Debut Flash: 'Big Bertha' by Sara Sheldrake

Engaged in everyday service; ferrying, shunting, and collecting, pressure increases in her belly. Dug from deep underground, black lumps are piled into her relentlessly. Pushing her on. Pulling her back. At regular intervals, a high-pitched whistle releases searing vapour into the air in warning. The mainframe vibrates violently as the coupling rods thrust her wheels around another bend.

Metal on metal screeches, bringing her to a halt. The condensation masses on her curved face and droplets gather into streams dragged downwards.  

She is refilled with fresh water. A temporary suspension while carriages are changed, and tender topped up, and the pressure retreats to safe levels.

And then again, the shoveling starts. And again, the fire is stoked. And service resumes again. Again and again, until the whistle screams and warns everyone back again.