Hello everyone, it's me. The narrator. This story is all about trains, things related to them, a guy named Tim and an engine named Riptide. If you're a Thomas the Tank Engine fan who probably reads fanfics of it that are a little bit different in nature, then you'll probably like this. Now without further ado, let's jump to the story.

[Character Introductions]

Before we start the story, I want to introduce you to two of it's characters. Tim and Riptide.

=|=| Tim |=|=

Tim is a man with pale skin, brown hair and blue eyes. He's a fan of Thomas & Friends, and he also liked anything related to trains. One day, he finally achieved his dream of becoming a train driver. What kinds of things do you think he'll do while he works on a railway? We'll find out soon.

=|=| Riptide |=|=

Riptide is a tank engine, he's a working replica of an LBSCR E2 locomotive. He was built on a railway called "The Leafy Line", and works there too. He's a dark shade of blue with riptides painted on the sides of his tanks. His number is 001, and it's located on the sides of his coal bunkers. His number is 100 written backwards, a reference to the engine he was based on. -LBSCR E2 number 100. Originally, the LBSCR E2s... were not exactly the best engines... But when The Leafy Line built Riptide, they managed to fix some of the problems the original E2s had. So he works just fine. I wonder what sorts of adventures Riptide will have in the story? We'll find out.

=|=|=| Episode 1: Next Stop: The Beginning |=|=|=

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Tim. He loved trains and things related to them, and he's a fan of Thomas & Friends too. He watched episodes of it almost all the time, and even had some merch of it. In fact he was playing with a Thomas & Friends train set right now.

"Woo woo! Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-"

Tim would play with his toy trains almost all the time until it was time for bed. He had always dreamed of driving a locomotive one day and working on a railway. The question was, how long before he achieves this dream? Well, he'll achieve it soon. But for now, let's explore his backstory.

Since Tim loved trains and things related to them, his parents would sometimes buy him toy trains. Which he would play almost all the time. Tim couldn't wait before he'd finally have the chance to drive a real train.

One day, Tim's mother decided to take him on a trip to the railway near them. -The Leafy Line. The Leafy Line is a railway owned by a man named Mr. Fred. Mr. Fred was a man with pale skin, black hair and black eyes. And he's basically the boss of The Leafy Line. Tim was excited when he heard his mom was taking him there. "So Tim, are you ready to go to The Leafy Line?" Tim's mom asked, "-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES!" Tim yelled in joy while jumping up and down repeatedly. "Alright then." replied Tim's mom as she, his husband and Tim got ready before they left the house.

*Door closing*

[Some Time Later...]

A little while later, Tim and his family had already got past the entrance to The Leafy Line. When they got in, they could see all kinds of engines bustling about. From small engines, to big engines and everything in between. "Mommy mommy come on let's go!" Tim said excitedly as he pulled his parents, who just chuckled and went along with him.

The reason why The Leafy Line got it's name was that there were grass and leaves almost everywhere, But they weren't pesky or something like that, they were just small and short leaves and grasses. They sort of added to the beauty of the railway. And hey even though The Leafy Line has lots of leaves and grass almost everywhere, at least the railway would be a great place to run to when the oxygen on Earth finally becomes low. Hehehe. Another reason why The Leafy Line got it's name was that it used to be a big farm. When Mr. Fred was a kid, he lived in the same place where The Leafy Line is now. Only it wasn't a railway back then, but a big farm filled with plenty of plants. Mr. Fred would sometimes watch his father drive a green tractor named Old Bessy. For a long time, The Leafy Line was just a farm. Until one day, Mr. Fred turned it into his very own railway.

Today, our little Tim and his parents are visiting that railway. They sat somewhere and watched engines go by pulling coaches or freight. "Mommy! Look at that train, it's big!" Tim suddenly said pointing at an LNER (London, Northern & Eastern Railway) K4 pulling coaches. Now, you might be thinking "Why is there an LNER locomotive on The Leafy Line?". I'll explain why. The Leafy Line has another purpose than just being another railway, it was like some sort of future museum or something. A long time ago, some people had planned that The Leafy Line have working replicas of already existing engines. So that if there came a time where steam would no longer be needed for rail power, then The Leafy Line would act like some sort of museum. For people to see the wonders of the rail powers' past. Yes the people on The Leafy Line also use those working replica engines for actual work. If you have it, why not use it?

