This is the fourth in the Young Iron Series. Please read the proceeding stories to gain a full understand of the events mentioned in the Story.


CHAPTER 1 - No. 4472


Green Arrow blew his whistle cheerfully as he pulled into Knapford Station. He was pulling coaches today which always pleased the LNER V2.

James, who's coaches he had taken after an incident had occurred with him and a coal hopper, sat fuming in the station with Gordon and Duck. He gave a humph and ignored the large green engine.

"Don't be so sour James," Green Arrow chided him. "You'll go back to pulling them tomorrow I'm sure."

James just wheeshed steam.

"You're just an over glorified smaller version of Gordon!" He snapped. Gordon's eyes widened in shock and he gave an indignant huff in response.

James immediately regretted his comment however as he saw the Fat Controller come out of his office with an angry glare at him.

"James! That was unnecessary! Apologise immediately!" He ordered and James pouted at him.

"But he is sir! He just has one less bogey wheel!" James argued.

"James!"

"I don't mind sir," Green Arrow said brightly. "It's a common comment I get. And it's one that's technically true. We V2's were meant to function as a mixed traffic engine version of the A3's."

"That doesn't excuse James' rudeness," the Fat Controller glared at James who faltered and gave a heavy sigh, relenting.

"Alright, I'm sorry Green Arrow," he said dismissively, not looking at Arrow.

Arrow looked unbothered.

"It's fine, I'm really not bothered," he said with a friendly smile at James.

James just grew angrier.

Ever since he'd gotten his voice back and returned into service, Green Arrow had outperformed him in every aspect and he had started stealing all of his work. All with this bright happy attitude that infuriated James.

It made him feel useless. And there were few things that hurt an engine's pride than feeling useless.

James glared at Green Arrow as the Fat Controller praised him.

"You have become one of the most useful engines on my railway Green Arrow," he beamed and Green Arrow just blushed.

"I'm just really happy to prove myself and not be locked up in another shed for years sir," Arrow said. "I don't mind the work."

"Oh ay, City of Truro was telling me how impressed he was with you," Duck chimed in. "Got the spirit of a Great Western that Arrow, '' he told me. I can see what he meant by that."

"Ah yes, Truro," the Fat Controller suddenly remembered what he had come out to tell the engines. "The Sodor branch of the National Railway Museum will be opening in a couple weeks. Green Arrow and Truro will head the celebrations along with a few other engines."

"Something to look forward to," Duck said with a smile. "Truro's not been in the best mood lately."

Gordon shifted uncomfortably and stared at the tracks ahead of him.

He didn't want to dwell on his brother's condition, he simply wanted to work, pulling his express.

Green Arrow kept quiet. Although he didn't know what was happening with the Flying Scotsman, he knew that something was up.

He wasn't stupid. He knew that Truro, Gordon and Tornado were hiding something and that was clearly very sensitive.

Gordon whistled loudly and departed with his express while James went off with a huff and a dirty look at Arrow.

Duck just sat and looked over at Arrow.

"You know, I'm really surprised you're so friendly considering everyone was so nasty to you when you didn't have a voice," Duck said and Arrow just looked at him curiously.

"Everyone ignored or hated me on other railways I worked at in the past, I'm used to it so I really don't care," Arrow said dismissively. "And the best way to get back at people who don't like you is to be happy. I find that it infuriates them."

Green Arrow gave a sly grin of past experience.

Duck couldn't help but appreciate that.

"You know what, I'm starting to like you Green Arrow," Duck smirked and Arrow gave a laugh.


"Will Magpie be at the opening of the Sodor Museum Mr Stainer sir?" Henry asked hopefully as he waited at Ulfstead Castle.

"Oh heavens no," Stainer said with a smile. "She was just doing the Museum a favour that day she brought Scotsman here, she's owned by another Railway."

"Oh," Henry looked crestfallen. "Well, will another Black 5 be there?" He asked hopefully.

Stainer turned to Henry, raising his eyebrow curiously.

"The Museum doesn't own any of the 18 remaining Black 5's I'm afraid Henry. However you'll be there, so technically one will," he said and Henry's expression grew even sadder.

Stainer grew concerned.

"What's the matter Henry?"

"Well," Henry began nervously. "I never really considered the fact I had siblings, or a family. See, it was weird. I wasn't a Gresley but I never saw myself as a Stainer either."

"Ah I see. Magpie made quite the impression on you I see," Stainer said and Henry looked up at him hopefully.

