Thomas & Friends: Union Iron
Chapter 1: Crystal (St. Louis-Southwestern No. 677)
It was a beautiful spring day on the Island of Sodor. All the engines were busy puffing along on the Fat Controller's Railway. Today, the engines were going to get a new friend from the United States. Thomas was at Brendham Docks that morning. The Fat Controller was there to see him, "Thomas, there is a new engine coming, her name is Crystal,"
Thomas was very excited, "How wonderful!" he puffed happily,
"And here she is," said the Fat Controller checking his pocket watch, "right on time," in the distance coming to the docks was tank engine, a very big one. Crystal wheeshed to a halt at Brendham Docks. She had silver and black paintwork with four front truck wheels, eight drive wheels, and two rear truck wheels with a green tender for water and coal.
"Good to see you, Crystal," said Sir Topham Hatt,
"You too, Boss," said Crystal with a whistle and puff,
"Now Crystal, I need for you to take these heavy steel pipes to the Steamworks, and Thomas I need for you to show her around the Island," instructed the Fat Controller, he was confident that Crystal with her strength can handle these kinds of tasks. Crystal is a mixed traffic engine just like Edward or James, but can pull bigger and longer goods trains.
"Yes sir," Thomas beamed, the Fat Controller made his leave,
"You can count on us, sir," Crystal said, ready to be useful,
Crystal was coupled up to the long goods train of steel pipes. Thomas looked up at Crystal, and the big engine beamed back down at Thomas, "Wow, you're big and I bet you're really strong too," puffed Thomas. Crystal chuckled a friendly giggle. Crystal is also there to help out the big engines like Gordon and Henry in case any of them have an accident
Crystal winked to Thomas, "I like to think so, I'll never cut corners to get my work done," she puffed, pulling the goods train of steel pipes moved along with her. As they puffed along his branchline, Crystal was keeping up with Thomas, even while pulling a heavy goods train. Gordon was coming down the hill with the express, and saw this new engine.
"How can you be happy pulling trucks?" asked Gordon snootily,
"Simple, I'm a do-it-all engine," said Crystal with a friendly beam,
"I think this new engine has a bolt or two loose," Gordon said to himself,
Gordon huffed as he pulled the express along to Knapford Station, "Don't worry about Gordon, he prefers pulling passengers rather than pulling trucks," Thomas explained while puffing alongside his new friend. Crystal knew a thing or two about being a mixed traffic engine. Engines cannot complain about what they have to pull, you have to do your job.
"I've met quite a few of those engines," Crystal reminisced,
"I bet you have a lot of stories to tell," Thomas replied,
"Well, when you've been rail-running for as long as I have, stories come naturally," Crystal explained, "I was supposed to be at the big Railway Show, but I had a special to take care of, and I missed the boat, although I didn't get to meet all the other engines from around the world, but being on the island helping out the best that I can is just as good,"
"I'm glad you're here, and here's the Steamworks," said Thomas,
"Good work Thomas, and good work Crystal," puffed Viktor,
"I aim to please," Crystal puffed as she was uncoupled from the trucks of steel pipes, "I hope to see you soon, Thomas," she said as parting words and went over to a siding to have a drink of water. While she was having a drink at the siding, Gordon came up to see the new engine. She looked grand like him, but she did not mind working with trucks
"Don't think an engine like you will ever replace me," huffed Gordon,
"Well then, don't have an accident," Crystal puffed back, unoffended,
Gordon huffed away with his empty express cars, doing what he loves. Crystal sighed and wheeshed white steam. She can't please everyone she meets, but she does her best with her tender full of water and enough coal to puff. The Fat Controller soon arrived, "There you are, Crystal, I am happy to inform you that you'll be staying at Knapford Sheds"
"How lovely!" she beamed, "say now, where're the Knapford Sheds?"
"Oh, right near Knapford Station, of course," said the Fat Controller,
Crystal was confused, "Don't you worry," said her driver, "I know the way, you can count on me," In no time at all, her driver guided her to Knapford Sheds. Crystal was happy to have a new home to settle down in. She soon saw there were other engines that called Knapford Sheds home. Murdoch was coming to rest after a long day of being really useful
"You must the new engine on the rails, I'm Murdoch," he puffed,
"I'm Crystal, a pleasure to meet you," she replied with a beam,
"What a lovely name," replied Murdoch to the new engine,
Crystal giggled, "Thanks, I like my name too," she puffed back,
It was the end of her first day on the job, and she had proven herself a really useful engine with her strength to pull a heavy goods train, and her ways with getting along with other engines. She had a few rough moments with Gordon, but things like that can eventually be smoothed out in time. For now, she can rest and look forward to another day.
Before she can rest, the Fat Controller arrived, "Oh! Hello boss,"
"You did very well, and proven yourself really useful," said Sir Topham Hatt.
Crystal was given her brass nameplates, "Welcome to the Sodor Railway,"