Welcome to my newest Thomas and Friends story. This story will (as the name implies) Henry being sent to the mainland and his experiences on it. I hope you enjoy it.
Henry on the Mainland
Thursday May 31
Henry is a grand, green engine on the Island of Sodor. He has been through a lot on his time here. He has fought his dislike of rain, he got over his illness by getting a new shape, and even has become the main engine that pulls the Flying Kipper. He has made a lot of accomplishments like being one of the few engines that could pull the Express or being the strongest engine on the island. For sure, over the years, Henry has certainly become a main engine on Sir Topham Hatt's railroad. He is thinking all of this as he pulls into Platform 4 of Knapford station with his passenger train. Looking over he sees Sir Topham Hatt who walks over to him.
"Henry, I have something important to discuss with you. If you don't mind seeing to your coaches and then meeting me in the yard."
"Sure sir, but what is this about?" Henry asks.
"We will discuss that in due time." He says as he turns around and leaves.
Henry is quite confused but does as he is told. He backs out with his train and deposits his coaches on a siding and then heads into the yard that is next to the station building where he meets Sir Topham Hatt.
"Henry, I've just been given an important request from the head of the English railroad over on the mainland. He needs a new relief engine and after reviewing the files on the engines I have here he has specifically asked if you would take the job for him." Henry looks stunned. He is getting an official job by the English Railroads to be a relief engine for them.
"But sir, that means I will have to leave Sodor. Possibly for good." Henry says. Sir Topham Hatt looks downcast at the statement.
"This is true Henry and that is why I can't make the choice for you. It has to be your own decision. But Henry, I am sorry to say this. He wants an answer by the end of the day. As well if you do take the job, you leave tomorrow. I can't extend this offer any more than that. So, you'll have to make your choice by then." He says sadly and turns and walks away.
Henry is floored by what he just was told. A job on the mainland as a relief engine. An engine that goes around to the different lines and fills in for engines that are being repaired or can't do their job due to illness or other factors. Why the head of the English railways would want him, Henry doesn't know. But he still has a choice to make and until then, he still has work to do.
In Knapford Yard, he collects a goods train and heads to Wellsworth with it. Along the way he passes by some of his friends but is more in deep thought about what he should do about his future. Stay on Sodor or go to the mainland. How could he make such a big decision by the end of the day?
Henry pulls into Wellsworth yard and shunts the goods train into a shed where Edward is resting. "Hello Henry. You look like you are deep in thought. Penny for what's bothering you?" Edward asks kindly. Henry decided to tell his all about his meeting with Sir Topham Hatt. When he finishes Edward smiles kindly. "You certainly have a choice now. But it is your career and no one can tell you what to do. Only you know what you need to do."
"But could I actually leave everyone on the island that easily?" Henry asks sadly.
"Well, no it won't be easy but you wouldn't be the first engine to leave the island. Plus it's not like our drivers and firemen couldn't stay in contact with everyone. Even Sir Topham Hatt will be following your work closely to make sure you are being treated correctly and fairly." Edward pauses and smiles. "Maybe you need to talk to more engines about this. There is a passenger train leaving Wellsworth in a half hour. I'll have you take it to Tidmouth for me and maybe along the way you can get other's opinions on the matter." He says kindly. Henry feels good that he gave that suggestion.
"That would be good. Thank you Edward for allowing me to do that." Their drivers go to the station master who gives the ok for Henry to take the passenger train. Edward couples up to a goods train to take to Brendam while Henry collects two red express coaches from the yard and brings them to one of Wellsworth's platforms. He waits a few minutes while people load up and BoCo pulls up at the other platform with three yellow branch line coaches. Passengers unload from his train and a go to the other platform and get onto Henry's train. A minute later the guard blows his whistle and Henry pulls away from Wellsworth towards Tidmouth.
The journey stops at Crosby, Knapford, Lower Tidmouth, and then finally Tidmouth. Henry pulls into Crosby and leaves a minute later onto the big station. He pulls into platform 2 at Knapford as he stops Gordon also pulls up next to him at Platform 1 finishing with his express journey.
"Henry, I wasn't expecting to see you here. How's it going?" Gordon asks grandly.
"It's been a difficult type of day Gordon." He tells him about his dilemma. Afterwards Gordon looks quite thoughtful.
"It's your life Henry and you need to do what makes you happy. The mainland is a wonderful place and you'll certainly be busy." At that moment Henry's guard blew his whistle indicating it was time to move on.
"Thank you Gordon. You certainly know what to say." He says as he pulls out of the station onto Lower Tidmouth.
"Of course, an important engine always knows the correct things to say." Gordon says importantly.
Henry moves on down the line stopping at Lower Tidmouth and then going on to the end of the journey to Tidmouth. Henry pulls into the platform at Tidmouth, pulling alongside James, who was resting in a siding.
"Henry, what are you doing pulling Edward's passenger train?" James asks surprised. Henry told him all about the news he got as an engine pulled away his coaches and he went to a siding next to James to take a rest.
