The Giant Engine

It was a nice day on Sodor as all of the engines were working hard and well…you know the rest. One day, a new engine arrived at the docks to help with a heavy workload. He was a giant Erie R.R. 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex with black paint. He was waiting at the docks for Sir Topham Hatt.

Matt: "Hmmmm…I wonder where he could be?" Then Spencer suddenly arrived with Sir Topham Hatt (STH) on board.

Spencer: "What kind of mess is this?" Neither Matt nor Sir Topham Hatt appreciated the insult.

STH: "The 'mess' you're referring to here is Matthew. Then the clock rang at 1:00 P.M.

Spencer: "Sorry I can't stay here. I mustn't be late for the Duke and Duchess." He speeded away leaving Sir Topham Hatt behind.

STH: "Don't worry about Spencer. He's with the Duke and Duchess, most of the time."

Matt: "Fine by me. By the way, most people just call me Matt. So what's the assignment?"

STH: "I need you to help the engines with the increasing work. Do you think you can handle it?"

Matt: "Sounds good to me. Where do you want me to start?"

STH: "First, I need you to bring a train of building materials to Knapford station, while it's being rebuilt. Then, you must go to the scrap yard to collect some trucks."

Matt: "Sounds easy to me."

STH: "Good. I expect BIG things from you." He said while departing.

Matt: "You can count on me, sir!" By then Sir Topham Hatt was gone. He was soon coupled up to a long train of over 50 freight cars. Then workers didn't think he could pull such a heavy load. They were soon proven wrong, and Matt pulled the long train with ease.

On the way there he saw another train, that was pulling a similar, smaller train, up ahead, that had broken down. It was James! Matt whistled before slowly coming to a stop.

James: "Who are you?"

Matt: "Name's Matthew but you can call me Matt for short. And you?"

James: "I'm James. You're the biggest engine I've ever seen!"

Matt: "And you're the reddest engine I've ever seen."

James: "Could you please take my train to Knapford station?"

Matt: "Sure. That's where I'm goin'." He was coupled to the back of James' train and pushed enough to make James move. James was amazed at Matt's strength.

As the two trains were coasting, the other engines were also amazed. They blew their whistles whenever they passed by. But then Spencer came up from behind.

Spencer: "What's the hold-up up there?" *whistles* Matt just ignores him. Spencer moves into another line and pulls up next to them. "Oh, it's you. For a second I thought you were an important engine." He whistles and darts away.

Matt: "Is he always like that?"

James: "I'm afraid so…"

At Knapford, the construction workers were way behind schedule. They were running out of building materials. Sir Topham Hatt was waiting for James since he was late.

STH: "Where is he? Perhaps we should telephone the stationmaster." Just then, James and Matt both arrived. Sir Topham Hatt was relieved. "Thank goodness, you're all right."

Matt: "It was nothin'." The workers were glad to see the building materials and they could get back to work.

On his way to the quarry, he had to chuff through Henry's tunnel. When he reached the tunnel, he stopped.

Matt: "Alright guys, time to put on the masks." His driver and fireman both put on gas masks as Matt went into the tunnel. He whistled to alert oncoming trains before he entered.

Gordon was approaching the other side of the tunnel, with the express, when he suddenly saw a large plume of smoke. It looked like something was on fire! And as if it was pre-expected, fire engines were already near the tracks ready to put it out! Then something emerged from the tunnel and water was sprayed everywhere! When the smoke cleared, they realized their mistake! It was only Matt, and he was soaked from front to end! His fire went out and he couldn't move anymore.

Matt: "You know, personally, I prefer my water IN my boiler, not ON it!" *sigh* "As if I wasn't late enough already." Gordon interrupted.

Gordon: "Sorry about that. We assumed you were…"

Matt: "I know. It happened to me when I was first built." Then Gordon had to leave.

Gordon: "I'd hate to leave a stranded engine but the Express mustn't be late!" He leaves before Matt could say anything else.

Matt: "Well, at least it's quiet."

Driver: "Don't worry; we'll get you going real soon."

Matt: "The last time you said that it took nearly two hours." Then he heard another whistle. The driver flagged down the engine which turned out to be Henry.

Henry: "Do you need any help?"

Matt: "Yeah, my coal's too wet right now, and I need to get to the smelter's yard."

Henry: "You can borrow some of mine. Mine's is nice and dry." Henry's Fireman brought some of Henry's coal to Matt's cab and it lit nicely. Soon, Matt was making some steam. But Matt was still late.

Matt's Driver: "Matt, we're gonna have to settle with only two sets of wheels working, if we want to get to the smelter's yard on time."

Matt: "Fine." He let out a big puff, and started moving again. Henry passed alongside him and let out a goodbye whistle, while Matt rushed as fast as he could. (A whopping 20 mph!)

He barely made it to the smelter's yard in time, when he first encountered Arry and Bert. He saw them teasing Thomas. They were bothering him on how small he was. But when Matt showed up, that attitude changed in a heartbeat.

Matt: "So where's that train of mine, hmmmm?"The two diesels were frightened and they fetched his train. When the train was coupled up, Matt whistled twice, and slowly chuffed out. Thomas went with him.

On the way to the docks, Matt was pulling his train when Thomas decided to ask a few things.

Thomas: "Matt, don't you ever get tired?"

Matt: "Only if the day is hot. Besides, I've pulled much longer trains than this." Then he heard a familiar whistle. "Oh no." Spencer pulled alongside.

Spencer: "When will Sir Topham Hatt learn?" Matt decided to play a trick.

Matt: "Why don't you pull it? SURELY, the mighty Spencer's capable of doing this."

Spencer: "Alright then, I think I will." Spencer was coupled up and he quickly learned something when he tried to pull. Matt and Thomas watched and couldn't help but laugh, when Spencer broke down.

Matt: "Had enough yet Spencer?" Spencer didn't say another word. Matt got his train back and told Thomas to get him to the repair yard. So, now he was off on his own.

Later, he was still chuffing along when he saw several diesels blocking the track. Arry and Bert, and several others were in front of him. This implies that the news of the new engine got around quickly.

Arry: "Look!"

Bert: "It's that bully steamie!"

Matt: "Here's the deal: Move it or I'll make you move it!" The diesels suddenly charged at him trying to move him backwards. This didn't work at all, nor did it impress Matt. "I once pulled a 250 car train and THAT wasn't hard. What makes YOU think you're better?" He starts moving forward, while pushing the resisting diesels. They soon realize it wasn't worth the effort and they backed off.

At the docks, Sir Topham Hatt was busy waiting for him. He heard a whistle then he saw Matt.

Matt: "I got the trucks you wanted sir."

STH: "I heard about what you've done today. I must say you have definitely proven to be a Really Useful Engine!" Matt let out two loud whistles that were so loud that Bertie the Bus had a freak accident.

Matt: "Oops…Looks like we both got some getting used to…" He smiled nervously and the end credits start.