Meryl

* BR Blue
* GWR Green

## Bio:

In 1932, Meryl was waiting at Oxford station for Eliza to shunt her coaches to the platform. Once the GWR saddle tank shunted her coaches, Meryl thanked Eliza for bring her coaches and had a small chat with her before she had to go. Meryl talked with Eliza about her little brother Peter to always keep a watchful eye on him as she doesn't want something bad to happen to Eliza or Peter, even though Eliza reassured Meryl that she'll always look after her little brother, the GWR Castle went on explaining the dangers of the world and how people always turn their backs on them including their current manager Mr. Stevens. She also stated to Eliza that not everyone can agree with one another and they can't always have a happily ever after as she departed with her express train. The next morning at Didcot Sheds, Meryl was talking with Mr. Stevens when Eliza pulled up asking where Peter was, Mr. Stevens told Eliza that he had already sent Peter away at the first crack of dawn earlier. Meryl witness the conversation between Mr. Stevens and Eliza about Peter's sudden departure, after their manager left, Meryl reminded Eliza that everyone can't always agree with each other and that she was going to miss Peter too, but Mr. Stevens had already made his mind up. She then asked Eliza to get her coaches ready for her express train to help take her mind off of Peter.

In 1954, Meryl was absolutely furious with Eliza after she took Joseph's goods train to the nearby branch line after he broke down due to his broken cylinder and thus leaving the yards without permission, after Eliza was scolded by Mr. Stevens, Meryl shunted Eliza to the back yards of Didcot lecturing her that a mother knows best thinking that Eliza was ungrateful for her guidance. She then told Eliza that she would never see Peter again saying that he was scrapped because he couldn't improve from his clumsiness, of course Meryl never knew what became of Peter, but she lied to Eliza as a way to keep her from ever trying to leave Didcot and Oxford again. She left Eliza alone to cry over her little brother's suppose scrapping.

In 1964, Meryl arrived at Oxford station to find Eliza busily working around the station yards. She noticed that Eliza seem to be very down and asked her if something was wrong. Eliza explained how she was bored with the same duty of shunting and how once she has the shunting yards all organized and trains ready, another engine would bring in another train and she has to reorganize everything. Meryl stated that's what happens in a busy yards, but she said that at least that they have the best shunter on the GWR. Eliza still didn't feel any better and wish that she could small trains to nearby stations or couple to her express so she could show her the world outside of Oxford for a slight change. Meryl didn't like the idea, however she did promise to Eliza that if she was good she may ask Mr. Stevens to let Eliza pull small trains. This brought a smile to the green saddle tank's face, but Meryl pointed out not to get her hopes up as there is chance Mr. Stevens would say no. Eliza understood and was determined to show him that she can pull trains as she went about shunting. Meryl puffed away shortly after, secretly she didn't want Eliza to leave the safety of Oxford and Didcot. The next morning Meryl pulled into Oxford station where Eliza was waiting with an expected grin, she asked her if she asked Mr. Stevens if she could pull small trains, but Meryl told her that she forgot to ask him and Eliza asked her if she could ask him later, she also said she would remind her if she forgets again. Meryl reluctantly agreed and also reminded Eliza to fetch her coaches. Once she was given her coaches, Meryl set off on her way. That night as she was pulling into Oxford, Meryl noticed something on her line and she didn't know what it was until too late, she crashed into a line of trucks and derailed. Frustrated she questioned on who put the trucks on her line, she then heard the sounds of some engines coming and shouted a warning to stop as she was blocking the line, but it was too late and she got hit by Shaw Savill who derailed too. Shortly she encounter Maria, Duchess, Ryan, Barry, and Sir Pelleas who pulled up behind the derailment. She berated them for not watching where they were going, the engines discussed on how to get a crane without drawing too much attention, this solution was answer when Lucas a LMS Fairburn arrived with a breakdown crane. While being re-rail Meryl introduced herself to them and while Shaw was being re-rail, the group was spotted by a passing diesel causing the group to panic. Once Shaw was back on the rails, he told Meryl and Lucas to come with them if they want to live. While Lucas agreed to come along, Meryl refused to and stated she didn't want any part in this, Shaw annoyed bashed the derail trucks aside and dragged Meryl along with them who was shouting for them to let her go. At Gloucester tension began to heat up when Shaw began to reveal his true colors and what he had planned for them. Shaw ended up fighting against Duchess and Ryan with help from Maria, while Lucas was keeping Barry from trying help Duchess and Ryan. Sir Pelleas told Meryl to do something and she ended up smashing the trucks the group brought into Shaw which resulting in knocking his glasses off which really set him off. The group was sudden confronted by Roderick, Levi, Goyle, Western, and Whistler who had been hunting the group down; they tried to make a run for it, but they ended up trap at the yards of Gloucester where they ended up staying for a whole day after Shaw took Simon a BR class 01 diesel shunter hostage to prevent the DJD from trying to take them away. During the night Ryan noticed how worried Meryl looked and ask her if everything was alright, Meryl told Ryan about Eliza and how she has been trying to keep her safe from the dangers of the world and yet she herself was in danger, Ryan reassured her that they would get out of this and she would be back with Eliza soon even though it seemed very unlikely. After Duchess set Simon free, the group was apprehended by the DJD and Naval a BR Class 42 warship was tasked by Roderick to take Meryl to Swindon Works. On the way Naval asked Meryl where she lived to which she told her Didcot. To the GWR Castle's surprise Naval took her back to Didcot where the class 42 told her that she wasn't going to take her to get scrapped and that she deserves to live for a little longer. Meryl was very grateful and hurried into the sheds while Naval headed off for home. Later that morning, Eliza spotted Meryl at the coal stage as she didn't see her yesterday saying that another engine had to take her train. Meryl explained that they needed her to help with another train elsewhere, Eliza then asked her if she was able to talk to Mr. Stevens about letting her pull small trains. Meryl didn't actually see him, but she lied to Eliza saying that he needed her to stay in the yards to keep things organize and to prepare the trains. Eliza puffed away to start work feeling disappointed.

