Long Lost Friend


It's a cold, snowing, winter night. As you look down the tracks, during the time for the Flying Kipper, you can't find Henry anywhere. He isn't broken down, and there isn't a substitute. If you look for the late night express, don't bother. Gordon isn't there. Where are they, you may ask? Well, they are all in Tidmouth Sheds. It is the time of the year. Edward was on the turntable, facing the rest of the Steam Team, along with all the other engines, like Duck, Oliver, Donald, Douglas, Molly, and Arthur. Even Philip, Sidney, and Paxton was there.

Edward said, "We are here to remember the sad statement that was passed this very night, when our friend Murdoch was spent to be scrapped. It is a sad moment for all of us. Being scrapped is a sad moment for everyone. The fact that you don't exist anymore is devastating. I believe that I would have been the first to be scrapped, no matter what you would say. But I am sad to say that Murdoch went first. Everyone, as our yearly ritual, we refuse to work the following day. Toot your whistle and honk your horns. We will sit in the snow and refuse to go into our sheds. We will remember, and not sleep. We will commemorate Murdoch, a fine BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 Engine. Stay awake if you can. Younger engines, go to the center. Bigger ones, surround them. We will protect each other against the giant that took Murdoch away. We will work together. Toot your whistle and honk your horns. We will work together. Now please everyone a moment of silence. We will keep vigil until dawn."

With that, everyone got in formation. Younger and smaller ones stayed in the middle, while Henry and Gordon covered the front and back. Donald and Douglas stayed on the sides, and Edward faced forwards.


That same time, a steam engine slowly puffed into the scrapyard on the mainland. Murdoch was watching and saw a huge steamier, bigger than him, come up.

"You!" Murdoch cried.

The big engine shushed him, and Murdoch saw his face. It wasn't the giant monster. It was a friend. He never met him, but he had heard stories.

"Are you Sam?"

"Yes. Now, let go of your brakes."

Murdoch did. Sam coupled up and slowly made his was across the scrapyard towards the exit. Then Sam began to gain speed. Soon, he slowed to a stop. Sam was then uncoupled, and pushed Murdoch back to the siding.

"Why are you leaving me?"

"Someone else will pull you. I have to guard the way in the back. We are working in steps so the monster won't get you again."

Soon, Hiro chuffed up. Murdoch had heard about him too.

"Hello Murdoch. We are here to help. Sam, couple up in the back. We can go really fast if we do this now."

Hiro had a snowplow, so it would be easier to make their way across. Soon they were chugging across the countryside. Then they slowed to a stop.

"There's Connor and Caitlin! We are good now. We are almost to Sodor."

Connor smiled gently at Murdoch and Murdoch smiled back. Sam then coupled up to Murdoch again. Hiro stood in the front, with his snowplow ready to clear the tracks. Connor and Caitlin were on Murdoch's sides, covering him up. They had to stop once more for another engine to help them across. The squad roared through. Soon they reached the Vicarstown Rolling Bridge, when they heard the lowest, loudest, and the strongest whistle ever in their whole lives. Murdoch gasped.

"It has to be the monster!"

The squad knew it had to be. They rushed across the bridge, as the shape came closer. Then, out of nowhere, the whole international squad arrived. Ashima, Rajiv, Yong Bao, Vinnie, Carlos, Raul, Shane, Etienne, Frieda, Gina, Axel, and Ivan were all there.

Murdoch was worried.

Hiro noticed and told him, "They're the last group. You'll be alright."

That's when they realized the monster wasn't alone. The whistle was actually a combination of five different whistle, and there where five in pursuit.

The squad rushed as fast as they could, away from the monsters. That's when the international started to split up and leave the back of Murdoch exposed. The squad started yelling at them, the then it became clear what they were doing. The Flying Scotsman had coupled up behind. With Sam pulling, The Flying Scotsman pushing, Hiro clearing the lines, Conner and Caitlin warning the others, and the rest of the the squadron flanking, it was just the persistence that needed to keep up. Soon they arrived at Vicarstown station. The engines whistled and whistled to let the people know that they were being chased. Soon, as they came up to a siding, some members of the squad split up to the siding. On the next, some more left. Soon, there was only Sam, The Flying Scotsman, Hero, Conner, and Caitlin with Murdoch. The rest were waiting at the end. Conner and Caitlin both rushed into Tidmouth Sheds. They whistled, waking up the Steam Team. Edward, who was awake, was surprised.

