As the evening approached, most of the engines on Sodor were preparing to make their last deliveries and head back to their respective sheds with the exception of a few night trains. On this particular night, Thomas was bringing the last of the evening commuters from Knapford down his branchline to their homes in Hackenback, Elsbridge, Dryaw, and Ffarquar. Once his evening run was completed, he headed back up to Tidmouth to join the rest of the Steam Team in some late night conversations before going to sleep. He arrived steamed towards the turn table and Tidmouth sheds expecting to hear quiet conversing, but instead, he found Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, and Emily engaging in loud, excited conversations. Curious, Thomas turned himself round on the turn table and backed into his birth.
"Hey Percy! What's going on?" asked Thomas.
Percy looked over. "Oh, hey Thomas! How are you doing?"
Before Thomas could answer, Edward spoke up. "Hello Thomas! To answer your question, the Fat Controller is going to make an announcement in a few minutes and it sounds like a big one at that!"
Thomas chuckled. "Since when are his announcements this big? And why is everyone so excited about it?"
"Well Thomas, I'm glad you asked!" said a familiar booming voice. The engines immediately quieted down to give the Fat Controller their attention.
"Now then, I see that you all have heard the rumors about my big announcement and let me tell you all that you're going to want to listen closely because this sort of a big deal." said Sir Topham Hatt.
"Why is this announcement such a big deal sir?" asked James.
"I'm about to answer that right now James." Replied the Fat Controller. "As you all know, I've been very busy lately discussing railway matters with some men from the Mainland and the Isle of Man and we are currently looking to extend the North Western's economic capabilities in the near future."
Percy looked confused. "Sir, what do you mean by 'economic capabilities'?" he asked, puzzled.
Sir Topham Hatt grinned broadly. "It means, Percy that very soon, the North Western Railway will be expanding onto the Isle of Man and parts of Cumbria south of Barrow-in-Furness!"
The engines' jaws hung open with shock! Expansion beyond Sodor? How was that even possible? The NWR had serviced Sodor and just Sodor for the last 103 years with the exception of a bit of line connecting Vicarstown with Barrow since the 1925 deal with the former London, Midland and Scottish Railway. At first, Thomas and the others had trouble comprehending the idea, but slowly, they all realized what this meant: more lines to service, more trains to pull, more construction projects to be carried out and most exciting of all; new engines! Soon all 8 of them were whistling with excitement!
"Whoa! Does this mean we're going to have more lines to run?" asked Percy.
"And does this mean you'll have more express services to operate?" asked Gordon.
Sir Topham Hatt laughed. "Indeed it does! But, before we get there, there is much we need to do in order to make the expansion happen."
The engines glanced at each other. What could possibly be needed for the expansions besides other engines?
Being as smart as he was, it didn't take long for Edward to figure out one of those things. "Sir, you said we would be expanding to the Isle of Man correct? And since it isn't connected by land to Sodor, are we going to have to build a tunnel or bridge to reach it?"
"You said it Edward! The distance between the Isle of Man and Sodor is too far to successfully build a rail bridge across the channel, so instead, the construction of an Inter-Island tunnel will be needed." Replied Sir Topham Hatt. "But in order for that to happen, we need lots of workmen, architects, miners, supplies from the Mainland, and of course, lots of help from you engines."
The engines felt the excitement build up in their boilers! Until Thomas remembered the extensions that were currently under construction on Sodor, including the North Coast Branchline that would connect Vicarstown with Harwick around the northern coast of Sodor, and the extension of his own branchline to join up with the North Coast Line when it was completed.
"Um, sir, what about the current new lines that are under construction? Will they have to be put on hold? And what about my branchline?" Thomas asked with concern.
Sir Topham Hatt gave Thomas a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Thomas! I've already thought of that and I'm pleased to say that in order for those projects to continue, I've purchased several new steam engines from the Mainland who will be arriving next week. Most of you will continue your regular duties on your respective lines, but of course, we'll be needing all of your help from time to time on one project or the other."