In 1969, Meryl was waking up and told Eliza to get her coaches ready for her, but Eliza didn't reply. Meryl started to get angry calling out to Eliza thinking that she had left the yards again, but City of Truro who had been spending the night at Didcot sheds with Earl of Berkeley before taking their rail tour, told Meryl that Mr. Stevens sent Eliza to the works to get repaired. But that answer was quickly dropped when Sidney arrived at the sheds saying he was here to work the yards, Mr. Stevens then walked up asking where Eliza was as he was going to inform her that she is getting replaced. Meryl was shocked and told Mr. Stevens that she thought he sent her to the works, but he said that he did no such thing and demanded to know where Eliza is. Western then rolled up and told everyone that Eliza was escaping to the Island of Sodor much to the shock of Truro and Berkeley for the class 52 overhearing their conversation with Eliza, Meryl's horror, and Mr. Stevens' furry as he left to inform BR about Eliza's escape. Meryl went into a panic and was about to head off to search for Eliza to bring her back, but Truro stopped her and apologize for lying to her, he went on telling Meryl that even if she did bring Eliza back, she wouldn't be safe at Didcot and be sent off for scrap. Truro also mentioned from his past visit that Sodor would be a safe place for Eliza and to let her go before heading to collect the rail tour with Berkeley who also told the GWR Castle that Eliza would be fine as they both left. Meryl was left all alone at Didcot believing that no where would be safe for Eliza other than Didcot. What happened to her after 1969 and whether or not if she ever left Oxford are yet to be revealed.

## Personality:

Meryl is Eliza’s motherly friend trying to keep her safe from the diesels and is a proper express engine though in a bad mood gets angry for Eliza leaving the yard.

## Appearances:

* 2020- 1969 The Resistance (cameo; Last appearance in order of events)
* 2022- 1964 A Turn For The Worst
* 2023- Liz's Journey The Beginning

## Trivia:

* Meryl is a character who originated from the Thomas fan story: "Liz's Journey Begins" written by Liz Productions5784, and thus created by her.
* Meryl's personality is based on the witch from the 2014 Disney Movie "Into The Woods".
* The real GWR Castle class numbered 5014 Goodrich Castle that Meryl is based on was withdrawn from service in February of 1965.
* At the beginning of Liz's Journey The Beginning, Meryl can be seen in GWR Green where as in Liz's Journey she was always painted in blue.
* It is possible that Mr. Stevens' unkindness towards steam engines might have been the cause of her sudden personality change and that he might have intentionally lied to her about Peter's whereabouts.
* Since her real fate hasn't been revealed yet, it is highly likely that her issues drove her to suicide sometime after the events of 1969.