Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to HIT Entertainment. All OCs belong to me.

Old and New Engines

Early one evening, the Fat Controller came to see Thomas, who, along with Percy, Toby and Daisy, was being 'bedded down' for the night inside their comfortable shed at Ffarquhar.

"Thomas," the Fat Controller said, "It has come to my attention that the timing of your motion gear has gone out of alignment, so I'm sending you to the Works to have that attended to. While it's a fairly straightforward process, it will take several weeks. Percy and Daisy can manage your work while you're away. It will mean making some slight alterations to the timetable, but it won't be for long."

"Yes, Sir," Thomas replied. While he understood that these routine maintenance procedures were essential to keep him in good, working condition, they were still a huge inconvenience for everyone. He only hoped he wouldn't be away too long. The last time his motion gear had been re-aligned, he'd been at the Works for just over two months.

"My biggest problem has been figuring out how to get you to the Works," the Fat Controller continued. "I've decided that the best way is for you to travel 'light engine' to Wellsworth first thing in the morning, so you don't delay any trains. Edward will meet you at Wellsworth at eight o'clock with a special goods train that he needs to take to Vicarstown, and you'll 'double-head' the goods train as far as the Works."

"Yes, Sir," Thomas agreed, smiling a little. It had been years since he'd last worked with Edward, so it'd make a nice change for him, even if it was only for one journey.

"That's settled then," the Fat Controller said, and he returned to his car.

…

As the sun rose early the next morning, Thomas set off running 'light engine' towards Wellsworth. He really enjoyed being up at that time of day, when there was hardly anyone around. At the Junction, he had to wait until Henry had passed him with the "Flying Kipper' before he was allowed to run onto the mainline.

"Peep! Peep!" Henry whistled cheerfully to Thomas as he swept through the station. Thomas responded by sounding his own whistle.

"Morning, Henry!" he called.

But Henry didn't hear him and continued on his way. Thomas didn't mind though. As soon as the signal dropped, he continued on his way.

Like most branchline engines, Thomas didn't often get to venture onto the main line, so he relished the opportunity to do so. He wanted to go fast, but his driver wouldn't let him.

"It's too dangerous, since your wheels are out of alignment," the driver explained. "Maybe on the way back from the Works, but not today."

Before long, Thomas arrived at Wellsworth. The signalman shunted him into a siding, where he could wait safely for Edward. Because of his early start, Thomas was feeling tired now, so he went to sleep.

"Peep! Peep!"

Startled, Thomas jumped awake. Over at the platform was Edward, waiting with his special goods train.

"Sorry to wake you, sleepyhead, but we've got work to do," Edward teased kindly. "I didn't want to wake you, since you looked so peaceful, but my driver doesn't want us to be late, or we'll hold up Pip and Emma with the Express, and you know the Fat Controller wouldn't like that."

Yawning, Thomas backed down in front of Edward, and was coupled up. "Sorry, Edward," he apologised. "I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"That's all right. I understand. We older engines need to stick together. I'm ready when you are."

Working together, the two engines managed to get the heavy goods train going again. These troublesome trucks were used to Edward, but many of them had never seen Thomas before, and so they were keen to have some fun.

"Bump 'em! Bump 'em!" they whispered to each other.

But Edward was well prepared for their tricks, and Thomas, remembering the tips Edward had taught him many years earlier, was able to help him keep the naughty trucks in check. By the time they reached Crovan's Gate, the trucks had given up their nonsense, leaving the two engines exhausted, but triumphant.

"Thanks for your help, Thomas," Edward panted.

"You're welcome," Thomas replied as he was uncoupled from the train. He was then directed over to the Works by a shunter.

Upon entering the Works, Thomas was surprised to find it rather empty. Normally, it was a very busy place, even when none of the Fat Controller's engines were there. That was because the fitters there were always busy manufacturing new parts for the engines from scratch, which couldn't be made anywhere else.

As the shunter showed Thomas' crew where to stop him, Thomas noticed with relief that he wouldn't be alone. Over on one of the narrow-gauge lines, standing over an inspection pit, was a peculiar-looking engine. Her boiler was slanted downwards, and her motion gear was back-to-front. Her brand new royal purple and red paint glistened in the sunlight beaming through the glass roof of the workshop. The little engine was fast asleep. Thomas recognised her strange design at once. She was a mountain engine.

"What's she in here for?" Thomas asked the first fitter that came over to him.

The fitter glanced at the mountain engine. "She's brand new. We've just finished building her. We haven't even woken her up yet."

Thomas was immediately excited. "What's her name?"

"She doesn't have one yet. Anyway, I just came over to tell you that we're going to let you cool down for the rest of the day, and tomorrow morning, we'll jack you up so we can safely remove your motion gear."

Thomas continued to stare at the little mountain engine. "When will you be waking her up?"

"This afternoon," the fitter replied, smiling. "At least you'll have someone to talk to."

The afternoon couldn't come soon enough for Thomas. As his boiler cooled, he watched the fitters work. Most engines were afraid of the works, because of all the frightening noises and machines, but Thomas had been here often enough to not be afraid of anything the fitters did to him.

Finally, the time came for the fitters to wake the new engine. Thomas watched with excited anticipation as they lit her fire for the very first time. It reminded him of the moment he'd first woken up, over a hundred years ago now. He couldn't help smiling when he saw her eyes twitch. To him, there was nothing more amazing or innocent than seeing a brand new engine waking up for the very first time.

As the new engine's steam pressure rose, she began to stir. Thomas grinned when he saw her slowly blink open her eyes. It was difficult for anyone to comprehend that this engine had never had any conscious or subconscious thought. But that was about to change.

"Hello!" Thomas called cheerfully. "My name's Thomas. Welcome to the Island of Sodor."

The new engine just blinked in complete bewilderment. Clearly, she had no idea what to say.

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