"I don't mean to be a burden but would I possibly be able to meet any of the other Black 5's? I would like to know my siblings, even if they don't see me as such," Henry cautiously asked and the short stout man gave a hearty laugh.

"Of course Henry! I'm sure that Sir Topham would love for you to meet your siblings. The only problem is that he'd have to ask the Railways themselves which may take time," he said.

"That's okay sir, I don't mind waiting."

"I am surprised that Olivia didn't mention you to me though," Stainer said curiously. "You have quite a history. And you have a personal connection with my own family and hers. It's unique to have an engine rebuilt in such a way of yours. What manner of thing happened to you that you needed such a drastic change."

"Olivia probably didn't know sir, not many people know I was a Gresley Prototype," Henry said. "And I don't really like talking about it, the accident I was in that caused my rebuild… I don't like to dwell on it sir."

Stainer looked remorsefully at Henry.

"I apologise dear Henry," he said with a concerned smile. "I will refrain from asking about it unless necessary."

"Thank-you sir," Henry said with a small smile.

"But you should speak to your controller about seeing your siblings," Stainer said with a beaming smile. "I think they'll be more than happy to find a long lost sibling to add to their little family, they're a very tight knit group."

"Are you sure sir?" Henry asked nervously. "I hope that I won't intrude on anything."

Stainer gave Henry an encouraging smile.

"In an age where a lot of steam engine classes went extinct, the remaining Black 5's take pride in having a great number of them," he said with a proud smile. "They'll be very pleased, you remember how happy Magpie was when she met you."

"I guess," Henry said, looking at his buffers briefly before glancing up at Stainer. "Thank-you sir."

"You're very welcome Henry. You're a very charming engine, you know that?"

Henry blushed deeply.

Stainer looked over as he saw a purple tank engine pull into the station with the Flying Scotsman's personal coach, Lydia.

Lydia was chirping away happily to Ryan who seemed content to listen to her stories.

Ryan pulled up alongside Henry with a polite whistle.

"Hello Mr Henry! Hello Mr Stainer!" He greeted both of them brightly. "Ms Olivia is here!"

"So I see!" Stainer observed, beaming as the tall woman exited the coach. He looked slightly disheartened when he saw that she was alone. "I don't get to meet little Scott just yet?"

Olivia smirked at him. "No, no, he's still too new to be out and about. Oscar's looking after him. You'll meet him eventually, don't be so impatient."

Stainer gave a defeated sigh and looked up at the taller woman.

"That being said, should you be out and about so soon?" He asked concerned and Olivia raised her eyebrow at him.

"I'm not made of glass Henry," she scolded him and gave him a scowl to which Stainer gave a nervous laugh. "But I was worried, so I came to check on things."

Stainer nodded.

"Sir Robert hasn't had any issues, however the attitude of a certain someone towards his guests and servants has not been ideal," Stainer admitted and Olivia frowned.

"I see."

Olivia looked over and saw Henry sitting at the platform patiently.

"Hello other better Henry," she greeted him and Stainer gave a roll of his eyes. "How are you?"

"I'm good thank-you Ms Olivia. Congratulations on your baby," Henry said cheerfully and Olivia smiled at him.

"Thank-you dear, you're a sweetheart," She smiled at him. "How are you finding the new diesel?"

"Bear? He can be a bit much at times but he really loves us Steam Engines for some reason," Henry said.

"Nothing wrong with that," Olivia smiled. "He's always been like that from what I heard about his previous owner. He used to ask to be brought out to watch the Steam Engines when they came along on railtours."

"I guess it's just unusual," Henry sighed. "Gordon and James find him tiring but I can see he's just excited."

"You're a very astute engine Henry," Olivia smiled. She turned to leave but Henry suddenly spoke up.

"Um, Ms Olivia… I have a question."

"Go on Henry."

"Did you know I was a failed Gresley Prototype?"

Olivia paused and glanced at Stainer.

"I'm sorry Henry I did not, Stainer only told me after your little encounter with Magpie," she said apologetically. "I had no idea, I'm sorry. I thought you were one of the Black 5's. Maybe it was for the better. Our family is not kind to Prototypes."

Henry knew that.

He'd heard stories from Gordon about such things.

He was very glad to have avoided such a fate.

"Gordon has told me stories ma'am," Henry admitted. "But I don't mind, I was curious, that was all."

Olivia smiled kindly at him.