Anyway, Tim's childhood was fun. Just he and his parents, who would sometimes visit The Leafy Line to watch it in action. Those were some good times.

[Many Years Later...]

After many years, when Tim had already grown up... he was starting to get ready to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a train driver and working on a railway. And right now, he was fixing his clothes while looking at himself in the mirror.

"Tim, I wish you good luck." Tim's mother said, "We're proud of you, son." Tim's dad added. "Thank you mom and dad." Tim replied. As Tim checked himself over one last time, he finally got ready and left the house. Closing the door behind him.

*Door closing*

Tim's parents smiled, knowing that their son would finally be able to fulfill the dream he had for so long.

[A Few Minutes Later...]

Tim would've arrived sooner at his destination, if he and his family had some sort of transportation like a car. But sadly, they didn't have any. As they didn't have much money. But Tim promised his parents that when he starts earning some cash, he will send some of it to them. So that they'll at least have money to spend for important stuff. Anyway, Tim walked onto the last stretch of the road ahead before finally arriving to his destination... -The Leafy Line.

When Tim got to The Leafy Line, he looked around. It was still the same, engines bustling to and fro going past the grass and leaf covered rails and surroundings. "Ok, now's the time Tim! Now's the time... -to shine!" Tim thought as he pumped his left fist a bit before continuing to walk. But while he was walking, he met a certain man with pale skin, black hair and black eyes along the way. This man was none other than... -Mr. Fred himself! When Mr. Fred saw Tim, he didn't recognize him. So he figured Tim must be the new guy trying to be part of his railway. Mr. Fred walked over to Tim, when he did he said hello to him and waved. "A-ah! M-M-M-Mr. Fred! It's you!" Tim said in surprise as he waved back a bit nervously. Then, as Mr. Fred got to have a closer look at Tim he started to remember who he was. He was that brown haired boy who loved trains and always went to visit his railway with his parents.

"Well, look who's back after a long time." said Mr. Fred, "So, finally fulfilling your dream of becoming a train driver eh?" he added chuckling. "Yeah." Tim replied. After that, Tim and Mr. Fred had a long conversation with each other.

After the conversation, it was time for Mr. Fred to show Tim the ropes. "Tim, come with me." said Mr. Fred, "Ok." Tim replied as he followed Mr. Fred. Mr. Fred walked all the way into a big building. "What's this?" asked Tim staring at the building, "It's the place where trains are built." Mr. Fred replied. "Ok, but why did you take me here? Are you gonna teach me how to build a train? 'Cuz that sounds pretty hard." Tim asked, "No. I just figured that since both you and one of the engines inside there are new here, the both of you could learn together." Mr Fred answered. "There are new engines inside?" Tim asked again, "Yes, now come with me." said Mr. Fred as he and Tim went inside the building.

When Mr. Fred and Tim were in the building, they could see the locomotive builders doing their work. "WHOAAAAAAAAAA! THIS IS AMAZING!" Tim yelled accidentally, "Shhh! Keep it down." said Mr. Fred. "Sorry." Tim whispered as Mr. Fred kept on talking to him.

"Anyway, come on. First, I'll show you how to drive an engine. Come this way." said Mr. Fred as Tim followed him further inside the building. Mr. Fred and Tim walked for a bit, when they stopped they stopped across a tank engine. The tank engine looked at Mr. Fred and Tim.

When Tim saw the tank engine, he said "WHOAAAAAAAA! That train looks just like THOMAS! But bigger and longer!". "Shhhhh-shhhhh-shhhhh-shhhhh! Keep it down!" Mr. Fred reminded Tim again, "Sorry!" Tim apologized. Mr. Fred shook his head a bit and said "Anyway, this will be the engine you'll be learning the ropes with.". "An engine that LOOKS LIKE THOMAS?! Alright!" Tim managed to say in a bit of a lower voice.

The engine was a working replica of an LBSCR E2, the engine that the famous Thomas the tank engine was based on. However, unlike Thomas the real life E2s were... not exactly the best engines. In the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR), the E2s were meant to replace the E1 tank engines since most of them were already old or worn out. But... the E2s didn't turn out as expected. See, they had some problems. Their water tanks consumed water too quickly, so they could only go short distances. Their coal bunkers were also too small. They had poor braking and would oscillate when you drove them too fast. But despite those problems, the E2s weren't useless. At least they did their job, and they did it for a surprisingly long time.

