with a sudden halt, I wasnt putting anyone in danger.
With a drawn-out screech, the train stopped.
We came to a standstill barely a yard away from the dog.
Had I hesitated a moment longer, not spotted that dog in the black of nightwed be facing tragedy.
As it was, thank God: no injuries, the passengers were fine, and the dog, by all appearances, was unharmed.
All okay, right? Tom asked, peering through the windscreen, uncertain.
Being so close to the engine, we couldnt see the dog anymore.
Come on. Lets take a look.
A minute later, both of us were out on the tracks, scanning the scene.
Tom looked confused; me, I was frowning. No sign of the dog anywhere.
If Id been alone, I mightve wondered if Id imagined it.
But Tom had seen it too. We couldnt both have hallucinated, could we?
Dont understand I muttered, rubbing my chin. Wheres it gone?
Maybe legged it into the woodsgot scared after all, Tom suggested, pointing towards a clump of trees.
Right It stood its ground when the blinkin loco was coming at it, then scarpered once we stopped? Doesnt make sense.
True, he agreed.
We lingered for a few moments, quietly worrying for the dog. We wanted to be sure it really was alright.
Suddenly, Tom shouted, Look! Over there!
And there, a little way up the railwaybut not on the tracks, off to the sidemoved the unmistakable loping silhouette of the dog, limping along at a quick pace. Its limp had nothing to do with us, more likely an old injury.
We both exhaled in relief.
In that moment, we both realised wed done the right thing. Every lifebe it human or canine or otherwisedeserves a fighting chance.
And, without a word, we turned back to the cab, satisfied.
As expected, I reported the whole event to the controller that night.
Hang on! exclaimed Mrs. Watson, the night duty controller. You stopped the train for a dog? Couldnt you just have blasted the horn?
Thats right, I answered, steady. Stopped the train for a dog. It didnt react to the horn. Couldnt risk it. No passengers hurt, and the dogs fineran off towards the station.
Noble, I suppose. But Ill need to report to Mr. Harrison, and I doubt hell be pleased.
I understand.
Hell call you in for a meeting, without question. Especially as you were already running late.
I know, I said. But it was the right thing to do. Conductors checked all carriagesno injuries. And ten minutes delay, at most.
Fine. Carry on, and lets hope thats the last trouble tonight. Its already been too much for one day.
There were no further incidents. A few passengers grumbled, of course.
A couple of loudmouthed ladies with massive tartan bags even threatened to come up to the cab and demand to see my driving licenceas if the breakdown, then this unscheduled stop for a dog, meant I shouldnt be allowed near a train. Theres always a moaner or two.
Ultimately, we reached the end of the routelate, but all safe.
The following day, back at the depot, I was summoned to see Mr. Harrison.
Whats the meaning of this, Colin? he demanded, frowning.
Meaning what, sir? I replied calmly.
Whyd you slam on the emergency brakes last night? On what grounds? Some passengers have already sent in complaintsone nearly toppled out of bed.
The guards checkedno one was hurt.
Still, you made everyone late, not just your own passengers, but others too. Threw off the days timetable.
Hows that my fault, sir? First, we had a breakdown, then there was the dog on the tracks. I followed protocol, and did what I thought was right.
Im not complaining about the breakdown. But a dogcome now. Not a cow or a deer. Shouldve let it run. If it wanted to live, it wouldve scarpered.
Sorry, but I couldnt do that. Its a living thinga friend to man, after all. Sometimes, theyre better than people, I said, meaningfully.
Whats that supposed to mean?
Nothing, sir. Just a figure of speech.
You sure there was a dog? No passenger saw it. Wasnt your imagination running wild?
How would they have seen it? It was on the tracks, not out their window. Theres cab camera footage if you want to check.
I wont bother. But dont get cheeky. You and your mate will both have to explain yourselves in writing. Ill decide what to do with you thennot even your thirty years service will save you, understand?
So I wrote my report and headed home, to my rented flatnever did manage to buy my own place in town.
Still, back in my home village I had my parents old house, kept in tip-top condition, ready for my retirement. I wasnt in any rush to retire, even if my service years meant I could have left early.
I knew full well that being alone in the village might do me in with boredom.
Never married, no children.
Id always thrown myself into my worknever made time for romance. When I finally thought of it, the chance had long since steamed off.
No relatives left, either.
Without work, and no one around, Id fade awayand I wasnt even sixty yet. Far too soon to settle in for the final act.
*****
After a days rest, I reported back at work, feeling refreshed.
That same afternoon, pulling into the very same station where Id stopped the train for the dog, I spotted a German Shepherd waiting on the platform, head down, eyes sad.
She wasnt waiting for anyone or seeing anyone off. Just lying there, staring into the distance.
People passing by eyed her warily, giving her a wide berth.
