One morning, after taking the mail train, Thomas and Percy made their way to Elsbridge Station. When they arrived, they saw Toby watching Andrew sweep the platform.
Thomas: Hello, Toby. Hi, Andrew.
Percy: Have you heard about the announcement Sir Topham Hatt is making here today?
Toby: I have! Although I haven't the slightest idea as to what it could be about. But what I do know that he specifically wanted us three to hear it first. Well...four, if you count Andrew!
Percy: Haha. Speaking of which, what do you think the announcement is about, Andrew?
Andrew: Ideally, I'd like it to be Sir Topham Hatt announcing that he's giving me a promotion of some sort. But that probably won't happen for a while, if at all.
Thomas: Ah, don't worry; you'll sure to get one someday. Now then, where is Sir Topham Hatt?
At that moment, a blue car parked at the end of the road just above the station. Sir Topham Hatt walked out and made his way down to the platform via the pedestrian bridge.
Sir Topham Hatt: Good morning, everyone! As you might've heard, I wanted to make an announcement to you three specifically...well, four if I were to count Andrew. Nice job cleaning the platform, by the way.
Andrew: Thank you, sir. So what's your announcement?
Sir Topham Hatt: Hmm? Oh, right. A new tank engine has arrived on the island and he'll be helping out on Thomas' branch line!
Thomas, Percy and Toby were excited to hear this!
Percy: Thank you, sir; we could always use the extra help! I wonder when this new engine will be here…
Sir Topham Hatt looked over at the station clock.
Sir Topham Hatt: Well, assuming he hasn't been delayed, he should be arriving right about...now.
Just then, a whistle could be heard and the sound of pistons pumping was getting closer.
Thomas: That whistle sounds familiar...
At last, the new engine pulled into the station. He was bright red, had four wheels and his name was painted in yellow across his tanks. The new engine was surprised to see Thomas. And Thomas was just as surprised to see the new engine.
Sir Topham Hatt: Everyone, I'd like you to meet…
Thomas: Rupert?
Rupert: Thomas? Is that you?
Thomas: Yes, yes! Flatten my funnel; I thought I'd never see any of my old friends again!
Sir Topham Hatt: Wait, you two know each other?
Thomas: Oh, yes, sir. Me and Rupert used to work together at Southampton Docks on the mainland.
Toby: Wait, I thought you worked in Brighton, Thomas.
Thomas: I did, but me and my siblings often took cars to Southampton Docks and Rupert was one of the shunters there. We often arranged consists together and Rupert and his siblings sometimes brought freight cars down to Brighton. We grew very close due to us working together as often as we did.
Toby: Huh. The more you know.
Sir Topham Hatt: Well then, I hope you two enjoy getting acquainted with each other once again. Rupert, you'll be joining Thomas on his first train of the day so you can familiarize yourself with the line.
Rupert: Yes, sir.
After Sir Topham Hatt and Andrew left the station, Rupert, Percy, Toby and Thomas made their way over to the carriage shed.
Annie: Hello, you three...or should I say four? Oh wait, I should; there are four of you here, after all.
Clarabel: Four of what? What's going on; I'm facing the other way!
Henrietta: As am I!
Thomas grinned as he was coupled up to Annie and Clarabel and Toby to Henrietta. Percy, meanwhile, just puffed into the shed. After a long night of delivering the mail and with no other trains to take for a while, he just had to take a rest.
Thomas: Annie, Clarabel, Henrietta, this is Rupert. He's an old friend of mine. Oh, we had some great times on the mainland, didn't we, Rupert?
Rupert: Yes indeed, Thomas. I was very witty and despite my small size, I was always able to make my way out of any situation or find some way to pay an engine out.
Percy: Ooh, do tell. *yawns*
Rupert: Ok, uh...oh, Thomas, remember the time this big green tender engine from the big city was making things difficult for us tank engines?
Thomas: Admittedly, that happened a lot, but it wouldn't happen to be the time we hid parts of his train around the docks just to spite him?
Rupert: Hahaha, yes! Granted, the dock manager wasn't very happy when he found out, but I feel hiding that big engine's cars around the docks was worth getting shut up in the shed for the rest of the day. There was also the added bonus of watching him burst his safety valve in anger.
Toby: Wow, Rupert, me and Percy have only known you for a few minutes, but I can tell we're gonna get along just fine.
