The Modern Railway Series No. 29

THE FAITHFUL RAILWAY ENGINES

Original stories by Andrew Brenner, Helen Farall & Lee Pressman

Foreword

Dear friends,

There has been many exciting events and journeys in the modern era of Sodor since the beginning. While I'm sure there's plenty in store for the railway in the future, I'm sadly going to put off writing more stories. To finish off, here are a couple of peculiar events the engines have gone through, proving just how faithful they are to their railway, their controller, and their home. And a particular engine has finally taken a great leap in its life on Sodor, that would surely change the future indeed. Read on and I do hope you've enjoyed the many adventures on Sodor.

The author

Goodbye Sir Topham Hatt

Early one morning, Percy arrived at Knapford station with the mail train and noticed a very unusual group of passengers outside the Fat Controller's office. He overheard them saying that the sooner the Fat Controller was gone, the better. Percy gasped, and as the guard's whistle blew, he raced off to tell the other engines the bad news. He thought that the Fat Controller was leaving Sodor.

That evening, all the engines were talking about the Fat Controller. "Where will he go?" asked James. "And who would look after us while he's gone?" asked Henry. "Well, I for one will miss him when he goes," sighed Edward. "So would I," agreed Gordon. "Even though he does get very sometimes." "Especially with Thomas!" laughed Percy. "Not just with me!" protested Thomas. "He usually has a good reason to get cross," said Emily. "One way or another, we're always causing confusion and delay." Percy then had a bad feeling. "Maybe that's why he's leaving: because of us!" The engines felt worried. But Thomas encouraged them all to not let the Fat Controller leave. They were all going to do their best to convince him to stay. Everyone agreed to that plan.

So the next morning, the engines set out, determined to make the Fat Controller want to stay. "Good morning, sir!" whistled Percy as he came to Knapford station. "I've delivered all the mail extra early today!" "Well done, Percy," yawned the Fat Controller. As Percy left, the Fat Controller was surprised when he saw the express coaches and a blue tender engine begin backing down on them. "Gordon? It's rather early for the express. Your passengers haven't even begun to arrive!" Thomas and James arrived, making the Fat Controller nearly speechless. "What's going on? Is my watch wrong, or is there some confusion with the timetable?" The engines assured him that there won't be any confusion and certain no delays either. The Fat Controller went into his office to double-check the schedule, feeling dumbfounded.

All day long, the engines worked hard to keep everything running smoothly. Nobody was late, or caused any trouble once. The Fat Controller had never seen his railway run smoother than it did that day. He thought that the engines were behaving in a most peculiar way.

That night, Henry had good news. "He told me that he was happy, and that he loves this railway!" "So, he's not leaving after all?" asked Percy. "I don't suppose he would be, Percy," said James. "Not if he's happy!" "It must have all been an honest misunderstanding," assured Thomas. "You probably misheard what those people were saying." Percy hoped Thomas was right, but he wasn't really sure what to think as he set out that night to take the mail train.

But the next morning, Percy was even more anxious than he was the day before when he arrived at Tidmouth Sheds. "The Fat Controller is leaving!" he told the others. "He may not want to, but those men were taking all his things out of his office! Even the telephone!" The engines couldn't believe it. They began to feel upset when they thought about the Fat Controller being sent away, and a new controller replacing him. But Thomas was still not giving up. "We won't let them send the Fat Controller away!" he exclaimed. Thomas came up with a plan and he told it to the others. They thought it was risky, but agreed to it. For the sake of their controller.

Later that morning, the passengers were complaining to the Fat Controller and saying what a bad railway it was. Then the stationmaster called him. "There's trouble in the shed, sir! The engines are refusing to come out!" The Fat Controller decided to investigate.

When he arrived at the sheds, the engines were all chanting and staying in their berths. They whistled when they saw him come out of his car. "Silence! All of you!" he boomed. "Now, could someone please explain the meaning of this outrage?" The engines told him about how they felt and didn't want him to leave the railway. "But I'm not leaving Sodor!" protested the Fat Controller. "I'm not going anywhere! My office is being redecorated." The Fat Controller explained the real reason why he was moving out. The engines felt silly, especially Percy for getting it all wrong. The Fat Controller was relieved to have gotten everything cleared up. "Now, if you don't mind, we still have a railway to run!" he reminded his engines, and they eagerly left the sheds to get back to work again.

There was still a lot of confusion and delay after the morning's disruption. But the engines all tried to be really useful and get the railway back on schedule again. And while the men worked to redecorate his office, the Fat Controller worked in his temporary office, in a shed! To the engines, it's like he never left.