When The Leafy Line built the working replica of an LBSCR E2 tank engine (who would later become known as Riptide), they fixed some of the problems the original E2s had. So the engine worked just fine. When the LBSCR knew what Mr. Fred had done, they wanted to know how he could fix some of the problems the original E2s had on his working E2 replica. Unfortunately, Mr. Fred didn't tell them. He didn't want the world to know that he had a knack for improving steam technology, well... not much anyway. The reason why is so that Mr. Fred would have some sort of advantage over the competition. How Mr. Fred managed to get the LBSCR to stop asking him on how he improved the E2 I don't know, but what I do know is that he managed to do it.

Now back to the story. The working E2 replica looked just like a real E2. Specifically, the E2 numbered 100 colored in gray with short side tanks. E2 number 100 was the first of it's kind, followed by 101 to 109. So there were 10 real E2s in total. Sadly, they are all scrapped today. And to be fair, it was for understandable reasons. Today, the E2s live on in the form of Thomas the tank engine. Who will remain in most people's hearts forever, so I guess it wasn't a total loss for them.

Anyway, Mr. Fred led Tim closer to the E2 replica. When the engine got a better look at them, he said "Oh? Who's this?" as he looked at Tim. "100, meet Tim. You and him will both learn the ropes of working on a railway together." said Mr. Fred. "Wait, that engine's name is 100?!" asked Tim in confusion, "Oh, sorry. But Mr. Fred here just calls me 100 since I was just newly built and I don't have a name yet." the engine replied. "How about I try to give you a name?" Tim suggested, "Here at The Leafy Line, we mostly name our engines after natural things. Like Daffodil, Petunia, Tsunami and the like. So if you're going to suggest a name for this engine, I suggest making the name related to nature or something like that." Mr. Fred told Tim.

Tim always knew that The Leafy Line named most of their engines after natural things, and he knew the reason why. The reason why The Leafy Line names their engines after natural things is to keep with the natural theme of the railway, with it being mostly grass and leaves in some parts of it. Still, Tim thought it was weird. So he said "How about we name the engine something cool and different? Y'know, just for a change. And to spice things up a bit. Naming every engine you own after natural things sounds kinda boring.". "Sorry, but it's tradition. You can either suggest a name related to nature for this engine, or you can just leave it and call him 100 until I give him a new name." Mr. Fred replied.

"Mr. Fred, I'd like this man to be the one to give me a name." said 100. Mr. Fred thought about it for a while, before saying "Alright then. But while Tim thinks of a new name for you, I think it's time you and him both learn the ropes of working on a railway.". Both Tim and 100 agreed, then Mr. Fred and Tim both went inside 100's cab. Then, Mr. Fred started teaching Tim how to start a steam engine.

Mr. Fred ended up teaching Tim for a bit, before Tim managed to drive 100 out of the locomotive workshop. Together, Tim, Mr. Fred and 100 went along the line occasionally enjoying the view. "Whoa, so this is what it feels like to drive a real life train! Cool!" said Tim as he continued to drive 100 down the line. After that, Mr. Fred told Tim to go to the yard. Tim agreed and drove there.

Once Tim, Mr. Fred and 100 got to the yard, Mr. Fred started to show Tim how to make an engine buffer up to rolling stock. And how to couple and uncouple. After that, Mr. Fred made Tim and 100 do a bit of shunting. The real E2s had a job of shunting, so it fit 100 perfectly well. Hahaha. Anyway, after some shunting Mr. Fred proceeded to teach Tim all about working on a railway and things related to it.

It took a while for Mr. Fred to teach Tim and 100 everything. But eventually, he was finally done. "Ok Tim and 100, now that I've shown the both of you everything you two need to know it's time for your first jobs here on the railway. I want the both of you to arrange a train for the engine coming at platform 2." said Mr. Fred. "No problem sir, we'll arrange that train." Tim replied as he started 100 making him puff away.

Tim and 100 went over to the yard where rolling stock was kept. When the shunter saw them, he got ready just in case something was needed to be coupled up. Then, Tim and 100 started arranging some coaches. Everytime they buffered a coach to another one, the shunter would couple them up together. Arranging the coaches took a while, but eventually Tim and 100 managed to do it. Now it was time for Tim to turn 100 around the other way, but there was no turntable nearby. So he just drove 100 to some sets of points that allowed him to do so.