Percy: You can say that again, Toby.
And with that, Percy drifted off to sleep for a well-deserved rest. Once Rupert was coupled in front of Thomas, they hurried along to collect their passengers. They told stories and made jokes as they puffed towards Knapford Station.
Thomas: Y'know, if you hadn't blown your whistle as you came into Elsbridge, I probably wouldn't have recognized you. What happened to your black paint?
Rupert: Well, after I left Southampton, I went to this heritage railway for a bit and I was repainted in a bright red. And you're one to talk; what happened to your teal green with white stripes?
Thomas: Simple. My blue with red stripes replaced it as it was for a fresh new look as my adventures on Sodor began.
Rupert: Yeah, ok, that's nice and all. But have I ever told you that one of my siblings Normandy visited the Bluebell Railway?
Thomas: And have I ever told you that Stepney The Bluebell Engine visited Sodor a couple of times?
Rupert: No. Way. You met Stepney? Oh, you have to tell me everything!
Thomas laughed and did just that. At last, the pair reached Knapford Station. They dropped off their passengers, left Annie and Clarabel at their shed in the yard and went to fill up on water and coal.
Rupert: Let me tell you, it's so nice to be working alongside you again, Thomas. I bet nothing could ruin this day.
But not long after saying that, a horn sounded and a sound of a diesel motor could be heard in the distance. Rupert's happy face was now replaced with a worried one.
Rupert: Uh...Thomas?
Thomas: Yeah?
Rupert: Are Sodor's railways fully operated by steam engines?
Thomas: Well, no. At least not anymore. Why?
At that moment, BoCo roared by, hauling a mixed freight train. His cars were being very troublesome, so the big green diesel stopped sharply and bumped them very hard!
BoCo: That's enough out of you lot! Any more nonsense like that and I'll bump you even harder!
The cars were now very scared. They quickly went quiet and made sure they didn't give BoCo any more trouble as he made his way out of Knapford.
Thomas: Heh, BoCo was certainly having trouble with those trucks, isn't he, Rupert? Rupert?
Thomas looked to his right and noticed Rupert was gone.
Thomas: Rupert, where are you?
Thomas hurried into the shunting yards. After some searching, he eventually found Rupert hiding in Knapford Sheds.
Thomas: There are you, Rupert!
Rupert slowly exited the sheds, still feeling a bit shaken.
Rupert: Thomas...are there diesels on this railway as well as steam engines?
Thomas: Well, yeah. Why wouldn't there be?
Rupert: I thought the North Western was a steam-powered railway!
Thomas: Well, we're mostly steam-powered. Anyways, why did you run away like that?
Rupert took a deep breath and sighed.
Rupert: Sorry, it's just that...I've sort of had a hard time being in the presence of diesels. I can barely trust one, let alone be near one.
Thomas: Wait, really? Wow, I...I had no idea. Wait, how come you never told me about these troubles back in the day? We told each other everything.
Rupert: Because they only came up after you stopped working at Brighton and Southampton, so I couldn't tell you. I told our siblings though, and while some could trust diesels, others like me just couldn't muster up the strength to do so.
Thomas: Oh, dear...
Rupert: After leaving Southampton, I went for years working on different railways while being berated and insulted by diesels whenever they had the chance. They all said the same things. "You'll be scrapped one day. We diesels are the future!" Stuff like that.
Thomas continued listening to Rupert vent about his problems, all the while feeling that Rupert was slowly becoming unrecognizable from the engine he worked with many years ago.
Rupert: And when I heard that I would be going to a railway that thrived on steam power, I thought that I was finally safe. I guess I never heard any stories about the diesels that came to Sodor besides the one about this diesel shunter that was sent away for telling lies.
Thomas: Yeah...about that…
Rupert: Don't tell me that they're still on the island or something. Ugh, what's next, a diesel engine with a claw on its roof?
Thomas: Rupert, listen. We've had our fair share of diesel trouble in the past and we'll probably have more in the future, but Sir Topham Hatt knows how to put all engines in their place. And even then, not all diesels are bad.
Rupert: Really?
Thomas: In fact, BoCo, the diesel you saw earlier? He's very nice. Sure, he can be assertive and stern, but he's only like that when freight cars and engines start acting up. But unfortunately, some diesels can be a pain in the tail lamp. Just give it some time and hopefully you'll be used to working alongside them.