Dowager Hatt's busy day

One morning, as the engines were getting ready for their day's work, they noticed the Fat Controller sneezing and blowing his nose. They asked him if he was feeling alright, and he insisted that there was nothing wrong with him. But before he could give the engines their jobs for the day, a car pulled up, and someone cleared their throat. It was Dowager Hatt, the Fat Controller's mother. "Topham? I thought I told you not to come to work today!" "But I have a railway to run, mother," protested the Fat Controller. "Not with a stinkin' cold like that, you don't!" said Dowager Hatt. "Now, back home and in bed you go!" And when the Fat Controller asked who would run the railway while he's gone, Dowager Hatt took the job, much to her son's dismay.

As the Fat Controller was being sent back home, Dowager Hatt began to give the engines the wrong jobs. "But ma'am," said Thomas. "I usually start my day pulling passengers on my branch line!" Dowager Hatt looked around, then pointed at Emily. "You, Emeline, can take Thomas' passengers while he's collecting my hat." "Excuse me, but, I have to take scrap to the scrapyard," said Emily. "Don't worry about that, Emerald," said Dowager Hatt as she went off to her car. "I'll sort something out!" As she drove off to Knapford station, the engines glanced at each other with worry.

As Emily came to Knapford station with Annie and Clarabel, Gordon came as well. "I won't be set up to do some silly errand," said Gordon. But he spoke too soon. "Ah, Geoffrey!" said Dowager Hatt. "Who's Geoffrey?" asked Gordon. "Now, Gregory," continued Dowager Hatt. "Since Ermentrude is tied up, I'd like you to take her trucks of scrap to the scrapyard!" "Scrap?" repeated Gordon. "Impossible! I'm here to pull the Express!" Dowager Hatt looked hurt. "Goodness me, you wouln't talk to my son like that, would you, Gerald?" she said. Gordon felt anxious. "And I'm sure you wouldn't want to disappoint her sweet old mother?" said Dowager Hatt looking disappointed. Gordon felt so guilty, that he couldn't argue with her. "No, ma'am," he sighed. "Lovely! Thank you, Kevin! Off to the scrapyard with you!" said Dowager Hatt perking up and returning to the office.

The railway was running very peculiar that day. Thomas was still waiting for Dowager Hatt's hat to arrive. Cranky couldn't load anything onto his flatbed, and neither onto Edward's, who was delivering Dowager Hatt's cake to her friends at Vicarstown. Percy was sent to pull the express, but he struggled to pull the heavy coaches up Gordon's hill.

But at Knapford junction, it was chaos. So many engines had freight trains filled with all sorts of things: Elephants, giraffes, dinosaurs, balloons, scrap, waste, and many more. And because they tried to get their jobs done quickly, they blocked the junctions and couldn't move. "This is absurd!" exclaimed James. "How can anyone get through?" demanded Henry. "Stop arguing!" put in Toby. But nobody could do anything about it. When Emily arrived at the scene, she decided enough was enough, and went away to find Dowager Hatt.

Emily found Dowager Hatt arranging flowers at Knapford station. Emily told her all about the confusion and delay happening all over the island. Dowager Hatt didn't seem convinced at first. "Dowager Hatt, there are certain engines that are suitable for certain jobs, and other engines that are not." said Emily firmly. Dowager Hatt sighed in dismay. "I didn't realize it was so complicated, and now Topham is going to be all cross and say I don't know how to run his railway." Emily felt sorry for her. "But we can try to get things sorted," she offered. "I'm happy to help you out." "Really? Would you? Oh, that would be marvellous, Esmeralda!" smiled Dowager Hatt. "Don't worry. You and I will soon get Sir Topham Hatt's engines back on the right tracks!"

Working together, Emily and Dowager Hatt started to get all the engines back doing their regular jobs. With Emily's help, Dowager Hatt sorted out the engines, so that they were all doing their proper jobs again. And just in time.

"Topham?" exclaimed Dowager Hatt when she noticed the Fat Controller that evening. "What are you doing out of bed?" "I'm feeling a lot better, mother!" smiled the Fat Controller. "Everything seems to be running smoothly." "Of course it is, dear, but I can't take all the credit," said Dowager Hatt. "Emily here helped me." Emily gasped. "She called me Emily!" she squealed. "I bet you thought I wouldn't be able to run your railway, but I think I've done a pretty perfect job," said Dowager Hatt. "I have to admit, I had my doubts," said the Fat Controller, before hastily correcting himself. "I mean, well done, mother!" And Dowager Hatt gave Emily a wink.