"More engines?! But there's so many already here." commented Henry.
"Yes there are Henry, but as you can see, as workloads increase, the number of engines to help out must also increase. Otherwise, all of you will be overworked. Besides, I believe that a few of the older engines such as you 8 could use either a reduction in workload, or more engines to help you out. After all, next to Glynn and Stephen, the 8 of you are the oldest engines in my fleet!" replied Sir Topham Hatt.
At the mention of being considered old, Gordon, spoke up. "Nonsense sir! We can manage!" he declared. The others agreed. "Besides, I'm only 98 years old!"
The other engines began laughing! "Oh, only 98 years old eh Gordon?!" chuckled Edward. "Most engines don't even last 30 years let alone 98 years!"
"Edward's right. I know that you can manage, but most of you, particularly Thomas and Edward are in need of overhauls, which I plan to get you in the next year or so. Anyway, moving on to other business, as I said earlier, we're also expanding into Southern Cumbria, so I may need to reallocate a few of you to the Mainland until I can find or build more engines to operate those lines." said the Fat Controller thoughtfully.
The engines glanced at each other wondering who among them would be reallocated.
"Also, the facilities in Cumbria will most likely need a major overhaul and updates, so we're going to need more workmen, supplies, and engines to complete the job. In a week or so, I'll have more details on which project we're going to be starting first. In the meantime, you all had better get some sleep. There's still much to be done." added Sir Topham Hatt. He then climbed into his car and left.
Once he was gone, the engines began chatting excitedly.
"New lines?! Expansions?! An Inter-Island Tunnel?! This is going to be awesome!" said Percy.
"Indeed!" added Gordon. "I can't wait to see if there's going to be a new express service for me to run!"
"Since you and I run goods to Bridlington all the time, I think that the Fat Controller will probably reallocate you and me to Cumbria first Thomas." Said James.
Thomas couldn't disagree, but remained concerned. "He probably will. I'm just worried about my branchline if that happens because Percy and Toby can't handle everything on their own. And how would a new engine manage?"
Emily decided to step in. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about Thomas! The Fat Controller always has a plan! He'll think of something and knowing hi, he'll probably have you train any new engine what is assigned to work your passenger services."
Thomas smiled. "Thanks Emily! I guess you're right."
Henry thought for a moment. "If he starts that tunnel project first, he's going to need bigger engines to handle all the materials and I think I'll be working on that at some point."
The other engines agreed. "Yes Henry. The Fat Controller will probably also have Murdoch, Donald, and Douglass working there too and possibly Edward." remarked Toby. "In the meantime, we should all get some sleep. We still have our normal jobs to do tomorrow."
Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, and Emily all mumbled their agreements and backed further into their berths to allow their crews to clean them for the night.
Secretly, Thomas and Edward was a bit worried. Both of them were in need of overhauls and Edward was considered to be 'semi-retired' by most of the NWR board. He was concerned that he wouldn't be able to handle the immense workloads involved in building the Inter-Island Tunnel despite that he was excited about expanding. At the same time, Thomas was still worried about his branchline. Sir Topham Hatt was most likely preparing to send him and James to work the Southern Cumbria lines first. Who would take care of Annie and Clarabel? And what engine would lead the extension to the North Coast Line besides him?
Yes indeed. Thought Edward. Things really are changing and have changed in the last 122 years I've been around.
***Author's Notes:
Things are really starting to change for the Island of Sodor and the North Western Railway! On Sodor, there's a new line under construction that will wrap around the Northern Coast of the island and Thomas' branchline is being extended to link up with the new 'North Coast Line'. In addition, the NWR is preparing to absorb the Isle of Man and part of Southern Cumbria. Will the construction of the Inter-Island Tunnel be successful? Will Thomas and James be reallocated to Cumbria? What will become of Edward? What new engines will be joining the NWR's fleet? Answers to these questions are coming up in the next several chapters, so stay tuned!