When 100 was turned around, he buffered up to the coaches. Then, he pushed them to platform 2 where an engine was waiting. The engine was a green SDJR (Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway) 7F. Tim and 100 pushed the coaches and buffered them up to it before it was coupled up to them. Later, Tim and 100 would have to push the coaches and the SDJR 7F to help it have a quicker start. When the signal turned green and the guard blew his whistle, both Tim and the driver of the SDJR 7F blew their engines' whistles. Then, Tim and 100 started pushing the coaches and the SDJR 7F. It wasn't long before the SDJR 7F chugged across the line, leaving Tim and 100 behind.

Both Tim and 100 smiled, their first job was a success. When they looked on the platform, a surprise awaited them. It was Mr. Fred! He was watching them the whole time! "Well done on your first jobs you two." said Mr. Fred. "Thanks." said both Tim and 100. Tim smiled while 100 whistled in delight. Then, Mr. Fred told Tim and 100 to collect a passenger train that was waiting for them in a platform not too far away from where they are. Tim and 100 agreed before Tim started up 100 making him chuff away to take the passenger train.

As Tim and 100 were cruising along the line, they decided to talk to each other during the trip. Tim talked about how he liked trains and how he'd always wanted to be a train driver, while 100 talked about how it was his very first day on the world and on the railway. It wasn't long before the two became friends.

When Tim and 100 arrived at the platform, they could see the coaches ready. They went over to some points to get in front of the coaches, once they did they reversed and buffered up to them. The shunter fastened the couplings as the passengers got inside the coaches. When the guard blew his whistle, Tim made 100 whistle back and start off.

*Engine chugging and coaches clattering*

Soon, Tim and 100 arrived at their destination. Another station. This one was a bit far from where 100 shunted coaches for the green SDJR 7F back there. As the passengers got off the coaches, Tim and 100 looked over at the waters beside them. The view was great, the water was sparkling. However, as soon as they looked at the waters... -something else caught their attention! In the distance, was a man paddling for his life on a boat! He was stuck on a RIPTIDE and couldn't get out! The man desperately paddled for his life, he was getting tired because he had been paddling for a while now.

"Look! It's a man who needs help! Let's help him!" said Tim as he jumped out of 100's cab, switched the points to the track that led to the waters, got back inside 100's cab and made him speed towards the direction of where the man was. Leaving the coaches beside the platform. People were a bit shocked to see what Tim and 100 were doing, but realized what they were trying to do when they saw the helpless man paddling for his life in the water.

The people talked about what Tim and 100 were trying to do as they both continued to go over to the track in the direction of the waters. After Tim and 100 stopped, they looked at the man. He really needed help right now. But Tim and 100 didn't have any idea what to do. They didn't see anything much that would help them. Then, something caught Tim's attention. It was an anchor laying on the sand! Tim quickly ran to it and carried it back towards 100. The anchor was quite heavy, but Tim managed to pull it back to 100. Then, he attached the chain part of the anchor to 100's coupling hook.

"Wh...what're you doing?" 100 asked a bit nervously, "You and me will pull that man back to safety!" Tim replied. "But how are you going to bring that to the waters?! You can't go there, the wave will get you too!" 100 asked again, "Don't worry, I have a plan." answered Tim as he walked near the waters, dropped the anchor's hook on it and let it get carried by the riptide towards the man. 100 smiled as he saw what Tim did.

When the anchor's hook got to the man, he knew what to do. He hooked the anchor's hook on his boat, then signalled Tim and 100 that everything was ready. When Tim saw the man's signal, he ran back to 100, started him and made him puff backwards.

100 heaved and heaved as hard as he could, but the riptide was stronger. That didn't stop 100 though as he kept on puffing backwards, trying to pull the man and his boat out of the riptide. The man was very nervous right now, hoping that Tim and 100 would be able to rescue him. Tim shoveled more coal into 100 as the engine kept on puffing backwards as much as he could.

"C'mon! Keep going!" said Tim, "I'm trying! But the water's too strong!" 100 replied. "-Keep on going! We need to save that man!" Tim added as 100 still continued to puff backwards.