Just then, Thomas arrived with Dowager Hatt's new hat. The Fat Controller was confused, but his mother led him in his office for a nice cup of tea. "Thank goodness everyone is back to doing their proper jobs again!" Emily told Thomas. And the engines laughed at their interesting day they had.

The fastest red engine on Sodor

One day, James was showing off as usual. "Here's James!" he called as he put on his brakes and slid into Knapford station. "Hey, Emily!" "Hello James," replied Emily unamused. "Mind your speed, James, and stop showing off!" said the Fat Controller. "He's right, James," said Emily. "Stopping sharply like that is bad for your brakes." "I can't help being fast, Emily," grinned James. "Don't forget that time your wooden brake blocks caught fire," said Thomas. James remembered, and blushed. But he reminded Thomas that he gained new brakes and a coat of red paint. "I'm the fastest red engine on Sodor," boaste James. "What about Rosie?" said Thomas. "Rosie's not fast, and she's not red, either," laughed James. "She's more of a mouldy lilac." "She's been repainted recently, James," smirked Thomas. As Thomas began to leave, James wondered if what Thomas said was really true.

James wasn't having a very good day. Especially when he had to pull troublesome trucks. And then he saw her. "Rosie?!" gasped James. "Hello, James!" chirped Rosie. "You really are red," whispered James. "Yes, I've been repainted. What do you think?" said Rosie. "I'll tell you what I think! I think you're trying to look like me!" accused James. "No I'm not!" protested Rosie. Then James challenged Rosie to a race to Crovan's Gate, to see who was the fastest red engine on Sodor. Rosie thought that sounded fun, so she accepted his offer.

The two red engines raced along the tracks, side by side. James couldn't believe how fast Rosie really was, but he was determined to win. Then, they approached a red signal. "Red signal, James!" called Rosie as she slowed down. "Come on!" groaned James as he put on his brakes. But James' brakes squeaked and were having trouble slowing James down. Henry was coming out of the loop siding, and gasped when he saw James heading for him. James shut his eyes. Luckily, he stopped, just a few inches in front of Henry's freight train. "Sorry, Henry!" called James.

Rosie approached James. "There's clearly something wrong with your brakes, James. You barely managed to stop! I don't think you should be racing." James thought Rosie was just worried that he would win the race. But Rosie insisted that James should go to the Steamworks and have his brakes checked, while she delivered his trucks for him. James agreed begrudgingly.

But when James came to a stop at another signal, his brakes didn't squeak. And they didn't squeak when he entered the Steamworks either. "I knew there was nothing wrong with my brakes!" said James confidently. James left the Steamworks and didn't even bother having them checked.

James didn't know, that his brakes had become worn out, and got dents from his wheels. Now, the brakes couldn't reach his wheels to slow them down. And James learned that the hard way. He raced all the way up Gordon's hill, and sped down the other side gaining speed. He was having fun. And then there was trouble. His brakes couldn't slow him down. "Oh no! I can't stop!" James went faster and faster. He raced down the line faster than Gordon with the express. He raced through Knapford junction, Knapford station, and Knapford shunting yard.

Rosie saw James when he passed her. "Rosie! Help!" he called. "James!" exclaimed Rosie and she puffed after him. James was speeding too fast for Rosie to keep up. James soon approached Tidmouth Sheds. His driver and fireman jumped clear. James shut his eyes as he rushed across the turntable and into his berth.

CRASH!

One moment, the sheds were quiet. The next moment, there was a huge gap right in the middle of it. Bricks and plaster fell from above, and onto a very severely damaged red engine. "James!" called Rosie as she cautiously approached the sheds. "Are you okay?" "I think so…" replied James weakly. "How's my paint looking? I'm really in trouble now…"

"You can say that again, James!" came the voice James knew all too well. "I've told you many times about showing off and rushing about, and now, you've ruined the shed!" "But sir, James has had problems with his brakes all day," explained Rosie and she told him about what happened earlier that day. James admitted that he did got to the Steamworks, but he didn't wait to have his brakes checked over. "Honestly, James," sighed the Fat Controller. "It would have been better to fix your brakes when you had a small problem, before it turned into a much bigger one." "I'm sorry, sir," said James miserably. "Sorry, Rosie. I should have known another red engine would give good advice." "At least you proved one thing today, James," giggled Rosie. "For a while there, you really were the fastest red engine on Sodor!" James weakly grinned as the Sodor Search and Rescue team swarmed around to his rescue.

A shed for Edward

That night, the Fat Controller inspected the damage to Tidmouth Sheds. A couple of engines had to temporarily move out to make room for repairs. He sent Thomas to sleep at Knapford station and Edward at Wellsworth with Philip. Philip really like Edward. He looked up to him as a big fan.

