The Signalman

'The Signalman' is the 2nd Halloween themed story written by Michael White

Plot
The Model Engineers Society have been invited to Drumawhey Junction for its Halloween Specials. However during the day, things go wrong for all the trains. Signals change whenever they want, points derail passenger trains and some trains are sent along the wrong routes. When questioned about all the delays the signalman for the day states that the 'Other Signalman' is the one causing the trouble. Nobody knows what he means until Cars manages to dig something up and reveals the tail of the other signalman to the others, later that evening.

The other signalman was a member at Drumawhey who accidentally sent the wrong train on a collision corse with another and sent both trains crashing down an embankment. The shock of it all caused the signalman to fall ill to which he never recovered. As a result, his spirit haunts the line, controlling all the signals and points without anyone's understanding.

Casey and Whitehouse don't believe in the story and decide to go out on the line as part of the event's night runs. Out on the line, a fog suddenly forms. As Casey and Whitehouse approach the girder bridge a signal stops them, but they are the only engines out on the line so why are they stopped? All of a sudden the sound of another train can be heard from under the bridge. Then the sound of a collision rang out to which the signal that stops the two combusts and falls on to the tracks. Frightened Casey and Whitehouse hurry back and tell everyone what they saw. But when Corps went to examine the signal, he finds it to be perfectly intact and set to 'All Clear'. To add to that, there was no fog.

Casey and Whitehouse are taken off the night run to recover while Corps and Cars go along the tracks to collect the Halloween decorations to pack away. But while travelling along the line, the light on the battery powered engine goes out. While waiting on Corps getting help, Cars trips on the rails and hurts his leg by the tunnel. Corps inform Casey and Whitehouse what had happened and the two go out with Lady Grange to find Cars. But Lady Grange's safety valves go off in the tunnel, preventing Casey from seeing Cars across the tracks. But Whitehouse blows his guard's whistle and alert Casey that a signal ahead is at danger. Lady Grange stops just infant of Cars who thanks the two for stopping.

Whitehouse thinks that Corps must have set the signal to stop them, but discover that the signal box had been closed and locked for the last 2 hours. So who was it that set the signal?

Trivia

 * The story's title is based off the same title used for the famous Charles Dickens story.
 * Drumawhey Junction did have a signalman who sadly passed away from a heart attack. He was known to have been a trickster but always ensured the trains ran accordingly. The signal box has a special plaque in his honour.
 * Casey and Whitehouse's encounter is loosely inspired by a scene in the TUGS episode 'Ghosts'
 * Jane and the Motor Car Society are not present in this story.
 * Ryan Hagan from Sodor Island Forums volunteered to assist in the writing of this story. This is the first time, apart from Casey Junior, that another writer is involved with the series.