"Well, feel free to ask me anything Henry, I'm sure Stainer will accommodate any questions too," she smiled at him. "You're very much a part of both our legacy's."

"Thank-you Ms Olivia, Thank-you Mr Stainer," Henry said with a nervous smile.

"You're very welcome Henry."

Henry watched as the two turned and left the platform leaving him with the little tank engine Ryan.

"It's good you see you again Ryan, you too Lydia," Henry said with a warm smile to the little engine and his coach.

"You too Henry!" Ryan beamed at the bigger engine. "It's a shame I don't get to talk to you more often but I am up at Harwick most of the time."

Lydia just humphed at him.

Henry looked at the tracks disheartened.

"I um, don't mean to bother you with such things Henry but," Ryan paused as he chose his next words carefully. "I was wondering if you knew anything regarding Flying Scotsman?"

Henry was taken aback by the question.

"I don't know anything, I'm sorry," Henry said with a sad look. "Maybe ask Gordon or Tornado?"

"I tried but Gordon just ignored me and Tornado said she didn't know anything and became upset," Ryan said. "It's just, Lydia is his personal coach. They went to America together. She just wants to know what's going on."

Henry looked at Lydia sadly.

"I'm sorry Lydia but I really don't know," Henry said quietly. "But I can try and find out for you."

Lydia looked at him hopefully but said nothing.

"Thank-you Henry, I'd appreciate it," Ryan gave Henry a brilliant smile.

Henry just smiled at the small engine, his mind filled with worry and anxiety.


"What are you doing here?" Green Arrow heard Rebecca call out to him as he reversed into the berth beside Tornado.

She didn't sound happy but she wasn't overly nasty either.

"I have a goods train I need to collect from Barrow tomorrow morning," Arrow told her brightly. "So for tonight, I am here."

"Your voice sounds a bit… warped," Rebecca commented and Arrow rolled his eyes.

"Well, they did what they could," he said with a sigh. "It's not perfect but it's better than nothing."

"I suppose," Rebecca mused.

He could tell that she wanted to snippy with him but was reframing from doing so for Tornado's sake.

"Hello Tornado," Arrow said to her sweetly. "You look nice tonight."

Tornado despite her extra clean coat looked very deflated and tired.

"Hello Arrow," she mumbled out quietly, not looking at him. "Thank-you, I guess."

Arrow and Rebecca glanced at each other.

"Are… you okay Tornado?" He asked, concerned.

"Yes, yes, I'm just tired," Tornado said dismissively.

Green Arrow, nor Rebecca looked convinced of her words.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right Tornado?" Rebecca told her kindly. "I don't like seeing you like this."

Tornado's face turned into one of annoyance. She frowned and wheeshed steam angrily.

"There's nothing wrong with me, stop pestering me with questions!" She snapped angrily.

"Tornado I just want to help," Rebecca pleaded with her. "Please stop getting defensive everytime I offer to assist you. I know what's happening to Scott is stressing-"

Tornado suddenly started forward with a loud bellowing of steam.

"Tornado!" Rebecca called out to her.

"I'm going to sleep at Ulfstead Castle tonight!" She snapped to Rebecca before quickly disappearing into the distance.

Rebecca gave an exhausted sigh before staring at the track in front of her defeated.

Green Arrow simply stared at the yard before him nervously.

"That… that wasn't because of me was it? I'm- I'm sorry if it was," Arrow said.

"It wasn't your fault," Rebecca assured him. "She's been like this since, well since Scotsman was taken to the castle to try and fix the Cold Iron Sleep. Only one she talks to now is Gordon."

She sounded hurt and sad.

Green Arrow could not blame her. Tornado's attitude had become reclusive and quiet recently. She was constantly tired and snapped at everyone.

It was becoming very worrying.

It could lead to another incident like what had happened with Arrow's burst boiler.

"I just want to help her," Rebecca said, sounding hopeless.

Arrow simply said nothing, unsure of how to respond.


"Why him? Why 4472? He's not any more special than the rest of us!" Banbury snapped at his designer. "Great Northern is the first of us! He should represent us at the exhibition! You might as well show that prototype instead!"

"That's enough!" Sir Gresley barked at Banbury.

Behind him, Great Northern sat still and silent, his expression motionless and stoic. Beside him, the timid and quiet 4472 looked terrified of his other siblings.

The others never liked him. They thought him odd and weird as he kept to himself and was never proud or boastful.

