A Proper Joke

The Watlington Flyer is a friendly little train that chuffs the nine branch-line miles between Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire and Watlington in Oxfordshire. Just one coach and an ancient engine, it sometimes waits for regular customers, has been known to back up for panting latecomers. One day the Flyer's fireman, Anthony Benham, 22, tooted the train's whistle at pretty Janet Croxford, 19; in due course Anthony asked for twelve days off to marry Janet.

Unfortunately, the deputy fireman had been drafted into the army. Up went notices saying that from March 5 to March 17 the railroad would close down; customers would have to travel by specially hired buses. For three days the Flyer stayed sadly in its shed. One bus broke down and a car was hired. Then the railroad's top officials heard about the rustic crisis, quickly fetched old Flyerman George Nicholson from another line. Said George warmly: "I jumped at the chance. For seven years I fired this train. I'm fond of it "

Last week, as churchbells pealed out for the newlyweds, the Flyer was running again. Grinned the bridegroom: "It's been a proper joke around here."

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