Hold on I said to myself. Isnt that the same dog I caught hell over?
What? Where? Tom perked up.
There, on the platform.
Ah, I see her now. Looks just like herif shes favouring one leg, got to be the same one.
Just then, the Shepherd stood, shook snow from her coat, and limped off.
No doubt about it, Tom grinned. Made it as far as the station and settled here. Good thing, tooshe wont be wandering on the rails again.
You got any sandwiches left? I asked.
Yeah, why?
Pass them here.
Tom handed me the bag. Glancing at the clockI only had two minutes before departureI dashed out of the cab.
Not again Tom muttered. If were late because of that dog
I approached the Shepherd, who didnt even twitch at my arrival. I stood with her a minute, then said softly, Youre the one who stands your ground against locomotives, arent you?
She flinched, then looked up at me, surprised. Her tail gave a tentative wag.
Recognise me, eh? Well, lets be pals. Im Colin Barker. And what might your name be? Max? Or maybe Duke?
Woof! she barked cheerfully.
Couldnt help but smileshe even stood up to greet me.
Duke suits you more than Max, Id say. There, good dog, have a bite, I set down two sandwiches beside her. Just do me a favour, mateno more wandering onto the tracks. We cant always stop in time, you know? Say, wheres your owner, then? Youve got one, havent you?
At the mention of owner, Dukes eyes drooped, and for a moment I fancied the old dog even sighed.
All right, never mind. I wont pry. Ive got to get rolling anyhow. Take care, Duke. Lifes precious.
I gave his fur a gentle stroke and rushed back to the engine, where Tom was waving frantically.
For the next fortnight, every time I passed that station, Id hop out with sandwiches in hand and grin as Duke came bounding to greet me, tail wagging, before racing alongside as the train pulled out.
True to my word, Duke never set paw on the tracks again.
As for that night Apparently, it had been a moment of despair. Duke had been thrown out by his owner, left friendless.
All because the owners drinking mate had got handsy with the owners wife one night, and Duke, loyal as ever, rushed to her defence. The mate twisted the story, claiming the dog attacked for no reason. The wife, for reasons unknown, said nothing about the truth.
So, one freezing evening, the drunken owner took Duke deep into the woods, tied him to a tree, and said, Come home and Ill kill you.
Of course, Duke chewed through the rope, but was left aimless and alone.
Hed lost his home, his family Had nothing left to live for. Betrayal stings worse than death.
So when he faced down the oncoming train, ignoring the horns, he figured it wouldnt matter. But fate, and an old railwayman, had other ideas.
Now, Duke knows our meeting wasnt random at all. Not only did I save his life that nightI nudged him back toward living and restored his faith in people. I fed him, stroked him gently, and perhaps even made him hope that, one day, I could be his master.
Truthfully, I wished I could have. But I was hardly ever home, and my flat wasnt mine to keep a dog in, and dragging Duke around on my rounds wasnt an optionnot unless I wanted a fine from Mr. Harrison.
Still, as Christmas crept closer, I found myself deep in thought more and more.
You all right? Tom asked once. You seem off.
Im fine. Just got a lot on my mind.
Thinking about what?
Oh, all sorts. Tell me, Tom, how long do you reckon youll stay my assistant? You never wish you were in the drivers seat?
Course I do, he grinned. But youre the main man, and there arent any other openings. Unless some miracle happens, I supposebut what are the odds?
Dont be so sure, Tom, I grinned back. Always believe in miracles. They only happen if you believe in them, you know.
When my next long trip was done, I handed my notice in to Mr. Harrison, just as Id been mulling over. I loved my work, but the day had come, as it must for everyone.
Most of allI wanted to bring Duke home, to the cottage my parents left me in the country.
Id done my homeworkturned out, Dukes old owner in a nearby village had really dumped him. No one would mind if I took Duke in.
So thats how it turned out, just as Id hoped.
I saw the New Year in in my own home, with Duke at my side. And I didnt regret it for a moment.
One last right decision, I suppose.
Tom, of course, was a little glum to lose me, but when he found out there was now an opening for a train driver, his spirits soared. Hed listened to my advice, ready to move up, and not long after, became a full-fledged driver himself. He believed and, sure enough, a little miracle blessed him, too.
Yes, Duke Funny, the way you and I crossed paths, Id say, patting his head. Not by chance, was it, old chap?
Woof! Duke agreed.
I think I kept putting off moving to the country because I was scared of loneliness. But thenyou came along. You proved that life doesnt just stop when work endsit keeps rolling, with a bit of hope and loyalty.
Duke just wagged his tail, happy beside me.
And so, in the heart of winter, I learned again that the small, good choices we make arent nearly as small as they seem. Each life truly is worth fighting forespecially when it leads to a new chapter, not just for us, but for those who need us most.