Rupert: I sure hope so, Thomas.
Thomas: Now then, we have to go to the quarry and help Mavis arrange cars to take down to Knapford Harbor. C'mon, Rupert; just remember what I said.
Rupert: I will…
Rupert was still dreadfully nervous inside. He was more than willing to change, but he knew it wasn't going to be easy with all those bad memories flowing through his smokebox. As last, the two tank engines arrived at Ffarquhar Quarry, moving freight cars under the hoppers to be filled up with stone and arranging them into two long consists. As they worked, Thomas took the time to introduce Rupert to Mavis.
Thomas: He's a bit nervous after some bad experiences with diesels on the mainland, Mavis. So I'm hoping that introducing him to diesels that favor working over troublemaking will put his uncertainties to rest.
Mavis: That's a great idea, Thomas. Where is Rupert, anyways?
Thomas: He's arranging the brake vans behind the consists. He'll be back soon.
And Rupert was.
Rupert: Ok, Thomas, that job's done. Oh, and, uh...you must be Mavis.
Mavis: Yes, I am. And it's very nice to meet you, Rupert. Thomas told me about your anxiety but I'd like you to know that I'm one diesel who wouldn't dream of antagonising a steam engine.
Rupert: Oh. Well, that's good to hear.
Just then, a horn echoed throughout the quarry. A horn that Mavis and Thomas knew all too well.
Mavis: Uh oh...here comes trouble.
Diesel pulled into the quarry and bumped Thomas, the way he often did when there were engines in his way.
Thomas: Watch it, Diesel!
Diesel: It's not my fault you were in the way, Thomas. Now get out of my way and fetch my cars for me!
Thomas wasn't fazed by Diesel's comments and before moving out of his way, the little blue engine didn't hesitate to reverse and bump Diesel back. Diesel was surprised!
Diesel: Ow!
Thomas: That's what you get for still acting like a nuisance all these years later. Will you ever learn?
Diesel growled as he watched Thomas move out of the way. Diesel then looked over and saw Rupert. The two engines locked eyes with each other.
Diesel: And who's this piece of scrap?
Rupert: My name is Rupert! Why don't you leave us alone and take your train, you nasty old cretin?
Diesel: Playing Mr. Tough Engine, are we? Well then, let's see how you like this!
Diesel made his way towards Rupert and bumped him out of the way. At this point, Rupert had had enough! As soon as Diesel passed him, Rupert reversed towards Diesel and shoved him through the back of the quarry shed! The quarry manager ran up and he was very cross.
Quarry Manager: You silly engine! It'll take ages to get the shed repaired and to get Diesel out!
Harvey arrived to pull Diesel back onto the tracks. The crane engine had also brought Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt: Goodness me! How did this happen?
Diesel: That new engine of yours, sir! He forced me through the back of the shed!
Sir Topham Hatt: You don't mean Rupert, do you?
Diesel: The red scrap pile? Yeah, it was him!
Thomas: Shut up, Diesel; if you didn't provoke him, you'd still be on the tracks right now. You have no idea what he's been through!
Sir Topham Hatt: Oh, and I guess you have all the answers, Thomas?
Thomas: As a matter of fact, I do, sir.
And Thomas told Sir Topham Hatt about Rupert's trouble with diesels on the mainland and how it had affected him for many years.
Sir Topham Hatt: Oh dear...
Diesel: Oh dear indeed. Send him away!
Sir Topham Hatt: That's enough out of you, Diesel! Thomas, thank you for shining a light on what happened, but I need to have a word with Rupert right now.
Mavis: Um...where is Rupert anyways?
Everyone looked all over the quarry but couldn't find Rupert. But they did notice that one of the consists of quarry cars was gone.
Thomas: Rupert must've taken one of those consists down to Knapford Harbor...
Sir Topham Hatt: Well, we better head over there and see if we can find him.
Thomas backed down on the other line of quarry cars and Sir Topham Hatt climbed into his cab. And together, they left for the harbor. When they got there, Thomas shunted his cars in a siding and proceeded to look for Rupert.
Thomas: Rupert, Rupert! Where are you?
Finally, they found Rupert at the edge of the quay, where some Troublesome Trucks fell into Bulstrode The Barge many years ago. Thankfully, all Rupert was doing was looking down at the water and thinking about his actions.
Thomas: Hello, Rupert.
Rupert: Oh...hello, Thomas.
