literature

Big M., the Recovery Crane

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Literature Text

Name: Big M.
Alias (if applicable): Boomer, Long Arm,
Number assigned: None
Locomotive type: Diesel-hydraulic
Locomotive specification: Railroad recovery crane
Wheel arrangement: Co-Co
Year built: Unknown
Builder: Unknown
Bio: Big M. is the largest crane on the Mid-American Railroad, and rarely sees work due to Spiker and Grinder’s mutual efforts with Reginald and Gerald to keep the railroad tracks in pristine condition and avoid accidents or derailments.
Big M. was a specially manufactured crane to help in maintenance and repairs to engines and railways that did not have sufficient funds to build a repair facility; when the railway he was previously owned by had declared bankruptcy, I was quick to negotiate a decent price for the crane. Upon his arrival to the Mid-American Railroad, Big M. was known to be very quiet and surprisingly laid back as he did not seem to care who pulled him where; his only conditions were to not wake him up until he arrived where he was needed. Unfortunately, some visiting engines enjoy waking him up for no particular reason, and simply do it just to be a nuisance; it must be noted that Big M. always has the last laugh when the visiting locomotive ends up in a mess and his assistance is required to help them.
Asides from being a rather quiet, and surprisingly lazy, crane with an occasional sour attitude, Big M. has not shared with any employee, engine, or freight car the exact truth of how he received the name “Big M.”; he has, however, shared with us how he received the nicknames “Boomer” and “Long Arm” and the accompanying stories of his hard work. Although many grow tired of hearing the same stories time and time again, some of the engines in the fleet admit that hearing them being repeated gives them some insight into his personality. Big M. does admit he enjoys working with these few engines who enjoy being regaled time and time again with the same stories about his nicknames; these engines include Hank, Stephen the Q1, Hercules, Edwin, and Ferdinand, and all seem to be content with him repeating his stories of his former “fame” to them without much care about repetition.
Although quiet, lazy, and occasionally sour, Big M. has been known for a sturdily solid caring and compassionate heart to those who do not get to work as often as some of the other locomotives in the fleet on the Mid-American. He has also been known for some insight on the railroading life he has bestowed on employees, particularly troublesome rolling stock, and some of the locomotives on the railroad, and his silent willingness to always listen and offer such advice. The rather unfortunate irony is that Big M. rarely accepts advice from those who he bestows his own to, and his rather hostile way of telling whoever it is trying to be there for him often gets him to be rather melancholy and slightly bitter afterwards. This has led some to believe that he does suffer a slight touch of depression from a lack of work, and it must be noted that he has admitted it to only three locomotives and two workers on the Mid-American Railroad.
Regardless of his unusual demeanour, Big M. has proven himself repeatedly to be a valuable friend and part of the Mid-American Railroad through his hard work ethic and caring heart.
Meet Big M.! Big M. is the Mid-American Railroad's biggest, and currently only, railroad recovery crane. When there's a derailment, major or minor, Big M. is always happy to sling his hook (or hooks it must be noted) to help clean up and take part in regular recovery duties. Although quite lazy, Big M. knows how to swing his weight and influence about, helping to improve both character and rails with his knowledge. Keep an eye out for Big M.!
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