100 heaved harder and harder, but no matter how much he did so the riptide just kept resisting! Soon, the riptide was beginning to pull 100 into it! "THE WATER'S PULLING ME INTO IT!" yelled 100, Tim shoveled more coal as fast as he could and made 100 puff backwards faster to avoid him getting dragged by the riptide into it!

100 ended up going back and forth as the riptide was slowly pulling him into it even more! Eventually, he started to get tired. "I DON'T THINK I CAN DO THIS ANYMORE!" 100 yelled, "Keep on going! We have to save that person!" Tim yelled back as he shoveled even more coal into 100 making him puff backwards even faster!

Then, things started to get worse! The riptide was getting stronger and stronger! It started to pull 100 towards it! "I'M GETTING PULLED BY THE WATERS!" 100 yelled again as the riptide started to pull him closer and closer and closer and closer and closer and closer and closer towards it until he was TANK-DEEP into it and the water was ALMOST REACHING HIS FIREBOX! "Hold on, I'm going to help! Just keep going backwards!" Tim yelled back as he continued to shovel more coal into 100. He kept on doing this until finally, 100 started to get some traction and started going back.

"That's it! Keep going backwards! You can do it!" said Tim, little by little 100 kept on puffing backwards. 100's wheels spun faster and faster until eventually, he was able to get back on land and pull the man and his boat out of the riptide.

When the people saw what Tim and 100 had done, they clapped and cheered. Tim and 100 looked back and smiled. Then, the man in the boat got and went over to them. "Thank you for saving me." he said to Tim and 100, "No problem." they both replied. Then, a little while later a black GER S69 pulled right near the station where Tim and 100 had left their coaches. Out the cab came a certain pale-skinned black haired man. It was Mr. Fred! Mr. Fred was confused as to why there were so many people cheering. Then, he looked at both Tim and 100. He was angry and went over to them.

When Mr. Fred got to Tim and 100, he said "What're you two doing here?! The both of you are VERY LATE for your next job! And I had to send another engine to take care of it!". "B-But sir, we rescued this man from drowning! The waters were pulling him towards it, and Tim hooked an anchor to me so that I could pull the man and his boat back to safety!" said 100. "Wait, if that man was on the water then how did the end of the anchor get hooked on to the boat?" Mr. Fred asked, "Tim dropped the anchor on the waters after he tied the other end of it to my coupling hook and let the waters take it to the man. Then the man hooked it up to his boat and we managed to pull him out of the water." replied 100. "Oh. That's clever. But I have to ask, how did that man end up in the riptide?" Mr. Fred asked, "I don't know, but me and 100 managed to pull him back to safety." Tim answered.

"Oh. Anyway, since you two saved someone's life today I will congratulate you both for doing so. And I think the both of you deserve rewards for that. Tim, I will give you more money by the end of the day. And 100, you will have some upgrades." said Mr. Fred, both Tim and 100 were delighted! They deserved their reward for saving someone's life today.

A few hours later, 100 was sent to the locomotive workshop. Where he was to have some upgrades. The men replaced his old parts with new, better and more efficient ones. Since Tim requested it, 100's number was reversed and became 001. A reference to the original E2 and Thomas. Tim had also found a new name for 100, Riptide. He thought it suited 100 after what happened today. Riptide was given a coat of water blue paint with white linings and riptides painted on the sides of his tank. He also got a new whistle that shone brightly. A nameplate was fitted to his sides and his running board was colored white on top and red on the rest of it. And lastly, his buffers were painted black.

Once Riptide had gotten all the modifications he needed, he was taken out of the workshop where Tim and Mr. Fred were waiting. When Tim and Mr. Fred saw Riptide, they smiled as they saw his new modifications. "WHOA! COOL!" said Tim as Riptide smirked as his new paint shone smartly. "Ta-da!" said Mr. Fred. "What do you two think?" Riptide asked. "You look cool!" replied Tim as he clambered aboard Riptide's cab. Mr. Fred smiled as Tim and Riptide went off in the distance.

Well, it looks like Tim's first day at work had more than he bargained for. But he was happy and wouldn't change a single thing about it. And I'm sure Riptide feels the same too. Together, Tim and Riptide went along the line to make their way to the engine sheds. Mr. Fred said they could rest a bit as a reward of saving the man's life. I wonder what other kinds of adventures Tim and Riptide will have in the future? We'll find out soon in the next story.