"Well Henry, that's a huge opportunity for any engine. You'll get to see the mainland and you'll see all those sites that us engines here only get to hear of. You'll also be meeting plenty of different people and engines. The mainland is full of different types of lifestyles and thoughts that we here on Sodor don't get to experience since we are just an island to ourselves." The red engine responds to his problem. "What you need to do is figure out if you want to go out and see what the mainland has to offer or stay here on Sodor. More than likely if you don't go to the mainland you won't get this opportunity again. On the other side, if you do go, you more than likely won't be coming back to Sodor for awhile. How long? I wouldn't even be able to say." James smiles at Henry who gives a weak smile in response.
"Thank you for the advice and perspective. I do need to do some more thinking on all of this."
"No problem. Sorry though but I have to run. Need to take a passenger train from here to Cronk. I hope you'll be able to figure out what to do. Goodbye Henry." James says as he pulls away from the siding to take his train.
Henry now was able to take a moment to rest and think about his problem. He knew that the biggest concern was never seeing his friends or home for a long time. While there were connections to the mainland and Sodor, they were really only a few stations that did that. Otherwise, they were both separate from each other. Considering all the different lines on the mainland, more than likely it wouldn't be often that he would be around one of those stations.
But James, Edward, and Gordon were correct in that it was a huge opportunity that he was offered and turning it down would be turning down a once in a lifetime opportunity that not many engines on Sodor are given.
But on the other side this wouldn't be a job that he would have for a month at the most. He would be gone for quite a while, maybe even at least half a year or more. Everyone on Sodor he knew, he wouldn't see again for quite some time. He also would have to give up all the opportunities that he acquired after all these years. The Express, The Flying Kipper, all those local passenger trains, and all the specials that could happen. He would miss them all.
After thinking back and forth for almost fifteen minutes, he finally had his answer. He knew what it was that he was going to decide with. He didn't have another job for sometime so he went back to Knapford to talk to Sir Topham.
He pulled into Platform 1 at Knapford and saw Sir Topham speaking with the Station master. He sees Henry pull in and finishes up their conversation and walks over to him. "Well Henry its good to see you, have you made your decision on your job opportunity?" Sir Topham asks. Henry smiles at him.
"Yes, I have sir. I've decided to take the job." Sir Topham hat smiles as well but it doesn't seem as happy as it should look.
"I thought you might take the job. I am happy for you but I know everyone will miss you and the island will be a lot different without you around."
"Yes, and I did think about that. But I know I will regret not taking this opportunity for myself if I don't at the very least see what else is out there." Sir Topham Hatt smiles a bit more at Henry's words.
"That's a good engine." He says proudly but his smile faulters a bit. "Unfortunately, you will be leaving tomorrow. I am sorry you won't be able to extend your time here more."
Henry smiles even though it's a sad occasion. "No problems sir, I really gave it some thought and I do believe this will be a good move for me."
With that they talked a bit more and Henry is sent off to do a few more special jobs till the end of the day. He gets to go back to his shed for an early night as Sir Topham Hatt allows him to take the Flying Kipper in the morning for one last run. The run goes beautifully and they arrive ahead of schedule. After the cargo is unloaded Henry goes back to Knapford Sheds for a quick nap before having to wake up again to leave.
He wakes up in the morning to the sheds being empty and his driver and firemen getting his fire prepared to leave. "I guess its time to head out." Henry says sadly. His driver chuckles.
"Well, we still have one last destination before the mainland." Henry seems confused but his driver or fireman choose to not explain further. After a few minutes Henry moves out of the shed, onto the main line. After a few more minutes they arrive at Knapford Station and to Henry's surprise. All of his friends are there to see him off. Henry is quite surprised and very touched by it all. He pulls into Platform 1 to see Thomas, Edward, Gordon, James, Percy, and a few others smiling at him pulling up. Sir Topham Hatt walks up to him.
"As you know, I am so proud of you and what this journey for you will bring. Just remember that we will always be here for you and we all wish you luck on your next big part of your life Henry." Henry felt pride but also sadness at the speech and all his friends around watching him.
"Thank you sir, I won't let any of you down. But I will miss each and every one of you and you are all such good friends to me. When I come back, I will make sure my time on the mainland will be an impressive one." Henry spoke back, looking at everyone.
"You better keep in touch with us on what's happening." Gordon says smiling.
"That I will do." Henry responds with.
In a strong slew of whistles and cheers, Henry moves out from Knapford Station and down the main line. He passes by stations he loved like Wellsworth, Cronk, and Crovan's Gate until he gets to Vicarstown and passes through it and arrives at the Vicarstown Bridge, the final destination to the mainland and stops just before crossing it.
"Well, this is it, the start of the new era of my life." With that he moves across the bridge to the mainland.
Thank you for reading. I know that the whole point of this chapter was to see what Henry decides and its basically spoiled in the title but I wanted to go through his friendships and how he comes to his decision. Plus, I thought a nice send off needed to happen.