The Railway Series: Volume 1: The Three Railway Engines.

Author's Note:

A nice way to start my series with this classic. The one that started all. Yes I am including Glynn from TAB Special and I will name the two unknown red engines as Patrick (the one everyone names him Red Engine, Winston or Eagle) and the other red engine, who appeared in an illustration of "Edward's Day Out", I will give him the name of Harry, but I will keep him the same as in the illustration. As for 98462 and 87546, I will go by the fan naming of Alfred for the former and for 87546, I'll call him Geoffery. Their story and characterization will appear just after the two chapters.

Disclaimer:

I do not own these characters, except for the names of the red engines and the ones for 98462 and 87546. The Railway Series belongs to the Awdry family and the characters of Thomas and Friends to Hit Entertainment/MATTEL.

Part One: Edward's Day Out. Based off the original story of said title, written by Rev. W. Awdry.

Once upon a time, in a distant island called Sodor, there was a railway called The North Western Railway. It was founded in 1915 by a man, whom all of his engines will address him as The Fat Director. But in reality, his real name was Sir Charles Topham Hatt. He managed to build the railway on Sodor with the aid of a few steam locomotives. Three of them were Steam Tender Locomotives. The other four engines were very small and old, but they served for the purpose of both shunting and pulling trains on branchlines that they were nicknamed by their appearance as "Coffeepots" and "Teapots". Their names were Neil, Clive and Matthew (the green ones) and Glynn (the red one).

Among the three engines, one happened to be an old K2 Tender Engine, who came from the Barrow-In-Furness Railway. He had two small front wheels, followed by another pair of much larger driving wheels, which were attached to a side rod. This engine was called Edward. He was originally painted in a light red livery from his railway. But when Sir Charles Topham Hatt bought him to be one of the Railway's permanent engines, he was given a blue sky livery with red lining all over. He's a mixed traffic tender-engine, who can pull both coaches and trucks alike.

The other two engines were tender engines from different classes. One was an Express GNR G3 Stirling Single 4-2-2, with a total number of 14 wheels, two of them were larger than the rest, which gave them the nickname of "eight-footer". Her name was Emily, who was designed by Patrick Stirling, and built at the GNR Doncaster Works just a year before Edward was built. She's the only member of her class to be on steam. While the other was a red engine from Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, a Class 28 with a pair of small front wheels and 6 larger ones behind. His livery was of course red, but with black lining and a fowler tender. His name was Patrick. He joined the other engines to the North Western Railway along with the other early engines.

But as time went on, new engines have come to the railway from 1918 to 1923. Most of them were very big tender steam locomotives. Among them were, an LNER Holden B-12, originally named as Alfred, but he was later renamed as 98462. He arrived to Sodor with the LNER Apple Green livery with white lining. However, The Fat Director repainted him with blue livery. The other engine was an LNER S-69 class with a blue livery, who called himself as Geoffery, but in the same way as 98462, he ended up being renamed as 87546. The reasons why are just for another story. Then came along an LNER Raven A2 called Harry, who was painted in red with white lining. As well as an LNER D56/D15, with yellow livery and red lining named Molly. The other tender engine who came in 1919 was an experimental hybridization of Locomotives LNER A1 and GNR C1 called Henry, who was painted in green livery with red lining. And last, but not least, an experimental Gresley A0 called Gordon, who was painted just like Edward. Blue livery with red stripes.

As the big engines came along, the K2 engine Edward was used sparingly, so much so that he ended up being overlooked by Sir Topham Hatt and the other engines became very pompous and started to boast about their superiority, to the point where they would hurt Edward emotionally. All, except for Patrick, Molly and Emily, who tried their best to sooth ruffled feelings as well as give Edward some hope.

One morning, in the springtime of 1924, the six tender engines, except Molly, Emily and Patrick, were at Vicarstown Sheds resting and awaiting for their crews to arrive. As it did so, Edward was sighing sadly as he kept hearing the boasting of the other tender engines and laughters as well. It has been nearly 6 months since Edward came out of the shed. But as always they would say, especially 98462:

"The drivers will never take both an old and clapped out teapot like you out of the shed. The Fat Director and the Railway need engines who are bigger than you..." He grinned at his with.

"He's right." Added 87546 "But don't forget strong and new engines, just like all of us."

And they laughed in the process. Henry, Gordon and Harry joined the boasting for a while.

Edward was very sad that he was about to cry. But then, two men approached to the old engine with enough sympathy and they asked him.

"Hello Edward, what is wrong old boy?" It was the driver, named Charlie Sand and added "Why are you so sad?"

"Would you like to go out today?" Putting in the fireman, called Edwin Gregor.

Soon Edward forgot about being sad and smiled saying: "Oh yes please! I would love to be outside of this shed today!"