"You promised not to run today!"

"Listen. We rescued Murdoch, but-"

Everyone was tooting and honking and yelling. When Edward saw that they were worried, he got cross and worried. Then, he did something he never did.

"SSSIIIIIIILLLLLLLEEEEEEENNNNNNCCCCCEEEE!"

The sheds grew silent.

"Like I was saying, we rescued him. But there are engines chasing him and us. They are coming here right now!"

The trains knew what they had to do. They got into a defensive positioning. They blocked all lines, and they prepared to slow the trains down. The middle lane, with Edward at the front, was the longest and the most prepared. Murdoch was going to come down this lane, so they had to be careful. Soon, they saw and heard them. The Flying Scotsman had unattached himself, and was now rushing side by side. Sam was still pulling him. Then, the two braked. They slowly stopped. Sam then was coupled up to Edward.

"BRAKE!" yelled Edward.

All engines braked. Murdoch was safe.

"Molly and Emily, take Murdoch to the Steamworks. He will be safe there."

The two female engines left, and the international squad rushed in. They got into position. Then they heard the whistle. They all were worried, but they stood strong together as they faced the monsters. They were five, gigantic engines, at least twice as big as Sam. They were ATSF 3000 class locomotives, with a wheel configuration of 2-10-10-2. The engines were scared. They never saw a big engine like this. The giants were advancing when they heard Sam.

"Leave them alone Jackle! Sebastian and Alexander, I thought you wouldn't do something like this! And you two, I don't know you guys, but stop it!"

Edward then came forwards. "So, ATSF 3000 class, huh… you realize that we can have you guys in the smelters yard right?

Jackle, the leader, replied, "Oh yeah, well if you can shut up, maybe you can. Or else, you will get pushed back and have you guys in the smelters yard."

Just then, they heard a noise that they all knew. It was the police. Nobody dared to move, except the five engines. They were rushing back to the mainland and the steam team followed in pursuit. The chase was on reverse.

The five engines managed to go faster, but there was one engine who was catching up. It was Murdoch. It wasn't his speed that kept him going, it was for justice. He was never meant to be scrapped, he was supposed to live happily, but he had to stay at the smelters yard. He managed to couple up to Jackle. Jackle was surprised. Then, one by one, the rest of them caught up. They all coupled up to one of the giants. Chains of trains were created. Then, they all braked. As strong as the giants were, the train chain was too much for them. They slowed to a stop. Then, Sir Topham Hatt arrived in Winston. The giants laughed at Winston. Then they settled down.

"You five have caused confusion and delay! You make my engines chase you, you try to scrap my engine Murdoch, and now, you yourself will either learn or be scrapped!"

The leader was calm.

"Very well, you fat little b-"

Edward was mad. Really. Mad.

"Shut up Jackle! It's Sir Topham Hatt!"

"Very well. Sir Topham Hatt, scrap me. This island is pathetic, with small engines. Honestly, a 4-6-2 pull the express? Like, that is what I call toy trains. Seriously, does the 2-10-0 and 2-6-0 pull heavy goods trains? And why on earth do you keep that blue and red piece of scrap, what you guys claim to be mixed traffic engines? I would gladly be scrapped."

With that, Jackle and his sidekicks were sent to be scrapped, taken by none other than Murdoch, Sam, and Henry. It was hard work, but they worked strong.

When they returned, the three of them joined the group as Sebastian and Alexander were telling their story of why they were here.

"I'll tell you all, but first, Murdoch, Alexander and I are really sorry about what we did. We would like to be really useful, and work with you, not against you."

Murdoch smiled. "Alright. You're forgiven. Now, tell us your story."

With that, Sebastian began. "It was a long time ago…"


Hey Guys! This will probably be two chapters long, not counting Epilogue, and I really wanted to bring back Murdoch so... My solution! All of the ATSF 3000 class trains are mine, so ask me if you want to use them. Alrighty. Cya!