The big engines were fuming. They were not fuming about trucks, or filth, or the rain, or a Diesel, or a special, or shunting, or bad coal. They were fuming about workload.
"My pistons are practically falling off" Henry said.
"My Engine's parts are probably dislocated" Bear added.
"I haven't had free time in weeks" James complained.
"My firebox is going to come off at this pace" Murdoch grunted.
"I've had to rush the turntable several times already" was Gordon's addition, since he knew what would happen if he mentioned Trucks.
"We cannae keep takin' so many trucks at once" Donald chimed in, with Douglas in agreement.
The Fat Controller heard of this, and soon arrived.
"Engines," he said, "I have come by a new Engine to assist you. He is an LNER class V2, and is currently on his way. He will be working with both Passenger and Freight trains. You will all be working with him over his first few days, to train him."
"Thank you, sir," they all said at once.
Soon, the new Engine arrived. First, he was to meet Edward at Tidmouth Yards for basic training. Edward did not know what to expect, but he was not surprised at the large, Black Engine that rolled in.
"Hello," said Edward, "what's your name?"
"Ma name is Montgomery," said the new Engine, with a thick Scottish accent, " but ye can call me Monty."
"Well, Monty, my name is Edward and I will be training you"
"Let's begin"
"The coaches here are well-behaved and very docile, but they hate being bumped, so be gentle."
"Aight"
"Now the trucks are a whole different story. They are Troublesome, mean, obnoxious, and poorly behaved. Their #1 life goal is to derail Engines. Always be wary of them, and keep good relations with the brakevans to keep them in check. Bumping Trucks is the best way to control them, usually."
"Thank ye, Edward"
Next was Murdoch.
"These," Murdoch said, pointing out the Sheds, "Are Tidmouth sheds. Most Engines sleep here." He then rolled on down the tracks, into Knapford. "Here are Knapford sheds. You and I sleep here. On the far side of Sodor are Vicarstown Sheds, but you should probably avoid those"
"Why?" asked the Scotsman.
"Gordon and Belle like to have some privacy when together."
Next was Henry, who double-headed a heavy Lumber train with him.
"Here," Henry gestured to a track diverging from the mainline, "is Thomas's Branch. There are several portions of track there that will most likely collapse under your weight, so you should stay off"
"Aye," was the response.
After some distance, they reached a big station.
"This is Wellsworth. The tracks on the right lead to the docks. The tracks on the left are the continuation of the mainline. Be sure to take up coal here, because Gordon's hill is ahead."
"Who is this Gordon?"
"Our Express Engine. He's big, stuck-up, and pompous."
As if on cue, they heard a loud whistle, followed by "Express coming through," and a train running by them.
"That was Gordon," Henry explained, "always thinking he's the most important of us all."
"I knew fellas like that back in me old railway, the LNER," Monty said, "The A4 class."
"We have an A4 here, his name is Spencer. He's like Gordon, but then ten times worse."
"I'll try ta avoid 'im."
"Jolly good idea, now let's climb this hill"
As they climbed the hill, the trucks tried to push them down, but they were no match for the two large Engines. Soon, they reached the top, and began preparing to go downhill.
"The trucks will try to push you on," Henry said, "do not let them, brake hard and use as much sand as you need. You can restock at Cronk. Remember that some trains on the return must have a brake check here at Maron"
"Got it"
" Also here is the branch line to Ulfstead Castle. You will rarely take it," Henry explained.
They made it down the hill to Cronk without delay.
Soon, they rolled into the forest.
"This forest is known as 'Henry's Forest' because I spend a lot of time here. It's quite beautiful, no?"
"Aye, matey," was Monty's answer.
"This," Henry said at the next stop, "is the Kirk Ronan line. You will rarely go here, since the turntable was decommissioned a while back."
Finally, they reached Crovan's Gate.
"Here," said Henry, "is Crovan's gate. It's a very important place. Our transfer yards to the Narrow Gauge Line, the works, and the Ballahoo branch are here. Many local services terminate here. The turntable is at the end of the leftmost track. In general, you will want the 3rd and 4th Tracks from the right to continue. The 1st and 2nd lead to Arthur's branch, so Ballahoo and Norramby."
They ran through Henry's Tunnel to Vicarstown.
"Here is Vicarstown, the last stop on Sodor. To your left is a branch line, to the right are Vicarstown yards and sheds. We are going straight, over the bridge to the mainland. Be careful before crossing the Bridge, since it might be raised. Thomas almost flew into the ocean like that several times."
They then crossed the Bridge and arrived at Barrow.
"On your right is the turntable. Stay on the two right-hand platforms only to avoid other railway territory. Leave any trucks in the yard on the left. Gordon will meet you at the Platform.
Monty rolled on to meet Gordon. He looked vaguely familiar, like an Engine he saw in the old days.
Gordon spoke up: "So you're the new Engine."
"I am"
"Well, I'm right glad Fatty got another proper Gresley Engine. I'm Gordon, the so-called "A0" prototype for Gresley Pacifics. What's your name?"
"Ma name is Montgomery, but ya can call me Monty. I'm a V2."
"You're my second cousin then, you know?"
"I suppose so."
"Anyway, let me get you to know the Express. I run fast, stopping at only Vicarstown, Crovan's Gate, and Wellsworth on the way from Tidmouth to Barrow. The Express can never be late, so let's get going."
"Aye"
The two Engines roared across the Bridge, through the Sudrian countryside, and into Tidmouth in no time.