Signalman, Fireman and others in “Old Iron”

[to the fireman] Two boys were on James' footplate, fiddling with the controls.

Whew.

They tumbled off and ran when James started.

The signalman answered the telephone.

Yes. He's here. Right. I'll tell him. [to the fireman again] The inspector's coming at once. He wants a shunter's pole and a coil of wire rope.

What for?

Search me. But you'd better get them quickly.