Okay fellow readers, here is my new story The New Engines. Really, I should've submitted this before Mainland Adventure, because this story is pretty much an introduction to my main four TTTE O.C's, but oh well XD I hope you enjoy reading!
Now a quick note before you read, there will be some shipping marks in the story, mostly CanonXOC. Now, I personally don't care about ships, I could care less if it's canonXcanon, canonXOC, OCXOC, you get it. Besides, I wrote this...ages ago, and trust me - my shipping tastes have improved ;) I DO ship multiple TTTE ships, not just the ones mentioned in this story - for example, there are hints of ThomasXOC in this - but I really do love ThomasXPercy ;)
Long story short - just read the story, just chill, don't get into any shipping wars, and again, any recommendations to improve my writing would be very much appreciated. Enjoy!
It was a gorgeous Spring afternoon on the Island of Sodor. All of the engines on the Sodor railway were busy puffing too their destinations with trucks and coaches. Everything was as it should be – however, the engines were struggling to keep up with a recent unexpected increase in passengers and freight.
Rather than being on time and getting to their next trains on time, all the engines found themselves exhausted trying to keep up on time and ended up finding themselves late for their next journey. It was a major embarrassment to themselves, and the delays were causing the Fat Controller a great deal of trouble.
On this day, Thomas was rushing into Knapford with his two coaches Annie and Clarabel. His cheeks were flushed red as Annie and Clarabel rattled uncomfortably behind him, "Oh! Thomas!" Annie cried, "Be careful!"
"S-Sorry Annie, s-sorry Clarabel...I-I'm late again..." Thomas apologised, panting exhaustedly, feeling ashamed of himself, "It's this increase in passenger traffic, I could really do with another engines help on my branch line..."
"It's no excuse to be bumpy Thomas." Clarabel replied, "Besides, you have Percy, Toby and Bertie to help you."
"But Percy and Toby are busy with mostly freight work..." Thomas explained, "And...Bertie's struggling too..."
"Oh dear Thomas..." Annie sympathised, "I am sure another engine will come along soon."
"Everyone knows you do your best for your branch line." Clarabel smiled.
Thomas smiled a bit, then looked at the clock, confused, "Strange...isn't Gordon suppose to be here by now?"
Just as his two coaches were about to reply, they heard a familiar whistle on the next track. They could see Gordon rushing into the station with the Express thundering behind him! Gordon was red with exhaustion, as well from embarrassment.
"Oh the indignity..."
"Hello Gordon!" Thomas peeped, "You're late."
"I know Thomas! I see your not on time yourself either!"
"Maybe you need to retire Gordon, obviously the Express is too much for you." Thomas teased, as Annie and Clarabel laughed with him.
"It wasn't my fault Thomas!" Gordon responded angrily, "There are more passengers than usual! I had to wait longer at Barrow!"
"Maybe we need another Express engine on Sodor then-"
"Absolutely not!" Gordon huffed, "That will never happen! I am the only engine capable of pulling the Express! When I am not there they-"
"Need two engines. I know." Thomas finished with a laugh. Before he could say anything else, the stationmaster's whistle went, signalling Gordon's turn to leave on the second run of the day. Thomas just watched Gordon leave the station, his wheels pounding on the rails.
"Poor Gordon..." Annie sighed.
"I see what you meant Thomas about the recent work increase..." Clarabel agreed.
Thomas was about to reply to his coaches, when he gasped in realisation, "Oh no! I'm late for the quarry!"
With a sprint in his wheels, Thomas quickly puffed to the yard to drop off Annie and Clarabel.
Later that evening, all the engines returned to their sheds. Every one of the engines were exhausted, and looked forward to a well earned sleep.
"I can't handle this anymore!" James whined loudly, not caring about who heard him, "I can't handle pulling trucks any more! I miss my coaches!"
"And people looking at your red paint..." Edward said, before James could mention it.
"Exactly!"
"I don't know how much longer I can handle on my axles..." Emily sighed sadly as she agreed.
"My poor boiler keeps feeling funny..." Henry moaned to himself.
"Poor Toby and I struggle a lot on your branch line Thomas...we're sorry." Percy sighed sadly.
"Don't worry Percy..." Thomas reassured, "We're all struggling. Even Gordon is."
Gordon just scoffed, "I'm not struggling! Unlike little tank engines..."
"We could really do with another engine around here..." Thomas said.
"Maybe you could ask the Fat Controller tomorrow." Emily suggested.
"Someone who is actually useful too." Henry added.
"And is a steam engine!" James barged in.
Thomas looked at the other engines, as they all looked at him with pleading eyes. Thomas knew that something had to be done, otherwise all the engines will work off of their wheels.
Thomas decided to tell the Fat Controller first thing in the morning.
As soon as the morning sun rose above the Sodor skies, Thomas was first to leave the sheds, heading towards Knapford. The other engines all watched the young tank engine hopefully, hoping to get the answers they want.
Thomas collected Annie and Clarabel and went to the station platform. He could see the Fat Controller watching the passengers at the platform, as their designated coaches were shunted into their correct platforms. Thomas slowly pulled up to the platform, close to the Fat Controller.
"Um, excuse me sir? The other engines...and I, would like to inquire about something...about the recent workload?" Thomas asked, slightly nervous.
"I am aware of the increasing workload Thomas. But don't worry, I have arranged for help." The Fat Controller said, reassuring the tank engine.
"Really?! That's great news sir!" Thomas peeped excitedly, "What's going to happen?"
The Fat Controller smiled, "It's a surprise. But get ready for some new arrivals coming to the island Thomas."
Thomas just beamed excitedly, "Oh yes sir! Thank you sir!" And with his boiler bubbling with excitement, Thomas set off for his journey on his branch line, unable to contain his excitement for the new arrivals!