Thomas: Um...I have someone that wants to talk to you.
Sir Topham Hatt exited Thomas' cab and walked up to Rupert with a stern but understanding face.
Rupert: Uh oh.
Sir Topham Hatt: Rupert, I know what happened at the quarry today and I'm very angry with you.
Rupert: Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. I...I guess all that anger I kept locked in my smokebox for years finally came out and...caused me to do what I did.
Sir Topham Hatt: Yes, yes, Thomas told me all about that. And while I'm cross about what you did, I also don't want to see you living the rest of your Sodor Days in fear.
Rupert: What are you going to do with me?
Sir Topham Hatt: I'm going to call Ms. Jenny and see if she can spare Jack and Alfie. If so, you'll take them both to the quarry tomorrow so they can clear up the rubble. But before that, you'll need to pick up some empty cars from Knapford Yards. And I'll be having certain engines help you out with this job.
Rupert: Y-yes, sir.
Sir Topham Hatt: Now then, Thomas, show Rupert the way to Ffarqhuar Sheds. He has a long day ahead of him tomorrow.
Thomas: Yes, sir.
Thomas showed Rupert the way to the sheds, reassuring him as they did so. Thomas decided to spend the night with Rupert so he could soothe any ruffled feelings.
Rupert: Do you think Sir Topham Hatt's idea is going to work?
Thomas: I'm sure it will, Rupert.
Rupert: Ok, but I don't see how me helping to clear the wreckage is going to help me with my anxieties.
Thomas: Well, Sir Topham Hatt said certain engines will be helping you. And I don't ever know of any of my plans to fail.
Rupert: If you say so, Thomas. Although, could you answer another question for me?
Thomas: Sure, Rupert.
Rupert: Why did Sir Topham Hatt call these sheds 'Ffarquhar Sheds' when they're in front of Tidmouth Station?
Thomas: Erm, that's one thing I'm not so sure about...
And with that question out in the open, Rupert and Thomas slowly fell asleep. The next morning, Sir Topham Hatt arrived to see Rupert.
Sir Topham Hatt: Good morning, Rupert. Ready to start your important job this morning?
Rupert: I guess so. So what do I have to do again?
Sir Topham Hatt: Go to Knapford Yards and collect some empty freight cars. Then it's off to The Pack's Yard and collect Jack and Alfie. Afterwards, I'd like you ro bring them all to Ffarquhar Quarry.
Rupert: Yes, sir. But about these engines that you said were going to help me...who are they?
Paxton: I'll be helping you!
At that moment, Paxton rolled up next to Rupert. Rupert reversed slightly, but didn't say anything.
Paxton: Don't worry, Rupert! I'll be helping with your job today.
Rupert: Oh, uh, thank you...um…
Paxton: Paxton. My name is Paxton.
Rupert: Erm...thank you, Paxton.
Paxton and Rupert made their way to Knapford Yards, talking to each other as they went.
Rupert: So is there a reason Sir Topham Hatt asked you to work with me?
Paxton: Well, to help you, of course.
Rupert: Yes, but he also said something about certain engines helping me. Obviously, I'm missing something.
At last, Rupert and Paxton made it to Knapford Yards. Philip wasted no time arranging the empty cars behind them.
Paxton: Thank you, Philip!
Rupert: Yes...thank you, Philip.
Philip: No problem, Paxton. And you must be Rupert. I'm sure that after this job, all your troubles will be gone, like Sir Topham Hatt said.
Rupert grinned. He didn't have any negative reaction when he saw Philip, but still wasn't sure what the job had to do with his anxieties. Next, Rupert and Paxton went to The Pack's Yard to pick up Jack and Alfie. They took them both to the quarry to clear up the rubble and load it into the waiting cars.
Jack: Thanks, Rupert!
Alfie: You are a really useful engine. I can see why Thomas thinks so highly of you!
Rupert: Thanks, you two!
Just then, 'Arry and Bert rolled into the quarry with some building supplies needed to repair the shed. When they saw Rupert, they couldn't help but grin.
'Arry: Heh, there he is, Bert. That engine Diesel told us about.
Bert: Oh, yes, the scaredy engine that likes to derail diesels. Watch out, 'Arry, we might be next!
Rupert saw the two diesels. He shuddered and felt his boiler start to bubble in anger. Thankfully, Paxton didn't hesitate to pluck up courage and defend Rupert.