"WHAT?!" Said all the engines out of disbelief and ready to burst out to the crew who picked him instead of them.

The men chuckled heartily and started to lit his fire, as well as oiling his joints carefully enough and dusted him off from the cobwebs and dust that had gathered around him. Once the steam was built up, the driver pulled the lever and Edward started off.

"Beep Beep! Look at me now! Look at me now engines!" He said proudfully.

The other engines were very furious about this.

"I don't believe it!" Growled 98462 in disgust.

"This is outrageous!" Added 87546 as he sulked to himself.

Gordon, Harry and Henry stood silent, but very sulky too.

Meanwhile, Edward came to yard to find some coaches for his first train. When the coaches noticed Edward's chuffing, they said one by one:

"Please be careful Edward." The front coach.

"Yes. Do not bang and bump us around the like the majority of the engines do." Said the second coach.

Edward did what the coaches asked, by going both slowly and gently enough and the shunter fastened the coupling.

The coaches were very happy and they thanked Edward saying:

"That was very kind of you and we're all happy that you're taking us today."

Edward felt better and headed off to the Station Platform, with his train of 6 coaches. Once he had arrived, the blue K2 tender engine stopped and blew his whistle as he said:

"Come along. Let's get in quickly please."

Edward's whistle caught the passengers' attention, who climbed onto the coaches, the porters locked the door and everything was ready. All that remained was the sound of the guard's whistle in order to take off. But nothing happened. Just then the Fat Director came out of his office and noticed Edward on the platform. He came to the blue engine and saluted him:

"Hello Edward. I'm glad to see that you are out for once." He smiled and added: "And I'm very sorry for not noticing that you've been in the shed for too long. I hope that you can give these passengers a good run."

"Oh thank you, Sir. I will do it." Edward replied kindly to his boss.

The Fat Director smiled about it as he said:

"I'm sure you will, my dear engine."

As he headed towards to his office, to finish some of the paper work he had at that moment.

Edward and his crew were wondering what was going on.

"That's strange." Said the old tender engine thoughtfully "Where's the Guard?"

"I agree old fellow." Said his driver. "Where's he?"

A quarter of an hour had passed, but The Guard was not around yet. The Stationmaster noticed this and informed The Fat Director about the situation, who said:

"Ugh, alright find a relieve guard sooner. Otherwise, the passengers will complain right now."

"Yes Sir." Replied the Stationmaster.

But before he could find one, a little boy indicated to the Stationmaster:

"Look! There he is!"

The Fat Director heard it and said:

"Well it's about time!"

"I dreadfully sorry Sir!" Said the Guard gasping desperately for air while holding the flag on his right hand. "I've overslept!"

The Fat Director said sternly "Well you should cause this train is nearly late as it is. Do it again and you are fired for real, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir. Crystal clear." The Guard replied as he waved his green flag and blew his whistle just before he entered into the Break Coach and they were off.

"Good luck Edward!" Called The Fat Director as he waved his Top Hat to the train as it departed the station. "Do your best to be a Really Useful Engine!"

Edward whistled in return as he departed with his train. The blue engine had a lovely day. The passengers were having a good time during the ride. The coaches didn't grumble and followed smoothly along the way. They passed through bridges and stations. As well as saluting old friends, like Molly, Patrick and Emily.

Once they reached the other station, at the end of the line, Edward was very tired. But happy too for what he had done and all the passengers said "Thank you" for the wonderful trip they had.

As the blue engine was heading home, but not while he had his drink, he could see The Fat Director's car coming to a stop. Then he came out of his vehicle and approached to tell Edward:

"Well my dear Edward. I've heard everything from the Stationmaster and the passengers. Everyone agrees that they had a lovely and safe journey. I am very proud of you."

Then Edward replied:

"Oh thank you Sir. Thank you so much!"

"No problem." The Fat Director went on saying: "After this, you really deserve to go out again tomorrow, how about it?"

"Oh Sir..." Edward was speechless. But he was still very pleased as well. Once he returned to the sheds that night, he told the other engines all about it. However, he couldn't hear what they've said because he was so happy and tired as well that he fell asleep, waiting for the next day to come...

End of Part One.

Author's Note:

Well here it was. Yes, I've done a good amount of variations to this story and you might have guessed them anyways. Now there's the next chapter is "Edward and Gordon".

The order for this arc will be: "Edward's Day Out", "Edward and Gordon", "The Sad Story of Henry", then a story about 98462 and 87546 and the final story will be "Edward, Gordon and Henry".

Yes, I know everyone will complain about Thomas' absence. But I intend to introduce him in his own saga, along with James, kinda like The Adventure Begins Special. This is all I am going to say for now on.