Great Northern did somewhat look after him and treat him with respect. But Northern also held high standards for 4472 and was disappointed whenever 4472 did not perform as well as he had hoped.

Great Northern was a wise mentor but an unforgiving one. He demanded more than what 4472 could give at times.

"Great Northern has given up his place for the role of Flying Scotsman for 4472," Sir Gresley said. "Therefore 4472 has earned his name as Flying Scotman and will be placed in the exhibition."

Banbury looked ready to burst his valve in sheer anger. Solario also looked furious. They both glared at 4472 who rolled backwards away from them frightened.

Great Northern looked displeased at 4472's reaction. 4472 looked at his buffers in shame.

"I will not be questioned on this," Sir Gresley snapped. "My decision is final, 4472 will be our leading representative. He will run the Flying Scotsman Express Service and you will respect my decision or I will see fit to have you turned into a form more agreeable, is that clear?"

"Yes sir," the engines chorused bitterly.

Gresley turned heel and left with his assistants leaving his engines alone.

"They chose the most pathetic engine for the hardest job!" Solario shrieked angrily, her voice shrill. "I don't believe this!"

4472 backed up even further until he hit the rear buffers with a loud bang. He whimpered under the gaze of the others.

He didn't want this, he just wanted to go back to the sheds with the prototype, Gordon. Gordon was his friend, Gordon didn't treat him like some pathetic weak tank engine like his other siblings.

"I was the one who suggested 4472 to take the role," Great Northern boomed in a deep commanding voice. "The rest of you tired me with all your fighting and childishness. The Flying Scotsman is our most important service, it belongs to an engine who will understand its value and not one who disrespects their crews."

The A1's had a tendency to disobey their crews or give them a hard time.

Great Northern had been chosen as he was one of the few A1's that listened and worked with his crew. However even then there were times when his crew struggled with him.

4472 had shown a remarkable willingness to trust his crews and work with them, something which was needed for such a taxing journey such as the Flying Scotsman.

If a crew couldn't get along with its engine, they wouldn't even last halfway.

Great Northern had put forward the young timid engine who was currently limited to smaller lines.

"You place too much faith in a losing horse North," Banbury sneered but Great Northern held firm.

"You would do well to cease bullying 4472," North said dismissively. "Least you hear from me."

Banbury looked like he was going to argue but saw the look on North's face and immediately backed off.

Solario and Banbury backed away, throwing dirty glares at 4472 who refused to look at them. They left the workshop with huge wheeshes of steam, voicing their displeasure of 4472 having been given a highly sought after job.

"4472," Great Northern addressed the engine who didn't look up at him. "Look at me when I am speaking to you, boy."

"Yes sir, sorry sir," 4472 squeaked, frightened.

He didn't want to upset his big brother.

"You will be the face of the LNER from this point forward," North said sternly. "Which means I expect you to stop whimpering like a coward. You are the premier Express Engine of our fleet, you need to set an example."

4472 wheels trembled. He didn't want this. He didn't want to be special. He just wanted to be left alone.

"I don't want this North, you're making a mistake!" 4472 pleaded desperately. "Please, I just want to be left to my branchlines!"

"Enough!" North snarled and 4472 cowered. "You either shape up or Sir Gresley will find better use for you in the scrapyard. Do I make myself clear?"

4472 fought back the urge to cry. He sniffed.

"Yes sir," 4472 admitted defeated.

"Stop crying, it's pathetic," North said with an air of disgust. "You are an express engine, a build of strength, not a weak little tank engine."

4472 sniffed harder and tried to hide his tears.

"Sorry sir, yes sir," he sniffed. "I'll do better North sir."

"Stop apologising so much," North growled as he began to build up steam to leave. "You have potential, 4472, you just need to stop being so weak."

"Yes sir."

Great Northern began to pull away but he stopped halfway out of Gresley's workshop.

"One more thing, 4472," he called. "Stop associating with that pathetic prototype, Gordon. You're better than that. He's going to be scrapped anyway so… don't get too attached to him. It will hurt less once it happens."

4472 said nothing at that.

He just glared at his older brother.

"Gordon is my friend," 4472 declared angrily. "And he's not pathetic! We wouldn't exist without him!"

Great Northern just looked at him disapprovingly before exiting the workshop without another word.


For updates, to ask questions or discuss the fic, you can find me on tumblr at tornadoyoungiron or on twitter as BakunawaArt.