A Short Story by Chris Mackenzie-Thorpe

It was Halloween and the train was getting ready to leave the northern station. “Do you believe in ghosts?”, the fireman asked the driver. “Not really” came the reply “why ask?”. “ I suppose just seeing all these passengers dressed up and the station decorated made me think”. The conversation ended as the whistle went and they set off into the cold clear night.

It was about halfway down the line that a thin mist crept over the field from the river, while the sky remained starlit. Suddenly the fireman – looking ahead on the right – shouted. “Look – there someone waving by the edge of the track – he’s signalling for us to slow down”. The driver instinctively applied the brakes and the train came almost to a standstill. A few passengers looked out in surprise, but most were too deep in conversation to notice anything unusual. “I can’t see anyone.” Said the driver as he looked out. “Neither can I now -but there was definitely someone there!”. “Must be your imagination -thinking too much of Halloween!” The fireman pondered for a moment. “You may be right – lets get on”. A few minutes later, the train pulled into the other station to the spookily decorated platform.

While the passengers thronged the platform, the guard went up to the loco. “Why the sudden slow down?” “The fireman here imagined he’d seen someone by the line -I didn’t -did you? “No – I looked out as you slowed down – I saw nothing but I have to say a cold shiver went down my spine as we moved off again!”. “We’ll keep an eye on the way back- in case he has any more hallucinations” . With that the fireman went to uncouple the engine for the run round and the guard moved the lamp.

A good while later, the passengers were back on the train which pulled out, once again leaving a bright station and passing into the blackness. As the train rounded the bend towards the same place, driver, fireman and guard all looked out. “There he is!” cried the fireman. “near the milepost”. This time there was no doubt in the driver’s mind. A grey figure stood by the left of the track, his arm frantically giving the signal to slow down. The driver responded, and came to a stop with a matter of yards. The fireman looked out – but no one was to be seen. Then the guard, in his hi-vis jacket, climbed down and walked up the train to the engine. “Did you see him?” exclaimed the fireman. “I though I saw someone -but there’s no-one here now. “Well it’s not children.” said the fireman. “No”, the driver intervened, “ I clearly saw an old man – looked to me as if we was in a railway uniform – but not a modern one”. The guard shivered. “There’s that cold shiver again -I’m going back to my compartment -I suggest we get back home.“ As he walked back a few passengers asked if there was a problem. “No – just thought we saw a trespasser -be on our way in minutes”. And they were. 25 uneventful minutes later the train pulled into the station and all but one passenger left.

Old Ned walked up to the engine. “I saw him too you know. And I know who he is – or rather was.” The two crew members looked at him for a few seconds before the fireman said “Go on.” Ned hesitated, then spoke quietly. “You see it was 75 years ago this week. I was only a young lad. Ernie Basset was walking the line as he did, checking rails, keys, fishplates etc. Only that night he was late. It was dark and cold –like tonight – when just near that mile-post he noticed a broken fishplate. The joint had moved enough to derail a train at normal speed. He was just looking at it when he heard a train coming. All he could do was stand and wave and hope the crew saw him. They did. The train stopped in time to save a disaster.”

The crew looked at each other. “But why did we see him tonight?” “Dunno” said Ned, “He’s been dead nigh on thirty years. Well – goodnight gentlemen.” With that he left the platform. The crew got to their work to deal with the engine.

Next morning the track maintenance gang walked the line as they did regularly. Just where the crew had seen the ghost of Ernie Basset, the fishplate was broken.

Once again Ernie had prevented an accident.