"Make yourself at home!" welcomed Philip as Edward entered the sheds at Wellsworth. "Thank you, Philip," yawned Edward. "Now, time for me to get some shut-eye. Goodnight, Philip." But Edward couldn't sleep, as Philip started chatting. "Have you ever gone really fast Edward?" asked Philip. "Have you ever had a nasty accident? Did I ever tell you about the time I had a race with Gordon and won?" Philip talked all night.

When Edward came to Tidmouth Sheds the next day, he was feeling tired. He did not sleep a wink last night because Philip chatted the whole time, and he didn't want to be rude to him. The Fat Controller told Edward that it would take at least a week for the sheds to be repaired. "A week?!" gasped Edward in disbelief. "At least you've got a nice quiet place to sleep, Edward," said the Fat Controller. But Edward didn't seem sure. "I'll have to find somewhere peaceful to sleep tonight," he yawned.

Edward told Philip that morning that he'd think about going back to his sheds the next night, but he really wanted to get some good rest. So he went off to Brendam Docks. Salty and Porter were more than happy to make room for him. But when Edward tried to sleep, he was surprised to see Salty singing in his sleep. "Forgot to tell you, Salty often sings sea shanties in his sleep," said Porter. "It took me a while to get used to it, but now I can't fall asleep without it." Edward groaned.

The next day, Edward felt more tired. Salty's singing kept him up all night. Philip met Edward at Wellsworth. "Good morning Edward! You look tired." Philip thought Edward would come back to his shed the previous night and asked him why he didn't come. Edward didn't want to hurt Philip's feelings. "I have to go now, bye!" he called to Philip as his signal turned red. Philip was disappointed.

That night, Edward went to sleep at the Steamworks. But he was shocked when the crew started making a racket, working to get James fixed up. Edward tried finding other places to sleep. He tried sleeping on a ship at sea, but the loud horns scared him, and he didn't like getting soaked by the seawater. He tried sleeping in a mine, but the blasts echoing around made him shiver. He tried sleeping in the woods, but the owls hooting kept him up. Edward just couldn't get any rest.

A week went by, and Edward was exhausted. Nothing would allow him to rest. He was slowly approaching Knapford junction, when his eyes closed and didn't open again. Philip noticed Edward who didn't reply to him, and he panicked when he saw that Edward was asleep. "Stop, Edward! Stop!" he cried as he honked his horn. Edward opened his eyes, and gaped as he realized he was heading straight for Percy! He put on his brakes, and his buffers lightly touched Percy's. "Sorry, Percy!" cried Edward. "Thank you, Philip." "That's what friends are for!" smiled Philip. Then he asked if Edward liked sleeping in his sheds. "Philip, I do like your sheds," said Edward. And with courage, he told Philip the truth. "But I really need my sleep and I can't stay up all night." "Well why didn't you say so?" laughed Philip. "I do admit that I can be a bit of a chatterbox sometimes, but I promise to let you have your rest!" "Thank you, Philip," smiled Edward.

And Philip was as good as his word. He did feel the temptation to talk, but he didn't, because he knew that Edward needed his sleep.

Soon, Tidmouth Sheds was repaired, and so was James. He arrived at Tidmouth Sheds with the Fat Controller on board. James deeply apologized to the engines for wrecking the sheds. They forgave him and held nothing against him. Except Gordon, who remained unusually silent, while fixing a glare at him. As James backed into his berth, Edward arrived. "Hello, Edward!" greeted the Fat Controller. "Good to see you back. The sheds are fixed, and everyone is here to welcome you home. Even James." James blushed shamefully. Edward looked at the sheds, lost in thought. Then he spoke. "That's very kind of you all, but I've been thinking, can I move to the sheds at Wellsworth, sir?" The Fat Controller was surprised to hear this. "Are you sure about this, Edward?" "Well, it is near my branch line anyway," replied Edward. "I see," said the Fat Controller. "Well, then! If you want to move to Wellsworth, that's fine by me!"

The other engines felt saddened that their old friend was leaving. "And to think that you weren't let out of here for a long while back then," said Henry. "And now you've got a shed of your own!" said Emily. "We'll miss you here at the sheds, Edward!" said Thomas. "I'm sure we'll see each other all the time," smiled Edward. And as the engines whistled goodbye to their good old friend, Edward the blue engine puffed out of the sheds and beyond. The little old engine, who had once longed to be let out of the sheds those many years ago, now had a shed of his own, and he was finding his own path ahead in the future, with his friends on the railway of Sodor.

THE END