Paxton: Leave Rupert alone! He's busy and he doesn't need you two berating him!
Bert: Oh, push off, Paxton; you're always sticking up for the steam engines. Why can't you realize that steam engines like Rupert are a danger to us diesels?
'Arry and Bert started laughing again. At that moment, BoCo pulled into the quarry, hauling more building supplies.
BoCo: 'Arry, Bert, what's going on here? You two aren't causing any trouble, are you?
'Arry and Bert jumped.
'Arry: Oh, no, BoCo…
Bert: No, no, certainly not.
BoCo: Good. Now let's keep it that way. There are more supplies at the warehouse waiting to be picked up, so I'd suggest you pick them up. Right. Now.
'Arry and Bert scuttled out of the quarry without saying another word. As they did, BoCo winked at Rupert.
BoCo: Hello. You're Rupert, right?
Rupert: Yes! And you're BoCo, right?
BoCo: Yes, I am. Sir Topham Hatt told me about you and your anxieties around diesel engines, but from what I've heard, you've been managing them really well all morning.
Rupert: I have?
Rupert thought back to all the diesels he met since he arrived on Sodor: Mavis at the quarry yesterday, Paxton at Tidmouth Station, Philip at Knapford Yards and right now, he properly met BoCo! The only ones that only made him feel uneasy were Diesel, Arry and Bert!
Rupert: You're right! I guess I have! Wait, was this part of Sir Topham Hatt's plan? For me to slowly but surely unlearn all the bad things I thought I knew about diesels?
Sir Topham Hatt: It sure was!
Sir Topham Hatt climbed down from BoCo's cab, smiling from ear to ear.
Sir Topham Hatt: I thought that if you surrounded yourself with certain diesels, you'd slowly calm down and get used to being around them in general. Despite being railway engines, you all still have emotions and different ways to cope with negative feelings. I feel that's something more people need to take into account.
Rupert: Wow...thank you, sir, thank you. It certainly feels nice to see things from a new perspective.
Sir Topham Hatt: You're welcome, Rupert. Granted, Diesel, Arry, Bert and...some other diesel are the only troublesome diesels on the island, but as long as you know how to deal with them, nothing is going to break your stride and nothing is going to slow you down. Goodness knows whether or not they'll change their ways.
Rupert: Yeah...yeah, that's kind of like what Thomas has been telling me!
And for the first time in a long, long time, Rupert felt truly happy. And when he told Thomas, Percy and Toby about this, they were delighted, especially Thomas. The friend he had been reunited with felt like his old self again.
Rupert still gets bouts of nervousness and cynicism from time to time because he's just that sort of engine, but nowadays, he's more open around other engines and they know he'll always try his best to push his doubts out of his smokebox in order to complete a task.
A few days later, Rupert and Thomas were delivering oil tankers to the Dieselworks. When they saw Diesel reversing out of the main shed, they knew just what to do. After shunting the tankers into a siding, Rupert stayed behind, but Thomas pulled up alongside Diesel.
Thomas: Hello, Diesel. It's nice to see you out and about again, after your big accident and whatnot.
Diesel: Drop the act, Thomas; where are you going with this?
Thomas: Act? What act? I'm just congratulating you on looking as good as new again. Rupert gave you a nasty shove a few days ago that I wasn't sure if you would be able to be repaired.
Diesel: Huh. Well, thanks, Thomas.
Thomas: But then again, you'll always be a grumpy old sod with little to no chance of changing your ways, so I guess you had it coming. I can't blame Rupert for doing what he did.
Diesel: Why, you little…
But before Diesel could finish his sentence, Rupert came up behind him! He bumped Diesel and blew his whistle. Diesel was so surprised, he nearly blew a fuse!
Diesel: Ahh!
Rupert: Haha, hello, Diesel! I'm glad to see that you're repaired after that accident you had at the quarry! Now stop idling about and get back to work!
Diesel: Grr...!
Den and Dart, who were watching nearby, couldn't help but laugh!
Den: Oh, Rupert, that was very funny!
Dart: What he means is...oh, you know what Den means…! Hahaha!
Thomas: Haha, you're definitely one of us now, Rupert!
And Thomas and Rupert puffed out of the Dieselworks, laughing away like how they would back on the mainland all those years ago!
Rupert: You know, I think I'm going to like it on Sodor...